30-30 Handi/Topper with LeverEvolution propellant***UPDATE***

[carbineman]

Loaded some 170 grain Sierra flatnose bullets with Hodgdon's LeverEvolution propellant today, and shot at my home range. The temp was 31 degrees, distance 100 yards, Rifle was 30-30 Topper 22" with cheap 1.5-4.5x21mm Bushnell scope. This is primarily a back-up rifle with a 5 1/2lb. trigger pull.

Case was Winchester with WLR primers and cartridge overall length I used was 2.600"

The bottom two shots were with 34.0 grains, avg. velocity was.......................... 2062 fps.
The next four shots slightly to left of center were with 35.0 grains, avg. was...... 2117 fps.
The shot to right of center was with 36 grains, velocity.........................................2179 fps
All rounds shot over F1 Chrony.

The loading data was from Hodgdon's website. Maximum load Hodgdon listed is at 36.3 grains and velocity is listed as 2325 fps. I will load with 36.3 grains and try that yet today or tomorrow and am thinking 2200 fps is where I'll end up but then again who knows. Accuracy is the best that I've had with this rifle to date, and I'm extremely pleased. I would normally shoot 130 grain SSSP bullets or Barnes 130 grain XBT's through this rifle.

I think the LE propellant is a winner and though I may not reach book stated velocity, the accuracy was excellent for this old guy.  I paid $24.99 for the LE propellant. In the past, my loading was done with W748 mainly and some BL-C2 and WC846.

[cwlongshot]

I haven seen this powder on shelves yet.  Velocities seem lo, how are the cases at the web? Hows extraction? Are the primers flattening at all?

Lord knows I don't need another powder, but these new powders are intriguing.

CW

[Slufoot]

Hey carbineman, thanks for the range report.
I chrono'd some Remington factory 170 grain core-lokt ammo last fall out of a 20" barreled Model 94 Winchester and they ran just under 2000 fps. So going by that you are doing pretty darn good. Most 30-30's wear a 20" barrel and that 170 grainer going under 2 grand has put alot of meat in the freezer.
You are already 200 fps faster than the factory Remington ammo I chronographed.

GOOD SHOOTING!
Slufoot

[carbineman]

I haven't seen this powder on shelves yet. I ordered this powder from our local Scheels store Velocities seem lo, My Hornady #2 book shows 2200 fps with a Hornady 170 grain bullet. I choose the Sierra because Hodgdon showed data for that bullet with the LE propellant They showed 2300+ fps as the top velocity with 36.3 grains of propellant how are the cases at the web? Mic reading shows no growth at web expansion ringHows extraction?The spent cases popped right out Are the primers flattening at all?Yes at 36 grains the primers are just starting to flatten, Hodgdon shows a CUP of 35,700 with 36.3 grains. Being that the receiver is not an SB2, I'm going to cease and desist right around 36 grains from what I can tell so far. I did load a couple of rounds with 36.3 grains today to try tomorrow. Being that the weather I'll use these rounds for hunting in, is about the same as today here in Cheeseville, I suspect I'll be ok. Hopefully Hodgdon's pressure rating is correct as I loaded exactly what they printed using the same case and primer along with the load data in the same amounts. The only difference is the COL which I left a bit longer. I think there is a learning curve I'm encountering using this propellant.

Lord knows I don't need another powder, but these new powders are intriguing.

CW

[carbineman]

Hey carbineman, thanks for the range report.
I chrono'd some Remington factory 170 grain core-lokt ammo last fall out of a 20" barreled Model 94 Winchester and they ran just under 2000 fps. So going by that you are doing pretty darn good. Most 30-30's wear a 20" barrel and that 170 grainer going under 2 grand has put alot of meat in the freezer.
You are already 200 fps faster than the factory Remington ammo I chronographed.

GOOD SHOOTING!
Slufoot

Slufoot, I have always been a bit shy of book stated velocity on most of my loadings, especially from some of my older reloading manuals. Hopefully someone will post 170 grain data from the Speer or Sierra books as I don't own those reloading books. My current Hodgdon Basic reloading manual (gunstore giveaway) shows top velocity with the 170 grain Sierra FN at 2227 using 36.0 grains of BL-C2 with a CUP of 34,700. That velocity was obtained using Winchester cases and WLR primers and was shot thru a 24" barrel. I was not able to get that velocity with any of 30-30's  yet, using that load.

[cwlongshot]

With no exp at the web and easy extraction I would say you are fine with that loading. Staying there is prudent with the SB1.
 My own 30-30 is also on a SB1. I load 748 powder at a couple grains over current published maximums. Also with no expansion and just a hint of a flattened rem 9 1/2 primer. I don't remember the velocity. I just switched from my long time favorite Hprnady 170 to the new Hornady FTX 160's. Maybe not 100% but so far I like the results on whitetails and accuracy is even better.

I have been using 748 exclusively for many years in the 30-30. Older manuels showed loadings almost five grains above current publications. My load was developed over 20 years ago and is safe in all my guns. Other results could vari.

Good luck with yours, sounds like you have everything well n hand!!
CW

[gcrank1]

I dont remember ever getting real world velocities that are as fast as those in my reloading manuals. Different guns, barrel lengths, conditions, etc. account for that; just look at the variations between manuals. I much prefer an accurate load a bit below max than going for velo. The old rule of thumb was,"reduce a load by 5% and you reduce pressures by 10%. Another pressure reducing 'trick' is to give the bullet a little 'freebore' rather than jambing it up into the lands; doesnt take much and changes the pressure curve a bit.
The newer versions of old named powders very possibly are not the same formulations as our old lots. Ive seen manufactures statements to not use older data for some powders. The standard methodology always has been, when starting with a new can of a differing powder lot, to reduce the load and retest.
Im sure you guys know this; I just pitch this out for new(ish) reloaders who may be reading this thread.

[carbineman]

***UPDATE**** With the temp "soaring" to 43 degrees today I tested the rounds I loaded with 36.3 grains of LeverEvolution with Sierra 170 FN for the 30-30 Topper w/22" barrel.

My first shot was 2320 fps, second shot was 2296 and third shot was 2308. This averaged 2308 fps velocity. Accuracy was the same as the original test groups. I would suspect the pressure curve was hit right around the 36.3 grain mark during Hodgdon's testing and my F1 Chrony reached the same conclusion velocity wise. I gained over 100 fps with a 3/10's increase in propellant. The Topper shows no signs of stress and pressure indicators were still in the neutral range. This may or may not be an accurate assessment of over pressure, but short of test equipment one never really knows. Outside of case shows no web expansion ring problems. I'll test the spent cases with the paper clip on the inside tonight.

The other theory might be that the temperature plays a role with this propellant. Could possibly be that loads worked up in cold weather shooting trials might be "hot" when fired in fair weather. I'll chronograph some velocities again with the temps in the 20 degree range.  Further shooting with this propellant to follow. So far I'm impressed.