loads in Handi 30-30

[gould]

Can you guys give me some good loads for speer point bullet in the 30-30. Looking for somthing in the 130 to 140 grain? And I asked this in the reloading forum also do you have to crimp in a single shot? One more what dies do you think are better for the speer point bullets?

[the_spotdoctor]

I will probably get some flack about this , but here goes. My favorite load in 30-30 is 32 grains of IMR 3031 with speer 130 grain Flatnose , SP might be better in a single shot, I can shoot a 1" group with an old Marlin30-30, with a sightron scope on it.
As for the crimping , here goes. I don't really crimp my bullets , I put them in a RCBS load die, which has the built in crimper, and instead of using the press and doing a real hard crimp I set the die on a hard rubber mat with the case bottom pointing outward and tap it briskly a couple of times with a  soft rubber hammer and it really does not do a hard crimp but more just pushing the rim of case inward real tight on the bullet, I have loaded hundreds of 30-30 shells like this and never had a problem. I have never had the bullets push inward either. You don't need to mash the case in to get a crimp, just something to hold bullets in neck , especially in a tube magazine. I also moly coat my bullets, this helps with the light crimp as far as holding them in case neck.

[Datil]

 Hello gould, I think most seating dies for 30-30 come with a seater
 for round or flat pointed bullets, I have not much differemce dies
 of diferent manufacters, I have dies from sereval. I started working up a load
 for my 30-30 useing 125 sierra, and IMR 4350, hadn't got where I wanted
 Had to stop, going back again, Had some 130 gr. Speer too, Like them.
 I don't think any need to crimp on a single shot.  good luck, Marv.

[Dillohide]

Check out the Hodgen Powder site.
http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

Look up 30-30 pistol loads using IMR 3031. Work up to this load. It is very accurate using 130 grain Hornady SP. I have not tried it with Speer 130 SP. When I tested it with previously fired Federal brass using WLR and CCI 200 primers the ones with WLR primers would cause the case to stick, the ones with CCI 200 primers would not. So, I backed off 1/10 grain and use CCI primers. It shoots 1" and under groups in my Handi. I do not crimp my 30-30 loads for the Handi rifle. The Hornady 130 gr sp doesn't have a crimp ring anyway.

[ONE HOLE 4570]

I have used the 130 hornady sssp (I hear they are discontinued need to try anouther 130) anyhow i use 3031 at max contender loads also 125 sierras both with good result. I use a hornady factory crimp die, but my habbit is to crimp everything just my preference

[RickC.]

Same here, the best accuracy with 125-130 gr loads in my Handi is with the book max Contender load of 3031, no crimp.

(Do you mean spire point?  I'm a big fan of Speer bullets.  Loaded up some 150 Speer BTSP yesterday, will chrony them this weekend.)


                                                     Rick

[carbineman]

I have used the 130 hornady sssp (I hear they are discontinued need to try anouther 130) anyhow i use 3031 at max contender loads also 125 sierras both with good result. I use a hornady factory crimp die, but my habbit is to crimp everything just my preference

While the 130 SSSP Hornady has been discontinued the 130 grain SSP is still being offered. It could be used for paper plinking, and one could used the 130 grain Barnes for hunting loads. The XBT has been discontinued, but the TSX is available and will do it's thing at velocities conducive to the 30-30 thru the whole velocity range according to Ty at Barnes. Expensive for sure but once you have your load worked up, you could have a box of bullets that would last for years as you use the Hornady for practise.

[gould]

Thanks every one. I am going to order my dies brass and bullets tomorro. It will be the 130 grain Barnes and the 130 Speer FN to try first. You are right about the Barnes being expensive wont shoot to many I hope they shoot good.
Thanks again Jason

[RickC.]

Gould,

 You might consider the 130 gr Hornady spire (#3020), mine work great seated to COAL of 2.645".



                                          Rick

[gould]

Thank Rick I will add a box of them to my order.
Jason