Handloading for a bolt action 30/30

[Frog123]

Does anybody have any experience in hand loading for a 30/30 bolt action? I have a Savage/Springfield model 840 that I want to load for but here's the problem. What bullet do I use? I tried some 150gr Nosler ballistic tips that I had lying around but they're too long for the rifles detatchable magazine. Do I try a lighter bullet or one with a shorter OAL? I'm thinking about trying the 130gr spire point from Hornady. This is pretty much a back up gun that maybe gets used a couple of times a year, mostly as a loaner to younger hunters on the special youth hunt held here every year.  

What would you do??



Frog

[Thomas Krupinski]

I had what I remember to be a Savage 340 in 30/30, and my son's little boy has it now.  Not sure if they are using any hand loads in it or not.

From what I remember I think I was loading Speer or Hornady 165's as well as 170 grain flat tips normally used in tublar magazines in that rifle.  I think I also shot some of the 125's and they all worked very well.

I remember that the accuracy of that rifle was excellent!  It was really a shooter.

[jhm]

Frog123:  Can you adjust the seating die down some more to clear the mag. and still be closr to the overall length?   JIM

[Graycg]

Sir,
  I have a 788 remington and have the same problem as your savage.  I tried for a long time with 130 grain hollow point Speers and they seemed to be the easiest pointed bullet to get good accuracy with given the limited oal available with the magazine.  The bullets were seated deep into the case and the ogive was beneath the case neck, but the bullet was still above the shoulder junction, it looked a little weird, but worked well.  I never shot anything other than a coyote with that bullet, but it worked flawlessly on the yote.
   I actually bought the 788 for cast bullet shooting and that is what I use if for exclusively now.  You might want to look into using a Lyman 311041 or 311291 in your Savage.  You should slug the barrel for that too, some of the Savages run on the large size for the bore.  I had a slide action Savage 30-30 that I also bought for cast bullet use, but the bore was over sized and when bullets were sized to fit the bore, you couldn't chamber the rounds due to oversized necks.   I had the chamber relieved a little with and it worked great, a friend of mine's son now uses that rifle.

   Good luck on your adventure.

Graycg

[new snake owner]

I have a 340 for my boy and have had great luck with 110s and 125 in it havent tried the 160s yet but I'll try some this weekend and let you know

[Snowshoe]

My wife and I have been using bolt action .30-30's for a number of years now. The best pointed 150g bullet I have found  is the Winchester power point. The best 125g bullet is the Remington psp, this is the bullet my wife likes best. Groups of 1" at 100 yards is not that hard to get from our rifles. I have had good luck using H335 with the 125's, and IMR4064 with the 150's. If you neck size, the brass will last longer. If I can be of any help just ask.

[Tom W.]

I've loaded for my son's 340 using Sierra 125 gr. Pro Hunters, and Sierra 150 gr. GameKings, as well as cast LEE C309-160R gas checked tumble lubed bullets and just seated the bullets deep enough to fit in the magazine.  Never had any problems with it.

[Frog123]

Thanks to all who responded. It looks as if Hornady #3021, 130gr spire point interlocks are gonna be the winner. I loaded a few and they function in the magazine well and easily chamber. All that's left is to play with the powder selection and charge weight to obtain the best group size. I'm a little concerned about the 130's for deer, afraid of the consequences of a shoulder shot but as far as poking a deer in the ribs I think they should perform fine. Our deer here are average size, 150lbs live weight. I'll try some in wet newspaper at realistic ranges to see what expansion and penetration are like. Once again "Thanks"



Frog  

[Questor]

I don't have the experience you're looking for, but the first thing I'd try is the handgun data for T/C contenders that uses pointy bullets. I just happen to have my Nosler manual right here and they give several loads.  For example, 165 grain Ballistic Tip, 21 to 25 grains of IMR 4198, Winchester WLR primer.  They go on to say that Varget gave the best accuracy with that bullet and primer: 28.5 to 32.5 grains.

[savageT]

Does anybody have any experience in hand loading for a 30/30 bolt action? I have a Savage/Springfield model 840 that I want to load for but here's the problem. What bullet do I use? I tried some 150gr Nosler ballistic tips that I had lying around but they're too long for the rifles detatchable magazine. Do I try a lighter bullet or one with a shorter OAL? I'm thinking about trying the 130gr spire point from Hornady. This is pretty much a back up gun that maybe gets used a couple of times a year, mostly as a loaner to younger hunters on the special youth hunt held here every year.  

What would you do??



Frog

Hey Frog,
Is there any reason for using spire pointed bullets, other than being more available?  With the lower velocities of a 30/30 I would guess that a flat-nosed 170gr. or round nosed 150gr. to be a better fit with OAL being a concern.  You may find they will give better accuracy and expansion than the spirepointed projectiles.

Second issue:  Will you be giving these hand loaded rounds to someone else to use....particularly a youth?  No preaching here, but I would be using only factory ammo to anyone using this gun.

Jim

[Frog123]

I found a load that it likes!!!!









130gr Hornady Interlock SSP- single shot pistol bullet over 34gr's of AA2460 loaded into Winchester brass and CCI large rifle primers. Highly accurate and recoils like a .22 WMR. Now back to the bench to see if I can improve on another round...


Frog

[Frog123]

BTT.