Author Topic: 45-70 and 30-30 Range Report (Read 1411 times)

Dinny · « **on:** November 20, 2011, 03:52:42 PM »

I got to shoot both my rifles today with several different loads and bullets. I tried the 45-70 first and shot the 535gr Postells using IMR 3031. It shot 5 shots into 4+" at 100yds and recoil was quite stout. It reminded me of shooting a 12ga slug gun. The bullets hitting the plywood backboards were quite audible! I moved onto shooting 300gr Nosler Partitions using H4198 and found none of my loads to show good accuracy. The best group I got was still around 2" at 100yds. Lastly I used the 300gr Barnes TSX FN with AA1680. This is the preferred powder as indicated by Barnes current loading manual. 53gr gave me the best accuracy at 1" 3-shots at 100yds. The other loads were slightly more powder but didn't show the same accuracy- 1 1/2" was the norm. I shot a few different cast loads but they impacted much lower on the target and accuracy was leaving me wanting more.
The 30-30 shot very well with several different loads. The best performer was the 130gr Hornady SP loaded with H322. My first two shots went into 1/2" and the third shot opened it to 3/4". The Barnes 130gr TSX shot consistently well with all tested powder weights. Again the data is in the current loading manual and 1" groups were the result of 3 shots fired with all three weight charges I tested from 26-27gr of H4198. I think that with a higher powered scope and warmer temps (my fingers were stiff and nearly frozen) I could have kept them tighter. I tried some Barnes 130gr XBTs and 110gr Speer HPs with less accuracy. I'm gonna try using the Hornady case length guage to determine better OALs and load some of the better performers again to see if the results are even better.

In summary, both cartridges shot a load very well. I think I can do better perhaps with different powders or different OALs. I'm already planning another fine day at the range to see if this proves true. If it doesn't, oh well. I'll still have fun trying!

If any of you have a favorite load using any of these bullets, let me know. I have several different types of powder and may have a winning combo and just don't know it yet.

Thanks, Dinny

tacklebury · « **Reply #1 on:** November 20, 2011, 03:58:05 PM »

I'm not an expert reloader, but I have seen a few things that point to AA1680 as being somewhat temperature sensitive. Might have hurt you some as it sounds like you were cold. Don't know if you have it, but I've had good luck with Reloader7 and 300 gr. bullets at about 45-52gr. ratios.. All per the book and in my BC it seemed to like 47.6 gr best. Not too temp sensitive and good metering/inexpensive powder.

Dinny · « **Reply #2 on:** November 20, 2011, 04:42:45 PM »

I don't have an RL7, but it is at the top of my grocery list. All the heavy loads hurt me some, but not too bad.

Thanks, Dinny

Ranch13 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 20, 2011, 05:21:45 PM »

AA5744 in the 45-70 with cast, unless you want to shoot the real stuff, then 70 grs of 2f KIK black and a .030 fiber wad under the bullet.
There are two powders that treat me well in the 30-30,748 and Rl15.

bikerbeans · « **Reply #4 on:** November 20, 2011, 10:10:53 PM »

Dinny,

I have shot a lot of Postells in the 45-70, from subsonic to 1600 FPS. I have even shot Postells from a 45-120 past 1,900 fps (ouch!). The bullets I am using are from a lyman mould with an as cast weight of 525 grains. The best accuracy I achieved with these bullets was using 700X at just below 1000 fps in my 18.5" Handi. These same subsonic loads also shot very well in my friends 45-70 double rifle. Best accuracy in my shorty was 3 holes touching @ 50 yards. The thing I like best about Postells is this big thud and crater they make in the dirt berm behind my target.

BB

demented · « **Reply #5 on:** November 21, 2011, 12:48:06 AM »

I've never had my 30-30 shoot as well as yours, but with 36 grains of LVR pushing a 150 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip at 2300, I am getting under two inches. This is good enough for my intended 200 yard max deer hunting.

Dinny · « **Reply #6 on:** November 21, 2011, 01:11:47 PM »

BB,
That "thud" is just an awesome sound! So much that I shot without hearing protection once.

Then the ringing in my ears drowned out the "thud" for the remaining shots.

JK, Dinny

bikerbeans · « **Reply #7 on:** November 21, 2011, 01:26:15 PM »

Dinny,

At 100 yards and 1,000 Fps you have about 1/2 second to remove your ear muffs after you shoot and still hear the thump! If you shoot at a 200 yard berm you will also have time for a sip of coffee.

I don't shoot the Postells any further than 200 yards because I always fall asleep waiting for the thud.

BB

manatee1947 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 21, 2011, 02:33:21 PM »

For deer there is no need to go heavy, My best jacketed loads are 300gr HP's and 47 gr of RL7, which I hear over and over here. When that many people independently come up with the same powder/bullet/ charge within a grain or two, there must be something right going on here.
As for 30/30, I find that WW 748 works very well, I use 37gr and a 125 gr PSP bullet.

Dinny · « **Reply #9 on:** November 21, 2011, 02:39:03 PM »

Brent also mentioned that powder as a top performer for him in the 30-30. All these same loads make me think that great minds think alike. Now I gotta get some RL7 and WW748!

Thanks, Dinny

jim36 · « **Reply #10 on:** November 21, 2011, 02:53:02 PM »

Dinny

I know that they are all different but my 30 30 is prolly the best accurate Handi that I have. (the 45 70 is close)
The best load I have found is with the 165 gr. Nosler Bal. tip, using 30 grns of Varget. COL 2.700. Don't know the MV, but it works for me.
Good luck with your quest.
Jim <")))><

revbc · « **Reply #11 on:** November 21, 2011, 04:50:12 PM »

Dinny,
I have never shot nosler bullets, but I do like Imr 4198 in the 45/70. 39.2 grs with a 300 gr hornady JHP has been consistent in most handi rifles I've shot. Easy on the shoulder too.

carbineman · « **Reply #12 on:** November 22, 2011, 12:40:20 AM »

<Dinny wrote, If any of you have a favorite load using any of these bullets, let me know. I have several different types of powder and may have a winning combo and just don't know it yet.> End of quoted text

Dinny I have used the 130 grain (now discontinued) Hornady SSSP and the 135 grain Sierra SSSP(now discontinued also) with a healthy dose of W748 in the 30-30 I have also hunted with the Barnes 130 grain XBT's stoked by W748 and magnum primers. W748 and those lighter bullets were all very accurate loadings.

I have since switched to the Sierra 170 grain flat nose bullet and LeverEvolution powder for hunting.

cjrjck · « **Reply #13 on:** November 22, 2011, 01:03:56 PM »

I have used the Barnes 130 grain TTSX in my Handi 30-30 since the bullets first came out. They are very accurate. I use Reloader 7. The weight charge is several grains above the max listed in the most current Barnes manual but I developed it using their online data available at the time and there are absolutely no pressure signs. For the record, the 130 grain TTSX performs outstanding even at the reduced 30-30 velocities. I have taken deer and hogs and have yet recover a bullet.

av-doctor · « **Reply #14 on:** November 22, 2011, 01:42:25 PM »

did some shooting yesterday with my topper 158, 33gr H335 and 125gr nos bt shot about 2 1/2in at 150yds. i tried 150gr sierra sp with same load of h335,they shot well 1 1/4 at 100 but cases were a little tight coming out so its a little too hot for my taste.

i just noticed no one mentioned imr3031, 30gr with 150gr bullet is accurate in about 8 different guns i've tried then in. its about 50fps slower than factory winchester 150gr pp

Dinny · « **Reply #15 on:** November 22, 2011, 02:33:15 PM »

Thanks for all the information everyone! I have a compelling need to get some WW748 and RL7 powder now for my next round of test loads.

Thanks, Dinny

Dinny · « **Reply #16 on:** December 24, 2011, 02:19:35 PM »

I got some RL7 and W748 today! Over the next week or so I plan to throw together some loads and test them. More to follow...

Thanks, Dinny

Swampman · « **Reply #17 on:** December 24, 2011, 02:35:34 PM »

Nothing beats IMR-4198 and 405 grain bullets. Lower impact means higher velocity. All my .45-70s shoot less than 1"@100 yards.

bikerbeans · « **Reply #18 on:** December 24, 2011, 02:53:18 PM »

Quote from: -Dinny on December 24, 2011, 02:19:35 PM

I got some RL7 and W748 today! Over the next week or so I plan to throw together some loads and test them. More to follow...

Thanks, Dinny

Santa must be ahead of schedule in OK. Did he remember brass, bullets & primers?

BB

Dinny · « **Reply #19 on:** December 24, 2011, 03:03:57 PM »

Actually the wife, daughter and I went down to Arlington, TX to visit friends for the last 2 days. We went to a candy store that had a great selection of reloading components and ammo. I'm already stocked-up on brass and primers... I saw a sexy Blaser93 there that made me drool on my shirt.

Between that and the twin M70 stainless Featherweights - I was a mess. My heart was pitter-pattering...

Oh yeah, they had one used Handi rifle....

Thanks, Dinny

BBF · « **Reply #20 on:** December 25, 2011, 05:30:21 AM »

My ready to go for next month Red Deer load is 35 gr SR 4759 pushing the Rem 300 gr HP's.
I don't have a chrony , judging by the recoil from a heavy Handi those bullets are moving out smartly.

rickt300 · « **Reply #21 on:** December 26, 2011, 07:22:48 AM »

I too have been in Arlington Tx. visiting friends also over the last few days. I liked using the 300 gr. HP's at around 1600 fps pushed with 33.0 grs. of IMR 4227, light recoil and good accuracy. Deer and hogs don't appreciate that combination at all though. I shot a lot of 748 in my 30-30 rifles but like 3031 better. The 30-30 is a great round for reduced loadings to make practice and small game loads with. Imr 4227 and the light speer bullets meant for the M1 carbine round are tailor made for fun shooting.

BBF · « **Reply #22 on:** December 26, 2011, 07:27:43 AM »

I've had good results with the 110 gr SP and poor results with the 100 gr half jackets.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #23 on:** December 26, 2011, 07:48:23 AM »

I think I also mentioned that WW748 was my 30-30 powder. I don't even look at any other!

For the heavy (est) loads in the 45-70 there is little to no difference between 4198 and RL7. Both will get the bullets moving faster than most shooters shoulders would allow. 2000+ fps with a 400G bullet WILL get your attention!

CW