30-30 reloading setup for a NEF?

[Kovaks]

Hi.
I'm a newbie on this forum, so my apologize if this subject isn't in the right section. My apologize, too, for the english faults. I'm a french shooter, and hunter (bow or guns). Now... let's present the problem.
I have a NEF SB2 in 30-30 caliber. I use it for shooting, from 50 to 150 m, and sometimes for hunting. The weapon is equiped with a good BR-tuöte silencer (dismounted for hunting, of course, it's forbidden to hunt with it in my country... ). I'm sure of the silencer's quality. I used in the first times some "market ammo". Precision was there. I started recently to reload some 30-30, trying to do some subsonic bullet, with 0,40 grams of A1 powder. I have already reload somme ammos with success for 22 hornet, or 44 mag. But for 30-30, hem... How would you say? "It sucks", or something like that. The precision is a nightmare, bullet are in a 10 inches square at 50 yards, approx, no matter the silencer is on or not. With market ammo, I was in half a inch. SO... Except if my scope is rotten (I must verify) that means that my reload setup isn't good. Would anybody help?
Thanks.

[MSP Ret]

I am happy to have you here with us Kovaks. I do not reload for my 30-30 yet but I am sure someone here will answer your questions and respond with some help and suggestions for you....<><....

[LaOtto222]

You gave us a lot of information, but there is some that I would least need to know more about. Does your hand loads at regular velocities shoot well? How heavy and what style is the bullet you are using? I am not familiar with A1 powder and I am not at home to figure out the conversion from grams to grains. All American reloading books work with grains of powder. What kind of set up do you have in the reloading room? i.e. What kind of press are you using, what about dies? The key to me is that you are getting good precision with factory loads. To me that means your gun should be capable of shooting any thing well with out modifying it. With out knowing any of these answers, I would guess the bullet is not being stabilized well, but that is just a guess. It could mean you are using a bullet that is too long to stabilize at the velocities you are looking for. It could be that in your hand loading that the bullets are not in line with the bore, but you have hand loaded full power loads with out a problem, that is probably not it.

[fish280]

subsonic is gonna be hard for really heavy bullets. twist rate ain't right.

[Saloon slug]

Did you mean .40 grams?
I looked up the conversion .40 grams = 6.17293 grains
If this is right I assume that A1 powder is a pistol powder. Can you get 3031 in France? I would recommend using a powder made for rifle cartridges.

[quickdtoo]

Welcome Kovaks, glad to see another Frenchman here, I sent Pascalp a message that you could use some help, he's in France also, I'm sure he can give you some good advice. 

Tim

[gstewart44]

Hey Kovacs,

My 30-30 will only shoot 150 gr bullets with any accuracy.  I have tried 170 gr and 125 gr and my barrel just does not like them.  Factory 150 gr loads shoot about 1" and my handloads get about 3/4".   I only use 3031 powder and load near max from the Lyman manual.   I have never downloaded to subsonic, but I suspect that may be part of the problem - light charges in a long case = irregular ignition.  Some recipes call for inert filler to to take up space with light loads.  Someone else mentioned the twist of the barrel not being ideal for slower velocities.   I agree.  You can keep trying different loads until you find one that works.   Good luck .

[pascalp]

Hi Tim,
I just received your message. You are right, Kovaks's set-up is really close from mine.

Kovaks,
you will find my 180gr homecast  and 30-30 story there :  http://forums.handloads.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5032&KW=180&PN=0&TPN=1
An old H&R 30-30 with BR Tuote which is an accurate rifle with home cast Lee 180gr, subso 1040fps , ".40 gramme" of A0.
50 Yards accuracy is easily 1", you may have to try some tricks to improve your rifle, "Faq's and help " is really a valuable reading.

A0 and A1 powders are basically shotgun powders. But they really shine for subsonic, light reload ammo. Those quite fast flake powders ignite very well without need of a filler. They works also really well for 45 acp handload, so accurate with a H&G #68 200gr.

Unfortunately we haven't easy access to US powders, VITA are the most common between us, and our Vectan are marginally known on your side.

[Datil]

 Welcome Kovaks to GBO forums, Glad to people come from all over the world.
 It's hard to help when we Americans Don't know about powder and bullets you
 are trying to use.  Best of luck to you (Every body needs a 30-30)

 Marv. in Texas by God.

[Kovaks]

First of all, thanks to all for the quick answers (quicker than my reply...) and for the "hospitality".

@ LaOtto222
My loads  is equal to 6,17 grains, approx.
My press is a Lee, my tools too. I use to reload some 22 Hornet (not in subso, of course... I owe a 22LR for this) and my loads seems to be quietprecise. With a 10 inches T/C (wich is starting to be my favourite weapon) , a 6x scope and a folding stock, my groups are in a square of 0,6 inchs x 0,5 inches at 100 yards. So I think my tools are okay. I agree with you with the fact that the bullet isn't stabilized. Effectively, I looked at my bullet, and they are looong. 147 grains, boat tail, FMJ. Not the profile of the factory bullets.

I will look to find some 3031 in France.

Quickdtoo, I know pascalp, he's one of those who gave me the desire of a NEF.

Pascalp... I was talking about you few lines upper... I bought a bullet mold few days ago, but I'm a complete rookie in the "molding". Gonna try to copy your setup... And your result.

Again, thanks all for the help.

[Guy Pike]

Bienvenue mon ami! Je parle en patois au Acadie, alors il est no same que me que you,eh? Tant pis! Le website Graybeard est tres bon pour la communitie. Abientot, Guy du Poisson