30-30 contender powder selection

[slick00]

I'm looking for powder recommendations to start reloading for a 14" Contender barrel in 30-30.  I've been studying the manuals and wanted what your thoughts and experiences with varoius powders. I have some H335 and was also considerinng RE-7. I will be starting with the Sierra 135 gr SSP, the Nosler 150gr BT, and/or the Speer 150 FP for deer.

[wmurrell]

Started with BL-C2, great accuracy MAJOR LEAGUE muzzle blast. Swapped to IMR 4198 same half inch group hardly any blast (comparatively) I love the 135 ssp.

[Hopalong7]

Rel-7 and IMR3031.  I also highly reccomend the 125BT.  GOOD SHOOTIN',  Walt

[Dezynco]

My best groups with my 14" 30-30 have been with BLC-2 and 150 grain bullets (any 150 grain bullets).  I load as if I were loading on the "light" side for a rifle.  There's a pretty big muzzle blast, which means that there is a little waste of powder, but it just shoots so dang well that I use it anyway!   I'm talking 5 shots touching at 100 yards!  When I move in closer - say 50 yards or so - I can eat out one hole all day long.

I have also had good results with Reloader 7, IMR 3031, and like to use Unique with Lead bullets.

[lnewby]

The best hunting load that I use for deer is 150 Nosler bt, varget powder,cci 200 primers in Winchester cases. From the Hodgdon manual I am 1 grain under max, you will have to determine what works for you. Velocity averages 2083 fps out of my super 14, and is very consistent. I don't have the ability to shoot one hole groups but this load will average 1.5" at 100 yds if I do my part. The 30-30 is easy to load for,lots of powder/bullet combinations that will shoot great. The enjoyment comes from finding the ones that work the best for your gun.            lnewby

[Lone Star]

There's a pretty big muzzle blast, which means that there is a little waste of powder...

Muzzle blast/flash is not by itself an indicator of load efficiency, it just means that the powder has a different chemistry and does not have a flash-supressant additive.  All the powder burns in the first couple of inches anyway, but different burning rates can change the muzzle pressure which dictates blast.

I had great luck on deer with the Nosler 150BT at .30-30 velocities and would expect the 125BT to work well too.  Try Varget or 4895 (either one) with either bullet.


.

[Dezynco]

Muzzle blast/flash is not by itself an indicator of load efficiency, it just means that the powder has a different chemistry and does not have a flash-supressant additive.  All the powder burns in the first couple of inches anyway, but different burning rates can change the muzzle pressure which dictates blast.

Hadn't thought of it that way.  I'm just going by the Lyman tables for the Contender, which doesn't show a pistol load using BLC-2.  I flip back to the rifle loads for charges using BLC-2.  I just figgured that the muzzle blast was from a little leftover powder burning off into the atmosphere.  Sure shoots good, so I don't worry about it much!  As I said, I get fantastic results from almost anything I cram into it!  Everyone should have a 30-30 barrel for their Contender!   

[OLDHandgunner]

I use W748 with 125BT's in my T/C 12" Custom barrel.
I also like 3031 powder for my rifle barrels.

[critter44]

I have a super 14" contender in 30-30 also. My load is Nosler 125 BT's over IMR 4198 powder. Really accurate in my gun and very effective on deer. I've killed several with it from 5 steps to 175 yards. All but one was a bam/flop and the one that was not had been running long and hard and was all 'juiced' up when shot.

Good luck with finding a good load for you and your gun.

[slick00]

Thanks everyone for all the good info and your thoughts!!