Reloading for a 30/30

[backstrap]

My freind and his son got a rcbs JR for CHRISTmas and he told me that he has vargit and 150gr bullets didnt ask him what make of the bullets where but is this varget a good powder for the 30-30 and if anyone uses it what load do u use?? thanks for the Info

[Almtnman]

You might mention to him that if his 30-30 is a lever action with tublar magazine to be sure to use flatnose bullets in the loads.

Varget powder is in the same burn rate as IMR 4064.

[Little Joe]

Looking through my “The complete reloading manual for the 30-30" it has these loads listed for Varget powder.

Sierra has a load listed with Varget for their 150 grain bullet as “28.8" for a starting load to “34" grains as a Max load. Rifle used for the testing was a Marlin 336 with a “20" inch Barrel, using Remington cases and Remington 9 ˝ large rifle primers. Trim to length is 2.029

The Hodgdon powder company lists this load.
150 grain Sierra bullet  starting load is “31" grains to a Max load of “34.5" grains. Rifle used is not listed. It has a 24 inch barrel. Primer used for testing is a Winchester Large Rifle. No case used was listed.

Always use starting loads, then work up carefully.

As to your question about if Varget is a good powder I couldn’t tell you as I have never used it for the 30-30. The powders that have worked for me in my 30-30's are Winchester 748, H335, IMR 3031 and IMR 4064. These are used between two 30-30 rifles. A Marlin 336 and a Winchester 94. I use different bullet weights and different powders for each combination between the two. If I were to just use one powder for both my rifles with the 150 grain bullet it would be Winchester 748, which is what Winchester uses for their factory loads. You might mention to your friend that he should get a loading manual.

Happy Shooting 

Little Joe

[223Shooter]

IMR 3031 is the goto powder for the 30-30 (IMHO). I have tried many powders but always come back to 3031. Tried 748..it is a very dirty powder in my guns. It is accurate in my .223 BUT VERY dirty. I now use BenchMark in my .223. Clean as can be.....and very accurate. 

[ihuntbucks]

I use Sierra 150 gr. FN Pro Hunter #2000 w/Varget 33.4 gr. w/coal 2.520 for whitetail hunting.Works for me.....Rick

[backstrap]

little joe he got a speer manul edition 13 with the press but the reloading  manuel dont have vargit in it

[teddy12b]

I used to handload 170gr over 24.5gr of varget.  Those are 170gr bullets and not exactly what you were talking about so I apologize.  Have you friends try some of the hornady leverolution rounds.  Those bullets have effectively ended my reloading for the 30/30.  I couldn't handload anything that was half as accurate as those hornady leverolutions.

[Tom W.]

Go to Hodgdon's website and get what they have available

www.hodgdon.com

[Almtnman]

little joe he got a speer manul edition 13 with the press but the reloading  manuel dont have vargit in it

If his manual has IMR4064 for a load in it, use the same amount of Varget powder as the IMR4064. Both IMR4064 and Hodgdon Varget powders have almost the same identical burn rate. Of course when loading a load for the first time, start out at the low end and work up. When Varget powder first came out, I bought some, but there wasn't a lot of info out about it. I found that it had a burn rate same as IMR4064, so I used what the manuals had on IMR4064 to work my Varget loads up with. What makes Varget better than the IMR4064 is; it will produce the same results no matter what the temperature is, very hot or very cold.

[ggeilman]

You might mention to him that if his 30-30 is a lever action with tublar magazine to be sure to use flatnose bullets in the loads.

Varget powder is in the same burn rate as IMR 4064.

Flatnose are not necessary. Round nose work just fine. While the burn rate is the same I would not use loads for a different powder. The Sierra load is about right, 28.8 start and 34 MAX. I am at 32gr right now and working up. I am testing it against IMR3031 and not seeing a difference in accuracy as of yet, but have not found a load that my rifle"likes" yet.