new toy questions

[flatlander]

I have a 30-30 10" bull barrel coming before too long. My intention is to use it for deer hunting only, but want to get as much as I can from this barrel. I already have a 14" 30-30 and a 14" 7x30 that I load for. Now I have a couple of questions. First, with the 10" barrel, am I better off reloading for it, or can I get practically the same performance using factory ammo? Second, if the answer is reloading, what sort of powder and bullet should I use to get the best results from a "shorty" barrel in this caliber? And finally, should I assume that 100 yards is my max on this caliber in this barrel length? Or can I extend it by handloading? Or will it be less than that with factory rounds? I haven't really found anything yet that pertains to loading 30-30 in a 10" barrel. Thanks.

[C A Plater]

First, with the 10" barrel, am I better off reloading for it, or can I get practically the same performance using factory ammo?

You will loose about 200 fps from what you may get from the 14 inch barrel.  

Second, if the answer is reloading, what sort of powder and bullet should I use to get the best results from a "shorty" barrel in this caliber?

I like IMR-4198 in the short barrel for accuracy.  Re7 is not bad either giving a bit more in the velocity department.  3031 works well for the heavier bullets but I prefer lighter ones (125-135gr.) in the pistol.

And finally, should I assume that 100 yards is my max on this caliber in this barrel length? Or can I extend it by handloading? Or will it be less than that with factory rounds?

That really depends on you.  Lighter bullets will travel at higher velocities than factory loads will in the same barrel but I believe it depends more on your skill than ballistics.

[KYODE]

i'll second what c a plater said. i like imr 4198 really well also. i havn't used the 10" barrel, but thats where i would start. i believe hornady's 4th edition manual(not the newest) has data specifically for 10" 30-30. sierra's last edition(don't know about the newest) handgun manual has 10" and 14" data.

[flatlander]

Thanks. I think I'll probably look into the reloading side of it. Maybe it is just me, but I have trouble seeing where a round loaded from the factory for a rifle will give you any sort of performance in a 10" barrel. I'm still not sure about bullet weights yet, but since I have the 7x30 to rip out light fast bullets, I'm probably going to lean toward shooting something heavier and limit my range accordingly.  But you never know where a wild hair will strike.

[Wesley]

Mine really likes 125gr Ballistic Tips and a full charge of IMR 4064. Probably not the fastest load (no chrono). Nice 3-4" groups at 200yds.