Reduce loads Model 722 .300 Savage

[Confederate rifleman]

Been working on some .30-30 class loads because I'm 1, cheap  2, dont like recoil and 3 generally hunt under 200 yards. So far results have been both interesting and useful.Interesting in that my 722 doesnt appreciate bullets seated close to the rifling.That is a first for me.I'm using RCBS full length dies adjusted to just size the neck and it works well.These dies also result in a savage degree of neck tension.I'm not sure if that is a good thing or not...
Anyway, I've tried 2 powders IMR 3031 and Winchester 748.Both are excellent.3031 is more economical due to lower charge weights, but 748 gives less barrel heat.3031 gives excellent load density which I find helpful to accuracy.I've tried Remington , Speer,and Sierra 150's and Rem and Speer 170's designed for the 30-30. So far 3031 has the edge in accuracy with all the bullets tested, but no bullet is showing a significant advantage over the others.The 150's with 41 gr of 748 average 2500 fps with good shot to shot variations and groups in the solid 2-2 1/2 inch range for 3 at 100( my 722 is open sighted). With 36 gr of 3031 the velocity is right at 2400 fps and superbly consistent, the groups are in the 1 1/2 to 2 1/4 inch range.The 170's  with 38 gr of 748 average 2280 fps and group in the 2 to 3 inch range.With 34 gr of 3031 I get  about 2270 with groups ranging from 7/8 - 2 1/4 inches.Overall cartridge length is important and I'm loading as follows Rem 150 RNSPCL 2.54,Sierra 150 FP 2.53,Speer 150 FP 2.48.And the 170's Rem RNSPCL 2.5,Speer FP 2.495. These loads are used in my Model 722 and are either the starting load for the powders listed( Lyman manual ) or slightly above it.Please apply all the prudent caviats when loading your own.These loads are accurate and comfortable to shoot and don't exceed the bullets intended velocity parameters.They will be quite effective as they are actually factory spec for the 30-30. hope you find this info useful and I expect accuracy will improve once I find a good tight Lyman 48 WRS reciever sight!

[4given]

Been working on some .30-30 class loads because I'm 1, cheap  2, dont like recoil and 3 generally hunt under 200 yards.

I'm cheap too!  

Assuming you are paying $30.00 a pound for powder  you are paying $0.004 per grain. So by reducing a load by 5 grains you are saving $0.02 per load. That translates into saving $0.40 per box of 20 or $2.00 per 100.

2 bux is 2 bux no doubt, but given your above stated criteria why not try cast bullets?  They might save you more money than saving a few grains of powder with the reduced loads. Here  is a link to a site dedicated to casting your own: http://[http://castboolits.gunloads.com/

Here is a site that offers excellent cast bullets that should work well for you: http://www.laser-cast.com/index.html

  The  30 Cal. 165g RNFP  and 30 Cal. 170g RN FP are both $58.25 per 500 including shipping & handling. That makes them $0.1165 cents each.

A box of 100 Sierra 150 Gr. Flat point at MidwayUSA is 21.99 not including S&H. Lets assume you can get them for $22.00 per 100 at your  local Sporting Goods shop for the same price including tax. That makes them $0.22 each.

So you would save a whopping $0.1035 per round or 10.35 per 100!

Might be worth a try

[Confederate rifleman]

Been considering cast.I have been casting for my P-53 Enfield re-pop , but I've never cast for cartridges.
I did find a bullet that shoots significantly better in my .300 and its the flat point 150 gr Winchester Power Point. 36 gr of 3031 and an overall length of 2.55 gave a velocity of 2420 fps and groups (3 at 100 open sighted) of 1 5/16 to 1 1/2 inches. this is an excellent bullet.The last deer I shot with a factory loaded 30-30 was with the 150 Power Point at 2150 from a carbine and the damage was colossal. gonna try the 170 PP as soon as I can get hold of some.

[4given]

Yeah I have used the Winchester 100gr powerpoints in factory .243 ammo on whitetail and they work just fine. That is probably what I am going to use on whitetail this year as well if I dont have time to work up a load with Sierra Gamekings.

Myself I would use the cast bullets for practice & use a the powerpoints for deer.