Varmint load for a 30-30 Handi rifle

[nova71]

I have just spent the last 4+ hours surfing the web and reading 8 pages of info on the 30-30 reloading here on GBO and have found very little info on what I am looking for. what I have is three different bullets I would like to have a load for to shoot in the Handi rifle ( Sierra #2120 , 125gr Spitzer * Hornady #3021, 130gr spire point for single shot and Hornady #3020, 130gr spire point)  the powders I have available to use are Accurate 1680 and 5744, IMR 4895 ,4198, 3031, 4227, and 4350 and Varget.

Anybody have any pet loads using any of the above components that they would share ? will mostly be used on coyotes at about 100-150 yards max. I found a couple loads for 130gr but for flat nose bullets, I didn't see anything for a 125gr bullet.... thanks in advance for any and all help..... Larry

[shot1]

It does not matter if the bullet is a flat point, round nose of spitzer you can use the same load data for cup and core bullets.

The Sierra Manual gives load data for 125 gr bullets.
IMR 4895 start 30.0  Max  36.8  grs.
IMR 3031 Start 29.8  Max  34.6 grs.
Varget Start 30.6  Max 37.0 grs

These loads were put up in Rem cases and Rem 9 1/2 primers were used in a Marlin 336 20" barrel and the max loads all gave 2500 fps.

The Sierra 125 and the Hornady SSP 130 will be the best for varmints. The Hornady 130 spire point is a little tougher bullet.

With these spitzer type bullets at 2500 fps or so you should be able to sight in 2" high at 100 yards and be about on the money at 200 yards.

These bullets also make great whitetail deer slayers.

[nova71]

thanks shot1, that's just what I'm looking for, I don't have a Sierra manual and the other ones I have don't list the 125gr. I bought a new Speer manual last week looking for load data for the 204Ruger and it doesn't have anything on it. I was gonna buy the loading manual for the 30-30 only but while reading comments on it it says it is all older version info and none of the newer bullets listed.so I'll pass.thanks for the info..... Larry 

[shot1]

The Speer 125 TNT HP is really a good varmint bullet if you want explosive expansion. It is accurate also. The Nosler 125 gr ballistic tip is a really good deer bullet. I am going to use it in my 30-30 Ackley Improved 14" Contender pistol this deer season. It shoots groups inside 1" at 100 yards and muzzle velocity averages 2670 fps. I have shot a bunch of deer with the ballistic tip in a 308 win rifle at 3000 fps muzzle velocity and in a 30X47 HBR at 2850 muzzle velocity. It drops deer in their tracks. If you want to keep the pelts on those song dogs you might need to use a tougher bullet. Something like a 150  or 165 gr spitzer. I have not had one of the 125 ballistic tips to exit a deer inside 150 yards though. I shoot them through the front shoulders striking bone. I have found the jacket of the bullet just under the off side hide though. Good luck and good shooting.

[Blackhawker]

I don't know how specific you want to get with this but I use 125 grain and 150 grain spitzers and spire points on prairie dogs from my Contender pistol and carbine.  They both go "THUD" loudly from across the field out to 200 yards and more....and that's with ear muffs on too!  As for powders, I use max or near max loads with H-335.  (You'll have to work up a load that shoots well for you)  Thus far, that powder shoots accurately enough for me (1 to 1.25" @100 yards in both barrels) and from the load data in my Lyman book, it's one of the highest velocity powders for the 30-30, which is why I chose it over the others for prairie dog hunting.

[Catfish]

Years ago I loaded varmint bullets for the 06 and 308. The litest bullet I found that would hold good accuracy past 100 yrds. was the 130 gr. Speer.

[spinafish]

try 35 grains of Varget with either bullet//My buddy's Marlin 336 shoots the 125 Sierra HP so well with that load no one believes it is fired from a lever gun.