Loads for .30-30 and .44mag Handi

[#1oneshot]

I just bought a .30-30 bbl for my Handi, anybody got any good deer loads? It is a great shooter with factory ammo but I know there's some better loads with better bullets. I'm trying the Leverevoloutions this weekend for a factory load. Thanks, Bobby
Oh yeah, I just bought a .44mag bbl, anybody got a good deer load for it?

[cwlongshot]

I load mine with the same loading I have used in my Marlins for years and years it shoots just fine. A couple years ago when the FTX first became available I bought a box of the 160g made for the 30-30. I loaded them up with the same load I used for the 170g and it shot even better then the 170 did!
I have shot one deer with them and the bullet came apart and never exited the animal. I got the deer, she went about 50-60 yards and piled up in mid bounce right in a big pricker bush! I like the way it shoots, but not so much on its performance...
 
Anyhow, my loading is WW748 powder and a 170 Hornady RN. My powder charge is actually more than listed maximum, but has been used for over 30 years and proves safe in my guns. Check your manuals, its in there!
 
As for the 44, I prefer big heavy bullets and you would do well with Speers 270 GD and a charge of H110 or 296 powder.
 
Good luck,
 CW

[Snowshoe]

I have had good luck with Winchester pointed soft points and IMR4064 for a velosity of 2400 out of a single shot I used to have. The bullet I used most though was a 125g Remington psp and H335 powder going 2650 fps. It was a good all round load for deer and coyotes.

[ButlerFord45]

Have to agree with CW on powder choice, I was a 3031 fan for many years till convinced on this forum to give W748 a try.  It allows for maximum velocities at lower pressures and is consistant across my chrono.  I only have 5 3030 that I load for but they all shoot well with it.  I use heavy cast bullets and all 5 seem to be most accurate a couple of grains below max.

[T.R.]

150 grain Sierra bullet  --  36.0 grains WIN 748 --  accurate and fast

TR

[44 Man]

In my handi 30-30 I shoot a 125 Sierra Pro Hunter over a max book load of H4895 right from the Hodgdon website.  My old Topper just loves it!  The 30-30 is one of the consistantaly best shooting Handi's!  44 Man
 

[zoner]

In my handi 30-30 I shoot a 125 Sierra Pro Hunter over a max book load of H4895 right from the Hodgdon website.  My old Topper just loves it!  The 30-30 is one of the consistantaly best shooting Handi's!  44 Man
 

I just picked up a 30-30 barrel(one of the older lighter contour barrels) and was gonna try the same bullet. The accuracy looks good,have you used that bullet to kill deer?

[44 Man]

I have to admit I have not, but I have heard good things about the bullet.  If you go on the Midway web site and look up this bullet you can check the 'comments' on it there.  It is well liked by the people using it.  Also the TC shooters use it a lot and say it works very well on deer so I expect good things from it.  I've been on the road during the last couple of seasons but I will do my best to get a 'field' report back on it this next year.  44 Man
 
My 30-30 is also one of the lighter wt barrels on a Topper 158.  I just love this old gun! 

[DEACONLLB]

What overall length do you use with the 125 grn pro hunter? I wont to load some up for my encore with the h4895?
 
Deaconllb

[shot1]

The 125 Nosler ballistic tip is a great deer bullet. I shoot it in my 30-30AI Contender 14" barrel pistol at 2670 fps and it hammers deer. You should be able to get about the same velocity in you standard 30-30 Win rifle barrel. I am using IMR 4198 powder.