30-30 loads-H&R Handi

[Hiwall55]

has anyone got any load data that you have used forH4895 and 165 gr. flat base bullets and do you think a 220 gr. RN would stabilize in an H&R handi, need for upcoming buffalo shoot, thanks Bill

[Dinny]

There's a ton of Handi 30-30 load data in these forums. Try using the search feature to find them. I could stabilize the 220gr RN but my loads were all subsonic. I think you're on the right track with the 165gr bullets but you should try some of the LEVERevolution factory ammo. It shoots real well from my Handi.

http://www.hornady.com/store/30-30-Win-160-gr-FTX-LEVERevolution/

Thanks, Dinny

[cwlongshot]

I never tried heaver than a 170 in a 30-30 and I have t shot factory ammo in forever, so I have no contribution there. BUT I have shot the FTX 160 using the same load I do for 170FPs. That's a max charge of WW748 and a CCI LR primer seated to .010 off rifling. Shoots near 1" from my barrel and has accounted for two deer so far. If anything I feel its a bit fragile.
I have also used the Nosler ballistic tips. The 125g from a 14" Contender works well as does the 150g from a Carbine barrel. I have a couple deer with each of those as well.

Good luck,
CW

[hoytcanon]

The heaviest that I have rolled for .30/30 (Model 94/Henry levers) is the 180 Interlock round nose... I found them too heavy and dropped back to the 170's... for our Handi's, there really is no good reason to not shoot spire point bullets and we have settled on the 150 NBT's as the best combo of ballistics and accuracy... 38 grains of LVR works great for us... as always; reduce and work up.

[petemi]

I load the Nosler 168 gr. ballistic tip BT over LVR for 2400+ fps.  I agree with hoytcanon.  There's no reason not to use a pointed bullet in a Handi.  For a Buff, you may want a Partition or similar bullet.  Personally, I wouldn't use a .30-30 for buffalo, but that's only because I have better options.

Pete

[Spanky]

The 30-30's really shine with 150gr. to 180gr. bullets. Do some research on different 30 caliber bullets and see which ones work best at 30-30 velocities. Alot of them are made to work at higher velocity for the 06 and 30 cal mags and aren't really ideal for the 30-30. You might consider some good hardcast bullets for the 30-30 too... try to find the bullet with the widest metplat and the heaviest weight that'll shoot well in your rifle. A good hardcast bullet will offer deep penetration on a big animal. If you want to stick with jacketed bullets you should look into the Nosler Partitions... they offer deep penetration and good expansion.
 
 
 
Spanky

[Hiwall55]

My buddy spent a year and 2 different Remlins back to the factory and they finally sent him his money back and he bought a 30-30 Handi in time for MO. deer season. now I have 2 weeks to get him a load to shoot steel chickens thru buffalos at 200 yards.All my experience has been with cast FN in my Marlins in .30 caliber except in my 30-40 Krag,220 Lyman and 220 speer. I have plenty of 45-70's in lever and single shots but he wants to shoot his rifle, so I am going to try some 165 gr. Hornady S-P ,because I found some in town today. Powder wise I have H4895,RL7,H4198,5744.2495 and  Imr4350. my question is any one of those preferable. I have been shooting B-P for most of the last 15 years.any help would help ,as always I will use a manual and work my way up, Thanks Bill

[rdlange]

I'd go with 4895 - well proven; and it's not sensitive to temperature like some others.  Figure 4198 a little fast for heavier bullets, BUT works well for cast at medium velocities, though I haven't done any really heavy bullets.

And I think I'd try a hard cast for a Buff based on the heavy Jacketed bullets all being for '06 or larger cases and might not open up well.  Otherwise one of the 170/180 30-30 designed FN bullets - Rem Corelockt?

22" barrel will get you noticeable extra over a 20 Remlin even if you don't reload, and more accurate I've found.

[nanuk-O-dah-Nort]

personally, I don't see any reason to go hardcast on any 30-30 bullet.

50/50 heattreated will work just fine. 

Hardcast has the potential to fragment on heavy bone, whereas the 50/50 usually holds together very well.

also, 50/50 seems a little easier to eliminate leading.

[craigster]

personally, I don't see any reason to go hardcast on any 30-30 bullet.

50/50 heattreated will work just fine. 

Hardcast has the potential to fragment on heavy bone, whereas the 50/50 usually holds together very well.

also, 50/50 seems a little easier to eliminate leading.

By 50/50 do you mean 50% lead and 50% wheel weights?

[nanuk-O-dah-Nort]

50/50 do you mean 50% lead and 50% wheel weights?

yup...   with about 1-2% tin added...   

I guess I'm a klutz cause I have not gotten consistent results with water dropping them.

I prefer the HeatTreat as per lyman.

size before HT, HT, then lube. use an oversize die if lubing in a lubesizer.

for sizing, start with the largest that will slip fit into your fired UNSIZED brass and still chamber at your prefered seating depth. then size your brass for about 0.002 under bullet size.

use a Lee Factory Crimp Die to just straighten the case and apply just the lightest hint of crimp.    more crimp only if needed for better ignition.

YMMV

[jpshaw]

I have settled on a Speer Hot-Cor 150 grain Spire Point loaded pretty long for my .30-30.  This thing would not work through the action of a lever gun or would the bullet be safe in a tubalar magazine but it's made for my Handi with a healthy dose of RE15 to push it to a tad over 2400.  According to my loading manuel that is .30-40 level.  I might take on a Buff with it but given a choice I would use my .444 with Hornady 265 grain Leverlution.

[Dinny]

now I have 2 weeks to get him a load to shoot steel chickens thru buffalos at 200 yards.

Something tells me he's not hunting a live on-the-hoof American Bison.

Thanks, Dinny

[hoytcanon]

now I have 2 weeks to get him a load to shoot steel chickens thru buffalos at 200 yards.

Something tells me he's not hunting a live on-the-hoof American Bison.

Thanks, Dinny

Folks appear to have missed that;
"I have 2 weeks to get him a load to shoot steel chickens thru buffalos at 200 yards..."

[jpshaw]

Something tells me he's not hunting a live on-the-hoof American Bison.

Went right over my head.  I guess I need to read all the post before I throw into the mix.

[Hiwall55]

Thanks RDLANGE,i got my loading manual out today to try some H4895 and the 165 grs hondady and I got some 540 creedmoors to try in my Shiloh ,Bill