Reduced 30-30 loads

[Tad Houston]

Anyone here have a favorite reduced load for 10" octagon 30-30 barrel? I looked in speers and they don't list one for the 30-30. Thanks- Tad

[Graycg]

I've  had luck with 21 grains of IMR 4198 with 150 grain bullets, mild but accurate.

regards,
 graycg

[Bob C]

IMR 4198 works well in my 8" 30/30 barrel.

I've used the 170 grain bullets with a hope that the heavier bullet would help burn more powder in the barrel..

[Bug]

Tad,
 You don't say what bullet you want to use. If you are using cast bullets, around 10 gr of unique, Red Dot, Green Dot etc, makes a fair plinking load with just about any bullet. You can go up or down a few grains to improve accuracy. If you'll specify a bullet, I can recommend something else. I really like the Lee 115 gr cast bullet for plinking & squirrel hunting.
 For jacketed bullets, you have to stay with a bit higher pressures than lead so as not to stick a bullet in the bore.

[Jim Stacy]

Tad had one of those , octgon 10" 30/30 and it was a biting little thing. For hunting loads you will have to suffer but for plinking loads and small game 10.0/Unique/100 speer plinker or Hdy 100SJ work well. I had a lot of fun with mine and approximately 11 Unique and 150 FP GC cast bullet. This load was accurate enough to hit the 200 yard silhoutte targets with some regularity. For hunting loads , well pain will come your way to get some warm 4198/125 BT loads cooking well enough to work. You might just use it as a fun barrel and hunt with something else.

[cbagman]

Anyone here have a favorite reduced load for 10" octagon 30-30 barrel? I looked in speers and they don't list one for the 30-30. Thanks- Tad

Check out Lyman Cast bullet book or the T/C Contender manual available from Midwest Shooter's Supply. It is helpful when using reduced loads to stull some kapok down on top of the reduced load with tweezers. I am talking about a fluffy bit about 1/2 inch around or so. This kapok is the downy stuff that was in old boat seat cushions.. This holds the powder against the primer and gives more consistant ignition.  cbagman