30-30 14"barrel pet loads

[Neutron]

Anyone got pet loads for 125-130gr bullets for a 30-30 in a 14" barrel?  What powders are best.  Its for a G2, i have not got great accuracy from the factory Win and Rem rounds, maybe an inch at 50yds but no consistency.  Some of it is me as this is my first contender pistol.  I just free floated the barrel which the excessive wood contact was probably also part of the problem.  Can't shoot it right now as I sent the grip back to TC, it had chip out right down under the hammer so twiddling my thumbs til it gets back.   I have loaded some H4895 and was getting over 2050fps with starting loads then I shot my skyscreen (sin of all sins) so didn't chrono the rest of the loads but should be between 2200 and 2300fps with top load.  Accuracy was subpar but that was pre-free floating.  The 125gr loads sure are much better to shoot than the factory 150 & 170grainers.  I wasn't really enjoying shooting those too much, my buddy's encore 44 mag 12" with rubber grips was more pleasant to shoot.  Also any thoughts on how much speed you need with 125gr ballistic tips to hunt deer to say 150yds?  Is 2000fps plenty or does it need to be jacked up?  If I can get he 2050fps loads shooting accurately they were quite plesant to shoot so leaning that way rather than max load unless I really need the speed. Thanks.  

[Majbg]

Neutron, Can't say on the 30-30 win but there are alot of guys here that can.  I noticed you have experience with the 357 max  in a carbine and would sure like to get some load / velocity data from you.  I just started a 30-30AI project with a carbine, but still wondering if I should have gotten the Max instead.  Good luck and here's my email if you come across your Max information.  Looking for ,specifically, velocities with various bullet wts and accuracy reports of couse.  I shoot a 357 max in 12" hunter and get ~1700'/s with the 180s Horns SSP.  THanks.  majbg@comcast.net

[drichi]

I get very good groups out of 35.0 AA 2460 and nosler 125 ballistic tip. will do around 2200 fps. dave

[Bullseye]

After two 30-30 barrels, multiple factory loads, multiple powders and bullets for reloading I never found a satisfactory load.  I know many others have, but I gave up on the 30-30, I just have two many other barrels with great accuracy.

Good luck with it.

[SD Handgunner]

Actually in .30-30 Winchester Contender Barrels I had been using a local dealers commercial reloads that he loaded for all of his customers that had purchased Contenders from him that wanted something other than the Flat Nose Factory offerings. The load consisted of Accurate Arms #2230 Powder with a 125gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip bullet.

In fact when my local dealer was developing this load I accuracy tested it in every used .30-30 Winchester Contender Barrel that came through his doors. Don't remember exactly but I think it was something like a half dozen barrels or so. 5 shot groups at 100 yards from the bench with this combination always printed in about an inch or slightly less. Muzzle velocity ranged from 2350 to 2400 FPS depending on the barrel.

SD Handgunner

[Bullseye]

SD Handgunner

It is because of reports like yours that will probably cause me to get another 30-30 someday, even though my past results were poor.

[SD Handgunner]

Bullseye

I have heard all of the same horror stories about the ole .30-30 Winchester in the T/C Contender, but quite frankly I have never experienced it myself. I will be working with another one in the not to distant future.

Our local Shooters Club just ran a Fund Raising Raffle, and the guy that won Second Prize is getting a SS T/C Contender with a SS Super 14 .30-30 Winchester Barrel. Yep I load all of this guys ammo, so will be working up a load and testing this barrel in the not to distant future.

Actually I have been rather impressed with the different .30-30 Winchester Contender Handguns I have shot. In fact I made one of my longest handgun kills ever with a 125gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip loaded with Accurate Arms #2230 out of a Super 14 .30-30 Winchester Contender. It was a huge racoon at a lasered 385 yards. I still contend that the pour dumb racoon ran into the bullet as I fired.

SD Handgunner

[Jim S]

Be very aware that SD is going to start talking about the 30/30 AI and then you are going to have one and there goes your kid's milk money!
  Seriously I shot a 14" 30/30 a long while ,before he converted me to the Ackley version, and I got very good accuracy out of the 130SSP/4198 combination. The loads I used were over the listed max of 30 grains but I got 2450 and sub 1" groups when I did my part. Like SD said i was very impressed with the 14" 30/30. i killed an antelope in Wyoming in 1986 with with a 350 yard , stepped shot so not exactly but I'm 6" and step about 36 inches. You can work up you loads with that combo and watch for pressure but some of the barrels I've seen will go to 32 or 33 grains before they show pressure, but be VERY aware those are HOT loads and not for regular use ! Work toward them at your own risk !

[Bullseye]

Jim S

Now you really have me bugged.  THe 30-30 barrel I spent the most time with, I shot a bunch of that bullet and powder combo.  I think my most accurate load was 27 or 28 grs.  My best accuracy though was only around 2" at 50 yards and way big at 100.  The interesting thing about that barrel was that if I loaded any round to the COL in a reloading manual the round would be way to long, I had to go much shorter to get the bullet off the rifling.  However, it chambered factory rounds fine.