Best overall 30/30 Powder.

336A · Post by **336A** » Sun May 18, 2008 1:36 pm

I wanted to conduct a little poll here to see what you vteran 30/30 reloaders think is the best powder for the 30/30. Here is the list that I came up with which I think are the most commonly used. I would also like to add that by best powder I mean one that gives good accuracy with 150gr and 170gr bullets.

IMR 3031

Imr 4064

IMR 4895

RL 7

RL 15

H322

H335

H414

H4895

Varget

W748

W760

WinM71 · Post by **WinM71** » Sun May 18, 2008 2:11 pm

My favorite has been IMR-3031 for a lot of years.

buckeyeshooter · Post by **buckeyeshooter** » Sun May 18, 2008 2:37 pm

3031, reloader 7 and varget all get use.

WCF3030 · Post by **WCF3030** » Sun May 18, 2008 2:39 pm

When I shot 170gr core-locs or 180gr spitzer's or round nose I favored 3031.

Then when I switched to 150-125gr bullets I like Re-7

110gr and the speer 130gr I got into H-335 and Pistol primers.

Now that I shoot the Lyman 173gr exclusively for the last year I've gone with a LP primer and H-335. It burns clean and consistent and meters like a dream.

jdad · Post by **jdad** » Sun May 18, 2008 3:24 pm

Don McDowell · Post by **Don McDowell** » Sun May 18, 2008 3:27 pm

748 or rl 15.

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Sun May 18, 2008 3:58 pm

RE-7, 3031 and BC-L(2).

w30wcf · Post by **w30wcf** » Sun May 18, 2008 4:09 pm

150 gr - 748
170 gr - W760/ H414 (same powder)

Great accuracy and ease in loading.

w30wcf

cslcal · Post by **cslcal** » Sun May 18, 2008 6:43 pm

Varget for 150's and R-15 for 170's

Al Foust

LeverBob · Post by **LeverBob** » Sun May 18, 2008 10:15 pm

748 & re. 7,15

Slick13 · Post by **Slick13** » Mon May 19, 2008 8:01 am

I haven't done much reloading for my .30-30 (late 50s Model 94 carbine), but it quickly showed a preference for Speer's 150 gr. bullet. BL-C(2) performs well in the .30-30 and in my .25-35 Win.

~Michael

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Mon May 19, 2008 10:02 am

I've used Dupont powders, Hercules powders, and Winchester powders.

My vote goes to Winchester 748 as the one I've had the best most consistent results with.

Joe

Post by **Hobie** » Mon May 19, 2008 11:25 am

I use IMR 3031. That's not to denigrate other choices.

Bluehawk · Post by **Bluehawk** » Mon May 19, 2008 12:39 pm

With common 150/170 bullets im using 3031 MY guns are loaded as follows, each 30/30 has a seperate load Federal cases loaded with 33 Grains of Varget and the Barnes 150 X, WW cases loaded with 30 Grains of Varget and the RCBS 180 Gc bullet( My bullets weigh 195 w/gas check)
Speer 130 Spitzer/FP 36.5 Varget Remington cases This last load is safe IN MY GUN WORK UP TO THAT LOAD .
IM using Varget more and more

336A · Post by **336A** » Mon May 19, 2008 2:03 pm

Just out of curiosity has anyone here used H322? I noticed that both my Sierra 5th edition manual as well as Brian Pearce had good things to say about it. In a article not to long ago done up by Mr. Pearce, he said H322 only had 8 FPS SD when loaded with a Nosler 170gr Partition. He also went on to say that it shot well in several of his rifles. As did a load using the Sierra 150gr FP loading.

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Mon May 19, 2008 2:15 pm

I like Varget and 748. I have not tried others since those two did so well.

woods-walker · Post by **woods-walker** » Mon May 19, 2008 8:04 pm

W748 has worked very well for me using a wide range of bullets. I get excellent accuracy and it meters very well.

My back up powder is IMR3031, which happens to be my first choice for the 45-70 which helps to limit the number of powders I need to inventory.

Old Time Hunter · Post by **Old Time Hunter** » Mon May 19, 2008 8:11 pm

I have seemed to settle on H4895...works reasonably well in all my necked cartridges no matter what the temperature.

Slick13 · Post by **Slick13** » Tue May 20, 2008 8:09 am

Bluehawk wrote:
IM using Varget more and more

Venturino has high praise for Varget in the .30-06 with 150 grain bullets, so I'm getting ready to start doing some work with it for my 03A3. Tried Varget in my .25-35 this past weekend, and don't know that I'll go any further with it. Start load is listed at 21 grains, and that is supposed to give just over 1900 fps. I started with 22 grains and that gave me between 1776 fps and 1850 fps.

Even if I load up to the max load (24.5 grains) I doubt I'll get more velocity (or accuracy) than what I'm getting with BL-C(2). I do plan on trying Varget in my .30-30 this summer too.

~Michael

Bluehawk · Post by **Bluehawk** » Tue May 20, 2008 8:22 am

Varget is fast becomming my most used powder in rifles cartridges.
I am now using 26.5 Varget in 223 with a 50 grain Hornady bullet in my H&R, IM using 46 Grains WITH MILITARY BRASS ( Lake City) and 150 FMJ bullets in my Garand and 46.5 in Remington Brass with 168 Hornady Match bullets in the Garand.
I experimented with it in my 25/35 but did not get results I wanted
Right now im experimenting wih it in the 30/06 So far the 4350 Loads with 165 grain bullets are better 150 loads are bettter with varget but I dont want to shoot bullet weights that light in the 30/06 I have other 30 cals to do that .
I will try some in the 7.62x39 and 338 Winchester this summer
I also switched over to Varget in the 243 Winchester dont remember the load EXACTLY, off hand now, but im shooting the 95 Noslers in that gun with it

Slick13 · Post by **Slick13** » Tue May 20, 2008 8:59 am

Bluehawk, I've done some reading on Varget, and you aren't the first guy I've come across using it for more and more cartridges. Sounds like an excellent all around powder.

I'm glad to hear I'm not the only person dissappointed with Varget in the .25-35.

My .30-06 loads will be for shooting NRA High Power in the 100 to 200 yard range, so I'm sticking to 150 grain bullets. Have been shooting Greek surplus (which shoots well BTW), but I want to see what the rifle and I can do with my own reloads. I'm starting with Varget and H4895. Will try W748 and BL-C(2) too. Like yourself, if I'm looking to load something heavier than 150 grains, I've got H4350 on hand and would probably try Reloder 19 too.

If I get some time this weekend (fingers crossed), I'll probably get some .30-30 and .30-06 loads ready with Varget and hit the range.

~Michael

AndyM · Post by **AndyM** » Tue May 20, 2008 11:27 am

336A wrote:Just out of curiosity has anyone here used H322? I noticed that both my Sierra 5th edition manual as well as Brian Pearce had good things to say about it. In a article not to long ago done up by Mr. Pearce, he said H322 only had 8 FPS SD when loaded with a Nosler 170gr Partition. He also went on to say that it shot well in several of his rifles. As did a load using the Sierra 150gr FP loading.

The load I settled on when I was first working with my 1894 Winchester carbine was with the powder H322 - so yes, I use it and it provides great service in my rifle. I tried some of the others listed - I think my next move with this rifle is Rx7. Then I will use one type of powder for both my 45-70 and 30-30.

scr83jp · Post by **scr83jp** » Tue May 20, 2008 12:33 pm

Bluehawk wrote:Varget is fast becomming my most used powder in rifles cartridges.
I am now using 26.5 Varget in 223 with a 50 grain Hornady bullet in my H&R, IM using 46 Grains WITH MILITARY BRASS ( Lake City) and 150 FMJ bullets in my Garand and 46.5 in Remington Brass with 168 Hornady Match bullets in the Garand.
I experimented with it in my 25/35 but did not get results I wanted
Right now im experimenting wih it in the 30/06 So far the 4350 Loads with 165 grain bullets are better 150 loads are bettter with varget but I dont want to shoot bullet weights that light in the 30/06 I have other 30 cals to do that .
I will try some in the 7.62x39 and 338 Winchester this summer
I also switched over to Varget in the 243 Winchester dont remember the load EXACTLY, off hand now, but im shooting the 95 Noslers in that gun with it

I load IMR 4831 in my Sakos:06 & 300wm,also load IMR 4895 for my M1 garand & the 06 Sako.

dawei · Post by **dawei** » Tue May 20, 2008 9:43 pm

For me it's been IMR3031â„¢ since the day I got my 30/30, 12/25/1976. It's scarily accurate: 3 shots from the bench @ 100yds = Â¾" group!

Modoc ED · Post by **Modoc ED** » Wed May 21, 2008 11:33 am

IMR 3031

336A · Post by **336A** » Wed May 21, 2008 12:22 pm

Thanks for the great feedback guys. Here is a little insight as to what spurred me to ask this question. I have on hand at the moment W748 and RL15 for powders. For bullets I have Speer, Hornady, and Sierra 150gr bullets. The first powder I tried was W748 with the Speer bullets. I full length sized my brass and loaded 3 rounds each starting at 33gr and ending at 37gr as per the Speer manual. My results were dismal to say the least, groups ran around 4"+ from my scoped Marlin 336A. I had the same results when using the same powder and the Hornady 150gr bullets as well.

My buddy has the exact same rifle, he tried some of my reloads and the 35gr of W748 Speer 150gr FP combo shot great for him. I later tried RL15 with the same bullets and still had the same dismal results. Now I know some here might be thinking why not try out 170gr bullets. The reason that I haven't is due to the fact that my rifle shoots factory 150gr fodder much better than the 170gr ammo. For some reason I'm thinking that maybe I put to much of a crimp on with the LFD. But then I can't help to think if that were the case, then why did my friends rifle shoot so well with my reloads

I have since loaded up some rounds for testing but I backed off the amount of crimp applied with the Lee Factory Crimp Die.

Here is a pic of a target shot with my reload. the 3 shots that are in the lower right was my reload (the huge group). The other groups are factory ammo.

phlatnose · Post by **phlatnose** » Wed May 21, 2008 2:37 pm

336A,
Get your friend to shoot your rifle with your reloads, and see how he does with it.

Lefty Dude · Post by **Lefty Dude** » Wed May 21, 2008 5:12 pm

What works in one Rifle may not in another.

My suggestion, work up your own load in your rifle. Yours may not like the powder you are using, or the bullet.

This is what makes reloading interesting, finding out & tailoring a load to a specific firearm.

I have two Colt SAA, consec. serial numbers one shoots better than the other with the same load.

There are lots of variables in ammunition and firearms, keeps the hobby interesting, and I never get bored.

336A · Post by **336A** » Wed May 21, 2008 10:09 pm

What works in one Rifle may not in another.

My suggestion, work up your own load in your rifle. Yours may not like the powder you are using, or the bullet.

This is what makes reloading interesting, finding out & tailoring a load to a specific firearm.

I have two Colt SAA, consec. serial numbers one shoots better than the other with the same load.

There are lots of variables in ammunition and firearms, keeps the hobby interesting, and I never get bored

Lefty you are absolutely correct and I concur with you to a point. I reload for .38 SPL, .41magnum, .44 magnum (Marlin 1894SS), and 7MM Rem Mag as well. I have never had to use more than one powder and bullet to find a good combo for these calibers. With all of the powders out there that are suitable for the .30/30 I just can't afford to keep buying powder by the pound only to find that my rifle don't like it ( and add the ever increasing price hikes for components). As it is now I have almost 1 pound of RL15 and W748 that are worthless to me as I have no other calibers that uses these powders.

So the next powder I purchase I hope will be a good one. If not as much as I hate to say it. I'm just going to have throw in my hat and admit defeat, and purchase factory ammo.

Best overall 30/30 Powder.

Best overall 30/30 Powder.

Re: Best overall 30/30 Powder.