Author Topic: Magic Load 30-30 Winchester  (Read 1231 times)

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Offline GrampaMike

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Magic Load 30-30 Winchester
« on: November 08, 2009, 02:49:25 PM »
Magic Load 30-30 Winchester

Barnes #4 Load Manual

Bullet: 150 grain Barnes TSX FN

Powder: Hodgdon H4198 (Range from Barnes #4 is 24.0 to 26.0 grains)

The SWEET spot is 25.8 grains giving average of 2262 fps in my 22” Handi.

All holes were touching at 50 yards (7 shots).

I am so happy because the 30-30 is one of my favorites.

Notes:

For Load development I mount one of my 10X Bushnell fixed power scopes.  I know, 10X at 50 yards!  But this is “Load Development”; I try and take ME out of the testing because I want the best/accurate load for the gun.  When I find an acceptable load for a rifle I will stick with that load.  I then take the 10X off the gun and replace it with whatever is appropriate, knowing if I ever miss it is ME and not the gun (unless something breaks or comes loose). 

I also try and always use 7 shot groups for my testing (don’t really know why any more, I just do, think it was some statistical reason).  In this case I loaded 7 rounds with 24.0 grains, 7 rounds with 24.1 grains, 7 rounds with 24.2 grains and so on up to the 26.0 grains max.  If you are doing the math this is 7 x 21 possibilities or 147 rounds (I know; this guy is an obsessive compulsive nut; True).  It took me 3 trips to the range over the last couple months to fire all of these rounds.  When I go to the range, I usually take 3 guns to fire, 1 for testing and 2 just to have fun with while the test gun is cooling between shots.

Yes Dinny, 1SG (retired Army), you stay safe.


Mike
Grampa Mike
U.S. Army Retired

"Say what you mean, mean what you say"
Father of 2 GREAT sons, and 9 grandchildren.

Offline kevinsmith5

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Re: Magic Load 30-30 Winchester
« Reply #1 on: November 08, 2009, 03:11:48 PM »
Primer?
If he's carrying a singleshot, don't expect a warning shot!

Offline Dinny

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Re: Magic Load 30-30 Winchester
« Reply #2 on: November 08, 2009, 03:17:26 PM »
Mike,
   Thanks for the info.  Being an old soldier, all I can figure is that you were reading my mind  ;) You must have been a NCO, after all, all the young soldiers think we can read minds when we get our stripes.  :D I have been researching the old posts for 30-30 load data. I like Barnes bullets and will definitely try this load someday whenever I get some time.  

Dinny   6  more days..... ;)

Handi Family: 357 Max, 45 LC, 45-70, 300 BLK, 50 cal Huntsman, and 348 Win.

"If there must be trouble, let it be in my day that my child may have peace"
Thomas Paine

Offline togojeff

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Re: Magic Load 30-30 Winchester
« Reply #3 on: November 08, 2009, 04:40:06 PM »
Awesome! You were using a scope?

Offline GrampaMike

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Re: Magic Load 30-30 Winchester
« Reply #4 on: November 09, 2009, 05:12:17 AM »
Added Notes.
Grampa Mike
U.S. Army Retired

"Say what you mean, mean what you say"
Father of 2 GREAT sons, and 9 grandchildren.

Offline gomerdog

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Re: Magic Load 30-30 Winchester
« Reply #5 on: November 09, 2009, 11:53:04 AM »
"I also try and always use 7 shot groups for my testing (don’t really know why any more, I just do, think it was some statistical reason).  In this case I loaded 7 rounds with 24.0 grains, 7 rounds with 24.1 grains, 7 rounds with 24.2 grains and so on up to the 26.0 grains max"

I find it interesting that you use seven shot groups as your standard. I feel like you might be on to something. I load up 10 rounds and will sometimes shoot two 5-round groups. More often, I wll have to adjust my scope after one or two rounds and then fire a  5-shot group. After that, if the group is even somewhat impressive, I will fire the remaining rounds into the same group to test consistency. I never fully trust a 3-shot group, but will trust multiple three-shot groups if they are consistent.

BTW, the magic load for my Handi is a 170 gr. Hornady FP propelled by 35.0 grains of W748 (insert standard disclaimer here) and WLR primers, all held together with a Remington case; although this weekend, 180 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips showed promise with one less grain of powder. More testing is necessary. Dang!  ;D
"Endeavor to persevere..." Chief Dan George from The Outlaw Josie Wales

Offline LaOtto222

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Re: Magic Load 30-30 Winchester
« Reply #6 on: November 09, 2009, 01:33:07 PM »
Seven round groups are the smallest that you can get reliable data from. One five shot group may indicate an accurate load and it may not. Even shooting 2 five shot groups at different times can be misleading. If you shoot 1 right after the other and you can over lay the two of them and you get a small group, you can rest assured that you will have a good load. There have been times where a five shot group will show a good group. The reloader goes in the shop and loads up many rounds only to find out it did not shoot as well as the test group did. Then they are stuck with a bunch of rounds to tear down. A Seven shot group will pretty much tell you if you are good to go or not. Yes it is statics. Three shot groups will not tell you much unless you can do it over and over again. Three shot groups can be an indicator, five shot groups an even better indicator and 7 shot groups will tell you for sure.
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Offline dpe.ahoy

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Re: Magic Load 30-30 Winchester
« Reply #7 on: November 09, 2009, 02:38:50 PM »
Hey Tim and Richard, ya ready to try a few 7 shot groups with yer 45-120? ::) ;D  DP
RIP Oct 27, 2017

Handi's:22Shot, 22LR, 2-22Mag, 22Hornet, 5-223, 2-357Max, 44 mag, 2-45LC, 7-30 Waters, 7mm-08, 280, 25-06, 30-30, 30-30AI, 444Marlin, 45-70, AND 2-38-55s, 158 Topper 22 Hornet/20ga. combo;  Levers-Marlins:Two 357's, 44 mag, 4-30-30s, RC-Glenfields 36G-30A & XLR, 3-35 Rem, M-375, 2-444P's, 444SS, 308 MX, 338Marlin MXLR, 38-55 CB, 45-70 GS, XS7 22-250 and 7mm08;  BLR's:7mm08, 358Win;  Rossi: 3-357mag, 44mag, 2-454 Casull; Winchesters: 7-30 Waters, 45Colt Trapper; Bolt actions, too many;  22's, way too many.  Who says it's an addiction?

Offline Datil

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Re: Magic Load 30-30 Winchester
« Reply #8 on: November 09, 2009, 03:14:47 PM »

 The way to go Grandpamike, Glad to see the ol' 30-39 shoot gooder.
 Best of luck      Marv.

Offline AtlLaw

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Re: Magic Load 30-30 Winchester
« Reply #9 on: November 09, 2009, 03:39:47 PM »
7 shot groups with yer 45-120? ::) ;D  DP

Not me DP...  :-\  I just LOOK stupid!   :P   A couple of 3 shot groups will do just fine thank you very much...  ;D
Richard
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: Magic Load 30-30 Winchester
« Reply #10 on: November 09, 2009, 03:42:21 PM »
I'll pass too, three's plenty and more practical, I'm not a benchrest champion, just a hunter, 3-shot groups have worked for me for over 50yrs, see no reason to change!  ;)

Tim
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Online Dee

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Re: Magic Load 30-30 Winchester
« Reply #11 on: November 09, 2009, 04:29:20 PM »
You and AtlLaw are old. Fifty years? Mercy. 8)
Hard times create strong men. Strong men create good times. Good times create weak men. Weak men create hard times.

Offline Dead doc

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Re: Magic Load 30-30 Winchester
« Reply #12 on: November 11, 2009, 02:56:05 AM »
If I am workng up new loads  I shoot  two  3 shot groups , on all loads then see where I am if one or two or howevermany  loads seem primising then i load up  three  3 shot groups and shoot again .  Usually by that time  I have agood idea which ones are the better ones  When I THINK I have found the load  I then load 15 rounds and shoot  5 three shot groups these are almost certainly on different days so I get different weather dconditi0ons to temper the results.  I figure that  if the load continues to be successful, after those three days of testing ,  I stick with it .
 I also beleive in the "ONE gun  ONE load " theory.  Once I get a load it sitcks wiht that gun. If I need a different job done , I use another load in another gun.

Offline gomerdog

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Re: Magic Load 30-30 Winchester
« Reply #13 on: November 11, 2009, 12:55:17 PM »
If I am workng up new loads  I shoot  two  3 shot groups , on all loads then see where I am if one or two or howevermany  loads seem primising then i load up  three  3 shot groups and shoot again .  Usually by that time  I have agood idea which ones are the better ones  When I THINK I have found the load  I then load 15 rounds and shoot  5 three shot groups these are almost certainly on different days so I get different weather dconditi0ons to temper the results.  I figure that  if the load continues to be successful, after those three days of testing ,  I stick with it .
 I also beleive in the "ONE gun  ONE load " theory.  Once I get a load it sitcks wiht that gun. If I need a different job done , I use another load in another gun.


I appreciate a man who is thorough in his load development.
"Endeavor to persevere..." Chief Dan George from The Outlaw Josie Wales

Offline dpe.ahoy

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Re: Magic Load 30-30 Winchester
« Reply #14 on: November 11, 2009, 02:23:34 PM »
Dee, I have read where you have used your 30-30 that long. ;)   Caught ya ::) ;D ;D  DP
RIP Oct 27, 2017

Handi's:22Shot, 22LR, 2-22Mag, 22Hornet, 5-223, 2-357Max, 44 mag, 2-45LC, 7-30 Waters, 7mm-08, 280, 25-06, 30-30, 30-30AI, 444Marlin, 45-70, AND 2-38-55s, 158 Topper 22 Hornet/20ga. combo;  Levers-Marlins:Two 357's, 44 mag, 4-30-30s, RC-Glenfields 36G-30A & XLR, 3-35 Rem, M-375, 2-444P's, 444SS, 308 MX, 338Marlin MXLR, 38-55 CB, 45-70 GS, XS7 22-250 and 7mm08;  BLR's:7mm08, 358Win;  Rossi: 3-357mag, 44mag, 2-454 Casull; Winchesters: 7-30 Waters, 45Colt Trapper; Bolt actions, too many;  22's, way too many.  Who says it's an addiction?

Offline cwlongshot

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Re: Magic Load 30-30 Winchester
« Reply #15 on: November 12, 2009, 01:28:07 AM »
Thanks for sharing your load!! I too have had a fav load for the 30-30 that has served me well for many, many years.

In a recent trip to the range I got to test that same load with the 160 FTX bullet. WELL, let me tell you that lil handi is a GREAT SHOOTER!!!  Group after group shot into one dime sized hole @ 50yards!!!  I shot up a whole box of bullets!!! My original load is Max load of WW748 powder, a CCI LR primer and a 170Gr Hornady FP was my load. Now the new load is same powder & charge amount, only now with a 160 FTX bullet.

Its GREAT to find these loads, sometimes its the culmination of years of shooting different powder, bullet and primer combinations. other times (like mine this time) its simple dumb luck!!  Either way I'll take it!!

CW
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