Need information on 30-30AI.

[shot1]

I have been reading this forum for a while and I decided to join because I see that many of you are very into Contender shooting. I was planing on getting a 14" 30-30 Win barrel for my Contender but from my reading on this forum in some of the old post I decided to get a 30-30 AI barrel. I placed an order today at Midway for one but it is back ordered until the middle of January. What I would like to know is what powders and the amount of the powder in your experience has worked the best with 125 gr Nosler ballistic tips. What OAL, how far off the lands are you loading this bullet? What cases are you using? Do the cases need to be new for the first fire form or can the be once fired range pick-up's?

I have three barrels for my Contender already. 10" 357 mag and a 45/410 with front and rear sights. The third is a wildcat 14" barrel that I do not know who made it or where it came from. I got everything from an estate sale. It is a 225 Winchester necked up to 6mm. The barrel is a CM with a 14" twist. The best load that I have found that I use for deer hunting is 30 grs Varget pushing an 80 gr Sierra SSP bullet 2700 fps. I have killed a couple deer with it over the past 3 years. One big doe at 103 yards this season but I put a neck shot on her.

The reason that I want the 30-30AI barrel is I really think that the 80 gr bullet from the 6mm-225 is a bit light for shooting deer with. This barrel will not shoot bullets over 80 grs because the twist is wrong. I am hoping to get 2500 to 2550 fps from the 125 BT from the 30-30AI. I use this bullet in a 30X47 HBR rifle at 2850 fps and a 308 Win at 3050 fps and it is a drop deer in their tracks bullet.

[KYODE]

the 30-30AI is a favorite contender chambering. ya probably better try IMR4198 first with the 125's. i use both rem and win brass in seperate lot's, really doesn't matter which. new brass is a much better place to start.

[WayneS]

http://www.boartuffoutdoors.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=articles;action=display;num=1139840386

[Uhrich]

Hi shot1,

My goto Speed Goat pistol is just the standard .30-30.  My load for the 125 gr Nosler Balistic Tip is; 25 gr. of H4198.  I've never shot this over a crono, but I bet it is barly over 2000 fps.  I've goten 3 Antelopes with this setup and load, all one shot kills, longest was 250 yards, and I had complete pass thru's on all 3.  I started with 20 grs and worked up, I got such a nice tight group at 100 yards I didn't go pass 25 grs.  Good luck on the AI.

[David D.]

A lot of your questions have already been answered.  I also am a lover of the 30-30IMP. Accurate and deadly on game with the Nosler 125gr. B-Tips. My hunting loads are IMR 4198.  I also get very good accuracy from IMR4895. I tried Varget but my barrel didnt like it. To form brass I bought 150gr. factory loaded ammo and shot it to get formed brass. The factory ammo shot very accurate from my barrel and formed the brass very nicely. If need to I would feel comfortable hunting with factory 30-30 ammo from my 30-30IMP. after checking zero. 

[xphunter]

Hi shot1,

My goto Speed Goat pistol is just the standard .30-30.  My load for the 125 gr Nosler Balistic Tip is; 25 gr. of H4198.  I've never shot this over a crono, but I bet it is barly over 2000 fps.  I've goten 3 Antelopes with this setup and load, all one shot kills, longest was 250 yards, and I had complete pass thru's on all 3.  I started with 20 grs and worked up, I got such a nice tight group at 100 yards I didn't go pass 25 grs.  Good luck on the AI.

Uhrich,
What part of the state you from?
I live in Gillette.
Good to know another handgun hunter from WY.
Ernie

[Uhrich]

Hi Ernie,

I am from Saratoga, and Green River.  Currently am working out of Casper.

[xphunter]

Hi Ernie,

I am from Saratoga, and Green River.  Currently am working out of Casper.

If you are up this way and want to shoot, call me ahead of time, 307-257-7431 and we will go play on some steel.