30-30 cheap and fun load

[Ian]

Either Bullseye or Unique. Unique and Universal are TOTALLY different animals. In some instances, Unique will still be burning at the muzzle of a 16" barrel. Universal generally gives similar velocities per charge weight, but does so with a completely different burn curve. This is also why Universal has the reputation of burning much more cleanly than Unique. Universal will be @ 100% burn in a few inches, while Unique is still flaming on down the bore. I much prefer Unique for rifle loads over Universal, generally because it has proven over and over to have the accuracy edge. BE burns like Unique, very long and cool compared to similar "fast" powders like Titegroup, 231, and Red Dot.

You may also find the best accuracy below the trans-sonic zone, like in the 1050 fps area. If you crowd the sound barrier, best to just go past it by 1-200 fps to make sure your bullet stays supersonic all the way to the target and avoids transonic buffeting.

 

[waco]

Thanks Ian, I'll take this into consideration.
I have 8-10lbs of each powder to play with.
Did I tell you that a 30-30 bolt gun is addicting???

 

[Ian]

It seems like I end up shooting so much more through my fun single-shots, revolvers, and bolt guns than I do my repeaters or automatics. Maybe all the magazine stuffing slows me down, IDK. I can rip through 100 subsonc .22s in my relined Reminton Rolling Block in less time than a 10-22. It's like Lay's potato chips when you keep grinning and loading and grinning and.....

 

[waco]

I don't shoot much auto anything anymore. 1911 a bit. I'm a lazy SOB. I hate chasing brass.....

 

[Ian]

I hate chasing brass, too, but I also hate wearing ear protection. I'm religious about it, always have been (thanks to my Dad from way back at the beginning), but still hate it. I can screw a can on an automatic, but not a revolver. But I still love my .45 Colt SAAs and Open Tops, and .38 Specials.

 

[waco]

I want a can SOOOOOOO bad.......My wife's Ruger 22 45 Light, and my RAR 300BLK

 

[Ian]

Well, what's the hold up? Cans are GTG in Wa. If you have trouble finding a dealer close by, which I hear is the case in that area, do them yourself on 5320.1 forms. You can make a great can for less than $200.

 

[waco]

GTG???
I'm in Oregon. I do have a machinist buddy at work that knows this stuff with full access to CNC mills and lathes.

 

[waco]

Good to go.....Aha...

 

[waco]

I've seen them in the shops. They were pricey. About 6 bills not including the stamp......Liberty brand maybe??????

 

[Ian]

Right, sorry, though you lived in the Granola state. Eight bills for a good one in .30 cal. Lots of good commercial ones, a few not so good. For subs, build your own from a solvent trap for cheap, you can make it as quiet or better than anything commercial. If you want titanium tube and QD/QA muzzle brake mount so you can put it on multiple guns, look at SDTA dot com. Once you get a stamp, press baffles out of freeze plugs, drill the end cap, cut a blast chamber spacer, and you're good to go. I have a proven design for the BO that kicks butt and doesn't weigh a ton if you're interested. It also works very well on .22cal and SDTA stocks muzzle brakes to fit a variety of muzzle threads. For the .22/45, you'd want a dedicated can, or preferably an integral upper with relief holes so you can shoot high-velocity bulk ammo quietly through it, but that's $$$ and good luck finding one in stock right now.

 

[waco]

Please try 7.2 grs. of B'Eye with that bullet in your 30-30.

Okay Ben. I got twenty of them loaded up. Just need some range time now.

 

[fiver]

I don't think they'll make 1,000 yards too well....

 

[Ian]

Or a mile....

I can't imagine what it must feel like to drop back to 100 yards or less after recently stretching the legs of that .338.

 

[waco]

I have to admit. It was pretty cool hitting a target at over 17 football fields away. I was a little proud of myself. I missed more than I hit though!
I can't wait to go try again. Maybe with some calmer wind.
I still love rolling cans up close with my trusty 30-30 bolt gun too.
It's a WHOLE lot cheaper to shoot!

 

[freebullet]

4.5gr of titegroup should make some really accurate subs-no can needed. 5.5-6.5gr makes a dandy plinking load to. My 336 likes 6gr with 150gr. very well.

How many range sessions does a 338 barrel last?

 

[fiver]

at 6 shots a trip,,,,,, a lot.
I have never seen a study on the 338 talking about accuracy drop off or throat erosion.

 

[waco]

With close to full power loads, I've read somewhere around 1200-1800 rounds.
My loads are about midrange according to the Nosler manual.

 

[waco]

Keep in mind. I'm not trying to drive tacks with this rifle. I'm looking to hit man size steel at distance.

 

[freebullet]

And cudos for doing so!!! I've yet to play that far out. Sounds fun though.