30-30 Plinker loads ( in volume )

[Dimner]

I stumbled upon this thread and thought I would try to give back maybe one one-hundreth of a percent of what I have learned from Ben over the years.

I have a very soft spot for the 30wcf and the 3118. So here are the rifles and charges I had used the 3118 that have given me less than 1200 fps. I used 1200 because my rifles may go faster/slower than others. I'm a nerd with OCD. I have a spreadsheet with all my shots of cast and jacketed bullets since I bought a chronograph. So far I have over 600 recorded shots with this bullet, 4 rifles, but just two powders. Unique and Trailboss.



Marlin 336 - Standard barrel length (cant remember what that would be, I sold the rifle)
Lyman/Ideal Single Cavity 3118 mold - BLL
Unique: 3.7gr - 953 fps to 5.5gr 1199fps.
For a velocity of 1100fps, it would be between 4.5 and 4.8 grains.
TrailBoss: 4.5gr - 1010fps to 6.5gr 1198fps.
For a velocity of 1100fps, 5.5gr

Teddy Roosevelt Win 94 (TR94) - 26" barrel
Lyman/Ideal Single Cavity 3118 mold - BLL
Unique: No Data
TrailBoss: 4.5gr - 1015fps to 5.7gr 1163fps.
For a velocity of 1100fps, 5.2-5.4gr

Savage 24 30wcf/20ga - 24" barrel
Lyman/Ideal Single Cavity 3118 mold - BLL
Unique: only loads that I have under 1200fps is a 5.1gr that was between 1186 to 1193 in 5 separate shot strings. 25 shots total
TrailBoss: No Data

Savage 340 - 22" barrel
NOE 4 Cavity 3118 mold - BLL
Unique: only loads that I have under 1200fps is a 5.5gr that was between 1150 to 1163 in 4 separate shot strings. 20 shots total
TrailBoss: No Data

Here a pic of this last load in the 340. "Meh Bases" denotes my displeasure at the sprue cuts. They were cratered/pockmarked. This was prior to me tightening up my technique with aluminum molds and buying a PID.

 

[Bret4207]

Sweet! Out of sheer curiosity, and because I'd buy one in a heartbeat if I ever found one, how is the Savage 24 accuracy-wise?

 

[Ben]

WOW ! !
Wonderful info !

Ben

 

[S Mac]

So does the 3118 translate to the Lyman 311008?

 

[JWFilips]

Looks like we found another member of the "Low Velocity Shooting" section In Cast Bullet Shooting and Testing
Yeah "Low Node" all the way!

 

[Ben]

So does the 3118 translate to the Lyman 311008?

YES

Lyman at some point ( not certain of the year ) added an extra digit
to their mould ID naming system.

Example the 31141 turns into the 311041.

Ben

 

[S Mac]

That's what I thought.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

Sweet! Out of sheer curiosity, and because I'd buy one in a heartbeat if I ever found one, how is the Savage 24 accuracy-wise?

I’m not the OP, But I have one of these and mine is marvelously Accurate. FAR AND AWAY more than you would expect!! It shoots a 150 NBT at 2200 FPS into touching groups @ 100 yards. I was floored! I tried a 160 FTX and same 748 loading SAME STORY!! Easily on a DIME!!

I have not tried cast thru it. No real reason just haven’t.


I’m a bit of a fan of these American Classics made right in my back yard.
CW

 

[Bret4207]

CW, I was afraid of that. Makes me want one even more now! I've only come across one 24 where the owner was dissatisfied with the accuracy and that was a 22 Hornet that shot way to one side, well beyond what the sights could take care of. I've heard of several that would hold near an inch at 100 if the barrel was allowed to cool.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

If ya Think about it, what could make for a stiffer barrel then to attach a 20g tube to it!!

Im a big Savage 24 Fan. Before my trading boating accident. I had quite a number ofthem. My biggest complaint was regulation. It was seldom good. One 22/410 was stellar. Perfect and soldered bbls. This 30/30/20 was pretty good and useable. But 222/20 was aweful. 223/20 pitiful. 22M/20 shameful and 357/20 was honestly FEET to one side with a Slug.

CW

 

[Bret4207]

I have seen people speak of taking the ones with the non-soldered barrels, with the riser looking thing up front, and "tweaking" the offending barrel in the direction it needed to go. Just internet hearsay, but OTOH, I know for a fact people have "tweaked" rifle barrels int he crotch of a tree and it worked. Saw that first hand.

 

[Rally]

Bret,
i’m betting a few of them got that way too! There have been more than one shotguns put in a vise and their barrels bent after somebody falling on them in a boat or field. Why not, still better than the alternative, having a gun that doesn’t shoot to the sights.

 

[JWFilips]

Lyman at some point ( not certain of the year ) added an extra digit
to their mould ID naming system.

Example the 31141 turns into the 311041.

& That sure confuses the heck out of me! I love the way you guys can rattle those lyman ( and other mfg's ) mould numbers around.
I have to go to my Lyman mould chart to try to figure out what you are talking about!

Ah but I do remember Al's ( NOE) moulds!

 

[Ben]

Ah but I do remember Al's ( NOE) moulds!

Looks like you can start all over with NOE as he has changed a large number of his mould ID's.

Ben

 

[JWFilips]

 

[Rally]

I noticed that also Ben. Looks like a couple gained a couple grains weight. New cherries maybe?

 

[Ian]

I wonder if the shotgun barrel on a 24 could be regulated to the rifle sights by filing the crown slightly at an angle?

 

[fiver]

no.
but if they use a hanger it could be changed for up/down.
if all else fails you can have a set of choke tubes cut at an angle to throw the pattern where [or closer to] you want it.
there is also the option of adjusting the stock.

 

[CWLONGSHOT]

Some of these Savage barrels are soldered full length.... they are what they are as the rifle shoots fine. (Or shotgun how ever you prefer)

Some others are NOT. The 30/30/20 is NOT only attacked at the mono block and muzzle. I have wedged. Loosened the attachment screw and TWISTED. It will make it change and many times get you close LEnough”. Other times.. nope it don’t! ;(

cw

 

[fiver]

if they are locked down then you need to adjust the shot gun portion from the stock end, and use the sights or scope to move the rifle.
you shouldn't be using the sights for the shotgun barrel anyway.