30 carbine BH

Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
Did some accuracy testing today after putting a scope on my Ruger BH on 30 carbine. This revolver has been a pain to shoot since I got it. I finally figured out I was using too large a bullet and I needed to very slightly open the throats. I now can shoot a .3085 bullet with no troubles. Rounds chamber easily and brass falls right out.

I used an MP 311410 plain base HP, military brass, and a load of 2400.

11 gr got me 1438fps, 11.5 gr 1451, and 12 gr 1493.
The SD on all loads hovered in the 30 fps range for 10 rounds.
Accuracy wasn't great. I would have 3 shots in 3 inches at 100 then have a couple 8 inches away.
Alloy was heat treated range scrap, treated at 425 F for a full hour. No leading.

I found it easy to keep a consistent grip on the revolver but I do think I varied the position and pressure on the bag I rested it on. I feel that is the source of the large groups.

More testing will be done in the following weeks. I need to find the way the gun wants to be held and rested, that only comes with time.
 

Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
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I was quite happy with the expansion of the HP on the berm yet the bullet didn't go to pieces.

I really like range scrap for alloy. I can heat treat it if I need a harder bullet but it is low enough in Sb to stay together well on impact.
 

Rick

Moderator
Staff member
Same bullet I use in my BH 30 Carbine, CWW +2% Sn air cooled @ 12 BHN. 10.5 gr SR4759 in 32/20 brass at or just under 1200 fps.
 

Brad

Benevolent Overlord and site owner
Staff member
I need to try a different powder. I have some WC 820 and H110 to try.
I gots no 4759 so that isn't an option.

I may also try a moderate charge of something like Unique.
 

fiver

Well-Known Member
look at the 32 cal loads to start from.
I have used a lot of 32-20 loads to get started in the 30 carbine, and why not? Im using 32-20 brass anyway.
the trimmed and blown out cases headspace on the rim which makes things easy on me and adds a lot of consistency.
once you find a load sluffing along at 1,000 fps and it's actually quiet you might be surprised at how far away these little guy's will shoot without a lot of boolit drop.
they are like a smaller 41 mag.
 

Missionary

Well-Known Member
Greetings
When I was at FT. Hood in 2nd Armored one of the tank commanders had a BH 30 carbine. Our Armorer was a friendly sort who had cases od Caliber .30 M1 Carbine ammo left over from years back. TC Dan would wander down stairs on the appointed Saturday to the arms room and return with a case that "was off the books". Off to the pistol range out behind the barracks across Range Road and the impromptu "pistol practice" would begin. That poor BH would get hot enough to "must be" given a rest to cool down. It does take a good long while to go through a case of ammo with just a 6 shooter but it sure was fun.
Mike in Peru Armor 1971-74
 

Rick

Moderator
Staff member
I found what I was looking for with the SR4759 load and 311410 HP @ 130 gr from a 4 cav MP mold (post #3). My Lyman 311410 HP works of course but it's a single cav mold. I never did put it on paper, didn't need to. It was for CA ground squirrels and from 50 to 100 meters the consensus of the rodents was unanimous, very effective. Is over 1100 fps and not nearly as loud as standard 30 carbine rounds.
 

Rick

Moderator
Staff member
Sounds good but need your loads. I stacked up heavy with 4759 before it went away.

Same bullet I use in my BH 30 Carbine, CWW +2% Sn air cooled @ 12 BHN. 10.5 gr SR4759 in 32/20 brass at or just under 1200 fps.

I found what I was looking for with the SR4759 load and 311410 HP @ 130 gr from a 4 cav MP mold (post #3). My Lyman 311410 HP works of course but it's a single cav mold. I never did put it on paper, didn't need to. It was for CA ground squirrels and from 50 to 100 meters the consensus of the rodents was unanimous, very effective. Is over 1100 fps and not nearly as loud as standard 30 carbine rounds.

Jim, see post #3 in this thread. Standard primer BTW. I also use the plain base mold, while I have the same MP mold in gas check version there just isn't any need for the check at these velocities. Also no need for a hard bullet, air cooled WW works just fine.

I also stocked up on 4759, am down to 20 pounds and a bit worried.
 

dg31872

New Member
I use a BH in 30 carbine as a truck gun. Handy as a shirt pocket on the farm.
Load Starline 32-20 brass per Beagles suggestion with 5.0 Unique or 3.5 BE with 311008 sized to 309. Never have grouped it on paper, but it is better than I am. Use it like a 22 rf. About the most fun to shoot of any of the guns here. Quiet, follow up shots are quick, when needed.
It can handle the hotrodding, if we choose to.