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COWBOY LOADS

casper1947casper1947 Member Posts: 1,147 ✭✭✭✭✭
I was wondering what the effective target range would be for a cowboy load?
30/30 (rifle) and 45C (revolver).
Would a light or heavy bullet be better

Comments

  • charliemeyer007charliemeyer007 Member Posts: 6,579 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    A 30-30 is right at the limit of where it will preform better between jacketed bullets and cast. The 45 Colt does just fine with cast bullets. Terminal bullet performance is a different story for hunting etc. than punching holes in paper. Effective range is up to your skill and gun.

    I like medium and heavier bullets most of the time. Ultra light for caliber can sometimes be fun.
  • Hawk CarseHawk Carse Member Posts: 4,365 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    A .30-30 "cowboy load" approximates the old .32-40 which was a popular target round for 40 rods - 220 yards.
    A .45 Colt "cowboy load" is comparable to .45 ACP Midrange which is very accurate at 50 yards.

    Of course that assumes that your guns and your loads are equal quality to what the target shooters use.
  • casper1947casper1947 Member Posts: 1,147 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I was thinking about trying 165g LFP in a 30/30 and was wondering what kind of spread i could expect at 50 yards.
    the load data i was looking at shows FPS significantly lower for cowboy loads.
    this is just for target shooting.
  • charliemeyer007charliemeyer007 Member Posts: 6,579 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    What is your group size now with factory ammo? With cast bullets it should do as well or perhaps way better. You get play with the hardness, lube, and diameter along with the normal stuff like cases, primer, powder, seating depth etc. 165gr flat point sounds like a good place to start.
  • casper1947casper1947 Member Posts: 1,147 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I got about a 3" with 170g FP Hornady open sight. H4895 31 G 2091 FPS

    it's been quite a while since i used factory. My vision is not that good. I am thinking about a scope on my 94.
  • charliemeyer007charliemeyer007 Member Posts: 6,579 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    You should have no problems maintaining that group size. My eyes are not so good these days either. On my 94 AE Trapper in 44 Mag. it's hard to see the front sight. I'm going to try one of those green fiber optic ones, if that doesn't work maybe a 1.5 to 5 scope.

    Have you slugged your barrel? Are you casting your own bullets? I mostly run 50/50 alox/beeswax and 0.001 or 2 oversized multi grease grove bullet (Loverin design) when I can. Gas checks some times, I'd like to try some of those homemade ones from beer cans.
  • casper1947casper1947 Member Posts: 1,147 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I can get the sights in focus but the target gets fuzzy.
    a while back got a box of "COWBOY HARD CAST BULLETS" from Rim Rock Bullets. .309 165gr RNFP.
    I have not slugged the barrel of either Marlin 30AS or the WIN 94. both were bought used and appear in very good condition, but that is no guarantee.
  • charliemeyer007charliemeyer007 Member Posts: 6,579 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I'm not all that fond of those hard lubes like roster red and whatever that blue stuff is, might be ok. You could soak them gas and re-lube even by hand. The bevel base doesn't do much for me either, might be ok for production pistol loading but not my first choice for accuracy. Other than those issues they look to be a good 30-30 bullet.

    Do you have the Lyman Cast bullet hand book? Lots of tips for loading lead.
  • casper1947casper1947 Member Posts: 1,147 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    i do have lymans 4.
    they do list 170g but the only powders listed that i have Unique and 2400. i was wanting to use H4895 that is what i have the most of.
    The only H4895 i have found is for the cowboy loads:
    158-160 grain lead RNFP or RN (COWBOY LOAD)
    H4895 17.5 gr. 1,351 fps Start
    H4895 21.0 gr. 1,562 MAX
    I have only been reloading for a couple of years, since i retired.
    I do it for cost and to tame then down a bit. Targets at 50 yards is my limit.
    After i refinished my Arisaka 99 30-06 i shot 3 and wanted my mommy. it is surprising what a couple of grains can do and still be sufficient at 50 yards.
  • Hawk CarseHawk Carse Member Posts: 4,365 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Use the starting load, then.
    Trying to hotrod cast bullets is difficult. Maybe impossible with bulk cast storebought.
    I had good shooting with some Laser Cast in .30-06 but with VERY light loads.
  • charliemeyer007charliemeyer007 Member Posts: 6,579 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have used 4895 with great results in a 8mm06 with the Lyman 323470 168 gr Loverin. Unique and 4198 are my go to powders. I shot tons of 4895 and 4831 surplus stuff.

    I have the Lyman 311291 170 gr mold which is listed as "the old standard G.C. bullet for lever actions" 4198 is listed as 18.0 gr for 1473 ft. per second, and 3031 21.0 1600 fps, 2400 19.0 1872 fps. I would look to find a 31141 175gr.

    I'm still shooting $4.90/per 1000 primers with $2+/per pound powder.

    With 21 gr its like 300 rounds for $20 or a fat nickel a round.

    I have a 6.5 Jap but have only shot it a few times, have lots of way nicer rifles to shoot.
  • casper1947casper1947 Member Posts: 1,147 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    It looks like I had the information all the time.
    LEE 2 has a section on CAST BULLET LOADS and includes H4895.
    For a 170g using H4895 the table goes from 15g (1300 FPS
    ) to 29g (2040 FPS).
    That seems to me to be a very large variance.
    The data I had that indicated COWBOY LOAD had 21g as MAX and all load data sources emphasize NEVER EXCEED MAX. Beside I am not an experimenter. My load data will be a real close match (170 for a 165g bullet). No ballpark.
    In a discussion of cast bullets would hardened or non-hardened effect load data at say 1500 FPS? (i may not have phrased that very well)
    OK, now at what FPS would you use GC for hardened bullets, if at all?
  • longspur riderlongspur rider Member Posts: 2,620 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I've been shooting 170 gr RNFP .310 lead in my 30as Marlin 30-30 with 9.0 grains of Trail Boss powder. If you are shooting 100 yrds or less 7.0 grains of powder works well.
  • charliemeyer007charliemeyer007 Member Posts: 6,579 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Most of my cast bullets are hard. Exceptions are a full wad cutter for the 44 mag, 330 Gould hollow point for the 458/45-70, the 12 gauge sabot slug, and most of the muzzle loader stuff.

    When casting, bullets dropped into water are harder for a while. Not sure how long that last, I do it avoid damage to warm bullets.

    Gas checks are used to protect the base of the bullet at around 1800 fps sometimes sooner. Bullet needs to be designed to take them. I run a lot of them barefoot i.e. no gas check.

    Crappy bullet lube like roster red, look nice and isn't sticky to handle but also doesn't prevent leading. Marketing Plus User Fail
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