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30-30 reload powder

I have a really old Speer manual that lists only 6 or 8 powders which none I have in stock. I'm loading a 115 gr cast bullet. Do anyone have load info for these powders: IMR4227, IMR 4198, Alliance 2400, Unique. I would appreciate any input from you experts before I go buy other powder. I know I need to buy an up to date manual but I just keep putting it off. THANKS GunBroker people

Comments

  • charliemeyer007charliemeyer007 Member Posts: 6,572 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    For Lyman 311441 a 120 grain in my old Lyman cast bullet handbook has Hercules Unique data. My newer Lyman book 49th only has data for 311291 170gr and 311041 a 173. Has data for all your listed powder plus about 10 more. Alliant instead of Hercules.

    I have been casting and shooting bullets for 50+ years. A 120 grain wouldn't be my first choice.
  • AmbroseAmbrose Member Posts: 3,208 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I've got those old Lyman books, too. But I've got some "newer" ones as well. From my 1967 44th edition Lyman book for bullet #311410 (131 gr.):

    Unique: 9 to 12 gr.
    2400: 16 to 21 gr.
    IMR4227: 16 to 22 gr.
    IMR4198: 19 to 27 gr.
    IMR3031: 20 to 34 gr.

    While that data is for the 131 gr. bullet, it should give you a guide line for your 120 gr. The newer load books might not help you much since, as charliemeyer007 indicated, they concentrate on heavier bullets.
  • longspur riderlongspur rider Member Posts: 2,620 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I've loaded with H4198 with a cast bullet with good results. Mine were with a heavier bullet though. The 3031 seamed a bit too hot without gas checks. Check the Hodgdon web site or loads for your bullet weight.
  • navc130navc130 Member Posts: 1,245 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    From Lyman Reloading Handbooks:
    1953 125 gr 16.0 gr 2400 1765 fps
    125 gr 16.0 gr 4227 1700 fps

    1960 125 gr 13.0 gr Unique 1350 fps

    1992 115 gr 7.5 - 11.4 gr Unique 1300 - 1740 fps not for pistol

    Note the difference in 1960 and 1992 Unique data. Proceed cautiously.
  • yonsonyonson Member Posts: 940 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Per "The Complete Reloading Manual for the .30-30 Winchester" published by Loadbooks USA (1997), there is one page on Lyman #311441 (115 gr., noted as gas check bullet). A dozen powders are listed including 2400 and Unique.
    Unique: starting load is 7.5 gr. (1480 fps, 21,600 CUP); max load 11.4 gr. (1913, 36,400 CUP).
    2400: 13.5 gr. (1553, 15,700 CUP); max load 21.2 gr. (2282, 34,300 CUP). (CCI 200 primer used with this powder).
    Tests done with 26" barrel.
    OAL 2.370".
    Hope this helps.
  • smokeymt46smokeymt46 Member Posts: 58 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by smokeymt46
    I have a really old Speer manual that lists only 6 or 8 powders which none I have in stock. I'm loading a 115 gr cast bullet. Do anyone have load info for these powders: IMR4227, IMR 4198, Alliance 2400, Unique. I would appreciate any input from you experts before I go buy other powder. I know I need to buy an up to date manual but I just keep putting it off. THANKS GunBroker people
  • smokeymt46smokeymt46 Member Posts: 58 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by smokeymt46
    I have a really old Speer manual that lists only 6 or 8 powders which none I have in stock. I'm loading a 115 gr cast bullet. Do anyone have load info for these powders: IMR4227, IMR 4198, Alliance 2400, Unique. I would appreciate any input from you experts before I go buy other powder. I know I need to buy an up to date manual but I just keep putting it off. THANKS GunBroker people


    THANKS to all for the info.
  • Okie743Okie743 Member Posts: 2,700 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    You can and need to look ONLINE at the latest reload data for different powders/calibers from the manufacturers of the powder you are going to test.

    I recently went to reload for a 243 and a 300 win mag. and
    when I looked at the recent on-line reload data from Hodgdons for these two calibers the 300 mag using H4831SC and a 180gr bullet and a 243 using a 85 gr bullet and H4350 the max loads listed had been reduced by as much as 4 gr from what is listed in some of my 10 year old reloading manuals and I have several rounds reloaded that are now listed as over the max suggested that shoot excellent groups. (and no visual signs of overloading, such as primer squish, hull stretch, hard bolt handle lift, etc))
    I went by the on-line listed suggestion min-max powder loads for testing these two guns but was really surprised when I seen that much reduction in max powder loads thinking Hodgdon's attorney probably suggested the reduction in case someone fired a shot and spilled a hot cup of coffee in their crotch due to excessive muzzle blast of a LISTED max load.[;)]


    Has anyone else noticed this on-line reduction in max powder loads as compared to 10-15 year old reloading manuals and the caliber specific reloading manuals?[?][:0]
  • charliemeyer007charliemeyer007 Member Posts: 6,572 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Loads have gone up and down in the 50 years of reloading I have done. I never cared if I got to the listed max or not, group size is way more important the additional velocity/energy at max. I'm sure I have burnt over a 100 of pounds of H-4831 and never weighed a charge. Best not try that with H-4895. When all the cheap surplus was gone I switched to IMR stuff, mostly 3031, 4198 or 4350. I still like BlueDot and Unique.

    Reading primers should tell you to whoa up before you get to hard to open bolt.
  • Okie743Okie743 Member Posts: 2,700 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by charliemeyer007
    Loads have gone up and down in the 50 years of reloading I have done. I never cared if I got to the listed max or not, group size is way more important the additional velocity/energy at max. I'm sure I have burnt over a 100 of pounds of H-4831 and never weighed a charge. Best not try that with H-4895. When all the cheap surplus was gone I switched to IMR stuff, mostly 3031, 4198 or 4350. I still like BlueDot and Unique.

    Reading primers should tell you to whoa up before you get to hard to open bolt.


    Huh. Can you explain this in little more detail?
    I'm sure I have burnt over a 100 of pounds of H-4831 and never weighed a charge.

    Accuracy is what I always reload for also. H4831 is one of my favorite powders for several calibers.

    I tried some of the old military H4831 at one time and it did not act like the newer H4831 and it smell real bad, would burn the hair out of your nose and looked like it had lots of yellow sulphur.
    I tossed about 3 lbs of it in the flower bed and it killed the flowers. I had heard it was good as fertilizer.
  • charliemeyer007charliemeyer007 Member Posts: 6,572 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Back in the early 70's. 30-06 full case of h-4831 under Pulled military boattails, armor piercing or burnt out tracers. Right at a 5 gallon bucket of each style of bullet. The match bt ones were a penny a piece. The powder was $2/per pound and came in a paper lunch sack from the local grocery sporting goods store. Primers were $4/m.
  • Okie743Okie743 Member Posts: 2,700 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by charliemeyer007
    Back in the early 70's. 30-06 full case of h-4831 under Pulled military boattails, armor piercing or burnt out tracers. Right at a 5 gallon bucket of each style of bullet. The match bt ones were a penny a piece. The powder was $2/per pound and came in a paper lunch sack from the local grocery sporting goods store. Primers were $4/m.


    I've shot some of the old boattail armor piercing military 06 bullets and was really surprised at their accuracy. I think some of the primers had red circle around them and were said to be corrosive to gun chamber but I never had any corrosive issues. When it was legal to use a rifle for turkey hunting I used the very accurate armor piercing 06 bullets until rifles were banned on several turkeys. They would go thru rear to front sideways front to rear, etc, and not expand and the turk was dead at 300 yeads with just couple of feathers laying nearby and no meat damage, just a little round hole thru the bird. Also used some steel jacketed on coyotes to keep from ruining the pelts.

    I've also heard rumors the 06 armor piercing would shoot thru a railroad iron.
    Is it illegal now days to have the old military armor piercing 06 shells?
  • charliemeyer007charliemeyer007 Member Posts: 6,572 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I tried to shoot threw rail iron with an AP 06, both factory and hand loads. Never made it threw, but did often raise a welt on the off side.
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