A friend and I are planning to reload our 30-30. He suggested 130 gr. but in my books it show 125 gr. and below or 150 gr. and higher. When I searched the Internet for plated nothing and for lead cast 135 gr. flat point. The problem was finding load data for 135 gr. I know Walmart sells 30-30 in 150-170 gr. I have found one site that has 130 gr. but I'm a bit leary to start guessing. What do you guy shoot ?

Anything that is .308 in diameter.

I shoot 170 grain.

150-170 is going to be the standard hunting load, and will give you the best terminal ballistics on game. As for lighter loads, google search "William IORG 30-30". He has a lot of experience working on lighter loads for the 30-30.

For maximum performance, try either the Hornady Flex tips or the Barnes X bullets designed specifically for the .30-30. Unless you're shooting out of a Contender, I'd avoid loading anything other than the standard 150 or 170 grain bullets.

Be careful crimping the bullets. .30-30 brass is terribly thin.

It's a PITA to reload. My advice is to buy a Lee factory crimp die and crimp the rounds with that instead of the seating die.

It doesn't take much to bell out the case and you wont be able to chamber the round. On the flip side, if you don't get enough of a crimp you will push the bullet back into the case in the tubular magazine causing a possible high pressure situation with bullet set back.

It's a delicate dance and in the end I ended up buying the Lee factory crimp die to get things correct. Be careful.

Good stuff Fatalwishes.

I've got a 30-30, but have not loaded ammo for it yet. I don't have the dies, but you can bet I will take you advice when I buy dies.

Not to hijack the thread, but I've got IMR 4895 and IMR 3031 I won't use for any other cartridge, I load for. Those should work Ok?

you didn't state what firearms
you're loading for, and if you're
loading for hunting, plinking,
target, etc.
there are a lot of different powders
to use with different kinds of bullets.
you obviously wouldn't need magnum primers.
for rifles i've had best results with w748
aa2520 and h lever.

IMR 3031 is the powder to use, but I think I've tried just about everything including H335 in that range. WC844 can be had for really cheap...and it's pretty close to TAC/H335

I think my last batch was loaded with that....need to check grn count.


RL15 for 170 grn bullets, and W748 are the other two standard powders for .30-30. Never tried IMR 4895 but it appears to be right in the perfect range for .30-30.

Marlin 336.

Hunting and plinking, same ammo.

I'll be doing hunting and little target. I'm using Win 30-30 94 ae that I bought with Marlin 12ga. on a job site for $300 for both early this year. I've found 150 gr. FP in plated and lead cast with load data. I appreciate all the information and advice.



I did find this while searching 238 gr.

Looks like .300 BO

What the heck is that..?

It's a round for a 30-30 as I was searching for load data

I bet you would get a compressed charge in your 30-30 if you use that bullet. Your OAL has to be a minimum to feed...and I am willing to bet that the 238gr bullet will be a bit too long without compressing your powder.


Just a thought

I'm thinking about when it compresses my shoulder. I'll stick to 150 gr. for now ??

I don't believe I've ever loaded or fired a 238 gr rifle bullet. But then, I don't hunt Africa.

I would try several different ones I like the 150

No, it's not for a .30-30.

Just because it's .30 cal.....and that is actually .311. You want .308.

.311 diameter is usually for AK/SKS/Mosin/British/Japanese...foreign stuff.

Well you showed the pic in your next post. .300 AAC BO is not .30-30

Stick with 150-170 grn bullets in .308 for .30-30 if you are just starting out...or go buy some good insurance and let me know when you go to the range. I want to watch.

Be safe.

The big 238 gr. is not something I'm going use I just sought it was a ( whoa ) but your right it's not for 30-30. My quest was 130 gr. and now I'm going for 150 gr. Now this bad boy is for 30-30 and if there's any load data out there. I had enough trouble trying find 130 load data

Max loads for that would be ac 2700/33gr ; ac2520/28.5 gr; ac 2015/25 gr; ac 2460/27 gr; ac 2230/26 gr; ac5744/22 gr; ac2495/27.5 gr

Any loads listed for copper can be used for cast, you just won't get the pressure, speed on the other hand probably goes case by case.

I have my lube and size kit. The bullets have gas check on and have 1st coat of lube. I'll be using IMR 3031 I'll be ready this weekend

I shoot 180gr bullets for my 30-30. 2200fps.

Do you buy or make your own ? Are you shooting big game ? What load book are you using ? Need information, must learn, must learn (sorry a bit of dr. Who) please tell me more