Posted: 22 February 2009 at 10:03 | IP Logged

• Date - 21/22 February 2009
• Cartridge - .30/30 Winchester (.30 WCF)
• Powder - RL 15
• Charge - 31.2 grains (2.2cc)
• Primer - CCI 200 LR
• Bullet - Speer Hot Core 150-grain Flat-Nose (BC .268, SD .226)
• Brass - 50 Federal and 50 Winchester (100 total)
• Trim Length - 2.021-2.025
• COAL - 2.540-2.545

This development will take place with a Marlin M336C rifle and will hopefully prove to be a good, mild, accurate load suitable for hunting out to 175 yards. Currently loading these via Lee Loader, applying a slight crimp to the cannelure as per instructions. Speer recommends 30 grains o RL 15 as a starting load (1823 fps) and 34 grains as a maximum compressed load (2170fps), so I am well within safe parameters.

Right now, the only variation is the brass, but will determine the "better" performer and then tweak things from there. I have no chronometer so will have to borrow one or come up with a way to "estimate" velocity. As it is, I am expecting about 2000fps, but that is just a guess; if anyone has data suggesting otherwise, please advise.

This is the first time I have loaded flat-based bullets and it has been interesting. Normally, I use a boat-tail which makes for easy bullet seating, but with these flat-based bullets there seems to be a bit of a trick to it. In spite of my efforts to be careful, the neck of one case (once-fired) split near the mouth about a millimeter. I won't discard it now (unless i hear otherwise), but this is the last time that case will be loaded.

Posted: 22 February 2009 at 11:58 | IP Logged

24- i recently bought the "loadbooks" from loadbooks usa which has all the load data from powder, bullet etc. manufacturers in one book. seems to do well. i'll check out your link.

i finished loading the first 50 (federal brass) and noticed that either the cannelures on the bullets or my caliper has some very slight variations. i load to the middle of the cannelure every time and then apply a slight crimp, but the COAL seems to vary between 2.540-2.545. a small number even go a thousandth or two over or under that.

Posted: 22 February 2009 at 12:41 | IP Logged

I have had same issues seating flatbase bullets, I switched to a shallower inside chamfer angle (22 degree vs standard 45 degree) and that helped a bunch.  You may also slightly bell your case mouth, some do this with cast bullets, they maybe able to give you better idea on that one.  I've found Lee dies leave a tight neck, this is good if you aren't crimping, but makes bullet seating an issue sometimes.

RC

Posted: 22 February 2009 at 13:26 | IP Logged

Taz;

I've been loading .30 bullets for years & using the same ole RCBS chamfer tool all the while.  I've never had an issue with the neck splits & I've loaded more than a few flat-base Speers in my day.  I very strongly suspect that Robert is correct in his assessment of the Lee dies you're using.  Might want to consider getting a set of either RCBS or Redding dies.

And, t'were me, I'd pull the bullet, recycle the powder, pop the primer, and ditch that split neck brass.

900F

Posted: 22 February 2009 at 16:02 | IP Logged

yep - chamfering was the problem!

i thought i ahd chemfered them when i trimmed them last year, but it turned out that i hadn't. chamfered these and everything was fine.

finished loading all of them and only lost one (federal) case, whichw as replaced with a spare winchester case. will go to the range sooner or ater to see how they shoot.

Posted: 22 February 2009 at 16:37 | IP Logged

I use the Lyman VLD chamfer tool, Lee's is too steep an angle, I had the most trouble with flat base bullets for my 270wsm the shoulder angle is steep and neck buckles shoulder, if you're not careful.  I'm glad to hear it was a simple fix.

RC

Posted: 22 February 2009 at 17:52 | IP Logged

i will probably switch to another chamfer tool. normally, i use boat-tail bulltes, but with the 30/30 that seems impossible, so a chamfer tool with a better angle would definitely be in order.

the lee one works quite well for most purposes, but .30/30 brass seems awfully thin and it doesn't take much to ruin a neck ~

Posted: 23 February 2009 at 00:08 | IP Logged

If the necks are thin on 30/30 already, shallow taper chamfer tool may make it worse, it tends to cut chamfer deeper into neck thinning out more of the neck.  The angle is half as steep, therefore it cuts into neck twice as far, it just makes a shallower approach angle for bullet to seat.

RC

Posted: 23 February 2009 at 10:45 | IP Logged

lol - this is why i like boattail bullets. never have to worry about this!

the lee tool did seem to takecare of the problem ~ i plan on loading a few remington cases just for load development/plinking purposes. remington brass seems even thinner than the other two, and that is saying a lot because .30/30 brass seems thin to begin with. I'll use the lee tool and see how it goes.

qwhen i get the the .308, i may have to bite the bullet (forgive the pun) and get the VLD or similar tool. .308 brass is thicker, but i am going to try some flat-base sierra pro-hunters rather than the boattail gamekings i ahd been using up till now.

Posted: 07 March 2009 at 13:34 | IP Logged

has anyone used this powder combination? does the charge sound in line?

Posted: 25 April 2009 at 22:53 | IP Logged

My load now days is as follows:

Cases - R-P and Win 30-30

Powder - BL-C(2)

Charge 35.5 grains

Bullet - Sierra 30-30 .308dia 170grain flat nose # 2010

Trim length - 2.028

COL - 2.540

Lee Factory crimp Die used

I have not used RL-15 but did use RL-22 once. I will try to find the info on the 22.

I have a question about 30-30. I load flat point for lever actions but I also have a Stevens bolt action and wandered if anyone has load other bullets for rifles that are not tube fed?

Rod

Posted: 25 April 2009 at 23:02 | IP Logged

Taz;

The Speer #14 manual lists a min charge of RL15 with that bullet as 30.0 grains, and a max charge as 34.0 grains.  And that max load is also a compressed load.  The max gives an average velocity of 2170 fps out of Speer's test gun, a model 94 Winchester with a 20" barrel.

So, I'd say you've got plenty of room to play around, particularly considering that your Marlin is generally thought to be the stronger action.

900F