When I was at the last ENS in Mustang, I was talking with....uh....whomever it was, and I mentioned my low-power .30-30 loads. Interest was expressed. I figured I would give out some info on what I've been messing with.
Lee TL314-90SWC, cast fairly soft - 50/50 CWW/RL. Sized .311, tumbled in 45/45/10.
Loaded in unsized brass, just push the projectile in as far as my Lee dies would allow. I don't have pics of the loaded rounds, sorry, but I seated it to the second groove from the tip. Pics will help -
First pic is the first go-round. I used Promo, iron sights, 25 yds standing offhand.
998 fps, SD 16 fps, ES 32 fps
Obviously, I wrote the # of the Lee mold incorrectly.
Going a bit too slow. I wanted to duplicate a standard .22LR, but with a projectile that is half again the diameter, and double the weight.
I tried again, using 4.0 Promo, but it went too fast (almost 1100 fps) for what I wanted. I was looking for something around 1050 fps.
Then, wanting to scope this Mossberg, I traded a member here some stuff for his unused 4x Tasco (with the Jap optics - very clear scope). I'm trying to get this rifle suitable for my MBH (Much Better Half), 'cuz she has my 336 and won't give it back.
This Mossberg is the weird looking "tactical" job, with the adjustable stock. The adjustable stock is why I got it. Mrs Dumpstick needs a shorter length of pull than the Marlin 336 offers, so I'm trying to entice her to trade for the Mossberg. She won't do it without a scope.
Back on track here.
Today, I went out behind the barn to zero the scope. I took some more rounds, a bit different this time.
I took 14 rounds with me, that's all I had loaded up. It took 8 rounds to get it close, the first 3 went who-knows-where. I moved up at 10 yards, just to get it on paper. 5 more rounds, it was close, so I backed up to 25 yds. Rested on my rickety portable stand.
Here's the last 6 rounds.
First shot, adjust.
Second shot, adjust.
Third shot, adjust.
Last 3 shots in 5/8", that's outside-to-outside measurement. From a lever-action with a creepy trigger.
These are a hoot ! Pull the trigger, I can hear the hammer hit, it goes Pfft, then I hear it SMACK the cardboard target backer.
I giggle... and do it again. I need to load up more. Lots more.
~1050 fps, good SD & ES. Accurate, and heavy enough to roll a rabbit at any reasonable distance. Quiet enough that one could shoot these without hearing protection, although I don't recommend it.
I think I got what I wanted. This is why I reload.
next up - Squirrel Smackers. A .30-30 with a 45 grain .310 roundball. Still working on this one, it will be a while.
Lee TL314-90SWC, cast fairly soft - 50/50 CWW/RL. Sized .311, tumbled in 45/45/10.
Loaded in unsized brass, just push the projectile in as far as my Lee dies would allow. I don't have pics of the loaded rounds, sorry, but I seated it to the second groove from the tip. Pics will help -
First pic is the first go-round. I used Promo, iron sights, 25 yds standing offhand.
998 fps, SD 16 fps, ES 32 fps
Obviously, I wrote the # of the Lee mold incorrectly.
Going a bit too slow. I wanted to duplicate a standard .22LR, but with a projectile that is half again the diameter, and double the weight.
I tried again, using 4.0 Promo, but it went too fast (almost 1100 fps) for what I wanted. I was looking for something around 1050 fps.
Then, wanting to scope this Mossberg, I traded a member here some stuff for his unused 4x Tasco (with the Jap optics - very clear scope). I'm trying to get this rifle suitable for my MBH (Much Better Half), 'cuz she has my 336 and won't give it back.
This Mossberg is the weird looking "tactical" job, with the adjustable stock. The adjustable stock is why I got it. Mrs Dumpstick needs a shorter length of pull than the Marlin 336 offers, so I'm trying to entice her to trade for the Mossberg. She won't do it without a scope.
Back on track here.
Today, I went out behind the barn to zero the scope. I took some more rounds, a bit different this time.
I took 14 rounds with me, that's all I had loaded up. It took 8 rounds to get it close, the first 3 went who-knows-where. I moved up at 10 yards, just to get it on paper. 5 more rounds, it was close, so I backed up to 25 yds. Rested on my rickety portable stand.
Here's the last 6 rounds.
First shot, adjust.
Second shot, adjust.
Third shot, adjust.
Last 3 shots in 5/8", that's outside-to-outside measurement. From a lever-action with a creepy trigger.
These are a hoot ! Pull the trigger, I can hear the hammer hit, it goes Pfft, then I hear it SMACK the cardboard target backer.
I giggle... and do it again. I need to load up more. Lots more.
~1050 fps, good SD & ES. Accurate, and heavy enough to roll a rabbit at any reasonable distance. Quiet enough that one could shoot these without hearing protection, although I don't recommend it.
I think I got what I wanted. This is why I reload.
next up - Squirrel Smackers. A .30-30 with a 45 grain .310 roundball. Still working on this one, it will be a while.