30-30 with 160 gr FTX Load

[tbcollins]

Just wondering if anybody has tried or has info on loading 30-30 with the 160 gr FTX and Varget. No data in books or on Hornady's site. Read a few posts but haven't really found any definate answers. From what I saw from one post on another site 32-33 grains seems to be what they are using. Anybody have the minimum and maximum. Also some say case needs to be shorter due to longer bullet, others say case can be at standard lengths as long as it cycles, but case length would then determine amount of powder. Any info help would be appreciated.
Would them median between the 150 and 170 loads for varget work? Seems like a reasonable place to start. But then again case length is going to be the determining factor.
Loading for a Winchester 94

[Chief-7700]

Your heading for uncharted waters here! Be careful. I would be looking for at least three printed references or reliable on-line resources.

[tbcollins]

Nobody out there has or knows where this information is available? Or has nobody even tried it yet? Kind of hard to believe with Varget being one of the most popular rifle powders. I've already E-mailed both Hodgdon and Hornady, but no responses as of yet.

[Chief-7700]

Only reference that I can find for you is:
Varget has applications similar to IMR4064 and Reloader 15. Just could be that there is no demand for R&D on that bullet weight and powder combination.

[Munk]

The problem is, the FTX is pretty damn new. Hornady is probably working up some load data to toss in their books. They've got SOME, but it's far from complete.

I've got those 160's, and plan to start doing a few low-level loads in my .30-30 using some IMR4064 to see how things work out.... unfortunately, i've got no chrono so I won't be able to help you work up load data. I'm still hunting for some decent recipes myself.

[SixPointEight]

Just wondering if anybody has tried or has info on loading 30-30 with the 160 gr FTX and Varget. No data in books or on Hornady's site. Read a few posts but haven't really found any definate answers. From what I saw from one post on another site 32-33 grains seems to be what they are using. Anybody have the minimum and maximum. Also some say case needs to be shorter due to longer bullet, others say case can be at standard lengths as long as it cycles, but case length would then determine amount of powder. Any info help would be appreciated.
Would them median between the 150 and 170 loads for varget work? Seems like a reasonable place to start. But then again case length is going to be the determining factor.
Loading for a Winchester 94

Email both Hornady and Hodgdon. That could get you somewhere.

[shadowofnight]

I loaded up some of those 160gr FTX's for my dads 30-30 with Varget.

Hodgdons website lists load data for Varget and the 170gr Sierra FP bullet , both bullets are very lightly constructed ( Not like your trying to shove a solid copper barnes X through the barrel ) and the FTX is even 10grs lighter then the Sierra.

Your observed 32-33gr sounds fine, and I am betting you could even go a bit higher ( Working up slowly of course )

My dad just wanted to try some when he saw my FTX 325gr 45/70 loads , and I just wanted to burn up some Varget...so I started a bit lower at 31gr...no need to work up higher for him and they shot great. His is a Marlin 336 by the way, and for OAL they make that 160gr bullet for the 30-30 so they put the cannalure up high to make sure when you crimp in the cannalure you are where you need to be to cycle through the action.

Here is Hodgdons data for the 170gr Sierra and Varget...their starting load being 29.5gr....max being 33gr.

170 GR. SIE FP Hodgdon Varget .308" 2.550" 29.5 1976 30,200 CUP 33.0 2168 36,500 CUP

[10fcp]

I copied this off Load Data.com. Sorry no Varget info.








Load Data Members
Selected Metallic Loads
.30 WCF / .30-30 Winchester (Hornady FTX Data) Reloading Data Printable Version

Warning! Notes: rifle: Winchester M94; barrel: Factory; length: 20"; twist: 1 in 12"; primer: WLR; case: Frontier; C.O.L.: 2.535"; approach maximum loads with extreme caution
Be Alert: Publisher cannot be responsible for errors in published load data.

Wt. Bullet Powder Manufacturer Powder Charge Velocity (FPS)
160 Hornady FTX Hodgdon H-4895 25.8 1800
160 Hornady FTX Hodgdon H-4895 26.8 1900
160 Hornady FTX Hodgdon H-4895 27.9 2000
160 Hornady FTX Hodgdon H-4895 28.4 2050
160 Hornady FTX Hodgdon H-4895 28.9 2100
Remarks: maximum load
160 Hornady FTX Ramshot TAC 24.7 1800
160 Hornady FTX Ramshot TAC 26.4 1900
160 Hornady FTX Ramshot TAC 28.0 2000
160 Hornady FTX Ramshot TAC 28.9 2050
160 Hornady FTX Ramshot TAC 29.7 2100
Remarks: maximum load
160 Hornady FTX Hodgdon H-335 25.7 1800
160 Hornady FTX Hodgdon H-335 27.1 1900
160 Hornady FTX Hodgdon H-335 28.5 2000
160 Hornady FTX Hodgdon H-335 29.2 2050
Remarks: maximum load
160 Hornady FTX Alliant RL-15 27.2 1800
160 Hornady FTX Alliant RL-15 28.2 1900
160 Hornady FTX Alliant RL-15 29.3 2000
160 Hornady FTX Alliant RL-15 29.8 2050
Remarks: maximum load
160 Hornady FTX Accurate AAC-2520 25.9 1800
160 Hornady FTX Accurate AAC-2520 27.9 1900
160 Hornady FTX Accurate AAC-2520 29.8 2000
160 Hornady FTX Accurate AAC-2520 30.7 2050
160 Hornady FTX Accurate AAC-2520 31.7 2100
Remarks: maximum load
160 Hornady FTX IMR IMR-4895 26.7 1800
160 Hornady FTX IMR IMR-4895 28.2 1900
160 Hornady FTX IMR IMR-4895 29.8 2000
Remarks: maximum load
160 Hornady FTX Winchester W-748 28.0 1800
160 Hornady FTX Winchester W-748 29.4 1900
160 Hornady FTX Winchester W-748 30.8 2000
160 Hornady FTX Winchester W-748 31.5 2050
Remarks: maximum load
160 Hornady FTX Hodgdon BL-C(2) 30.1 1800
160 Hornady FTX Hodgdon BL-C(2) 31.4 1900
160 Hornady FTX Hodgdon BL-C(2) 32.6 2000
160 Hornady FTX Hodgdon BL-C(2) 33.3 2050
Remarks: maximum load