I need, I want, I need, I want.....I just got some nice used RCBS 30-30 dies for $10. and so the only bullets I've found locally for .308 with a flat nose is Sierra 125gr hp. Can't find any load data in my books for 125gr bullet. I know it's on the lighter side and I don't think I'll be deer hunting with it, as I've noticed the ballistics on flat nosed bullets. They tend to drop pretty fast. I don't know maybe you can deer hunt with them. Any way I have Win 748, and just got some BL-C(2). Can't be choooosy with powder either ya know. If any of you guys can dig up some starting loads for me, I'll buy you a beer and a pizza and sit here and drink it for ya. Just kiddin, but I'd sure preciate it. Also got some 30-06 dies real cheap, I ordered some innards for the de-capping-sizing dies for both the 30-30 and 06 (RCBS) and just got them yesterday. I ordered the same de-cap innards cause I think they are the same, I hope they are the same. Let me know if I screwed up. This is fun but you can't get very many loads out of a pound of powder, at least with the 30-30 I'll be getting more. I was reloading 8mm and blew through 2 pounds, partly because it was so much fun shooting them off. So now I'll be calming down and getting seriously linked with my reloader frame of mind and hopefully won't spend so much on powder. Something cool happened today when I bought some powder, they asked me for my phone number, because next week they're getting some primers in!!! Way cool! They'll actually call me and tell me when to pick them up. Totally cool! That's how life should be.
Suz

Suz, the Lee manual has some loads for 125 grain jacketed bullets using RL7, RL12 and Accurate 4064. It also has loads for 130 grain bullets using BL-C(2). Those should work for you to start with. Starting load is 34.0 grains, MAX is 37.5.

The decapper/expander is the same diameter for .30-30 and .30-06.

Thanks Pumpkinslinger, I was thinkin around 33gr or so based on info I have on 110gr and 130gr bullets. Why is it I'm always ending up with bullets of odd weight? No one else wants em so I buy em and find out why no one else want's em. They are little things......oh well. Being hollow points though they look intimidating. Thanks for the die info too! I knew I knew what I was doin when I bought em....just need a poke some times to get me going in a straight line.
Suz

Hi Suzanne...I load 125gnHP for my Model 94 with pretty good results. Unfortunately, I use aussie powders, so maybe I am not of much use. However, have a look at Hogdon Benchmark...a nice powder that might just meet your needs...and its an aussie powder

Cheers, Vince

Vince!! Thanks, I love Hogdon powders all I can find is BL-C(2), I'm going to start with 34grs. If that doesn't singe my curlies, I'll ramp it up a smidge maybe 1/2gr or so. How many grains of Benchmark are you using? The book says 29gr using a 150gr bullet to start with. Why did I get such light weight bullets.......all I could find...shoulda mail ordered some. So Vince what do you use the load for....plinking? snake repelant? toenail trimming? salesman extinguisher? I think it would make a good hole starter for planting bulbs. I do need my ears cleaned out, but that could sting. (OH yea) I'm shooting a short little Marlin with a nice scope.
Suzzzzz(snoooze)

I use Varget for the 30-30 I have a bolt gun so I have bin shooting the 130 grain Hornady spire point with 34 grains of Varget and it shoots great.

Joe

Joe, is your bolt 30/30 a 788rem? I have been looking for one of those for several years now. Really rare gun.
Don

Pitt55 wrote:

Joe, is your bolt 30/30 a 788rem? I have been looking for one of those for several years now. Really rare gun. Don

I wish it was a 788, it's a Old Savage 340 .

Joe

Lyman 48th Edition lists W-748/125 grain Sierra from 35.0 grains to 39.0 grains (Compressed load).

Sierra Vth Edition lists W-748/125 grain Sierra from .33.5 to 37.5 grains...

Thank you Bushmaster, just goes to show ya the value of volumes. I'm slowly collecting, but even the used book store doesn't have any reload manuals. Well I broke down and loaded 20rnds with BL-C(2) and put in 34gr. Can't shoot this weekend tho because of some Regae music thing going on near where I shoot. I hate waiting to see If my loads perform well. I also loaded some 30-06 that I haven't tried and some 8mm with 200gr Nosler (that'll leave a bump) that I also haven't tried. You guys are so wonderful, Thanks!

Suzanne, have you mentioned somewhere the specs of your rifle? Is it a Winchester lever action? I have a pre-64 model and a 'modern' handy short barreled in 30/30 Win and normally I'm using the 125 grs HPFN of Sierra, the 150 grs FN of Speer, even reduced loads with RN copperplated H&N bullet and a selfproduced 180 grs FN (Saëco mould).
In my (3rd) edition of Sierra's Reloading Manual they give some 125 grs HPFP data on Winchester 748: going from 33.5 grs (2200 fps) - 34.9 grs (2300 fps) - 36.3 grs (2400 fps) till maximum 37.6 grs (2500 fps).
They don't give data on BL(C)-2 but mention as accuracy load 34.7 grs of IMR-4064 for 2400 fps - 1598 ft.lbs and hunting load 32.5 grs H322 for 2500 fps - 1734 ft.lbs
They also give data for H4198, RE-7, IMR-3031, 2230, 2460, IMR-4895, IMR-4064 and RE-12.
I have to look for my own loads, but I think I'm using Vihtavuori N120 now, because a short barrel requires somewhat faster powder.

Just say some lovely words to my dog and she'll put some extra data on PM (to avoid copyright trouble)

hey, Suz missed ya, a dear friend of mine uses imr4198 in a 14
inch pipe 27.4 g same 125 bullet you got. that's
real world, no books.