30-30 plinking load

Centaur 1 · 06-28-2009, 07:08 AM

Has anyone ever made a plinking load for the 30-30 using single 0 buckshot? I used to do loads like this years ago using 000 buck in a .38 with a couple of grains of powder. Does anyone ever do this with rifles? With ammo being so expensive and hard to get, I'm thinking that this would be fun to shoot if it works. They would even let me shoot these at the local indoor range, just have to keep the velocity down to that of a pistol round.

Pete D. · 06-29-2009, 12:52 PM

I have used buckshot in plinking loads for my Nagant pistol. They work fine in that application. I was going to try them in the 30-30 but was/am afraid of leading since they are so light and are difficult to lube. I wonder if a small charge of Red Dot would be OK.
I have loaded many plinker loads with 120 grain cast bullets and 8.0 grains of Unique. Very consistent SD and accurate too.
Pete

Centaur 1 · 07-05-2009, 02:28 PM

I found this site and it looks pretty good, .7 grains of Unique will give 1159 fps. You seat the ball flush with the case mouth and lube the perimeter with Lee Liquid Alox. I did the math and there should be about 720 pellets in a five pound bag of buckshot.

http://www.castbullet.com/shooting/rb30.htm

eldeguello · 07-06-2009, 05:06 AM

I have used .457" round balls (for the Ruger Old Army) in 45/70 rounds for a short-range target load. There's no reason not to try it with the 30/30...... Should be fun. I'd use a light charge of a powder like Unique, Red Dot, etc.

Pete D. · 07-06-2009, 06:07 AM

Quote:

.7 grains of Unique will give 1159 fps.

I very much liked that article. I'm going to give that Unique load a try.
Small correction though - the fellow used a .7cc Lee dipper that threw 5.4 grains of Unique. That's the load, 5.4 grains.
Pete

Centaur 1 · 07-06-2009, 10:04 AM

Your right, I looked at it too quickly. Using your deer rifle for squirrel hunting and plinking should make us a better shot come deer season.