I reload for every gun i have, except my sons 30-30. most people use 150 or 170 gr. Use what you like guys, but you whouldn't believe what the Federal 125 gr. hp will do to a deer.

I have a pre-68 (no ser. #)Savage model 340, in 30-30 cal.....bolt action,mag fed. It was my 1st deer rifle, and was relegated to using round-nose,tube mag intended ammo for lever guns. I also want to load a tad smaller bullet, Nosler type, for a tad more speed. The gun has been passed down to my only child, and she hunts with it. I see great potential for a 30-30 custom handload, as most shots are under 200 yds anyway..around here.

Yes you can load a hot 30-30. It’s called a 30-30 Ackley Improved. About 200 FPS faster in every bullet weight and you can have you local gun smith redo the chamber for it.


Hornrt Man

I also have reloaded the 130 gr Sierra FN in the 30-30 and it works well on deer and game also. just another thought. vangunsmith

I do load for my 30-30 Marlin. Mostly due to the fact that factory ammo sucks I got 4-5" groups. Reloading I managed to shrink that to 1 3/8" and bettered factory velocity by 150 FPS. My load was 33gr. H 4895 behind a 170 gr Rem core lok.
Work up to thiis load. My smallest group was with 31gr. H4895 it was 1 1/8 " 5 shots. But the velocity was only 2056 fps. 32 gr. gave me a 1 3/8" group and a vel of 2117 fps, 33 Gr. gave me the same group but the vel was 2368 as compared to factory ( Rem 170 gr)of 2213 fps and a 4 1/2 " group.

The 30-30 case is very thin and really cannot be pushed much to get improved ballistics. I would recommend the 35 Rem instead. It is available in the same actions and weight guns and I think you may agree that the bigger 200 grain bullet is better suited for brush huntin.

I reload for my Marlin 338 in 30/30. I found that 35gr of IMR3031 behind a 150gr Win RN was the most accurate load and give me around 2500fps (I don't have my load book right now but I think thats about right). Definately work up any load from below listed max till you find the best accuracy within the limits.

If I had it to do over again, I would have probably went with the 35 Rem instead of the 30/30. It has similar speed and balistics but with a 200gr bullet. The 444 or 450 would be nice also.

I have an old savage 30-30 bolt .I don't really heat them up that much but with a bolt I can shoot spire point bullets .I have been loading 150 grain ballistic tips in mine .Pretty bad medicine at 150 .