Has any one reloaded the Leverevolution bullets?
#11
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,518

Hodgdon recently announced they would be releasing to the general public the powder that Hornady uses in the leverevolution & Superperformance ammo. May be a good idea to wait until that actually happens in January 2011 before developing any loads.
http://www.hodgdon.com/new_prod.html
I use the bullet in my M94 pre 64 30-30 Winchester but would be curious to see how this powder will work. Hopefully better!
http://www.hodgdon.com/new_prod.html
I use the bullet in my M94 pre 64 30-30 Winchester but would be curious to see how this powder will work. Hopefully better!
#12
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,926

Used Hodgdon and Hornady in reloading for years, so I'm a prime candidate for their leverevolution reloading. Like the idea of upping the velocity of the old .35 Rem. caliber. For my situation, I see it costing some $60 in reloading, versus spending some $600 for a new rifle.
The old .35 Rem. was the best for 100 yard shots in the east. Now I like the idea of covering some fields I've seen.
The old .35 Rem. was the best for 100 yard shots in the east. Now I like the idea of covering some fields I've seen.
#13

I load them in my Marlin336 30-30. 160 grain FTX bullet moves 2195 FPS with 34grains of BLC-2 powder. Chronod the factory loads at 2245
FYI the 34 grains od BLCS is .7 ocer max recomended load...be safe
FYI the 34 grains od BLCS is .7 ocer max recomended load...be safe
Last edited by DannyD; 12-11-2010 at 07:26 PM.
#14

I am reloading them in my 1985 Cowboy Marlin, in .45-70. The biggest problem is I had to trim down my brass quite a bit. More then .010". That was a pain in the a$$. The end results are amazing and well worth the extra work though.
I will be taking my Marlin to the woods in the am and hope to have plenty to talk about afterwards.
I will be taking my Marlin to the woods in the am and hope to have plenty to talk about afterwards.
#15

I am reloading them in my 1985 Cowboy Marlin, in .45-70. The biggest problem is I had to trim down my brass quite a bit. More then .010". That was a pain in the a$$. The end results are amazing and well worth the extra work though.
I will be taking my Marlin to the woods in the am and hope to have plenty to talk about afterwards.
I will be taking my Marlin to the woods in the am and hope to have plenty to talk about afterwards.
#16

I am using the 325 gr. leverevolution bullet in my Marlin 1895 CB .45-70 Gov. and getting great results. I did have to trim down the cases as much as .010". But it was worth it. I am getting three shot clover leaf groups at 50 yds and under one inch at 100 yds.
Now as to the .30-30 160 gr. bullet, I don't see any advantage over what I am shooting now. But I will tell you that a friend has loaded the new Lever powder and there was a difference in overall velocity. You do get a faster velocity using this powder. I think the company data said the bullet would travel at around 2350 fps from a 24" barrel and we ran his rounds across my Chrony. We were getting at or over this speed. He was satisfied and me to with my old bullets and powder.
Now as to the .30-30 160 gr. bullet, I don't see any advantage over what I am shooting now. But I will tell you that a friend has loaded the new Lever powder and there was a difference in overall velocity. You do get a faster velocity using this powder. I think the company data said the bullet would travel at around 2350 fps from a 24" barrel and we ran his rounds across my Chrony. We were getting at or over this speed. He was satisfied and me to with my old bullets and powder.
#17
Spike
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 1

I have reloaded about 150 rds of .308 Marlin Express. Like meationed above the factory cases were all longer than the factory maxium. And required alot of case trimming. I worked up a load for my .308MX. At 100 yards my 5 shot group was .675". Compaired to the factory ammo with a 1.45" group. What worked for me was CCI LR primers, of course Hornady cases full length sized, 160 gr. FTX .308 Hornady bullets, 37.6 grs. of H4895, with a OAL of 2.600". Also to comment about the new powders that have came out for the Superformance line of Hornady ammo. This powder is extreamly dirty and if you shoot it I promise you'll be spending a couple of days on cleanning your barrel. I had a very good reloading friend of mine that loaded some for is .243 Win. and only after shooting 10 rounds noticed that his groups began to grow concerterbly. Upon inspection the problem was with the fouled barrel.
#18

They work fantastic in my Marlin 336. Never had much luck with factory 150's, my gun always liked 170's, so I was concerned with the 160 FTXs. Man, was I happy I tried them. They are very accurate for me, both Factory and reloads using the LeveRevolution powder.
Out of my 20" 336, factory loads hum along at 2346-2392 fps.
I've work up loads using the published data in Hornady #8 manual. Worked up from 33-36.0gr in .5gr increments and settled on 36.0gr LeveRevolution for 2319 fps (5 shot avg). This load was one jagged hole at 60 yards (most shots are less than 75 yards in the GA woods).
NOTES: Work up any load carefully in your own rifle, what is safe in mine, may not be safe in yours. 36.0gr is 0.5 gr over Hodgdon's data, but 1.0gr less than Hornady's published max. USE WITH CAUTION. I did note from 34.5gr's and up, primers were backing out slightly (about .005 - .008"), but extraction was smooth, and other than primers backing out slightly, they weren't flattened. Others have noted the same.
Out of my 20" 336, factory loads hum along at 2346-2392 fps.
I've work up loads using the published data in Hornady #8 manual. Worked up from 33-36.0gr in .5gr increments and settled on 36.0gr LeveRevolution for 2319 fps (5 shot avg). This load was one jagged hole at 60 yards (most shots are less than 75 yards in the GA woods).
NOTES: Work up any load carefully in your own rifle, what is safe in mine, may not be safe in yours. 36.0gr is 0.5 gr over Hodgdon's data, but 1.0gr less than Hornady's published max. USE WITH CAUTION. I did note from 34.5gr's and up, primers were backing out slightly (about .005 - .008"), but extraction was smooth, and other than primers backing out slightly, they weren't flattened. Others have noted the same.