Finally Some Powder and Pills

[mr surveyor]

I didn't start tinkering with .30-30 loads until a buddy gave me a set of RCBS dies last Christmas. The first thought was to get a batch of Rem Core-Lokt 150 grain bullets and either Reloader 15 or IMR (or H) 4895. My old 336 had always been able to consistently shoot the 150 gr C-L's at 1 moa out to 100 yards where the 170's would fall off to 2 moa, and actually that didn't matter what brand name. The 150's just shot a tighter group in general. All I was able to find available in January was 170 gr Sierra Pro Hunter FP's (I do like the Sierra bullets) and a can of IMR 4320 to start my new endeavor. Amazingly to me, the three loads I've taken time to assemble and test for accuracy have all shot the same 2 moa (and even tighter) as factory ammunition, although I haven't run any through a chorno until I get my best accuracy/consistency.

Yesterday, one of my dove hunting buddies "sold" me 100 of his stash of 150 gr Core-Lokts, and one of my gun shop owner buddies sold me a can of LVR he had "stashed back". So, hopefully I'm on track to hit that 1 moa mark now.

I'd really be interested in hearing any one's experience with the 150 C-L's and LVR.

Thanks

JD

[pricedo]

For the 30-30 range of velocities the Core-Lokt bullets are as good as any and cheaper than most.
The CLs hold together pretty good for cup n' core bullets at low to moderate velocities.
I first noticed jacket core separation (after digging them out of sand) when I loaded the 150 grain CLs in my 300 Win Mag.
For 308 Win/30-06 Sprng the CLs are good if you stick to the 180 grain or heavier weights.
Moral of the story: DON'T PUSH ' EM TOO FAST or they'll (jacket/core) come apart.

[mr surveyor]

I don't plan to "push them fast" .... I never load anything closer than 97% or so of max, usually closer to 95%. As for the Core-Lokt bullet, I have complete faith in them. More curious about the LeveRevolution powder and 150 C-L combination in .30-30.

Thanks for the reply.

JD

[pricedo]

I'm guesstimating about 2700 fps is as fast as you want to push a CL.
I switched to 150 grain Nosler Partition bullets for the 300 Win Mag and no more problems although the CLs as I recall were slightly more accurate.
Accurate or not if the jacket and core are going to separate what use are they?

[mr surveyor]

considering .30-30 loads for 150 gr Sierra FN's with a max load of LVR max out at 2512 fps (per Hodgdon), I'd doubt I'll see those 2700 fps velocities. I'm guessing maybe 2400 fps with a 97% load, at least that's what I want to see. Mainly looking for repeatable accuracy before bothering one of my "better equipped" buddies to chrony them.

Now that I have the "whole pound" of LVR, there will most likely be a test batch or three with the 170 gr Sierra's as well, but for now I guess the goal is tinkering with the 150 C-L's.

JD

[mr surveyor]

I finally got a chance to chrono some of the 150 core-lokts with the LVR. A week or so my first test batch for reliability and grouping was with 35.5 gr LVR looked very promising as it shot a five shot group to POA (fifty yards for testing) of 1.3" ..... but, that 1.3" was mostly all in vertical stringing as the total windage spread was only 0.4". Today I was able to run a couple of test loads with the 150 C-L's (also some loads with 170 Sierra PH and IMR 4320) through a buddy's chrono.

First Test (as shot for patterning above)
Rem Core-Lokt 150 gr
LVR 35.5 gr (five shots - 10 feet from chrono)
A.V. 2231 fps
E.S. 92 (not so good)
S.D 38
1656 fpe

Second Test (no target test yet)
Rem Core-Lokt 150 gr
LVR 36.5 gr (five shots - 10 feet from chrono)
A.V. 2323 fps
E.S 45
S.D. 16
1795 fpe

I'm not quite there, yet, but I'm going to get there

JD

[mr surveyor]

For what it's worth, my best group with the 170 Sierra PH and IMR 4320 last week was .75" at 50 yards, which is pretty good for my old Marlin as it never shot 170 much better than 2 moa. The best velocity I measured with that mix today was 1997 fps.

JD

[donhuff]

Have you tried the 170 with the LVR powder? I have read that it really likes the heavier bullets. I have never tried that powder myself but have read some good reviews about it.

[mr surveyor]

I haven't tried the LVR with the 170 Sierra's yet. I just started my .30-30 reloading early this year with what was available at the time, and that was the 170 gr Sierra Pro Hunters and IMR 4320. This hasn't been a good year for me as far as free "quality time", so I haven't really been able to complete my first bullet/powder load work up yet. I need to load up a few more of the 170's with today's chrono loads with the 4320 for target tests before I move on to the 170/LVR evaluation. As soon as I have the time to load and bench test a few of the "near max" loads with the 4320, I'll be anxious to work with the LVR and 170's..

So far, I'm just absolutely amazed that most of my paper groups from all load tests with the 170's have been right around 2 moa (or better), which is as good as any factory 170 gr round my 336 can handle. I'm hoping that the LVR/170 gr Sierra loads will really shine. But for now, I'm thrilled to play with the 150 gr Core-Lokts my old Marlin seems to like so well and hoping to get them sub moa like the factory Rem C-L.

JD

[donhuff]

Dangit, I meant to get a pound of LVR. But I was already carrying 17 pounds of powder and 200 brass in those thin plastic grocery bags, and a rifle under the other arm. I had to get out of there before I had to get a shopping cart. And it was a half a mile to the car!