My new 30br hunting gun first shots.

[joshb]

I want to thank @Bill Norris for lighting the spark for this build. Butchlambert gets the award of Nicest guy in Texas for chambering the barrel for me after “suggesting” I try a Shillen 13-14 twist ratchet #4 contour and getting it for me for my build. He had a .339 no turn reamer and throated it for 125 grain Sierras. Fine men like Butch are few and far between, these days. Many thanks!
I started a stock for the gun, but I couldn’t wait. I put it together in an old HS Precision green web 5R Remington take off I had in my pile, with a Jewel trigger and PT&G AICS bottom metal. A Vortex 6-24 went on top and I loaded up some test rounds.
I had an open box of Speer TNT 125s so I started with those set to touching the lands in new Lapua brass I expanded then sized with 3 thousandths neck tension for a .332 neck loaded round. H4198 for powder. I took it up to 34.3 for the first go. The gun shows promise. I’ll play with it until my brass is fully expanded to the chamber, then work on the seating depth.
5 shot groups to start, then 3 shot groups as I moved up the charge. I think I pulled that last shot at 34.3. Velocity gained about 25-30 FPS with each .3 grain bump until it topped out at 2940ish FPS.
I loaded some more rounds for tomorrow’s testing in preparation for a head shot Turkey hunt scheduled for Thursday, which is why I’m adjusting to hit the bullseye.
Suggestions welcome!
[/USER]

 

[Bill Norris]

I want to thank @Bill Norris for lighting the spark for this build. Butchlambert gets the award of Nicest guy in Texas for chambering the barrel for me after “suggesting” I try a Shillen 13-14 twist ratchet #4 contour and getting it for me for my build. He had a .339 no turn reamer and throated it for 125 grain Sierras. Fine men like Butch are few and far between, these days. Many thanks!
I started a stock for the gun, but I couldn’t wait. I put it together in an old HS Precision green web 5R Remington take off I had in my pile, with a Jewel trigger and PT&G AICS bottom metal. A Vortex 6-24 went on top and I loaded up some test rounds.
I had an open box of Speer TNT 125s so I started with those set to touching the lands in new Lapua brass I expanded then sized with 3 thousandths neck tension for a .332 neck loaded round. H4198 for powder. I took it up to 34.3 for the first go. The gun shows promise. I’ll play with it until my brass is fully expanded to the chamber, then work on the seating depth.
5 shot groups to start, then 3 shot groups as I moved up the charge. I think I pulled that last shot at 34.3. Velocity gained about 25-30 FPS with each .3 grain bump until it topped out at 2940ish FPS.
I loaded some more rounds for tomorrow’s testing in preparation for a head shot Turkey hunt scheduled for Thursday, which is why I’m adjusting to hit the bullseye.
Suggestions welcome!
View attachment 1713499[/USER]

Way to go Bro. Glad you built it. Looks like you are off to a great start with loads. Those TNTs shoot pretty good in the 30BR and it is an easy guy to tune. Please keep us posted with your results.

My Model 7 tuned really well @

125 GR. SPEER TNT HBN **COATED 1.588 O M 2.234 COL T/L B S .287 B C .341
POWDER H-4198 34.0 GR. PRIMER CCI 400 .323 BU. NK. DIA .326
SEATED @ 1.583 O M 2.229 COL .005 OTL
M V 3007 FPS 16 E S 7 S D WITH 5-SHOT GP. HOVERING AROUND 1/4 INCH
MY CHAMBER IS .330 TURN NECK W/1 - 15 TW. #4 TAPER BARREL

 

[joshb]

There you are! I have some 117 grain customs in reserve, but I want to smooth the barrel out with the TNTs. I’ll shoot some Sierras next.
I’m using CCI 450s. Interesting that you’re using 400s. Did you try the 450s and decide the 400s were better?

 

[Bill Norris]

There you are! I have some 117 grain customs in reserve, but I want to smooth the barrel out with the TNTs. I’ll shoot some Sierras next.
I’m using CCI 450s. Interesting that you’re using 400s. Did you try the 450s and decide the 400s were better?

Never tried the 450s in either of my 30BRs. Had great luck with the BR4 and 400s.

 

[joshb]

Never tried the 450s in either of my 30BRs. Had great luck with the BR4 and 400s.

Well, I’ll try some 400s. I gave all my Br4s to a nice guy in Fredericksburg that wanted them bad during the Covid troubles.
Thanks for that!

 

[Bill Norris]

Yea I tried the 205 M Fed too but I really did not see anything to get excited about. I shy away from Fed because of the softer cup.

 

[muleystalker]

Bill, what length is your barrel?

 

[round]

Pics of the round next to something a little more common like a 308 win or 223?

 

[SVT_Tactical]

My 10 twist 30BR is still banging out one hole groups with 150 smks. Been left and haven't gotten the 135ttsx loaded yet.

 

[joshb]

Pics of the round next to something a little more common like a 308 win or 223?

Left to right: 223, 6.5 Grendel, 7.62x39, 30br, 308.

 

[Bill Norris]

Bill, what length is your barrel?

23 inches on my Model 7 and 24 inches on the Hart BR.

 

[Bob in WI]

My 10 twist 30BR is still banging out one hole groups with 150 smks. Been left and haven't gotten the 135ttsx loaded yet.

Curious..what powder with 150gr bullets?

 

[SVT_Tactical]

Curious..what powder with 150gr bullets?

H335 has been only one i tested. It's been good to go.
Josh sent me data a while back, maybe he will share those charts here or give me the go ahead and i will.

Running around 2620fps

 

[long40shot]

Sounds like a fun build. Hope to see a picture of a coyote and or deer that has fallen to the influence of the new rifle.

 

[SVT_Tactical]

@joshb I have some 125gr cline bullets left over from my old 14T 30BR. If you want to try some.

 

[joshb]

H335 has been only one i tested. It's been good to go.
Josh sent me data a while back, maybe he will share those charts here or give me the go ahead and i will.

Running around 2620fps

I found these in the archives. I have not tested the loads myself. Use them carefully!