30 Carb Pistol Load Data

M

madmo44mag

New member
Just to start with I own and shoot 30carb rifles but this thread is PISTOL ONLY.

Ok folks I have been looking for weeks for a load for a Ruger 30 carbine pistol.
All kinds of info on rifle loads.
For years I have shot rifle loads in this Ruger but no one wants to stand near me when I’m shooting this pistol because the loud,sharp and huge muzzle blast. (Oh how I do love it so)

None of my newer manuals show 30 carb pistol loads.
The newest manual I have that shows 30 carb pistol is a 1987 Lee manual.
I want to stay away from the slower burning rifle powders they list because I’ve loaded them and even down loaded there is still to much burning powder leaving the barrel thus a large muzzle blast.

It does list Unique for a 110g JFN bullet over 5.5g of Unique at 945 fps. (max load)

I have never loaded this charge and I am a bit concerned as to charge weight since every manual I own shows lower loading data over the newer manuals.
Yes I understand how powder manufactures may be down loading to ensure safety but many of these powders have seen chemical changes and have become much better burning powders over the years thus requiring slightly lower charge weights.

I have plenty of Unique, Win 231 and Power Pistol on hand.

My thoughts are 110g JRN (open base) bullet over 4.5g of Win 231 or Unique as a starting point.

I’m looking for suggestions based on experience loading 30 carb pistol in one of the 3 powders I have listed.

Edit:
Powders such as H110, 2400 and 4227 have way to much powder still burning when it levees the barrel.
Shooters next to me complain of being hit with hot powder residue.
I know this is true because I have experienced it.
What I wish to achieve is a pistol load with a faster burning powder to reduce this issue.
Secondly velocity is not a big issue as long as accuracy is acceptable - less than 1 inch at 25 yards.

Sooo, what do ya say my learned friends?
 
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Hodgdon has 30 Carb Pistol data under the pistol section.

7 inch barrel, bullets from 85-100-110gr.

Screenshot%2026_zpsqnutlvir.png
 
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In comparison to rifle data what they are offering is light rifle charges.
Hodgdon only show rifle data
Click to expand...
To help clarify my intent.

Powders such as H110, 2400 and 4227 have way to much powder still burning when it levees the barrel.
Shooters next to me complain of being hit with hot powder residue.
I know this is true because I have experienced it.
What I wish to achieve is a pistol load with a faster burning powder to reduce this issue.
Secondly velocity is not a big issue as long as accuracy is acceptable - less than 1 inch at 25 yards.
 
This is out of the Lyman Pistol and Revolver Manual. Forget which edition. Not at home to look. Note that it's very close to regular carbine loads. (It was a lot neater when I typed it too.)
Hodgdon's site does have some Handgun loads, but only using H110 and H4227 with 85, 100 and 110 grain bullets. Identical loads but out of a 7" barrel for the hand gun. 20" for the rifle loads.
Out of any short barrel, you're going to have burning powder flying around.
"...less than 1 inch at 25 yards..." That'd be miraculous. It'd be Olympic class shooting.
"...a 1987 Lee manual..." Lee uses other company's data. Usually the powder maker's data. They have never tested anything themselves.
Unique in .30 Carbine is used mostly with cast bullets. Not jacketed. Have that too if you want it.

93 grain MC 1.595" OAL
Powder Start Vel Max Vel
SR4759 9.5 948 12.5 1216
IMR4227 10.0 1076 15.0 1491
Blue Dot 6.5 922 8.5 1284
2400 9.5 1078 12.5 1390
Win296 15.0 1460(Reduced load, not recommended by Winchester)
H110 10.0 1176 15.5 1456
AL-8 8.5 1227 12.0 1510

100 grain Speer 1.600" OAL
Powder Start Vel Max Vel
2400 9.5 1147 12.5 1412
SR4759 9.0 918 12.0(c) 1298
IMR4227 10.0 1112 15.0(c) 1438
630 8.5 1115 12.0 1414
H110 10.0 1124 14.5 1416

110 grain HP 1.660" OAL
Powder Start Vel Max Vel
2400 10.0 1161 12.0 1348
SR4759 9.0 851 12.0(c) 1172
IMR4227 11.0 1188 14.0 1377
Win296 14.5 1428(Reduced load, not recommended by Winchester)
H110 9.5 1054 14.0 1369

120 grain cast w. gas check 1.610" OAL
Powder Start Vel Max Vel
Unique 5.0 1138 6.3 1335
Blue Dot 6.5 1066 8.8 1339
2400 10.8 1236 12.3(c) 1436
SR7625 4.6 1027 5.6 1162
SR4756 5.5 1050 6.5 1220
IMR4227 11.5 1169 13.3(c) 1388
Win296 13.5 1415(Reduced load, not recommended by Winchester)
H110 10.0 1055 13.5 1358
AL-8 9.5 1239 11.0(c) 1408

123 grain cast w. gas check 1.610" OAL
Powder Start Vel Max Vel
Unique 5.0 1017 6.3 1316
Blue Dot 6.5 997 8.8 1290
2400 10.8 1271 12.3(c) 1445
SR4756 5.1 923 6.1 1172
IMR4227 11.0 1124 13.1(c) 1342
Win296 13.5 1431(Reduced load, not recommended by Winchester)
H110 10.0 1037 13.5 1420
AL-8 9.2 1196 10.8(c) 1384

130 Grain cast 1.680" OAL
Powder Start Vel Max Vel
Unique 4.9 1064 6.1 1270
Blue Dot 6.3 971 8.2 1249
2400 10.5 1282 12.0(c) 1414
SR4756 5.0 1011 6.0 1182
IMR4227 10.6 1116 12.7(c) 1387
Win296 12.5 1356(Reduced load, not recommended by Winchester)
H110 9.0 979 12.5 1350
AL-8 9.0 1225 10.4(c) 1346

'c' = compressed load.
 
Thanks for the info. JEPP2

I’ve been loading and shooting 30 card since the 70’s.
I bought my 1st Ruger 30carb pistol in 1978. I already had a mix-master 30 carb USGI rifle.

The moderate burning rifle powders such as 4227, 2400, h110 or just to slow burning for such a short barrel length.

I have older manual showing Unique at 3.5g max with a 110 g FMJ bullet at 970 fps.
I have never loaded this recipe but have to wounder if the bullet will stabilize at that slow a speed due to it’s shape.

I’m going to load 10 rounds of Unique starting at 3.0g and then 10 more at 3.5g
Also I am going to load 10 rounds of Win 231 using 3.0g and 5 rounds using 3.5g.
All 110g JRN bullets with open bases.
I know the Ruger is strong enough to handle these loads.

I will not be able to test then till the end of the month but will report back.

I sent Winchester a message asking if they though the load in 231 was safe and the response was as expected - “We don’t know. We never loaded that powder in the caliber”

Well out to the gun room to find that box of new 30carb brass I have stashed back.
 
Trying to think here, I believe that the carbine would have a bit too much empty air space in it to really like a fast burning powder. I suspect that the thing will function similarly to a .357 load. What works for low power loads in one may work for the other. Take a look at data for powders listed for for both. I don't like the idea of a small charge of unique. If you have power pistol, check it out and if it's slower than unique it may be useful. What you would be best to use was a low density slower burning powder that isn't as slow as the standard magnum powders.
 
briandg case volume is something I have considered.
The Unique load is published but I have never loaded it.
I will load and try it as well as some 231; both using small rifle primers.

I have Power Pistol on hand and love it in 40 S&W.

Per the Hodgdon powder burn rate chart 231 is at the 29th spot, Unique is at the 31th spot and PP is rated in the 33rd spot.

Allant shows PP in 40 s&w with at 155g bullet to load at a 9.0g charge weight at 1213fps.
My best guess would be with a 110g bullet a starting charge of 4.0g of PP and work up.
I don’t see PP going over 5.5g.

Remember this is a pistol load so you don’t have to cycle an action just stabilize the bullet.

IMHO the 30 carb pistol would have been a big winner if the powder companies had developed a load for it.
The two biggest problems with a pistol using rifle ammo is brass sticking in the cylinder and a massive muzzle blast.
I don’t have a problem with the sticking issue because I polished the chambers but the muzzle flash is a real big issue for me.
 
THESE ARE NOT PUBLISHED LOADS.
THESE ARE TEST LOADS.
USE AT YOUR OWN RISK.
Well Sunday was a great day at the range testing new 30carb rounds.
All rounds shot from bench off of sand bags.
I would have pictures but forgot to charge the camera battery.
Unique showed promise at 5.0 g at 25 yds with a 2in group but it did not leave perfect round holes - sort of jagged. Like the bullet was not completely stabilized.
4.5 & 5.0g of 231 was fair at a 3in group at 25yds.
I had 4 flyers in 10 rounds. It shot like the ignition was inconsistent.
I will bump this one up anther 0.5g and re-test.
The best performer was Power Pistol.
4.5 & 5.0g gave a 1.1/2 group at 25yds.
Low recoil and light muzzle flash.
I really liked it.
Nice clean holes so the bullet was good and stable.
I may bump this up another 1/2g or so to see if the group tightens up.
So there is the range report on the 30carb powder testing.
 
Use .327 magnum data. The .327 has a bit less case capacity, and slightly lower pressure. Load data should be safe in the .30 carbine.
 
Just a update.
I bumped the 5.0g Power Pistol up to 5.6g and the group size shrank by half.
At 25 yds I got a 2/3 inch group from a rest.
This is my new 30 carbine PISTOL load.
110g FMJ over 5.6g of Power Pistol.
 
"It does list Unique for a 110g JFN bullet over 5.5g of Unique at 945 fps. (max load)

I have never loaded this charge and I am a bit concerned as to charge weight since every manual I own shows lower loading data over the newer manuals."

I have tried 5.0 gr. of Unique in my OM .30 carbine Blackhawk with several cast lead bullets. Accuracy was about 2" at 25 yards which is about as good as I can shoot anyway. Bullet were a 115 gr. SWC, a 115 gr. HPRN and a 120 gr. RN from a SAECO mold I found at a gun show. The 115 gr. bullets are from Lyman molds and the SWC takes a gas check as I recall.

I found extraction the be slightly sticky as the chambers on this gun are quite rough. Bullets were sized to .310" FWIW and little to no leading occurred. Frankly, I've shot the 120 gr. bullet to full rifle specs without any leading but accuracy was running 2.5 to 3.0". Might have been me though.

I only shoot my home cast bullets in my handguns including the magnums and have done so for way too many years. I also probably shoot more cast bullets in my rifle as well. Cheap shooting and lots of challenge at times and fun either way.
Paul B.
 
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