Leverevolution reloading

[wolfsong]

In conjunction with Jimbo's thread regarding reloading data for 30.30, has anyone reloaded Hornady's Leverevolution bullets?

I don't shoot my 30.30s much, but I have used them on a couple of hog hunts and taken a coyote or two with the Leverevolution rounds and I liked their performance. Any info on reloading results?

Peace and God bless, Wolfsong.

 

[Rick Courtright]

In conjunction with Jimbo's thread regarding reloading data for 30.30, has anyone reloaded Hornady's Leverevolution bullets?

I don't shoot my 30.30s much, but I have used them on a couple of hog hunts and taken a coyote or two with the Leverevolution rounds and I liked their performance. Any info on reloading results?

Hi, Wolfsong

I haven't shot any of the Leverevolution ammo, but my brother in law got some for both his .30-30 and I believe his .450 Marlin when it first came out, and was suitably impressed.

They brought out the bullets first, but the way both of us understood the whole concept, it was that a special powder had been blended to yield much higher velocities than anything else we could get as "civilians." So neither of us paid any attention to loading just the bullets.

Sometime in the last year, Hornady has released the powder for reloaders--I believe Hodgdon's is handling it. Haven't looked up the data yet, but IF the reloading recipes are fairly close to the factory ballistics, it should be a winner...

Hope someone here can fill us all in!

Rick C

 

[tek4260]

On a side note, the 45-70 brass used in LeverEvolution is shorter than regular brass. Enough so that you have to machine off the shank of your dies in order to crimp. I don't know about the 30-30, but it may be the same. Of course on the 45-70, this gives a good excuse to cut it down and make 475 Linebaugh brass out of it. Since MS allows the 45-70 Handi Rifle to be used during primitive weapon season, the brass can be found everywhere.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

My reasearch shows the reviews for Leverevolution 'flex tip' bullets are very good. There is some mention of case length. I am not sure if that is an issue as the COL in the loading manual for the 'flex tip' is 2.535" compared to the standard 2.550".

Hornady LEVERevolution Bullets 30-30 Winchester (308 Diameter) 160 Grain Flex Tip eXpanding Box of 100
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=468031

Hodgdon does have load data for leverevolution powder using 150gr, 160gr and 170gr bullets. All three use a compressed Max. load and deliver superior velocity by a considerable margin.
http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

ETA: There is a new GMX (lead free) 30-30 cartridge from Hornady. Bullets not sold separately yet.
http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/default.aspx?productNumber=837062

...Jimbo

 

[wolfsong]

Thanks, Jimbo. Now ya have me interested. Looks like I'll have to pick up some boolits, some powder and a new set of dies. Then I'll have to go out and shoot them tirty tirties some more. If only my eye sight was better...

Peace and God bless, Wolfsong.

 

[tek4260]

The short case may be 45-70 only to make up for the pointed bullet and keep the OAL length right to feed.

 

[tomisu]

I recently put together some test roundsfor a 30-30 using new Win cases, Hornady FTX bullets, CCI 250 (mag) primers and Hodgdon LeverEVOLUTION powder. The new cases were the proper length already and I always use magnum primers with ball powder. The data I used was the Hornady 8th edition and the best grouping was at max load, no signs of over pressure but I would recommend you work up your own.

Once I had the load figured I made 10 rounds to see how well I could do with a bunch, I only got to shoot two (both in the bullseye @ 50 yds) when the guys I was shooting with could not beleive it was a 30-30 (Model 94 Ranger with 20" barrel) and wanted to try it. I imagine this round would do best in a 24" barrel as there was some muzzle flash, LeveEVOLUTION is a slower powder than normally used in a 30-30. I will be putting together some more before hunting season.

Tom

 

[Rick Courtright]

I imagine this round would do best in a 24" barrel as there was some muzzle flash, LeveEVOLUTION is a slower powder than normally used in a 30-30.

Hi, Tom

Have you already tried, or do you plan to try, different amounts of crimp to see if they have any effect on the muzzle flash? (Just thinking out loud about some 296 experiments I played w/ in handgun ammo.) When my BIL was shooting the factory Leverevolution ammo in the same rifle as yours (Win 94 Ranger, 20"), I didn't notice anything unusual about the muzzle flash.

Now, the .450 Marlin was a different story, but it's got a factory ported barrel and is just plain uncomfortable to be around regardless of the ammo!

Rick C

 

[don44]

The 444 Marlin ammo in Leverevolution has a shorter case also than the regular brass. Just a little side note.

 

[tomisu]

Rick,

I noticed the muzzle flash because it was about 9 pm and the sun was just going down. I fired rounds that were LeverEVOLUTION and some that were H4895. If it were normal daylight the muzzle flash would not have been noticable. I crimp with a Lee Factory Crimp Die.

Tom

 

[Iron Mike Golf]

.44 mag factory loads using this bullet design also have brass shorter than trim-to length.