Clovishound
Blackhawk
I've been jonesing for a lever gun for a while. I need lots of time to mull things over so I thought I would ask a few questions here.
I would really like to get a .38/.357, but the only one I have seen that was somewhat affordable is the Rossi. I wasn't impressed with the fit and finish. Marlins seem to fit the bill in that department, but the choice there seems to be 30-30. I do some hunting, so this would be a decent caliber for the brush areas I frequent.
I have looked into the component situation, and it looks like 30-30 may not be too terribly expensive to reload. Plated bullets are relatively inexpensive, and it looks like I'd be getting something like 225 loads from a pound of powder. I'm talking plinking loads here, not hunting loads. MVs are looking like low 2000s. Not sure if the plated will handle that, but I'm sure there are decent loads that will work for plated. Brass may be an issue, as I don't think I've ever seen any on the ground at the range. I'd probably have to either buy factory ammo, or empty brass. That jacks up the cost.
Without factoring brass, it looks like I can load for around $25 a hundred. That's about twice what I spend on .38, although I'm sure I wouldn't shoot as much from a rifle as I would a handgun.
I know 30-30 isn't much good beyond 100 to 200 yds. That isn't an issue. Any feedback on the caliber from a standpoint of reloading and general performance?
I would really like to get a .38/.357, but the only one I have seen that was somewhat affordable is the Rossi. I wasn't impressed with the fit and finish. Marlins seem to fit the bill in that department, but the choice there seems to be 30-30. I do some hunting, so this would be a decent caliber for the brush areas I frequent.
I have looked into the component situation, and it looks like 30-30 may not be too terribly expensive to reload. Plated bullets are relatively inexpensive, and it looks like I'd be getting something like 225 loads from a pound of powder. I'm talking plinking loads here, not hunting loads. MVs are looking like low 2000s. Not sure if the plated will handle that, but I'm sure there are decent loads that will work for plated. Brass may be an issue, as I don't think I've ever seen any on the ground at the range. I'd probably have to either buy factory ammo, or empty brass. That jacks up the cost.
Without factoring brass, it looks like I can load for around $25 a hundred. That's about twice what I spend on .38, although I'm sure I wouldn't shoot as much from a rifle as I would a handgun.
I know 30-30 isn't much good beyond 100 to 200 yds. That isn't an issue. Any feedback on the caliber from a standpoint of reloading and general performance?