30 Herrett - Your Favorite Contender Loads?

[Magnum Mike]

As the title sez, I'm interested your favorite 30 Herrett loads that you've run in a contender. Mostly 110 grain bullets as i have a pile of Nosler 110 Tipped Varmegeddon bullets to run in it.

I'm working on my recent Super 14 30 Herrett purchase, last night i finished my first 50+ cases, and promptly let them run in the tumbler all night as my countdown timer didn't survive the move year before last. The cases were Winchester 30-30 that i had bumped up to 375 to use in my stainless S14 375 Winchester BUT they did not expand in a manner that i was happy with so last night they got chopped. I was able to source 250 375 Win cases, from Starline a couple weeks back so i'm good in that department. Currently waiting on Starline to make a run of the 32 Win Spl cases that i have backordered to make more 30 Herretts.

Funny side note, my HF mini cop saw has converted at least 10k of 5.56 to 300BLK. I can't remember how many blade changes I've made with it, but it's been several. I try to run it fairly easy, not like you see people running them on utube as fast as the can. I started chopping these cases last night and the blade was so dull it kept stalling! LOL!! So, couldn't find the spares (i know the saw's box would have made the move and that's where the spare blades were stored), so off to HF i went to get another pack of blades. Today Jules tells me that i could have gotten a replacement countdown timer there also! I looked around but obviously walked right past it.

All that to say, please share you 110 grain, or there about, loads with me. Thanks in advance!!

[P Flados]

In recent decades, my 30 Herrett shooting has all been IHMSA focused.

Back many decades ago, I remember my 10" (bull with the permanent front sight) was real happy with H4198 and a 110 gr bullet.

I am sure it was either a Sierra or Hornady bullet, so my load data would be of limited use for you.

I did a Quickload table with your bullet so you can compare potential velocities and fill percentages of different powders.

Cartridge          : .30 Herrett










Bullet             : .308, 110, Nosler VarMag 34057










Useable Case Capaci: 31.165 grain H2O = 2.023 cm³










Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.320 inch = 58.93 mm










Seating depth      :  .204 inch










Barrel Length      : 14.0 inch = 355.6 mm






















C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested










loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand










that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet










and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.










USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !






















Powder type          Filling/Loading Ratio  Charge    Charge   Vel. Prop.Burnt P max  P muzz  B_Time










                                      %     Grains    Gramm   fps     %       psi     psi    ms



















---------------------------------  -----------------------------------------------------------------










Alliant Reloder-10x *C             102.8     27.9     1.81    2279    86.7    34989    7993   0.865 










Hodgdon H322                       104.0     29.0     1.88    2230    79.7    34989    7621   0.860 










Accurate 2460                      104.5     32.3     2.09    2229    76.0    34989    7664   0.869 










Lovex D073.5                       104.8     32.3     2.09    2229    76.0    34989    7664   0.869 










IMR 4198                            98.0     25.3     1.64    2226    88.0    34989    7266   0.859 










Hodgdon H335                        98.5     30.9     2.00    2224    77.7    34989    7636   0.863 










Alliant Reloder-7                   93.9     26.1     1.69    2223    87.9    34989    7412   0.881 










Accurate 2015                      105.0     28.9     1.87    2221    84.0    33185    7679   0.887










Hodgdon H4227                       88.4     23.2     1.51    2220    92.4    34989    7084   0.863 










Lovex D073.4                       102.1     31.4     2.04    2212    75.8    34989    7453   0.868 










Lovex S053                          88.6     22.8     1.48    2211    95.7    34989    6970   0.878 










Alliant Reloder-12                 103.4     30.3     1.96    2211    80.1    34989    7414   0.865 










Winchester 748                     103.8     32.1     2.08    2204    72.7    34989    7568   0.864 










IMR 4227                            86.8     22.8     1.48    2191    91.1    34989    6851   0.868 










Accurate 1680                       85.3     25.6     1.66    2187    83.4    34989    7064   0.876 










Accurate 2230                      102.5     31.9     2.07    2186    72.7    34989    7220   0.869 










Accurate 2200                       94.0     27.4     1.78    2181    78.2    34989    7080   0.873 










Alliant AR-Comp *C *T              105.0     29.2     1.89    2174    82.6    31156    7773   0.900










Hodgdon Benchmark                  103.0     29.1     1.89    2170    76.0    34989    7029   0.877 










Hodgdon H4198                       93.3     25.2     1.63    2157    81.2    34989    6726   0.875 










Hodgdon BL-C2                      105.0     32.9     2.13    2137    69.4    32156    7333   0.896










Hodgdon H4895                      105.0     30.2     1.95    2122    69.8    31086    7159   0.910










Accurate 2520                      105.0     31.8     2.06    2103    71.6    29581    7290   0.924










IMR 3031                           105.0     28.2     1.83    2036    72.6    26884    6989   0.960

[toddtd]

i can start making 30 Herrett cases from 30-30 Starline cases. i bought 500 30-30 cases for my 35/30-30, but i still have 400 cases. i bought a 10" Contender barrel that i should have next week. altho i am going to do cast boolits, probably 150gr fnhp gc (12+/-bhn), i won't pass up a jacketed bullet load. the 30 Herrett is new to me, so i'll most likely have questions.

i still have the orignal HF mini chop saw blade (i have 2 or 3 blades that are replacements), i form alot of '06 brass to 6.5x55, 7x57, 8x57, 9.3x57 and 7.65x53. i am no where near 10,000 cases, i think i've cut 1000 - 1250 cases? you right about u tubers, they do run them fast!!! i must be a old man on a walker because i cut the cases slowly.

[sunnysmarine]

Mike, I sent you a PM on the SP site, I cant figure out how to here, I do have some brass for that barrel if you need it (SEM)

[nksmfamjp]

In recent decades, my 30 Herrett shooting has all been IHMSA focused.

Back many decades ago, I remember my 10" (bull with the permanent front sight) was real happy with H4198 and a 110 gr bullet.

I am sure it was either a Sierra or Hornady bullet, so my load data would be of limited use for you.

I did a Quickload table with your bullet so you can compare potential velocities and fill percentages of different powders.

Cartridge          : .30 Herrett










Bullet             : .308, 110, Nosler VarMag 34057










Useable Case Capaci: 31.165 grain H2O = 2.023 cm³










Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.320 inch = 58.93 mm










Seating depth      :  .204 inch










Barrel Length      : 14.0 inch = 355.6 mm






















C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested










loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand










that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet










and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.










USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !






















Powder type          Filling/Loading Ratio  Charge    Charge   Vel. Prop.Burnt P max  P muzz  B_Time










                                      %     Grains    Gramm   fps     %       psi     psi    ms



















---------------------------------  -----------------------------------------------------------------










Alliant Reloder-10x *C             102.8     27.9     1.81    2279    86.7    34989    7993   0.865 










Hodgdon H322                       104.0     29.0     1.88    2230    79.7    34989    7621   0.860 










Accurate 2460                      104.5     32.3     2.09    2229    76.0    34989    7664   0.869 










Lovex D073.5                       104.8     32.3     2.09    2229    76.0    34989    7664   0.869 










IMR 4198                            98.0     25.3     1.64    2226    88.0    34989    7266   0.859 










Hodgdon H335                        98.5     30.9     2.00    2224    77.7    34989    7636   0.863 










Alliant Reloder-7                   93.9     26.1     1.69    2223    87.9    34989    7412   0.881 










Accurate 2015                      105.0     28.9     1.87    2221    84.0    33185    7679   0.887










Hodgdon H4227                       88.4     23.2     1.51    2220    92.4    34989    7084   0.863 










Lovex D073.4                       102.1     31.4     2.04    2212    75.8    34989    7453   0.868 










Lovex S053                          88.6     22.8     1.48    2211    95.7    34989    6970   0.878 










Alliant Reloder-12                 103.4     30.3     1.96    2211    80.1    34989    7414   0.865 










Winchester 748                     103.8     32.1     2.08    2204    72.7    34989    7568   0.864 










IMR 4227                            86.8     22.8     1.48    2191    91.1    34989    6851   0.868 










Accurate 1680                       85.3     25.6     1.66    2187    83.4    34989    7064   0.876 










Accurate 2230                      102.5     31.9     2.07    2186    72.7    34989    7220   0.869 










Accurate 2200                       94.0     27.4     1.78    2181    78.2    34989    7080   0.873 










Alliant AR-Comp *C *T              105.0     29.2     1.89    2174    82.6    31156    7773   0.900










Hodgdon Benchmark                  103.0     29.1     1.89    2170    76.0    34989    7029   0.877 










Hodgdon H4198                       93.3     25.2     1.63    2157    81.2    34989    6726   0.875 










Hodgdon BL-C2                      105.0     32.9     2.13    2137    69.4    32156    7333   0.896










Hodgdon H4895                      105.0     30.2     1.95    2122    69.8    31086    7159   0.910










Accurate 2520                      105.0     31.8     2.06    2103    71.6    29581    7290   0.924










IMR 3031                           105.0     28.2     1.83    2036    72.6    26884    6989   0.960

Just wondering….why run that table at such a low pressure? Seems like 40-45000 psi is closer to normal max contender pressures?? Do you agree?

[Magnum Mike]

In recent decades, my 30 Herrett shooting has all been IHMSA focused.

Back many decades ago, I remember my 10" (bull with the permanent front sight) was real happy with H4198 and a 110 gr bullet.

I am sure it was either a Sierra or Hornady bullet, so my load data would be of limited use for you.

I did a Quickload table with your bullet so you can compare potential velocities and fill percentages of different powders.

Cartridge          : .30 Herrett










Bullet             : .308, 110, Nosler VarMag 34057










Useable Case Capaci: 31.165 grain H2O = 2.023 cm³










Cartridge O.A.L. L6: 2.320 inch = 58.93 mm










Seating depth      :  .204 inch










Barrel Length      : 14.0 inch = 355.6 mm






















C A U T I O N : any load listed can result in a powder charge that falls below minimum suggested










loads or exceeds maximum suggested loads as presented in current handloading manuals. Understand










that all of the listed powders can be unsuitable for the given combination of cartridge, bullet










and gun. Actual load order can vary, depending upon lot-to-lot powder and component variations.










USE ONLY FOR COMPARISON !






















Powder type          Filling/Loading Ratio  Charge    Charge   Vel. Prop.Burnt P max  P muzz  B_Time










                                      %     Grains    Gramm   fps     %       psi     psi    ms



















---------------------------------  -----------------------------------------------------------------










Alliant Reloder-10x *C             102.8     27.9     1.81    2279    86.7    34989    7993   0.865 










Hodgdon H322                       104.0     29.0     1.88    2230    79.7    34989    7621   0.860 










Accurate 2460                      104.5     32.3     2.09    2229    76.0    34989    7664   0.869 










Lovex D073.5                       104.8     32.3     2.09    2229    76.0    34989    7664   0.869 










IMR 4198                            98.0     25.3     1.64    2226    88.0    34989    7266   0.859 










Hodgdon H335                        98.5     30.9     2.00    2224    77.7    34989    7636   0.863 










Alliant Reloder-7                   93.9     26.1     1.69    2223    87.9    34989    7412   0.881 










Accurate 2015                      105.0     28.9     1.87    2221    84.0    33185    7679   0.887










Hodgdon H4227                       88.4     23.2     1.51    2220    92.4    34989    7084   0.863 










Lovex D073.4                       102.1     31.4     2.04    2212    75.8    34989    7453   0.868 










Lovex S053                          88.6     22.8     1.48    2211    95.7    34989    6970   0.878 










Alliant Reloder-12                 103.4     30.3     1.96    2211    80.1    34989    7414   0.865 










Winchester 748                     103.8     32.1     2.08    2204    72.7    34989    7568   0.864 










IMR 4227                            86.8     22.8     1.48    2191    91.1    34989    6851   0.868 










Accurate 1680                       85.3     25.6     1.66    2187    83.4    34989    7064   0.876 










Accurate 2230                      102.5     31.9     2.07    2186    72.7    34989    7220   0.869 










Accurate 2200                       94.0     27.4     1.78    2181    78.2    34989    7080   0.873 










Alliant AR-Comp *C *T              105.0     29.2     1.89    2174    82.6    31156    7773   0.900










Hodgdon Benchmark                  103.0     29.1     1.89    2170    76.0    34989    7029   0.877 










Hodgdon H4198                       93.3     25.2     1.63    2157    81.2    34989    6726   0.875 










Hodgdon BL-C2                      105.0     32.9     2.13    2137    69.4    32156    7333   0.896










Hodgdon H4895                      105.0     30.2     1.95    2122    69.8    31086    7159   0.910










Accurate 2520                      105.0     31.8     2.06    2103    71.6    29581    7290   0.924










IMR 3031                           105.0     28.2     1.83    2036    72.6    26884    6989   0.960

Thank you!!

[Magnum Mike]

So I'm comparing data from Hornady and Hodgdon using IMR4198. Hornady lists a max charge with a Hornady 110SP as 28.4 where as Hodgdon lists the max, with the same bullet, as 24.3! 4.1 grains of powder is a huge difference, IMHO. Anyone have experience with this powder and a similar bullet that can provide some feedback. I believe I'll work up to the Hodgdon max and, depending on those results, go from there...

[Slowpoke Slim]

Seems to me that the Barnes TAC 110's are supposed to be about perfect in that chambering.

[Magnum Mike]

Seems to me that the Barnes TAC 110's are supposed to be about perfect in that chambering.

This is a varmint load, not a deer getter.

[Magnum Mike]

So I'm comparing data from Hornady and Hodgdon using IMR4198. Hornady lists a max charge with a Hornady 110SP as 28.4 where as Hodgdon lists the max, with the same bullet, as 24.3! 4.1 grains of powder is a huge difference, IMHO. Anyone have experience with this powder and a similar bullet that can provide some feedback. I believe I'll work up to the Hodgdon max and, depending on those results, go from there...

I've loaded up my first test ammo with 24.3 as max. Once i see how those look, i may work up toward Hornady's max BUT the cases are really gonna have to open up to get that much I4198 in the case! LOL!

[Slowpoke Slim]

Kind of surprised to hear this. I thought the TAC's would be specifically matched to the 30 Herret/30-30 velocities for deer?

Not so?

[P Flados]

Just wondering….why run that table at such a low pressure? Seems like 40-45000 psi is closer to normal max contender pressures?? Do you agree?

People have stretched Contender frames by pushing the 30 Herrett to hard. In some specific conditions, 45,000 psi might be ok, but I am not completely convinced. I have reasons to believe that there are more inputs into frame stress than just the chamber pressure and case diameter (meaning: what is ok in one gun may not be ok in a different gun). Additionally, I do not have a lot of confidence that the average reloader is going to be able to look at fired brass and tell the difference between a 40,000 psi load and a 47,000 psi load. As such, "working up a load" an relying on "pressure signs" is putting a very nice out of production gun "at risk".

Quickload says that 40,000 psi is max rated. When you run this kind of table, it defaults to a lower pressure, in this case it was 34898 psi. I anticipated potential use of the Quickload table with no calibrations efforts (actual case capacities, actual seating depths, Powder burn rate factor (Ba) tweeked to match chrono results). As such, the actual pressures for a load at the listed charges could be a good deal above the predicted values.

Given all of the above, leaving the max pressure for the table at the default value seemed prudent.

[P Flados]

I've loaded up my first test ammo with 24.3 as max. Once i see how those look, i may work up toward Hornady's max BUT the cases are really gonna have to open up to get that much I4198 in the case! LOL!

If you look at the 4198 listings in the Quickload table, you will see neither is at 100% load density. One big variability can be case capacity.

To get more accurate predictions from Quickload take a fired case and measure actual length and determine case capacity (how many grains of water it will hold). You also should measure actual bullet length. Input this info. Then double check that that a load with a predicted 100% fill will have just enough uncompressed powder in the case such that there will be zero airspace below a seated bullet.

Take a starting load and get some chrono data (both velocity and distance from muzzle for the speed are needed). Input all of the above and then adjust the powder burn rate factor until the prediction matches the data. At this point, your confidence in the pressure predictions is probably good to within maybe 5% for that batch of powder.

As a point of curiosity, you see a big difference between IMR4198 and H4198 for predicted velocity even though the max charges are nearly the same. However, most burn rate charts show them to be nearly the same powder.

[Bobby Tomek]

Kind of surprised to hear this. I thought the TAC's would be specifically matched to the 30 Herret/30-30 velocities for deer?

Not so?

The Barnes 110 and 120 grain TAC-TX bullets are among THE very best deer/medium game bullets for the Herrett. In that same vein is the 110 grain Hornady GMX (now called CX). As much as I like the Nosler BTs, they can't hold a candle to the low-velocity expansion and terminal performance of the three aforementioned bullets. Between the three of them, I've taken dozens of hogs and over two dozen coyotes. Terminal ballistics in each and every instance have been exceptional.

[Bobby Tomek]

Slowpoke Slim-

Here's a buck taken in 2021 by our son Andy using the 120 grain TAC-TX at 2225 fps MV from his Super 14 .30 Herrett. The range was about 140 yards, and the bullet fully penetrated on the quartering-to shot and put the buck down quickly. Damage to the vitals was extensive.

[BT]

Kind of surprised to hear this. I thought the TAC's would be specifically matched to the 30 Herret/30-30 velocities for deer?

Not so?

I think Mike means his intentions are building a load for varmints, not deer. I could be wrong, but that was my understanding.

[Slowpoke Slim]

Oh, yeah that makes sense. Sorry I misunderstood.

[JStacy]

The 30&357 Herrets were originally developed using H4227 and the recommended loads were hot! 25/4227/110 and 24/4227/125BT.I have found the Hornady V=max 110's to expand well at Herret speeds. My 14" 30H likes WW680, too bad it went away! I have killed animals deer and hg up to 250#'s and the Herrets worked quite well. In current time I only use G2 frames for the Herrets. There has never been , that I know of, a comment about how much more pressure the G2 will take over the original frames. If any one knows I would love to hear it.
Varmint load, I use 110 V Max and have had good performance.

[FyrepowrX]

The 30&357 Herrets were originally developed using H4227 and the recommended loads were hot! 25/4227/110 and 24/4227/125BT.

I stumbled across some old articles/data that suggested some of those early loads were as mush as 2600fps from a 10" barrel...wonder how many frames those stretched?

I've always liked herretts, sold my 10" a while ago, but have a 13" with brake that was a TC custom shop barrel. And, a few years ago, MGM had a special sale on some 18" tapered contour blanks they made up, i think they were a test run when they started making barrels in-house so i had them make me an 18" carbine in .30herrett , along with matching barrels in .30reece & .30carbine.

Kind of always seemed i never had enough cases formed, with load development going on in several barrels, when we had a real cold snap a few weeks ago i dug around and found i had 250pcs of Federal 30/30 brass that i had annealed for use in case forming. I screwed the trim die in the press and fetched the sawz-all, and
decapitated that pile of cases; going to do set up the case trimmer today to get them trimmed to final length.

i loaded up the ones i already and formed with another test run of alternative powders, just to see if the carbine liked something new & different; powders included CFE-BLK, Accurate LT-30, VV-N120, Norma 200 , and some more traditional stuff like 4198 & 4227. I had done a similar load workup last year , using mostly 125/130gr bullets; this go-round i'll be using mostly 110's.

[Slowpoke Slim]

As I was out and about today, I happened to encounter a few pounds of IMR-4227 sitting on a store shelf.

At $50 a pound.

I passed.

I want to try some in my little 256 Win Mag, supposed to be the "go to" powder. But don't want it that bad. My luck I'd find out my little barrel didn't like it.

[JStacy]

I have had a couple of 256WM's and found H110 and 296 to be the most accurate with the 60 grain bullets and H4227 to be the best for the 85 grain bullets. I did not have one of the newer 1:10 twist 256WM so the 1:14 shot the lighter bullets well but no 100's. I did have a 25/20 with 1:10 twist but never found a cast bullet load it liked!