A guy on accurate shooter was looking for the strongest and best quality brass for a wildcat he developed. I told him I would run some proof loads through the new Starline 30-30 brass. I was going to do this anyway, since Starline sent me a sample of their brass for testing. The new brass looks nice, has a .005" thicker web, and is more uniform on neck thickness. All I can say is I was extremely surprised by the strength of this brass in the case head area. Here is a copy of the test I posted on accurateshooter. The loads, velocities, and pressures are simply outrageous.
I just got through testing the new Starline 30-30 brass. I tried to push the pressures to the first sight of case weakness, but for the first time, I just had to back away. I could not loosen a primer, even though the loads were crazy high pressure "proof" loads. I ran out of room in the case with H4198, and with LT30. I am not going to put H4227 in it. I do not want to swell the chamber on my "zero" size group capable Lederer barrel. The new Starline brass has been manufactured with a thicker case web for greater strength, I did see about 1 grain less capacity, but for me, it is worth it.
It was 46 degrees outside this morning at 8600 ft. elevation, so it took more powder than usual to get these velocities, but you won't be disappointed by the velocities. All velocities were checked with my Labradar.
Rifle: My HV benchrest with a 23" Lederer barrrel
Bullet: My 118gr 9 ogive .925" Hines jacket, all loads touching lands (this bullet allows the most room in the case)
Case: Just released Starline 30-30 brass, neck turned to .0085"
Powders: Hodgdon H4198, Accurate LT30, Accurate LT32
Test load:
34.5 - H4198 - 2977 fps (slower than 30BR because of air space)
Proof Loads:
40.0 - LT32 - 3144 fps
41.0 - LT32 - 3252 fps (running out of room way to quick, moving to faster powders)
LT30 - 41.0 - 3319 fps
LT30 - 41.5 - 3352 fps
LT30 - 42.0 - 3387 fps (out of room, primer seats the same as new)
H4198 - 38.5 - 3240 fps
H4198 - 39.5 - 3295 fps
H4198 - 40.0 - 3316 fps
H4198 - 40.5 - 3358 fps (out of room, primer seats the same as new)
I used two cases to complete all testing. Cases were trimmed to 2.015", and grew to 2.018" after five very hot loads in each.
The energy level reached was 3005 fpe. A 270 Winchester pushing a 130 gr bullet at 3150 fps is 2864 fpe. If you ever reach 3000 fpe in a 270 Winchester, chances are you loosened the primer.
These velocities are real, and even though the brass was up to the task, these loads are considered extremely dangerous in almost any other firearm without a long trigger string.
Michael
I just got through testing the new Starline 30-30 brass. I tried to push the pressures to the first sight of case weakness, but for the first time, I just had to back away. I could not loosen a primer, even though the loads were crazy high pressure "proof" loads. I ran out of room in the case with H4198, and with LT30. I am not going to put H4227 in it. I do not want to swell the chamber on my "zero" size group capable Lederer barrel. The new Starline brass has been manufactured with a thicker case web for greater strength, I did see about 1 grain less capacity, but for me, it is worth it.
It was 46 degrees outside this morning at 8600 ft. elevation, so it took more powder than usual to get these velocities, but you won't be disappointed by the velocities. All velocities were checked with my Labradar.
Rifle: My HV benchrest with a 23" Lederer barrrel
Bullet: My 118gr 9 ogive .925" Hines jacket, all loads touching lands (this bullet allows the most room in the case)
Case: Just released Starline 30-30 brass, neck turned to .0085"
Powders: Hodgdon H4198, Accurate LT30, Accurate LT32
Test load:
34.5 - H4198 - 2977 fps (slower than 30BR because of air space)
Proof Loads:
40.0 - LT32 - 3144 fps
41.0 - LT32 - 3252 fps (running out of room way to quick, moving to faster powders)
LT30 - 41.0 - 3319 fps
LT30 - 41.5 - 3352 fps
LT30 - 42.0 - 3387 fps (out of room, primer seats the same as new)
H4198 - 38.5 - 3240 fps
H4198 - 39.5 - 3295 fps
H4198 - 40.0 - 3316 fps
H4198 - 40.5 - 3358 fps (out of room, primer seats the same as new)
I used two cases to complete all testing. Cases were trimmed to 2.015", and grew to 2.018" after five very hot loads in each.
The energy level reached was 3005 fpe. A 270 Winchester pushing a 130 gr bullet at 3150 fps is 2864 fpe. If you ever reach 3000 fpe in a 270 Winchester, chances are you loosened the primer.
These velocities are real, and even though the brass was up to the task, these loads are considered extremely dangerous in almost any other firearm without a long trigger string.
Michael
