Load Specifications
Load data in caliber .30 Carbine with .309 | 115gr | X-TREME RN bullet and 4 powders. The key underlying parameters are shown in the table above. The recommended powders for this cartridge and bullet combination are Hodgdon TrailBoss and ReloadSwiss RS 14.
Important Notice: DO NOT go below Minimum Charge or above Maximum Charge. Since we have no control over the equipment and components used, any responsibility and liability for the results achieved is rejected.
Only powders/loads that match the current filter criteria are displayed: max pressure of a load ≤ 90% of max. standardized pressure, fill rate ≥ 80% and propellant combustion ≥ 95%. Use the sliders above the tables to adjust these thresholds.
Charge: Powder weight in grains. Start with the minimum load and work up carefully.
FR (Fill Rate): Case fill as a percentage. Values above 100% mean compressed loads.
MaxP / %: Maximum chamber pressure in bar and as a percentage of the standardized maximum for this caliber.
V(0): Muzzle velocity in feet per second (fps) at the standardized barrel length.
z (Powder Burn): Estimated propellant combustion percentage at bullet exit.
A valid access license is required to use the Personalized Load Calculator.
You can find more information in our FAQ: How can I use the Personalized Load Calculator?
Max Load - Barrel Length: 20"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hodgdon LilGunᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 30,893 psi | 67% | 1988 fps | 97.4% |
| Hodgdon TrailBossᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 16,215 psi | 35% | 1148 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S040ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 38,609 psi | 83% | 1939 fps | 97.5% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14ᴾ | <<locked>> | 100% | 13,285 psi | 29% | 1145 fps | 100% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
Start Load - Barrel Length: 20"
| Powder | Charge | FR | MaxP | % | V(0) | z |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hodgdon LilGun | <<locked>> | 96% | 26,208 psi | 56% | 1900 fps | 95.8% |
| Hodgdon TrailBoss | 3.7 gr | 80% | 10,008 psi | 22% | 1001 fps | 100% |
| Lovex S040 | <<locked>> | 92% | 29,544 psi | 64% | 1801 fps | 95% |
| ReloadSwiss RS 14 | 3.8 gr | 80% | 8,427 psi | 18% | 1007 fps | 100% |
Recommended = one of the top powders for this cartridge and bullet combination.
ᴾ possible press load - work up slowly to this load while watching for signs of excessive pressure.
This overview compares 4 powders for .30 Carbine loaded with the .309 | 115gr | X-TREME RN. Hodgdon LilGun delivers the highest muzzle velocity at 1,988 fps; across all powders the maximum-charge window runs from 1,145 fps to 1,988 fps. Hodgdon LilGun gives the best case fill at 100 %, and 4 of the 4 powders fall inside the usable 80–100 % fill window.
Relative to the caliber's maximum pressure (320 MPa), the top charges use 29–83 %, leaving at least 17 % headroom. Hodgdon LilGun, Hodgdon TrailBoss, Lovex S040 reach 100 % fill or more at maximum charge, so these are compressed loads: they need a long drop tube to seat cleanly and react sensitively to the case capacity of your own brass lot. Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14 rank at the top here: for .30 Carbine with the .309 | 115gr | X-TREME RN they combine a high case fill with complete burn and sit in the upper velocity band. Hodgdon TrailBoss, ReloadSwiss RS 14 stay subsonic at start load. Always begin at the start load and work up in small increments while checking case and primer for pressure signs.