I think that was a bit high for a "54". Still, look at all the really old dogged out first generation single action Colt's and the rdiculous prices they're asking, and getting for them. I lucked out onto a 1908 Colt SAA for $1,700 with factory letter that is, IMHO, a dog, and I've been offered three grand for it. Bore is terrible, lots of corrosion from black powder, absolutely no finish whatsoever, yet here's a guy willing to drop three big ones to get it.
Maybe I should have sold it to him. I have several third generation SAAs that I've lucked onto at fairly reasonaoble prices, on being a .44 SPL., NIB, unfired with the cylinder unturned. Guy must have needed money as he let it go for $600.
It's still NIB etc. I sure do get tempted at times to shoot it though.
One thing I have noticed though. I don't know what Colt did to screw up the SAA, but the third generation SAA's do not have the same feel and pointability of the first and second generation guns.
I wouldn't mind finding another second generation gun in .45 if the price was right. They've been going for two grand at the local shows.
Guess to keep this thing on topic, another good load in the 30-30 is the Lyman #311291 over 30.0 gr. of IMR-3031. I used that one for more years than I care to think about and contrary to popular belief, I never had a problem with the round nose on the primers. The funny thing though, Lyman's #31141 AKA 311041 never shot worth a darn in any 30-30 I have and not even in any of my .308s and 30-06s. I have two of those molds in double cavity and an NEI copy. Not a single one shoot with any accuracy in the 8 or 9 30-30s I have laying around the house.
Paul B.