30-30 wildcats.

[Austin]

I know the mortality rate is very high because of the thin wall of the 30-30.I am wanting to have a smith build a T/C pistol for short range deer.its going to just be something different.

I am wondering what is the easiest wildcat to form and gives a bit of an edge over the old 30-30.

 

[280man]

7-30 waters

 

[Cheechako]

Austin

If you are wanting a 30 caliber, go with the 30-30 Ackley. Reamers, and dies are readily available. For less power, but perfectly adequate for deer, the 30 Herrett.

Ray

 

[eww1350]

An alternative in my opinion would be the 30BR...I can shoot a 110 grain Berger bullet 3100 fps out of a 22" barrel...I think it would make a great deer cartridge in a SS pistol...Great brass, dies, bullets etc..You can't go wrong with the30BR..
IMO..

 

[Tommie]

Most of the 30-30 wildcats are found in two approximate lengths. Either they're cut down to about 1.75" case length or they stay full-length. The short versions approximate PPC powder capacity and are usually used in accuracy applications,.219 Wasp) or short barrel applications,30 Herrett). The full-length cases when in AI configuration usually hold around 36 grains plus/minus and perform to their full potential in carbine or rifle length barrels.

For short-range deer hunting I'd say it would be tough to beat a 30 Herrett using 125-130 grain bullets.

Tom

 

[crabbies3]

if one were to have a rebarrel done on a t/c to 30-30 ack imp would there be any advantage to using a twist 0f 1-16 or 1-17 over the standard 1-10 or 1-12 considering only bullets 0f 125 gr or less would be used. ive used 125 noslers with good results wonder what some of the 30 cal bullets used in the 30br would do. tks for your time ken

 

[Tommie]

Ken,

I own a 30-30AI but have no experience with that chambering in a pistol. That being said, I'd imagine you'd experience some serious muzzle flash and blast in a pistol length barrel. I truly think a 30 Herrett would work better for that application. The .357 Herrett is another great deer killer in a pistol.

Same story with slow twist 30 caliber barrels - I have no experience. Theoretically, a slower twist barrel would impart a slower bullet rotation and therefore the bullet would penetrate the deer better,versus exploding). On the other hand, a faster twist might provide a little more resistance and allow a more complete powder burn to provide higher velocity and/or better accuracy. Again, this is all theory.

Tom

 

[olympian]

7-30 Waters will do anything you want in a pistol for short or longer range deer. It is very similar to a 7mm-08 in ballistics in a pistol length barrel.

 

[Preacher]

The 30-30 Ackley is a excellent choice for a pistol length barrel, and I've done a ton of them for the TC Contender, and no brass problems that I know of..
A friend and I did a batch of them from 375 Winchester cases, but never noted it made a big difference..
Both the 30 and 357 Herrett are a pain to get perfect chamber fit with the cases unless your 100%
into serious set ups, and I've done more than a few of those in the TC's back when.....
I still believe the 30-30 Ackley is the best of the bunch...

 

[2506]

I would take a long look at a 6.5,.264) bullet on the 30-30 case. Those bullet are made to do their thing at about the velocity you can get out of a pistol barrel so you are going to get good expansion and quick killing potential. Those long bullets also shoot flatter than a 30 cal. at greater distance.