Reloading for 30-30 Winchester bullet question
- Thread starter kawsam62s
- Start date
Notice the description on Sierra's 170gr flat point: https://www.sierrabullets.com/product/30-caliber-170-gr-fn-30-30/
I've used this bullet on whitetails using my 16" 94 with excellent results.
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I've used this bullet on whitetails using my 16" 94 with excellent results.
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mike mccormick
Silver $$ Contributor
Absolutely! My old Savage 99 in 30/30 loved 125 gr Nosler BTs
rockhound78
Silver $$ Contributor
You also could load one in the chamber and one in the mag. tube. Give you two shots
Yes however you must always consider the 30-30's lower velocity and if another 30 cal projectile will give adequate terminal performance to humanely take game therefore it's wise to select projectiles that are designed to work in the range of velocities you can achieve.
An excellent resource on this topic is here:
Precisely however this may not matter if shots can be placed precisely to ensure good hits on bone to initiate expansion but how often is the 30-30 well enough scoped and the trigger puller expert enough to achieve that ?
Have enough respect for your quarry to give it a speedy demise with whatever you chose to do it with.
Yes, just keep in mind cartridge oal. Go too long and they won't feed obviously, and a chambered round won't extract and eject. Real pita the first time you figure that out I guess.
dellet
Gold $$ Contributor
These are the two different Hornady 160 FTX 30-30 bullets. One is for a Marlin, the other for Winchester. Slightly different designs based on feeding. The plastic times allow safe feeding in tube magazines.
In general, hunting bullets designed for the cartridge have a lower expansion threshold. Rule of thumb would be 1600 fps, Vs 1800 for most other 308 diameter bullets. If varmint bullets can be loaded and feed or single shot, they are also good choices.
If you mind your shot distances, most any .308” hunting bullet can work, as long as it can safely feed. Hard pointy bullets in a tube magazine, poking primers is a bad idea. That’s why the FTX has the soft point.
If you use a standard .308” hunting bullet and limit your shots to 150-200 yards or so, impact speed will generally be well above minimum needed for reliable expansion.
It’s all a numbers game, chronograph your loads, and look at the ballistic charts. If the bullet will still have 2000 fps velocity, it’s a good candidate.
The 30-30 designated bullet With the lower expansion threshold will give you more yardage from the same muzzle velocity, with good expansion down another 200 fps.
Lower velocity cartridges just need a bit more thought, both in load and bullet choices, as well as shot placement.
For target shooting, if it feeds and does not go bang in the magazine, it flys .
In general, hunting bullets designed for the cartridge have a lower expansion threshold. Rule of thumb would be 1600 fps, Vs 1800 for most other 308 diameter bullets. If varmint bullets can be loaded and feed or single shot, they are also good choices.
If you mind your shot distances, most any .308” hunting bullet can work, as long as it can safely feed. Hard pointy bullets in a tube magazine, poking primers is a bad idea. That’s why the FTX has the soft point.
If you use a standard .308” hunting bullet and limit your shots to 150-200 yards or so, impact speed will generally be well above minimum needed for reliable expansion.
It’s all a numbers game, chronograph your loads, and look at the ballistic charts. If the bullet will still have 2000 fps velocity, it’s a good candidate.
The 30-30 designated bullet With the lower expansion threshold will give you more yardage from the same muzzle velocity, with good expansion down another 200 fps.
Lower velocity cartridges just need a bit more thought, both in load and bullet choices, as well as shot placement.
For target shooting, if it feeds and does not go bang in the magazine, it flys .
Kurz
Silver $$ Contributor
Yes, this is the reloading forum but to quickly explore the alternative, I suggest trying some of the factory ammunition when you find it on the shelf.
I've stated here before that this is the only rifle cartridge I do not reload for since the firearms I use perform to the parameters I require for short range hunting. This applies mostly to deer in the UP where the woods are thick and the ranges are short. My long shots are 75 yards approximately so a 7mm RM is really a tad too much.
My choices usually run to the 170 gr. Flat Points or the 170 gr. Rem. Core-Lokt. Several brands are reasonably accurate for this situation. Bear in mind that a 2" group at 100 yards is more than adequate at 75 yards. Most ammunition I tested was slightly better grouping around the 1" mark for most. I managed to find quite a bit of excellent factory ammunition over the years so I really don't have to worry for the next many years.
Just a thought for a little additional experimenting when you have a minute...
Enjoy!
I've stated here before that this is the only rifle cartridge I do not reload for since the firearms I use perform to the parameters I require for short range hunting. This applies mostly to deer in the UP where the woods are thick and the ranges are short. My long shots are 75 yards approximately so a 7mm RM is really a tad too much.
My choices usually run to the 170 gr. Flat Points or the 170 gr. Rem. Core-Lokt. Several brands are reasonably accurate for this situation. Bear in mind that a 2" group at 100 yards is more than adequate at 75 yards. Most ammunition I tested was slightly better grouping around the 1" mark for most. I managed to find quite a bit of excellent factory ammunition over the years so I really don't have to worry for the next many years.
Just a thought for a little additional experimenting when you have a minute...
Enjoy!
BoydAllen
Gold $$ Contributor
Bullet performance (expansion) on game requires matching bullet construction with velocity. That is one of the main reasons for the designations that you saw.
Depends on the firearm, a Marlin 336, Thompson Contender or Savage 340 and what you are looking to with it.
brokeasajoke
Silver $$ Contributor
This. I have had real good luck with the flex tip hornady bullets.
You must be careful with overall length in Tube magazine rifles. Too long and it can be a real pain to get out of the action it the cartridge won't clear the magazine. But yes if you are just shooting paper anything you can single load will work just fine. I remember having to shorten cases so the ogive of the bullets would not end behind the case mouth using Hornady 110 grain Spire points and still be short enough to work through the action loading one in the chamber and one in the magazine.
Edd
Gold $$ Contributor
If I was loading for a 30-30 I would consider these.
.308 Cal-143gr Lever Hammer - Hammer Bullets
This bullet is designed specifically for 30-30 lever action rifles with tube feed magazine. It will also work very well in any 30 caliber rifle. Recommended min twist rate is 1-14" or faster Bullet length is 1.053" Bullet weight is 140gr Recommended use: Big game hunting G1-BC= .287
hammerbullets.com
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