190 gr. Hawk .30 Caliber bullets for hunting

M

MEuler

Inactive
Does anyone have any experience hunting with this round. I plan on shooting it out of a Model 30A glenfield .30-30.
 
The .30-30 isn't the best round for elk, but if staying inside of 100 to 150 yards is a hunter's capability, it will work. The traditional 170-grain is likely as good as any.

In general, cartridges in the .308 class of power work best, and on out to around 300 yards or so.

(I don't profess to be an experienced elk hunter.)
 
I don't know about that particular round, but make sure it is a bonded soft point round made for a thicker hide (and not an unbonded deer round). Elk are tough.
 
A 190 is way too heavy for a .30-30. You won't find good 190 grain load data for the .30-30 either. 190's are best in .308 to 300 Mag. No need for a magnum anything though. Like Art says, it's about distance but it's also about the rifling twist to stabilize the bullet.
"...Elk are tough..." No moreso than any other deer family member. People are killing 'em with a .243. The tough part is all the 'up' where they live.
 
A 190 is way too heavy for a .30-30. You won't find good 190 grain load data for the .30-30 either.
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Hawk designed that bullet for 30-30 use and there is data out there. My Modern Reloading book shows 2000-2050 fps with 190's. Not a lot of powder choices. If you want to PM me I'll relay some load options from my book.

Those bullets were designed for extreme penetration and I've read of a few guys loading them with large bear protection in mind. On an elk I don't know how much better they would be than a good quality 170 gr bullet.

I'm sure they would work, but if I wanted extreme penetration from a 30-30 I'd be looking hard at the copper bullets. Barnes offers a 150 gr TSX bullet as well as loaded ammo that I'd bet money will at least match if not beat the 190 gr Hawk bullet's penetration. That would be a lot simpler way to accomplish the same goal.
 
jmr40,
If the hunt comes to fruition it will most likely be a cow elk hunt. My wife's comfort zone is 100-150 yards max. Would the suggestion you made work at that distance? Also, what about the Hornady 160 gr. Lever evolution round? Would it be satisfactory?
 
If you pay attention to the manufacturer's advice for suitability of the ammo for elk, you'll be fine. Don't try and use a deer round on an elk. You want that round to fully penetrate the elk, and fragile deer rounds may or may not do that. JMHO that I learned the hard way.
 
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