.30-30 Hard Cast, Flat Nose...How Potent???

As Paul B. eluded to, I believe the effectiveness of the bullet would be related to the area of it's meplat. Much like with a hard caast bullet in a handgun.

Thanks for the great post Paul B. and please report back on your hog adventures.
 
cje1980 very nicely put!

PaulB
I do have to ask, you dont actually say for sure, but I'm thinking that you use the 14 BHN for hunting? I'm going to hunt with the Lyman 311041 that makes a 180gr checked and lubed. Been shooting air cooled WW at around 1850fps. Just trying to get all the info I can. I even tried soft nose with 80gr pure lead/ 100gr WW, but aint tested any yet.
 
Reloader. Just air cooled ww with this mold should be just fine. No need to mess with the pure lead soft point.

I have used the forester hollow pointer on these to the depth of about 1/3 of the nose and the expansion is pretty violent with air cooled ww. The 311041 is a great round. Ranch dog has a tumble lube version of this bullet with a wider meplat.
 
Southern Shooter, I forgot to make my recommendation for a load that suits your purposes. Either the 170 gr Nosler Partition or the 170 gr Fusion will penetrate very well. I recently saw a test of the 170 gr Fusion stuff. It penetrated 25" of ballistics gel at close range and expanded nicely. Its a bonded bullet so it should stay together very well. It also has a narrow flat point which helps with penetration. It also has retains its energy better down range than traditional FN designs.

From what I've seen a flat nose or spire point are better for penetrating, especially objects at angles. There are many cases of round handgun projectiles deflecting off bear skulls and windshields. A heavy HC 30-30 projectile should do the job though if that's more affordable.

I've read many cases where the 30-30 was used successfully in Grizzly and Brown Bear attacks. One guy who put down an attacking Grizzly with a 30-30 said he actually probably wouldn't have survived if he had his 338 Magnum rifle with him. He said he could fire the 30-30 more quickly and accurately at close range. It will do its job if you do yours. What many people don't realize about Bear attacks is that the animal doesn't give you very good targets. You are basically left with Head, Neck, or Shoulder shots as the only type that will put the animal down instantly. A good shot is much more important than the paper ballistics of the projectile being fired. I know of plenty of cases of 9mm, 38 spl, and 357 Mag rounds putting down a Grizzly or Brown.
 
I've not messed with lead bullets for many a decade, now. Way back when, velocities above 1,500 or so were taken to mean needing a gas check. My question, then, would be that of leading in the barrel when velocities are in the 1,800 to 2,200 ft/sec range.
 
I've shot over 100 thru mine now and cant find any lead what so ever in the barrel. Over 200 apiece thru my 243 and 257 and there is zero at 1750-1800fps.:)

I did take the 257 to about 2500fps. the boolits didnt make the target, but I didnt find anything in the barrel either.
 
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