Best bullet in 30-30 - to reload?

N

Northslope Nimrod

New member
I just got a 30-30 die set. I need recommendations on a 30-30 bullet to use for reloading. I will primarily use it to hunt mule deer at under 200 yards, but I occassionally carry my 30-30 for elk.....also under 200 yards. Thus, I want a premium bullet with just the right amount of expansion at those ranges. I'm leaning toward 165 to 170 grain.
My rifle is a Marlin 336, but occassionally I pull out my old Winchester 94.
 
The Hornady 170gr flat-nosed offering shoots extremely accurately in my Win94. I've had my best results with that using Reloder15 as a propellant. These are just accuracy tests... no big game shot with this rifle as yet.
 
My .30-30 is a bolt action Savage Model 340. I can and do load spitzer type bullets because it has a 3 rd Box Magazine. I just started working up a load using 110 gr Hollowpoints for it. We shall see.
 
leverloution(sp)

I think Hornady makes a soft tip polymer tip bullet for use in tubular magazines like .30-30, 35 remington, .45-70 amd .444 marlin caliber Winchester 94s. it is called "leverloution" or something. These are suppose to retain more downrange energy than the flat nosed bullets.
I have used nosler ballistic tips in my contender and gotten excellent accuracy. You could load the first round and then put flat nosed in the magazine.
 
I have had good results through the years with Speer's hot core 170 grain FP bullet in my Marlin lever guns, and my Savage 170 pump.
I don't know about Elk, but I can vouch for the Speer's effectivness on Whitetails and big hogs.
I load that bullet over 35 grains of IMR 4320. Accuracy is exellent.
 
Premium bullets were initially developed for high velocity magnums. Standard bullets often blew apart on game when driven to magnum velocities at fairly close range. 50 years ago, Weatherby was one of the worst big game cartridges for deep penetration.

Standard velocity cartridges performed well on big game for many decades before Premium bullets were invented. 30-30 does not truly benefit from high dollar bullets. The Hornady Interlock is quite well made. Speer and Sierra also build quality bullets for handloaders.

I feel that .243 and 6mm have benefited a great deal from the advent of Premium bullets. Theses two varmint/deer cartridges now compare favorably to 25-06 and 270 for trajectory and diameter of wound channels.

Jack
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top