Best bullet for 30-30 reloading?

[Northslope Nimrod]

I need a premium bullet in the 165 to 170 grain area. I hunt mule deer and sometimes elk with my 30-30 at ranges generally under 200 yards. I want to keep costs low....so what is the best bang for my buck in premium bullets.

Also, excuse my ignorance. I've reloaded only for 30-06. Do I have to buy "shorter" bullets for the 30-30? I suppose my reloading manual may tell me but it is at home and I wanted to stop off at the store and pick some up.

What powder do you recommend?

 

[JollyWhiteGiant]

Most of the .30-30 bullets are the old style RNSP. Nosler makes a Partition specifically for the .30-30, only "premium" bullet I know of for this round. Remember if using it in a lever gun don't load pointed bulelts. If you look at your manuals they will list the bullets recomended for safe use in them.

 

[GCW5]

I like 170 gr Nosler Partition bullets with 30.5 gr of H4895 and WLP primers for about 2100 FPS in my 20" barrel.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[The Bushmaster]

Speer 170 gr. FNSP...32 gr W-748...WLR primer...Winchester or Remington cases. Chronograph at 2100+/- fps from my 1949 Mod 94 Winchester .30 WCF (.30-30)

For what you want to do the Speer bullet is reasonable priced and will fill the bill and is accurate using the above load data...

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Since you apparently have a .30-06, why not use that for elk? It's a much better choice. I'd go with a Nosler PJ in 165 to 180 grains for elk.

If you're using the .30-30, its modest velocity, coupled with a heavy (170 grain) bullet makes it effective with simple cup-and-core designs -- although both Nosler and Barnes make good bullets for the .30-30 if you must have a premium bullet.

 

[shenck]

30-30 for Elk?

If you must use a 30-30 for Elk, look into the Hornady Leverevolution ammo.

 

[db_tanker]

I think a 30 WCF for elk would be a fun proposition.


When it comes to hunting with it I would suggest a Sierra 170 gr FN. Sierra makes a damn good bullet...but I don't think you will break the bank unless you really buy a bunch of Barnes bullets loading for a 30-30.

Powders...I would stick with either W-748 or mebbe H-335.


Good hunting!
D

Forgot to add...if you only load one in the chamber and one in the mag then you can technically use spitzer-type bullets...but before you go out into the field, REMEMBER to cycle them and make sure they chamber and feed properly!

 

[langenc]

Request Hornady make their 'revolution' BULLETS available for handloaders and then GOOD 30-30 ammo will arrive-reasonably priced. I asked and kinda got a run around answer-more requests may help.

 

[Picknlittle]

30-30 for Elk?

I see no problem here. We hunt elk with BP rifles. I'd go the 170 gr route and expect to take <100 yd shots.

Shot selection is prolly more important than caliber in this instance.

 

[LeonCarr]

170 grain Nosler Partition

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

 

[scrat]

thats all i shoot primarily is 30-30 here is a list of what i shot.

speer 150gr awesome used win 748 32grain
speer 170 gr very good used win 748 28 gr
sierra 150 gr ok prefer the speer win 748 32 gr
sierra 170 gr still ok prefer the speer win 748 28gr
hornaday 150 gr good performaer win 748 32 gr
hornaday 170 gr good performer win 748 28 gr
speer 180 gr still testing results sho ok used win 748 25 gr then 24 gr
national bullet 165 grain AWESOME using trail boss 8 grains

Note national bullet using trail boss is a low performer not that effective at 200 yards. so there you have it. After about 2000 rounds speer is the way to go. go buy a box of speer and sierra you will see.

part number 2011 for speer 150
2041 for speer 170
2047 for speer 180

I have done any hunting just targets. However i am using winchester 94 30-30. Oh as for the bullet the length doesnt matter. Most .30 caliber bullets measure anywhere from .307, .308.309. 310. .309 and .310 are usually cast. You can use spiral tip. however you can only load 2. 1 in the chamber and in the tube magazine. you can not load more than one in the tube magazine as just loading the bullet can set off the one in front of it. now if you want to mix it up you can load 3.
1 spiral tip in the chamber
2 next available round. flat or round nose (regular type)
3 last round to use spiral pointed round


so there you have it. 30 carbine, 308, 30-30, 30-06. bullets pretty much interchangeable. just have to use propper common sence. another thing to remember. if you are using a bullet not listed for 30-30. you need to match the load data to a round that is close to a 30-30. not the other way around.

example you use a fmjsp (full metal jacket spiral point) 170 grain something you would use for your 30-06. The powder weight needs to be the same as a 170 grn bullet used in a 30-30 as the powder will probably be around 30grns max (win 748). in a 30-06 the load data would be a lot higher. Can not use the load data for a 30-06 in a 30-30 case.

 

[scrat]

Speer 170 gr. FNSP...32 gr W-748...WLR primer...Winchester or Remington cases. Chronograph at 2100+/- fps from my 1949 Mod 94 Winchester .30 WCF (.30-30)

totally agree

 

[alucard0822]

I like the 170gr rem core lokt fp bullets over H4895, cheap simple and effective. for target shooting I often use v-max bullets loaded 1 at a time, or 1 in the chamber 1 in the tube, spitzers tend to shoot a little more consistently, might consider a power point or so.

 

[cheygriz]

My son has used 170 Hornady on elk with good results.

 

[Pumpkinheaver]

The 170 gr hornady is my favorite 30-30 bullet.

 

[CZ57]

At .30-30 velocity and 170 gr. bullets, Win. and Rem. bullets work great and you can buy them in bulk. The 170 gr. TrueCast bullet with gascheck is worth a look as well.