30-30 HANDGUN deer bullets and loads.

i have an encore set up in 30-30. i use 150 grain core lokts (it likes them best). have taken 3 deer with itt (though none were huge or very far. 75 yds was my longest shot.) the pistol config isnt too bad. it doesnt feel like you are gonna lose an arm or anything but i have found that if you let it roll up a bit it is more manageable. dont fight it too much but dont pull it either.

I load and shoot the 30 Herrett.The velocities are very close, I get good groups with 125 gr Ballistic Tips,125gr Sierra Pro Hunters,and 130gr Hornady Interlocks.About a half inch at 50 yards with a good rest.You can use flat nose bullets without any real loss in performance due to the lower velocities and shorter ranges in handgun hunting.Your 30/30 may like heavier bullets but the only way to know for sure is a little trial and error. I plan on taking a deer with my Contender this year also.Good luck.

I shoot a 30-30 Contender with the 14" barrel. Mine loves the Hornady LeverEvolution 150gr ammo.

I shoot a TC Contender 30-30 with a 14" barrel. I use 125 gr Nosler BT's using IMR 4198.

I have taken several deer with it at ranges from about 10 yards to 175 yards. Several of them have been DRT, the rest were nearby. I get good penetration and plenty of expansion with good blood trails-IF needed.

Accuracy is about 3/4" at 100 yards from the bench.

Good luck-you are going to have a BLAST!

I've had very good luck with the Sierra 125 grain bullet. Excellent accuracy and expansion on deer sized animals.

39 grains H-335

TR

My 12" .30-30 Contender's current deer count is 5. Longest shot was 90 yards and he went down so fast into the tall grass, I thought I'd missed, this from a lung shot. The .30-30 is among the BEST calibers for medium game from a handgun IMHO, or calibers with similar ballistics like the .30 Herrett.

I load 34 grains 3031 behind a 150 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip. This load is accurate and deadly on deer AND hogs. It takes no prisoners.

T.R. said:

I've had very good luck with the Sierra 125 grain bullet. Excellent accuracy and expansion on deer sized animals.

39 grains H-335

TR

Click to expand...

I have had good luck with those too...........

My data is written on Papyrus and Parchment but this worked good in my 14" Contender back in the day.
37.8 gr BL-C(2)
135 gr Sierra Spitzer #7350 (discontinued I think)

5" groups at 300 yds took 3 deer and a pronghorn. Ran out of bullets but I think I will try some 125 Ballistic Tips and 36 grs for starters.
My longest shot was a mule deer that was bedded when I saw him, I got within 175 yds in open country. before he got up.

If you handload, try using Sierra 125gr. HP, Flat nose or 135 gr. Sierra single-shot bullets with IMR 3031 or Accurate 2460. I shoot a .30-30 in a 10" Contender with open sights.

135 gr Sierra Spitzer #7350 (discontinued I think)

Click to expand...

A shame, but yeah, can't get that one anymore. I shot it in 7.62x39, too, and took a deer with it at 2200 fps MV about 80 yards. It was respectably accurate in the SKS. I've loaded it in .30-30, but settled on the 150 Nosler BT which works great and carries a little more meat on hogs.

"With deer season only three days away"

Color me jealous. Here in MA, we have to wait until the Monday after Thanksgiving to gun hunt. And it's only 2 weeks of shotgun or muzzleloader, then muzzleloader only until the end of the year.

R.W.Dale said:

With deer season only three days away I've ended up sighted in and zeroed at 50 using $13 a box Federal power-shok 150g factory ammo. These leave the muzzle at 1700fps and should still expand well on Arkansas does.

I appreciate the input fellas and I was all set to use a 125g handload but ended up at season before I knew it with no ammo loaded and another zeroing range trip required (we've all been there)

Here's my setup ready to hit the woods






posted via that mobile app with the sig lines everyone complaints about

Click to expand...

I think you should do quit well with that setup Dale.................

I have taken five deer out to 90 yards with a 150 grain Nosler BT over 34 grains of IMR3031. that bullet expands readily at 12" .30-30 velocities (2150 fps) and penetrates deep, carries a full 150 grains with its attendant sectional density. It is 3" high at 100 yards and dead on still packing 1000 ft lbs at 200 yards. I fire it from a scoped Contender.

I don't have my loading notes in front of me but my Contender w/super 14 barrel rechambered to 30-30ai was deadly with 125 Ballistic tips. STILL wishing I hadn't sold it.