30-30 bullets in 30-06 and 300 win mag

[glockky]

I have seen threads on here abou this before but cant find them. Seems that some people have had really good results on game when using bullets deisgned to expand at 30-30 velocity in there 30-06 and 300 win mags. I was just wanting to hear from some who had tried this and see what kind of results you have had. thanks

 

[GooseGestapo]

You can get good results, and you can get bad results. Each bullet and cartridge load is a rule into it's self.

The Sierra, Hornady, and Speer 170gr FN are good "dual purpose" bullets. They are "tough enough" that they won't blow up at close range/high velocities. They will expand considerably which will limit the penetration. I suggest you use a starting load of H4895 or IMR3031, RL15, or IMR4064 in the '06. Limit the velocities of these bullet in the .300winmag to that of .30/06 loads.

The 150's and lighter are a little bit different story. The Remington Corlokts, I suggest you stick with the proper bullets. These are superb in the .30/30 for which they are designed. Especially with the 150's, they will be a bit soft for the .30/06 and far too soft for the .300mag. Such that they may even run pressures up too much. I've seen the 150's expand excessively even from the .30/30 when run to about 2,400fps as can be done with warm hand-loads (BTDT, but the deer died "quickly", to say the least!).

The Speer 130, 150, and 170gr "Hot-Core" flat-nose will be the best candidate for this purpose. I've used them, as well as the 150 and 170gr Sierra's for the stated purpose and had good results.

But, you won't save any money as these days, these bullets cost the same or more than the appropriate bullets. I recommend that you use the Sierra 150gr ProHunter Pt.Spt in the '06 and .300. They are cheaper than the 170gr .30/30 bullets and will work splendidly with even starting loads of the faster burning powders as they are intended to do such in cartidges such as the .300Savage, ect......

 

[glockky]

Thanks Goose I have just heard that they are a real deer stopper and you get some great expansion. Just wondered what kinds results other have had with them. thanks for the info

 

[bigedp51]

I loaded Hornady 170 grain flat tip 30-30 bullets in both mine and my Uncles sporterized Springfield 03-A3 30-06. These rifles had long fat military chambers and commercial cases would be tortured when fired at the higher chamber pressures the 30-06 would normally be loaded to.

The Hornady bullet are "Interlocked" and when "down loaded" to approximately 2,500 to 2,600 fps were real deer medicine. These Hornady interlocks "never" came apart when fired into the dirt berm at the range or when they hit a deer. This load was used for Eastern white tail deer in the woods and acted like a bullet on steroids when it hit a deer.

 

[bobnob]

I loaded Hornady FTX bullets meant for the 30-30 in my 308. The speed was chronoed at average 2675fps.

I used them on a number of wild pigs. At close range ie under about 40 yards the expansion was spectacular, penetration not so good. There were a couple of times that massive chunks of meat were blown off but the pig was not downed, and another shot was needed.

Further out ie 100y plus they seemed quite ok.

I got them cheap but for heavily built animals like bigger pigs or large mature deer, I would count this one as an experiment that didn't really work out.

 

[tightgroup tiger]

I tried this with my 8mm, loaded the 8x57 mauser at 30-06 speed with hornady spire points that were made to run at 2100 fps. I could reach my hand through the exit wound of the white tail that I shot with it at 50 yds.

Presure signs of the shell looked good to.

He only took 2 stumbles before he fell, but what a mess. I didn't get alot of meat off of it either.

I decided to stick with normal loads after that.

 

[gamestalker]

I am sold on Speer Hot Core for penetration and expansion. I utilize them and Sierra Pro Hunter's as my first choice hunting round in just about every high powered high velocity application, but I'm not too familar with a lower velocity application, as it seems your implying?