Hornady FTX 160 g

[Maverick_52]

So, far I've been reloading handguns. I recently decided to reload for my 30-30 Marlin lever action. I'd been told to use the 150 or 170 g FN projectile. I visited a major sporting goods store known for it's expertise on re-loading and they suggested the new Hornady FTX projectile 160 g. So, what do you guys think and has anyone used that projectile?

Randy

 

[Asherdan]

They fly pretty from what I've heard and read but I'm not sure how tough the bullet is, certainly decent up through deer if that matters to you.

I've attached a Hornady spec sheet for the FTX. Of particular note is the information in bold regarding case length and trimming. I'd be tempted to try H4895 and have some fun with it.

Good Luck!

 

[Freedom_fighter_in_IL]

I can answer as far as the performance of the leverEvolution in .444 marlin. That bullet holds up pretty dern good on hogs as I have yet to recover one or any pieces of one inside the hogs. The FTX is the same bullet so with that assumption I would imagine that the 160gr FTX loaded up to a good 2100 to 2200fps would be pretty dern skippy to say the least.

 

[336A]

I would buy a box of the factory stuff to try through your rifle first. Some rifles don't shoot this ammo as well as traditional ammo. This way you won't be wasting your money and have a box of bullets on your bench that don't shoot worth a hill of beans through your rifle.

As far as performance goes they are devastaing on deer. I used this ammo through my 336 30-30 on a doe at about 70yd back in 2006. The birch tree and surrounding vegetation she was standing in front of was covered in blood. It looked as though someone tossed a bucket of blood into a fan. Folks have posted pics of elk, and moose taken with this round over in the scrap book section at Hornady's website.

 

[Freedom_fighter_in_IL]

336A, I am sure if he bought a box of bullets and his weapon didn't like it he wouldn't have too much difficulty unloading them (Raises hand)

 

[336A]

True enough

 

[NCsmitty]

I have not used them on game, but I have played around with loading the FTX and shooting from a M94 20".
I used 31gr of H4895, (a bit over recommended) and chronoed at 2080fps avg, but did not shoot groups.
There's no doubt that they are ballistically superior to the FP bullets, and they should extend the range of the 30-30 at least another 25yds.
The new Hodgdon "lever" powder being introduced should be a definite upgrade for many lever guns, as well as some bolt rounds in that case capacity range.



NCsmitty

 

[Maverick_52]

Thanks guys. think I'll go pick some of those up and try them.

Randy

 

[bobnob]

I have been using these in a 308 Win bolt gun as an experiment and they are extremely accurate though at that velocity (a relatively mild 2700-2800fps) they don't hold together all that well on close range shots. Longer shots of 80-100 metres + and they seem to perform like most other good bullets but some close shots on pigs I have had revealed they expand VERY rapidly at that velocity.
Not really relevant to the 30-30 but I thought you might be interested.

 

[NCsmitty]

Welcome to THR, bobnob.

Maybe you know already, Hornady has an FTX version designed for the 308 Marlin Express that has a tougher jacket and the cannelure is lower on the bullet. Might be ideal for your application, if they are available in Australia yet.
Good shooting.



NCsmitty

 

[janobles14]

i use 30.5 of Varget under the 160 ftx in my .30-30. i went up to 31.5 and got no pressure issues but my groups went awry. i have also used H335 but wasnt satisfied with the velocity spread so i went back to Varget.

 

[Maverick_52]

Nice to know. Think I'll pick some up.

 

[BrocLuno]

All good. Looking forward to more range reports on this subject