M1 30cal Carbine Hunting Load ?
- Thread starter jcramin
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Better check local regulations first & make sure it's a legal round for deer, it isn't in many places.
I know from personal experance that there isn't much bullet expansion and lots of penetration on all the factory stuff I've used on feral dogs.
If I was using it for something more than plinking, I'd look into handloading with a 90 gr XTP, this might work OK.
Good luck!
I know from personal experance that there isn't much bullet expansion and lots of penetration on all the factory stuff I've used on feral dogs.
If I was using it for something more than plinking, I'd look into handloading with a 90 gr XTP, this might work OK.
Good luck!
Archie
Member
.30 Carbine isn't an impressive hunting round...
With 110 grain bullets at just under 2,000 feet per second it generates energy similar to a .357 Magnum handgun. Not bad for a one handed revolver but not so much for a rifle.
Still, within the range limits such energy levels allow - and subject to local laws, as mentioned by GCW5 - 110 grain soft point ammo should work within fifty yards or so with careful shots. I know such ammunition is still made by some of the ammo makers, but it's hard to find at the local gunshop or Walmart. It's probably available from one or more of the mail order (e-commerce) houses in the United States.
Or, one can reload the ammunition if one reloads. I find it easier to find bullets for loading than loaded ammunition.
With 110 grain bullets at just under 2,000 feet per second it generates energy similar to a .357 Magnum handgun. Not bad for a one handed revolver but not so much for a rifle.
Still, within the range limits such energy levels allow - and subject to local laws, as mentioned by GCW5 - 110 grain soft point ammo should work within fifty yards or so with careful shots. I know such ammunition is still made by some of the ammo makers, but it's hard to find at the local gunshop or Walmart. It's probably available from one or more of the mail order (e-commerce) houses in the United States.
Or, one can reload the ammunition if one reloads. I find it easier to find bullets for loading than loaded ammunition.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Also check game laws and see if the 15 or 30 round magazine is legal in your State.
Many States restrict deer rifles to 5 round capacity magazines.
rcmodel
Many States restrict deer rifles to 5 round capacity magazines.
rcmodel
jpwilly
Member
Federal Makes a Power-Shok for the 30 Carbine that should work but again be sure it's legal. At 100 yards there isn't much energy left!
greyling22
Member
I'd hang on to that m1 and give the kid an sks to beat up personally. better deer cartrige and it gives you an excuse to buy a new gun. I have both and the carbine is certainly lighter and more fun though.
my grandfather used to hunt with 1 hollow point chanbered and a mag of round nose in the gun. if he jumped a deer he used the hollow point. rabbit/squirrel, rack the slide and use the jacketed rounds. he shot a lot of all of the above.
my grandfather used to hunt with 1 hollow point chanbered and a mag of round nose in the gun. if he jumped a deer he used the hollow point. rabbit/squirrel, rack the slide and use the jacketed rounds. he shot a lot of all of the above.
greyling22
Member
(the above tale refers to an m1 carbine, not an sks.)
Hypnogator
Member
I would use Barnes.
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/47754-56850-2276.htm
And the .30 Carbine is a great little deer gun, if used carefully and at moderate ranges.
http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/47754-56850-2276.htm
And the .30 Carbine is a great little deer gun, if used carefully and at moderate ranges.
The .30 Carbine is not a proper cartridge for deer size game. To use it, or advocate it's use will lead to many wounded animals that will die hours or days later. Saw it used some in Canada on white tail... NEVER with much success but a lot of wounded animals. Again, please do not use it.
351 WINCHESTER
Member
Yes the .30 carbine will kill deer, but it has probably wounded more than it has killed. Be kind to the deer and use enough gun - you'll be glad you did.
I used a .30 carbine to take my first deer as a youngster in 1969. The gun will do alright for your son just make sure you get good softpoint ammo and keep the ranges under 100 yards.
Here is a pic of the one I took way back then.....
Here is a pic of the one I took way back then.....
jimmyraythomason
Member
Anyone who can't make a clean shot on deer sized game with an M1 carbine won't be able to do it with anything else. SHOT PLACEMENT! Your .30 cal is an excellent choice for Tennessee sized deer(but not Canadian sized) for a beginner. Use 110gr. soft points (no hollow points) and put it in the vitals and enjoy your venison.
Thanks for all the info and the help. I know this gun is plenty for what my son will be doing. I used it since I was his age and its a great gun for a kid to start hunting with. My son will use this gun for the next 5 or 6 years untill he gets bigger and better at shooting then Ill move him up to a bigger gun and let my daughter use the 30 cal then. IF she decides she wants to shoot.
Thanks,
J
Thanks,
J
I had a coworker years back who used his M1 for deer hunting. He was successful every year because like others have suggested, it's the shot placement that counts. I don't remember if they were white tail or mule deer, but regardless he had plenty of venison!
35Rem
Member
Check out Reeds ammo. It's supposed to be pretty good stuff, and the prices are pretty good, too.
http://shop.reedsammo.com/category.sc?categoryId=31
Ask Ron (Reed) about ballistics. Heck, even tell him what you are doing and ask which load he would recommend. I would think the Nornady bullet would do great. The XTP if you don't want through-and-through penetration. It might go through, but I doubt it. Nothing wrong with the 110 grain Soft Points, though. They've been used for years.
http://shop.reedsammo.com/category.sc?categoryId=31
Ask Ron (Reed) about ballistics. Heck, even tell him what you are doing and ask which load he would recommend. I would think the Nornady bullet would do great. The XTP if you don't want through-and-through penetration. It might go through, but I doubt it. Nothing wrong with the 110 grain Soft Points, though. They've been used for years.
The last 3 whitetails I took with my M1 using Winchester hollowpoint ammo. All 3 kills were within 75 yards and all went down instantly when hit behind the shoulder. Initially I caught a lot of flak from my buddies when I showed up that 1st season with that little carbine, they have'nt said anything negative about the gun since. Deer are so plentiful here in my area of Virginia that if you cannot get within 50-75 yards of one you really need to work on your stalking ability (never liked tree stands, scared of heights!). I'll continue to hunt with my M1 in the future.
Dave Markowitz
Member
According to gelatin tests posted on Tactical Forums by Dr. Gary Roberts, the best performing load should be the Remington 110 grain JSP, followed by the Winchester 110 grain JHSP. In his tests, the Federal JSP performed like ball, IOW, not good.
These tests were before the Cor Bon DPX load was available; I don't know how it would compare.
If I was going to use an M1 Carbine on southern deer, I'd use Remington JSPs and keep the range to 100 yards or whatever range I could consistently put all my shots in the boiler room, whichever is less.
These tests were before the Cor Bon DPX load was available; I don't know how it would compare.
If I was going to use an M1 Carbine on southern deer, I'd use Remington JSPs and keep the range to 100 yards or whatever range I could consistently put all my shots in the boiler room, whichever is less.
my nephew shot a 120 lbs. doe saturday morning with my 30 carbine. it was about 40 yards away. one shot was all it took. he used the 90 gr. xtp load from reeds ammo. the bullet broke one of the front sholders and stoped in the lungs.
Oohrah
Member
NEVER use the FMJ for any kind of game hunting. Small to
medium if hide or meat destruction is not an issue. I use the
Hornady half jacket (Speer makes one called a Plinker) and enough
2400 powder to drive it around 2000 fps. It will put a running jack
rabbit in two pieces. A sitting one ends up pretty much a ring of fur.
Feral dogs, shepard sized are instant kills. For deer, I would use any
of name brand 110 grain soft nose with slightly less velocity than the
100 grains. Be selective on shots and keep distances under 100 yards.
Even though some say the 7.62x39 is superior, I can't tell that much
difference.
medium if hide or meat destruction is not an issue. I use the
Hornady half jacket (Speer makes one called a Plinker) and enough
2400 powder to drive it around 2000 fps. It will put a running jack
rabbit in two pieces. A sitting one ends up pretty much a ring of fur.
Feral dogs, shepard sized are instant kills. For deer, I would use any
of name brand 110 grain soft nose with slightly less velocity than the
100 grains. Be selective on shots and keep distances under 100 yards.
Even though some say the 7.62x39 is superior, I can't tell that much
difference.
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