Reloading 30/30 and need to find 150 gr HP slugs

[Deaf Smith]

Would like to reload ammo for my Marlin Texan 30/30 and where can I find Winchester 150 gr Hollow Point slugs to reload?

They sell the ammo, but I don't see the slugs anywhere for sale?

Thanks,

Deaf

 

[LoonWulf]

Those dont seem to be one of thebullets Winchester offers to reloaders. Too bad i always thought they might be just the ticket for short range 300aac use.

 

[alientrainwreck]

Ya they don't sell them to the Reloader but I have had great results with the 130gr Speer hot core bullet if it's any help.

 

[Deaf Smith]

I might try the 130 gr Speer or the 125 gr Sierra.

I shot some 125 Gr Federal HPs (factory ammo) today at the range. My Texan has Skinner 'minimalist' aperture sight.

100 yards I got a real good 2 inch group (and the front sight takes up lots of area at that range.)

I have LeverEvolution power and I see it can get to 2600 fps! Fortunately the websites say those two bullets are good out to 2600 fps.

But, are these two bullets to light for deer?

Deaf

 

[alientrainwreck]

I use leverlution powder to. I now what your saying with your sights but anyhow I haven't shot a deer at 200yds with the 130 but I have at about 150 with great success on eastern Oklahoma whitetail deer, one shot kills. I would take a 200yds shot if I were to get one. The 130 does a really good job without damage to lots of meat and their constantly accurate.

 

[kerreckt]

You can try these: http://www.gtbullets.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=7&zenid=5613d53e85848dd4e4ff2914af8d6311
Works for me.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I have not seen the 150gr Winchester bullets in a long time. If you like 150gr bullets in the 30-30 there are other very good choices available.

My favorite 150gr 30-30 bullet us from Sierra, their Pro-Hunter bullet.
https://www.sierrabullets.com/store/product.cfm/sn/2000/308-dia-30-30-150-gr-FN
I also mile and use their 170gr Pro-Hunter 30-30 bullets.

Hornady makes a 150gr bullet meant for the 30-30 but they no longer advertise them as 30-30 bullets because they are pushing their newer 160gr FTX bullets for the 30-30. The 150gr bullets are still being sold and are also a good choice.
http://m.hornady.com/store/30-Cal-.308-150-gr-RN/

Speer Hot-Cor bullets don't get the respect they should. They are good hunting bullets and their 150gr FN bullet will work in the 30-30.

Much first choice or bullets for the 30-30 are the Sierra bullets hands down. They are very accurate for me and they expand as they should at the lower velocities associated with the 30-30.

 

[HOWARD J]

I like the Speer 150 gr 308 HOT-COR FN
I use them in 30-30 & 308
THEY HAVE DONE RIGHT BY ME

 

[Deaf Smith]

Well I ordered some Sierra 125 gr HPs (guess they don't make the 130s any more.) It says it will work on deer as well as smaller game. I figure LeverRevolution powder and maybe 2600 fps (which is what they say is the max velocity they recommend for the bullet.)

We will see!

Deaf

 

[1stmarine]

Something a bit different here in to maximize the awesome hunting potential of this venerable round:
IMO one doesn't need to restrict the round to Flat point bullets or FTX if one doesn't want to.
I think you can safely pump a premium bullet like a 130gr barnes TTSX otherwise use nosler BT a hornady sp or even a 150gr speer BT.
The way you can do this form a tube is by stack them alternated with a couple of dummies. So you have one in the chamber, next one too (2nd shot) if that is not enough cycle the dummy and
then cycle the new round again, shoot again, and so forth.
This will give you more options and not just more momentum but specially more speed on the target if distance becomes an issue for classic loads.
You should be able to push 125 to 130grs to 2600fps-2700fps safely with AA2460 or TAC depending on barrel length rifling and such. It is ok to trade off some SD and grain in exchange for speed when
using stout bullets. But if you want to use 150gr FMJ value packs that will go as low as 18 cents / each for the typical hornady and great for practice then use the same method just will be slower
due to the grain but still a much better flyer than the typical FN and cheaper than the FTX.
If you want to try the above you can put some rubber or leather plugs on the primer pockets of the dummies to protect the points of the live rounds and make the dummies very short with round nose.
A small sacrifice of two or three old cases in exchange for a substantial gain in both trajectories and terminal performance.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Well I ordered some Sierra 125 gr HPs (guess they don't make the 130s any more.) It says it will work on deer as well as smaller game. I figure LeverRevolution powder and maybe 2600 fps (which is what they say is the max velocity they recommend for the bullet.)

We will see!

Deaf

I like LVR in the 30-30, it performers well for me and is accurate. I'm not sure why you want to use such a light bullet. I think the 150gr to 170gr bullets perform better than lighter bullets. Please let us know how well they perform on deer.

You did order the #2020 bullets not the #2120 bullets, right?

 

[Deaf Smith]

Well after this deer season I'm thinking of converting it to 30/30 AI (Ackley Improved.)

Keep the LeverRevolution powder and it ought to get well into the 2600 fps range.

Maybe even 2700 as the AI gives about 150 fps extra and the LeverRevolution another 100 fps. Federal 125 gr factory loads hit 2500 fps already.

Deaf

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Why do you want so much velocity from a 30-30? If you want that kind if velocity why not shoot a .308 or 30-06? With the right bullet you can easily take deer even at 1,700 fps.

 

[Deaf Smith]

Why do you want so much velocity from a 30-30? If you want that kind if velocity why not shoot a .308 or 30-06? With the right bullet you can easily take deer even at 1,700 fps.

I have both a .308 and an '06 (as well as a M1 Carbine.) I want that velocity in my 30/30 cause a)I like leveractions, particularly Marlin Texans, and b) I want mine, when I carry it, to be as powerful and accurate as it can be.

Deaf

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I have both a .308 and an '06 (as well as a M1 Carbine.) I want that velocity in my 30/30 cause a)I like leveractions, particularly Marlin Texans, and b) I want mine, when I carry it, to be as powerful and accurate as it can be.

Deaf

Velocity doesn't make your rifle powerful, energy does. If you're looking for you rifle to be powerful use a heavier bullet.

In any case, I'm sure the deer won't be telling any stories lol.

 

[Deaf Smith]

Velocity doesn't make your rifle powerful, energy does. If you're looking for you rifle to be powerful use a heavier bullet.

In any case, I'm sure the deer won't be telling any stories lol.

1. Energy is mass times velocity squared. Energy favors velocity.
2. Killing power favors accuracy. The 125s I shot this week are the most accurate loads I've ever shot out of my Texan. As long as they are suitable for deer (strong bullets that expand and stay together) I'll use 'em.
3. Out to the practical range of my Skinner sights I want a flat shooting round (say 200 yards) with rise and drop no more than 2 inches. This just might do it.

Deaf

 

[horsey300]

Flatter trajectories on iron sights I get, but speed doesn't automatically equal more energy AT the target, I will not go into specifics, but pick a cartridge, plug in the weight, velocity, and bc of the bullet into a ballistic program. Start with something small (like your 125) and then bounce up to 150 and 180 (even 200 gr for giggles). According to your statement of relying on speed for energy, you're correct up to a point.....the muzzle energy is NOT what you're counting on at 1-200 yds if you want "power" if that were the case, my .300win mag with a 110 gr screaming velocities would knock down a deer hundreds of yds farther than my 180s that are considerably slower and that is just not the case.....your bullet choice should be just fine, I'm just worried about the velocity energy misconception. In my .243 and 85 gr is deer capable and flat and fast outta the gate, but for shots over 250 I load 95 and 100 gr for bigger "thumps", and they start their run slower by 200+fps.
Sierra offers a 135 HP varmint bullet

 

[The Bushmaster]

Speer 170 gr Hot-Core FNSP. 32 gr W-748.

 

[alientrainwreck]

Hey Deaf I got a 30-30AI , I have settled on three bullets the 130speer, Hornady 140GMX , and 160FTX . I worked up a really good shooting load using the 160ftx and chronographed it shoots almost exactly the same velocity as my ar-10 does with 165gr bullets. It really pushes the 130speer. I would mention to get a good gunsmith for this the leveraction needs a bit more work than say a bolt gun. Fugget does all my machine work he invented the .357 Fugget which is a dandy levergun. But anyway I am thinking it cost me around $350 to get done but I had some trigger & lever work done also. Love it I don't think there is any other gun that carries like the little levergun.

 

[Deaf Smith]

trainwreck, So if I go the AI route it might need action work? Does this guy, Fugget, do work in a Winchester 94? I have one that needs some. Also, is Fugget the one in Ft. Smith, Ark?

I figure IF I go to a heavier bullet (say the Nosler partition 170) it would be for game much larger than plain old white tail deer. But after seeing the accuracy of the 125 grain pill, then for aperture sighted rifle, I prefer the lighter bullet.

Horsey, keep in mind what I posted...

2. Killing power favors accuracy. The 125s I shot this week are the most accurate loads I've ever shot out of my Texan. As long as they are suitable for deer (strong bullets that expand and stay together) I'll use 'em.

Yes the 125 will slow down faster but I'm using aperture sights. 200 yards would be about it. So while energy is important, when it gets near the 200 yard mark I want some more accuracy.

Deaf

 

[1stmarine]

IMO I see nothing wrong with seeking speed with light for caliber bullets. 125 or 130 grains start to move out of the close range and
varmint department for 30 caliber specially when propelled to substantial speeds.

We might choose to put powerful and energy together but it might mean something or nothing in terms of lethality of the round.

I think momentum is far more important than energy itself (two different things), specially energy at the muzzle that is often used
but it is kind of misleading. I mean, it might give you an idea but w/o understanding other parameters at a distance it can be pretty arbitrary.
Momentum on the target is what knocks down steel and puts down heavy equipment and animals with proper bullets and speed so there is a balance there.
This is why many competitions stopped using energy and instead use power factor at different ranges as it is based on momentum and more meaningful.

And then the speed alone on the target. Speed is key for many bullets in many calibers to properly activate based on their terminal design. Choosing
speed vs grain might be a reasonable trade off depending on the animal like soft skin white tail deer, or a soft target in combat.

One might choose to rely on speed as the means to inflict shock vs. relying on wounding potential alone. In fact too much sectional
density with low impact speeds might lead to pin hole wounding and slower deaths or even injury only. We have seen this too many times
and so we have departured form that classic concept of slow and heavy a long time ago....other than specific situations and subsonic work of course.

Bottom line, follow the recommendations from bullets manufactures and directives from experineced hunters and professionals and if one can trade off a bit of
sectional density and grain for speed with decent ballistics on that target, that might have many benefits at the ranges people normally
hunt, including flatter shooting and more accurate placement with less recoil. Match specific bullets by model and grain to the animals body weight
and study the anatomy and placement for angle shots.

Speed on the target, transsonic ranges and terminal behavior at the different thresholds are things way too important to be taken lightly by
any marksman.

Speed itself carries a certain assurance as quick acting medicine. Of course there are exceptions to the rule.

 

[alientrainwreck]

Deaf your right on target, Larry Fugget of ft.smith AR. is his name and yes he is a nice old man, and a very good gunsmith I don't think there is anything he can't do. But ya the 94 no problem and they do require a bit of internal work to be correct he explained it all to me but he went over my head,I just said ok then. I ended up with a light, fast handling easy to pack rifle that I sighted in using the maximum point blank range which allows me to aim dead on and be no more than 3"high at like 150yds and no lower than 3"low at 300yrds. You can look it up for any caliber and it will explain how it works better than me. It works great for open sights just Google Shooters Calculator. You can aalso do it for 2" high and 2" low and it will tell you exactly how close to sight in say 38yrds. It's pretty handy for Huntin.

 

[Deaf Smith]

Well my Marlin Texan looks like this...



Deaf

 

[the Black Spot]

Sweet!

 

[alientrainwreck]

Here is what my mine look like and one is a Ackley improved.