Spitzer 30-30 Ammo

[WoodchuckAssassin]

Now that I own a 30-30, I of course need to buy something for it to eat (and man is she hungry!). The rifle is a Savage 340 bolt action, so I’d like to find some nice Spitzer bullets to put through it (since I don’t have to worry about accidently setting off primers, like you would in a lever action). I don’t current reload, and I was wondering if there were any ECONOMICAL options for over the counter ammo. I’m aware of the Hornady LEVERevolution bullets, but I can’t afford to shoot them all the time. Thanks for any information.

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

nope

there just aren't enough .30-30s out there that aren't tube fed to make factory .30-30 loaded with spitzers economically feasible. not to mention that some idiot would surely put the spitzers in his tube mag and darwin himself. the leverevolution is your only option.

take up handloading.

 

[firesky101]

I can't speak for the strength of the action on that savage, but I do know that if you handload the .30-30 with modern powders/bullets it really gains a lot.

 

[Abel]

You have three choices: All Hornady, all around $24 a box. If you shoot enough for that to seem too pricey, then you should reload ASAP.

There is a 125gr Hollow Point load that is semi spitzer.

 

[R.W.Dale]

The 340 savage isn't a gun to hot rod 30/30 in.

I've had two

Magazine length is VERY limiting and at anything over 39/30 pressure the rifles weak single locking lug action becomes quite evident as accuracy and brass life goes out the window.

After dabbling with many non lever action 30-30's its my opinion that at the velocity 30-30 produces that your limitations are more platform energy related and that a pointy bullet really doesn't change this.

30-30 is a good 200yd round even with RN bullets. If using bullets for 308/3006 class cartridges very very careful consideration must be made to ensure these bullets will expand at 30/30 speeds.

Like you I like to experiment and thus far I've owned two 340 savages a 788 Remington and a BFR revolver all in 30/30win. Thus far only the bfr has let me do anything truely new with the round.

 

[Abel]

http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/fed...inchester-hollow-point-2570-rdbx-p-74343.html

 

[WoodchuckAssassin]

I was under the impression that a Spitzer bullet, due to its shape, would add 100-200 feet per second – which would make it shoot flatter. I like the idea of the 125 grain federal. It’s still a flat nose, but the lighter weight definitely increases the speed/flat trajectory. And don’t worry about my future hand loading. I’m not a “let’s see how far I can push it” sort of guy. That, and I’d never risk my rifle’s wellbeing for the sake of added velocity.

Should I be worried about standard, factory loads effecting the action of my 340? I know it’s not the strongest action out there, but it’s still fine for Wally World 150/170 grain ammo, right?

 

[R.W.Dale]

The spitzer bullet shape doesn't add velocity compared to RN bullets. All it does is lose velocity at a slightly slower rate while in flight.

A 340 is a fine rifle with factory loads or similar handloads. The problem is lots if folks (like me) think being a non lever action that can in theory shoot pointy bullets that its "THE PERFECT" gun to work up that super 30/30 load in. Wich as it turns out the gun is poorly suited for.

 

[hang fire]

I can't speak for the strength of the action on that savage, but I do know that if you handload the .30-30 with modern powders/bullets it really gains a lot.

Strength is about on par with a 94 Win. The Savage 340 only has one locking lug.

 

[Abel]

The 30-30 doesn't really get any better than 2450fps in a 150gr bullet. If a shooter wants more, there's the 308 Winchester.

 

[LoonWulf]

As the others have said, its fine with normal .30-30 loads. I worked up a 125grn balistic tip load for a friend of mine that shoots really well. Compared to standard 150s that we could get, It dosent add all that much velocity 100-150fps, but accuracy and expansion are quite a bit better.

Its his favorite "little" gun now.

 

[razorback2003]

Can you shoot well past 200 yards? Do you plan on hunting past 200 yards? If you are within 200 yards any good grouping 30-30 ammo will work. It will be all you need for deer and black bear.

 

[RPRNY]

I load a 150 gr Hornady SP over Varget for a barrel insert that fits inside one of my 20ga SxS's giving me a nice little short range combi-gun. If you don't reload, I would look at Hornadys Leverevolution 165 gr factory load. It's not a "hot " load but its a couple of hundred fps faster than a comparable RN load (or advertised as such) and will be somewhat flatter out 200 yards. There are many folks who say these make the 30-30 a 250 yard gun. I'm not sure I buy that out of carbine lever gun, but you may see it with a bolt gun.

 

[MistWolf]

Try Leverevolution ammo. It offers a spitzer style bullet with a soft polymer tip (so it's safe to use in tube magazines) which reduces drag for better ballistics

 

[airedaleman]

Again, the 340 is fine with any factory ammunition or equivalent handloads. Remember that Savage chambered it for the 225 Winchester in the last two years or so of production. Frankly, I thought that was pushing the design some, especially in light of later reports of that cartridge showing erratic high pressure tendencies in factory loadings. I was never really comfortable shooting factory ammunition, and I backed off a bit with handloads. Never had any trouble with the rig.
With a scope, the 30-30 can be a 200-yard deer rifle using factory ammunition or handloads, if the hunter can do his part. (Read estimate distance and know where the rifle shoots.)

Anyway, spitzer bullets in a 30-30 would just look funny, kind of like a spoiler and hood scoop on a Chevy Volt.

340's have changed in detail over the years: extractors, ejectors,
triggers and stocks immediately come to mind. I have De Haas's analysis of the 340 from his book "Bolt Action Rifles." It has an exploded view of a typical gun. If you'd like a copy, PM me your name and address and I'll get a copy off to you

 

[WoodchuckAssassin]

As far as range goes, I either shoot/hunt in the woods of Virginia or New York State, so I don’t need a 300 yard tack driver (if I wanted that, I would have got a .308). Out here, I doubt I’ll be taking many shots over 200, or even over 150 yards. I plan on sighting it in at 100 yards – putting me ½ high at 50, and just over 2 ½ at 150. I might take one 200 yard shot over the next 200 years.

What I’m hearing is that at 100 yards, it doesn’t matter what bullet type I’m using, correct?

Airedaleman – I appreciate the information, but I’m going to talk to a local smith about it next week. I never pass up a conversation with someone over twice my age. I always walk away with a little more knowledge…and a little more humility. Thanks for the help!

 

[HOOfan_1]

Anyway, spitzer bullets in a 30-30 would just look funny, kind of like a spoiler and hood scoop on a Chevy Volt.

We use 150 grain Horandy interolock pointed soft points in ours and it has killed deer out to 200 yards.

 

[batmann]

I second the Leverevolution choice. They are what I use in my Winchester 94 and they work as advertised.
IF you should ever want a heavier round for an Elk (50-75 yrds max), get a Buffalo Bore 190 gr, not a spitzer, but it will penetrate. It is not a replacement for a heavier caliber rifle, but it does work and closer rangers.

 

[303tom]

I reload alot, so naturally I thought pointed bullet on a .30-30, so now I have to get something to shoot them in, so I got a Handi-rifle, so now I routinely push 135 gr. HPBT matchking`s over 2700 fps. I plan on trying them on White-tail this year............

 

[T.R.]

Sierra's 125 grain spitzer bullet is designed for .308 and 30-06 as a varmint bullet. But at 30-30 velocity it behaves like a good big game bullet. That is, rapid expansion combined with deep penetration. Flat trajectory for shots at deer sized animals out to 225 yards or so.

Most good reloading manuals have loadings for this one.

TR

 

[razorback2003]

If you reload, you can do real spitzer 125/130 grain loads.

If you don't reload Hornady LeverEvolution 160 grain loads are pretty good and accurate within an inch of my 30-30 for three shots at 100 yds.

Try a mix of 150, 160 Hornady LeverEvolution, and 170's. I have yet to try 170's in my gun.

The flat points if you sight in 3 inches high at 100 yards should get you almost out to 200.

You hunt in similar type country that I hunt in the South. If flat points are accurate in your gun and your max shot is 100 yards, just use those. It is plenty for a deer. I would feel fine shooting deer with a 223 as small as the deer are in this part of the country.

 

[GooseGestapo]

All of the above is correct regarding the Savage M340. I had one, it was decently accurate, but I needed something else so I traded it.
If you don't reload, it dosen't get any better than the Remington 150gr Corlokt factory load. It's relatively inexpensive (as factory ammo goes), and is usually quite accurate and performs well on deer. Besides the 160gr Hornady FTX, the Winchester 150gr SilverTip is the only factory load that will outperform the Remington Corlokts. That, and the Power-Plus Winchester load. These duplicate what you can do with hand loads but will cost a bit more than the Corlokts which are about $16/box at WallyWorld.

I hand-load the 150gr Corlokts to ~2,400fps and out to 100yds,they are "explosive" on deer. I dropped two deer w/two shots inside of 10min during the opening week of 2004. Last year I hunted much w/ the .30/30. (too many other guns, not enough lines on the licenses.....).

Don't handicap yourself with a 100yd zero. Sight in +3" at 100yds. This gives you a ~150yd zero and is ~4" low at 200yds. I sight in my .30/30's and .35Rem as well as .358win. +3" at 100yds.

I've made shots without holding "off the hair" on deer to over 250yds with a .35Rem and .30/30 with DRT results.... But I have worked over the triggers and shoot; a lot!!! (NRA PPC competitor).

You have a decent little rifle. With proper application it will give you 100% satisfaction.

 

[WoodchuckAssassin]

I’m happy to see so many satisfied Savage 340 owners! I feel like I just joined a fraternity. Haha! I haven’t gotten to the range yet, but I bought a box of Federal 150 gr. Power Shock Soft Point FN. I LOVE federal ammo, and while I’ve had some bad experiences with Remington’s pistol cartridges (corroded and/or misshapen cases), I’m still open to the idea. Not to mention the Remington ammo was $22 and the Federal was $16 at Wally World. Didn’t see that coming.

Man do I gotta start reloading. I did some price checking today for reloading equipment, and with everything included – powder, cases, bullets, press, etc…- it came to right around $230. That’s almost as much as my rifle! I need to save my pennies for another couple months (not to mention my spend casings).