Win 94 30-30 170 gr load tried

[razorback2003]

Per the advice of this forum, I tried some Federal 170 grain soft point ammo through my 30-30 Win 94. It groups at 100 yds roughly an inch and a half three shot group. I thought i would try to shoot it to compare to the Hornady LeverEvolution ammo that groups about that well.

My gun shoots the 150 gr Rem Core Lokt ammo like a shotgun pattern. I get 3 inch group 3 shot with that stuff at 100 yds.


I like the Hornady ammo, but for being in the woods i think this Federal 170 grain ammo will work fine and is cheaper. I just have a 1 to 5 power shotgun/muzzleloader scope.

 

[K1500]

I prefer 170's myself in .30-30's. My pre '64 cut a 5 shot 1.2 inch group at 100 yards with the Federals one cold morning. I haven't been able to duplicate the group, but it shoots better than any leverguns has a right to.

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

sounds like a good load for your rifle. go kill some deer.

 

[razorback2003]

Yep, 30-30 is the way to go in the woods type hunting in the South.

 

[RPRNY]

That's interesting. I have had two 30-30s, a 1968 Marlin 336 Texan (still own) and a 1972 Glenfield 30A that has moved on. Both shot Hornady 160 FTX (over Varget) very well and both loved the cache of Sixties era 170gr Sears ammo that I came into. I'm generally quite happy with Remington CoreLokt but my 30-30s wouldn't shoot the 150 grainers well either. I wonder if they are slightly undersized?

 

[wlewisiii]

My 1965 likes 170's better than 150's & of the 170's, it really likes the Remington Core-Lokt 170 gr JHP bette than the JSP. I wish I could find a bullet like it for reloading.

 

[Dr.Rob]

We always loaded the 30-30 with 170 grain bullets as it was used for deer AND elk. We used Federal ammo pretty exclusively.

All the 'old hands' in camp warned that you MIGHT need a second shot with the .30-30 on elk, but in all the years my brother and my self and countless others it was loaned to ever got a shot at an elk.

 

[heeler]

After scoping my Marlin 336,which has a 20 inch barrel I brought a box of Rem Corelokt,Win Power Point,and Federal Blue Box,all in 170 grain and in my particular Marlin the 170 gr. Corelokts gave a much better group(1.25") than the other two.
Oddly enough in every center fire rifle I own the Blue Box Federals,with of course the exception of my Marlin 336,usually group better than the Remington or Winchester.
You never know until you try each brand and weight.