So my nephew used my Howa bolt 7.62x39 for the Wi youth hunt. Handloads of 150gr Sierra pro hunters at 2260fps using CFE BLK. Shot a big doe at 75 yds. First round was quartering at him. Entered behind front shoulder, exited opposite side front of hind leg taking out part of a lung and liver. Second round broadside behind shoulder, top of heart. Dead dear. Was dead on the first shot but follow up shot when turned was within 2 seconds. Was very impressed with performance.
X39 field report
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troy fairweather
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How did the bullet path look, if I go with 150s I'll try the Sierra or the speer. Good for him staying on target.
His dad and him were in a stand together. When I heard the quick second shot I felt a momentary panic. But the range time paid off with rifle and scope familiarity.
troy fairweather
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Anyone ever see a real side by side comparison between the x39 and a 30-30. Tho on paper the 30-30 has more power but the speed of the lighter 30s do havoc on deer sized game. Dad used the steel case hp's when I was a kid and every deer droped, even the one at 300. Tho I think the hp's may have been those special hp, m83 or what ever the name was.
Federal web site says 30-30 150's at 2390
My x39 150's were 2260
A horse a piece.
troy fairweather
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No factory load I've ever shot from 30-30 where that fast. Think guys are getting 2500-2600 in bolt guns with the x39. I'd like to mess around with a 100 or 110 grain.
Just chrono'd some 150s, and a few 170s from my buddies Topper. The 150s were hitting 2200-2250, the 170s werent even breaking 2k. I got 174gr SMKs to 1900 from my SKS with no pressure signs, and 150 PPUs to 2200.
troy fairweather
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So there more comparable then I thought. Ever try light like 110s.
.30-30 IS more powerful when comparing factory ammo to factory ammo, or hot handloads to hot handloads. The difference isn't necessarily big and x39 handloads are nowadays getting close to .30-30 factory loads. Like I've said may times before, x39 has become my go-to cartridge for short to medium distance deer hunts. It most certainly is more than capable of doing the job as evidenced once again by the OP of this thread.
Whereas most .30-30:s are lever actions, x39 is common in semi autos and, recently, bolt guns, so the choice between the two also depends on the preference of action type. Both are lovely calibers for deer and medium game.
My 150gr loads were using CFE BLK at 1gr over max. No pressure problems, were approaching compressed loads and ran a chrono'd 2260.
I ran some 125's using CFE BLK at 1gr over and they chrono'd 2630.
** ALL LOADS WERE CAREFULLY WORKED PAST LOAD DATA MAX's and FIRED THROUGH A MODERN BOLT GUN **
I ran some 125's using CFE BLK at 1gr over and they chrono'd 2630.
** ALL LOADS WERE CAREFULLY WORKED PAST LOAD DATA MAX's and FIRED THROUGH A MODERN BOLT GUN **
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