[flatlander]

:?: I just picked up a super 14 30-30 for my contender. My main intention is to use factory flatnose rounds and keep my shots inside of 100 yards or so (doable in my area). Would I be better off with 150 grn bullets or something heavier in the 170-180 grn range? I understand that I can get much better performance with handloads, but that won't be an option for a while-besides, I am already loading for my 7x30 and that will be my choice for the hunts with longer shots (usually whitetails/boars or smaller). Or am I just better off letting it gather some dust until I can load 30-30's with a spire point bullet also? Any thoughts on this?

 

[Camel23]

The 30-30 has probably killed more whitetails in this country than any other calliber and since the majority of people don't reload its safe to say that the flatnose factory ammo gets the job done. At the ranges that you'll be shooting the 150 grain bullets should be a safe bet with the higher velocity than the heavier bullets you'll get better expansion.

 

[Daveinthebush]

150's

I used the 150's before I finally bought dies for my 10" back in NY. I took 2 bucks with them, 9 yards and 50 yards. Both bucks dressed at 175+ pounds. I would have no problem using them again. I used Remingtons and they were very accurate, less than 1 1/2 at 90 yards.

Since comming to AK I switched to 135 SSP's. Shot a lot of target with them but no game yet.

 

[flatlander]

That's what I was hoping for. What would you consider a maximum range for shooting the 150 grn bullet at whitetails?

 

[Daveinthebush]

Yardage?

Too many variables here for an exact answer. I shot a doe at 120 yards one day with the .44 and it has the same energy levels as the .44. There is a 200 yard gong at the range up here and I can hit it regularly but a deer is not 1" steel plate either.

But that is from a bench rest too, under actual hunting conditions I think I would try to stay under 100 yards unless I had an ideal shot from a steady rest.

Hint: I use a treestand with 2 trees, one in front and one with the stand. I then place bow hooks on both trees so that I can hang my pack, pee bottle and other items. The hooks act as my bench rest for the front of the Contender. :sniper:

 

[Nolan Truelove]

30-30 bullets

I have a 15" Encore 30-30 on order from Fox River now and I plan on shooting Winchester 150 gr. hollow point (these are round nosed) for a start. I shoot these in an old Marlin rifle and they do a great job on whitetails. I have shot several deer with them and they will make mush out of the chest cavity. They are very accurate from the old rifle also. I am going to try them first, but last year in a local sporting goods store I saw some 120gr 30-30 rounds that were factory loads. I believe they were from Winchester or maybe from PMC. I am going to try and locate some of these also to try in the new Encore when I get my barrell. This will be my first Encore or big game hunting pistol and it will be mid November before I get it, man I can't wait. If I find the 120 gr factory loads I will keep you posted on who makes them. I am sure that any of the local gun shops in your area could help you locate them and get some in for you.
Hunt hard, hunt safe and God bless.

 

[Crayfish]

Ten years ago or so when I first got my Super 14 30-30, all I shot was factory rounds ... and LOTS of them! I found the best accuracy with 150gr loads and would not hesitate to use them on deer out to 130yds or so. I went thru a bunch of boxes of Winchester and PMC, but never had a chrono until recently.

Just for kicks I sent 1 PMC 150gr factory round over the Chrony this spring and got an even 2100fps!! I thought this was very impressive for a 14" barrel with factory ammo! I don't think my own 150gr reloads would do this. The 130gr loads I was working on at the time were only doing a max of 2200fps.

Like I said, 130yds or there abouts would be my limit. I know these factory loads will shoot right around 1" groups at 100yds out of my gun, and at 2100fps they should be plenty potent out to that distance.

Good luck ... Crayfish