Which bullets work best for rapid expansion

[Rodney]

Hello Everyone


New to the site, I just purchased my first 30-30 in Marlin 336 AS, The Gun was MFG in 1988. I only paid $175 and it's condition was New Never Fired. I know most people would not get excited but to me its a simple gun with good looks for a simple man that loves to shoot and hunt.

First Question is did I get a good deal? Second Question does anyone know what the twist rate of this micro-groove barrel was in 1988 on this model.

Third Question is what 150 gr bullet is best for Whitetail out to 150 yards. I am looking for rapid expansion and having the bullet put most of its energy in the animal not the tree behind the animal like most magnums do.  I have been an avid hunter for the last 24 years and have used rifles such as 35 Rem,250 savage, 260 Rem and 308 Win. As you can see, I am not one of those "power" guys. All I hunt is Whitetail and some blackbear.

However, I have noticed with my friends and family that use 30-30 for dear that alot of the shots required two shots and  I also noticed that bullet entry and exit hole were about the same. I also noticed this with my own 35 Rem.  I belive in rapid bullet expansion putting alot of energy into the deer, the key is to find a bullet that expands at low velocity but retains its mass.

Does any one have any suggestions on what bullet I could try in my new Marlin.

Thanks for listening, and I look forward to talking to you all.

[TNrifleman]

It sounds like you got a good deal on your Marlin 30-30. If you prefer the 150 grain bullet, I think any of the major brands will work very similarly. I'd try a few different ones and use the one that seem to shoot the best from your rifle. I have always preferred the 170 grain bullet in the 30-30. I like two holes and if necessary, a good blood trail to follow. I also handload and have come to use Nosler Partitions for hunting deer. They make an excellent 170 grain bullet for the 30-30. Good luck with that levergun. They have been "makin meat" for well over 100 years now.

[oso45-70]

Rodney

Like the Tnrifleman said i also want two holes in any game i shoot, I don't mean to blow all the insides out the other side but do want to have a blood trail to follow in case the critter don't fall in his or her tracks. In my opinion you will do less meat damage with a larger, slower bullet passing through and leaving a blood trail. I base this opinion on fifty some years of hunting history. Good luck Sir.........Joe........

[gcs]

I hunted with 170's for years and took a lot of deer in that time, the 170's will kill just fine, but... I switched to 150's a couple years ago, and have taken enough deer in that time to feel that the 150's seem to drop deer a little faster.
This is important to me as most of my hunting now, is from a tree stand in the afternoon/eves. I greatly appreciate not having as interesting tracking jobs as it's getting dark. Not that the deer arn't dead, just like finding them without a flashlight.
I'm still getting pass throughs, and adequate blood trails and meat damage is no worse than before, I won't be switching back to 170's any time soon.
At present I'm using Win. 150Power points, but I'm sure Rem. 150 corelokts would do as well. That's my experiance, been at this for 36 years now.