Author Topic: 30-30 Target Rifle? (Read 1013 times)

Dillohide · « **on:** April 30, 2006, 06:08:10 PM »

New 30-30 Handi very accurate. Tested two loads Saturday with 150 gr Hornady SP and 125 gr Nosler ballistic tips over IMR 3031 that were decent hunting loads, 1.5 to 2 inch groups at 100 yds out of a new barrel. Then just to see what it would do shot 4 of my Marlin lever action loads through it ... 170 gr Harnody FP over 36 grs Bl-c2. They hit about 8 inches low with all 4 shots touching in a nice clover leaf! Did not expect that.

Went back out Sunday, this time with my 30-06 Hornady 165 gr bt sp bullets loaded in the 30-30 over 36.3 and 36.5 grs of Bl-c2 producing almost the same results about 4 inches higher in a more horizontal pattern, which could have been me. No signs of pressure or unusaul case expansion. Think the flat based 165 gr sp might work better in the 30-30 so will get some for next time.

Really impressed with this little rifle!

mt3030 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 30, 2006, 07:43:04 PM »

I think you are on the right track. All of my H&R/NEF 30-30s have liked the 165 Hornady sp bullets and Nosler 165 B-Ts. And those bullets kill real good out of the 30-30s.

Wally

Dillohide · « **Reply #2 on:** May 01, 2006, 05:47:05 AM »

Have some left over 165 gr sp Remington flat based Core-Lokt's I'm going to try. The longer boat tail bullet creased the neck compressing powder when I tried .3 more so had to pull the bullet and re-size it. More velocity is not that important to me, accuracy and retained downrage energy is and these loads already have that. Didn't take long to duplicate my 30-06 accuracy without the big recoil and I didn't do anything to this rifle other than put a scope on it.

lostsniper308 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 02, 2006, 01:10:23 PM »

y'all are using .30 cal spitzer bullets? not round-nosers

Dillohide · « **Reply #4 on:** May 02, 2006, 06:57:05 PM »

"y'all are using .30 cal spitzer bullets? not round-nosers"

Both. A 30-30 is as accurate as the "inherently" accurate 308 at a lower velocity when given a chance.

9x19 · « **Reply #5 on:** May 03, 2006, 08:24:03 AM »

My favorite load for my old Sprinfield 840 (Bolt action with box magazine) includes Hornady's 130 grain Single Shot Pistol bullet... a spitzer that has a thin enough jacket to work very well at .30/30 velocities.

My middle son took three deer, with only three shots, using this gun/load last season... then went out and bought himself a new .308! :eek:

Oh well, some kids are just slow to learn.

I don't have a Handi in .30/30... yet!

Dillohide · « **Reply #6 on:** May 03, 2006, 01:35:42 PM »

I've never seen what the Hornady 165 sp will do at 200 yrds out of a 30-30 on deer but I have seen it perform out of a 30-06 at 400 yrds ... esentially the same delivered energy. Based on that it will not have any problem expanding and dropping deer up to 200 yrds or beyond in the 30-30.

The Handi 30-30 is a pleasant, accurate shooting rifle that you will not regret buying if you get one. It's got the 30 cal big bang, managable recoil and accuracy for target practice plus the umph to easily put down a deer at 200 yards if you so desire.