307 and Ballistic Silvertips

[Pursuit]

Hello.  I am getting ready to try the Ballistic Silvertip 150 gr RN with BLC (2) and Leverevolution powder for my 307.  Anyone tried these yet? 

[william iorg]

 I am a big fan of the 307 Winchester. I have shot the cartridge quite a bit.
I have used the 30-30 Ballistic Silver tip factory load but was unaware you could buy the bullets as components. Where did you get them?
I have not shot as much BLc2 as I have Winchester 748 in the 307W.
In my Winchester using conventional bullets the 150-grain JRN Hornady bullet anhead of 46.0 grains of Hodgdon BLc2 will not break 2,600 fps from my 20” barrel.
Hodgdon 4895 and Alliant Reloder 15 will give higher velocities with about the same accuracy. I consider good accuracy for my rifle - which has shot a lot of ammunition to be anything under 2” at 100-yards. Most loads will shoot 3 to 5 shot groups in the 1 ½” range but it is easy to let one slip out of the group when shooting 5 shot groups. Its not difficult for me to keep five shots in 2” and I am happy with that.

[Pursuit]

What velocities are you getting with the other powders and with what loads.  I have only loaded Speer 130  and 150 gr. bullets with BLC2 powder.  They have done an incredible job on whitetails here in WV.  I absolutely love my 307.  I think I will even take it out West if I get a chance!!! Midway USA stocks the RN Silvertips.  I really cannot wait to try them, but I want to get the most velocity that I can while keeping velocity and avoiding lever stick!!!!

[william iorg]

 You will not experience much of the “sticky lever” like you do with the 30-30. With some high velocity loads, you will encounter just the hint of stick as you unlock the rifle. With high-pressure loads and hot days, you will often experience “lever kick” with the lever pulsing in your hands. I experienced this most with Winchester 748 and Hodgdon BLc2 using 170-grain bullets at maximum loads levels on hot days. Lever-kick is an indication you need to back off but you will generally only experience this on the hot days.
The 130-grain Speer bullet has been one of the most accurate bullets I have shot in the 307 Winchester. When my rifle was newer and when firing three shots groups from the bench I had no hesitation to say “watch this” as I sat down to shoot.
One of my best loads using the 130-grain Speer bullet was 44.5 grains of IMR 4064 and a COAL of 2.545”. This load delivering 2,628 fps and bragging accuracy.

My favorite loads use the Speer 170-grain Hot Core bullet which is now obsolete. Over on the Beartooth Bullets forum seattleroadwr has been shooting the Hornady GMX bullet with good results in the 307 Winchester. We both shoot the 307 Winchester and the 308 Marlin Express.
I have enough posts on the 307 Winchester to bore you for a while. I have experienced more “one shot, dropped in its tracks” kills on white tail deer using the 307 Winchester and the 170-grain Speer bullet than with any other lever action cartridge. I also shoot the 358 Win, 356 Win and the 444 Marlin.
My favorite load for quite a long time the 170-grain Speer bullet ahead of 40.0 grains of IMR 4064 for about 2,350+ fps. This is a real deer load for shots under 100-yards.
Today I prefer 42.0 grains of Alliant Reloder 15 for 2,500 fps with good accuracy and great terminal performance on deer.
While I prefer the 170-grain, bullets the 150’s work fine on deer. The Speer 150-grain Hot Core bullet ahead of 46.0 grains of Alliant Reloder 15 will give you 2,670 fps and this is a fine hunting load.
I need to figure out how the automatic reply notification works. I look forward to reading of your shooting results and I am headed over to Midway to look for the Silvertips. In the 30-30 these bullets work fine on deer. The little ball in the nose will help expansion at longer distances.

[Pursuit]

Did you work up that Reloader 15 and 150 gr load yourself or is it printed somewhere?

[william iorg]

I worked up the Reloder 15 loads on my own but they compare with the results from Ken Waters 307 Winchester Pet Loads update.
 
 

[william iorg]

 I found the bullets at Midway. .48¢ each for a premium bullet is not a bad price.
I have shot the 30-30 Ballistic Silver tip 30-30 load at 200-yards with good accuracy from the 16”, 20” and 26” barrel lever action rifles. The bullet gives good accuracy ot to 200-yards.
I need to try this bullet in the 307 Winchester and the 308 Marlin Express. Thanks for the tip.

[Pursuit]

Slim.  Please let me know if you get a good Silvertip 307 load worked up before I do.  I would like to see this bullet going 2670 like your Speers. Thanks for all of your help.

[Rick Teal]

Question:
 
Do the BSTs not present the same potential problem in a tubular magazined rifle as other pointed bullets?

[william iorg]

 The Ballistic Silvertip for the 30-30 is a coated round nose bullet with a polymer ball in the nose. The ballistic coefficient is better than you might think and at 200-yards, this is an accurate load.
The polymer ball aids expansion at these longer ranges - especially from the 16” barrel Trapper.
I have not posted a lot here and am not certain of the attachment rules. I assume Not a very good picture I admit but you get the idea.