Author Topic: favorite 30 cal (Read 982 times)

onesonek · « **on:** February 14, 2004, 04:45:48 AM »

For those using .308 bore handgun. What is your favorite bullet for deer, and in what chamber?

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 14, 2004, 05:03:18 AM »

I use 150 gr. Nosler ballistic tips over 50 gr. of IMR4064 in 30-06. It is very accurate out at 200 yards. I have not shot beyond that due to that is the furthest the range is.

Bug · « **Reply #2 on:** February 14, 2004, 12:10:19 PM »

But, if I read correctly, you are asking about all cartridges using a .308 bore, not just the .308 Winchester cartridge.
I'll qualify this by saying that I've gone to all 10" barrels in the Contender. I'll cast a vote for the lowly .30-30 Winchester. It works well in barrel lengths from 10-14". Cases are dirt cheap (or free, as range pick-ups), it handles bullet weights up to 200gr well, and anywhere you can find a load, (the data is everywhere) you can use a cast bullet. Since the cartridge originated as a black powder load, it fits with cast bullets perfectly. That said, my favorite bullet for game is the RCBS 30-150-FN. Cast from WW, with a gas check, it performs like a premium jacketed bullet from my 10" tube. I might add that almost all my hunting is done with cast bullets.
My favorite jacketed bullet would have to be the Nosler 150gr ballistic tip. I would really favor the 125gr, but don't feel it is quite heavy enough for hogs.

onesonek · « **Reply #3 on:** February 14, 2004, 12:32:52 PM »

You read it correctly Bug. I edited slightly, too lessen confusion. I 'm just curious as to what everybody is using. Mostly because I have a 30-40 AI on order. Which will be primarily used on whitetails.

MS Hitman · « **Reply #4 on:** February 14, 2004, 04:03:21 PM »

Well, my favorite .30 caliber cartridge is my .309JDJ. Now I have a couple of favorite bullets that I use. Have taken more deer with the 150 grain Ballistic Tip, but used the 165 Ballistic Tip in Africa. Made a 300 yard shot on a Red Hartebeest and a 200 yard shot on a Blesbok. Shot several deer at or near the 300 yard mark using the 150s.

Bug · « **Reply #5 on:** February 14, 2004, 04:04:39 PM »

You don't give barrel length, but I'll assume at least 14" with the improved Krag case. You are in the realm of the .30-'06. The barrel length will be the limiting factor, as far as balancing velocity and powder burn rate. Since you are in Minnesota, and the whitetails get rather large, I would say 150s would be at the very bottom of the weight range. I would probably look at the 165-180gr range. Any of the plain, vanilla bullets in this weight range should work well, no flies on the Ballistic Tips, either. You will probably find your barrel will "like" some bullets better than others. Go with what shoots best. I would avoid the premium/bonded type bullets though, cause they are usually aimed at the upper ranges of the velocity spectrum. Unless you plan on game larger than whitetails, they're not necessary, anyway. A good bullet like the Hornady BTSP, or Interlock, or the Remington PSP core-loct should work just fine. Don't discount the round nosed, or flat point bullets. They are performers, at pistol ranges. A quality cast bullet in the 170-200gr range would work as well too! And be cheaper, to boot!

Jay HHI6818 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 14, 2004, 04:49:00 PM »

14 inch 309JDJ and a Nosler 165 BT @ 2325 FPS. I have shot 9 deer with it and the results are very impressive.

Graycg · « **Reply #7 on:** February 15, 2004, 03:47:31 AM »

For Jacketed bullets, the 309JDJ is hard to beat, for lead bullets I get torn back and forth between the 30-30AI and the 308 Bellm, both have wonderfully long necks for deep seating the very long aerodynamic cast bullets. For plinking, my 32-20 barrel is aces.

regards,
Graycg

Raven · « **Reply #8 on:** February 15, 2004, 04:51:39 AM »

I took two does and a wild hog this season with my 308 encore w/15 inch barrel. Ammo was 150 gr Rem Core Lokt. Performance was great on the whitetails with shoulder shots. Range was 210 yards on one, and 125 on the other. It was hard to tell any difference if they were shot with a rifle or handgun. Hog was a head shot at about 150 yards. The hog and and one of the does dropped in their tracks. The other doe was lung shot and ran about 75 yards. Penetration was complete through and through on all three with good expansion and nice sized exit wounds.

Jim Stacy · « **Reply #9 on:** February 15, 2004, 04:53:32 AM »

I guess I have to qualify by caliber . 30 Herrett 125 BT @ 2325 will generally shoot through a deer on a chest shot . I also shot a 300# hog with a low chest shot back to front and killed them on the spot , reared up fell backward and was dead . In the 14"30/30I use the Hdy 130 SSP@2475 , now out in their interlock format but still SSP bullet , and have shot through a 200 # hog at 170 yards with this round and it is very accurate <1" at 100 when I can do it. Also very deadly on deer . I think you would be better served witha 125-130 bullet out of a TC unless you are going to be shooting a 308 W Encore or larger caliber . I have found the 125-130 to work better fro 30H and 30/30. Just my experience.

Bug · « **Reply #10 on:** February 15, 2004, 06:04:39 AM »

He said a 30-40 improved. I'm guessing case capacity of around 63-65gr of water (the std. 30-40 is listed at 58gr); considerably more than the .308 Win (56gr), and approaching the venerable .30-'06 (69gr) in case capacity. This fron Load From A Disk case capacity tables. That's why I suggested starting a 150gr and up bullet weights.

Jim Stacy · « **Reply #11 on:** February 15, 2004, 11:06:11 AM »

You are correct with that much displacement you the 150 BT and a good would be a fine long range setup. I have used the 165 in my 308 and the worked well but that was out of a 26" barrel and did a good job on all of the animals I have shot with it , couple of deer.

Hawkeye · « **Reply #12 on:** February 16, 2004, 08:09:47 AM »

MY 309JDJ is a barrel I would take anywhere for most all game in North American. Just have to change bullets and I'm ready.

Mike

spinafish · « **Reply #13 on:** February 16, 2004, 09:33:18 AM »

Bug, I believe the 30-30 cartridge (30 WCF) was the first cartridge designed around smokeless powder, not black. The Winchester .32 Special,from what I've read, was designed to work well with both. Most folks weren't set up to use smokeless in those days. They just filled their cases with black powder and set the bullet,so factory rounds were loaded with smokeless and the rifling and twist rate was such that blackpowder worked okay for those who reloaded.

Bug · « **Reply #14 on:** February 17, 2004, 01:22:01 AM »

I should have said 'originated in the black powder era'. It was one of the first cartriges designed for smokeless powder. It, along with the .30-40 Krag, kicked off the smokeless era.
Regardless, it is still my favorite cast bullet ctg.

xphunter · « **Reply #15 on:** February 17, 2004, 01:45:07 AM »

30 Alaskan-with 150 NBT

Ernie

Ladobe · « **Reply #16 on:** February 17, 2004, 03:57:21 AM »

A 165 NBT in either the SSK 309JDJ or Bower 30 Alaskan does a number on big western mule deer. :bye:

KYODE · « **Reply #17 on:** February 17, 2004, 04:48:25 AM »

30-30Ackley Improved in the contender with bullets 150gr and under. got my eyes on a 300 win mag 17" encore. :shock:

palgeno · « **Reply #18 on:** February 17, 2004, 05:15:05 AM »

15 inch Encore .308---150gr Nosler BT and 165 gr Nosler Partition------a trend here ? :wink: pg

Hopalong7 · « **Reply #19 on:** February 17, 2004, 07:41:17 AM »

Love my .30Herret 10" w/ 110-125gr bullets, 30-30AI S-14 w/ 125-150 bullets, and my SSK 14" .309JDJ w/ 150gr'ers and up. If absolutely held to one barrel it would have to be the .309. It's accuracy and range are both beyond my capabilities. GOOD SHOOTIN', Walt