Contender .30-30 deer kill

[lovedogs]

This is nothing new or exciting but thought I'd just share the info.  I've shot lots of deer with my Contender wearing the .30-30 barrel.  It's a Custom Shop 12 inch bull barrel.  The load used this time was a tried and true deer load.  It's shooting a 150 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip pushed at 2000 FPS using H335 and a mag primer.  I filled my mule deer doe tag at 40 yds. and a lung shot.  As usual, she staggered about 20 yds. and expired.  Using this bullet I've shot deer from point bland range to 200 yds. and it always works.  It makes the old .30-30 a genuine long-range deer gun.  Like I said, nothing new or exciting... .30-30's have killed mountains of deer.

[Del]

First, CONGRATULATIONS on bagging a deer w/your .30-30 contender barrel!!

My first Contender barrel was a Super 14 / .30-30 that I used that fall to take a nice bull Caribou @ 75 yards, dropped him in his tracks!!  Time was short and I didn't have time to work up a handload, so just used Remington 150 grn RN factory ammo.  But I was in the process of finding a load that it would shoot accurately w/the 150 Nosler Ballistic Tip, when I got the urge for "something better", and sold that barrel - sure wish I had that one back.

Sounds like you have used the 150 BT in the past, would you mind answering a few questions?!!
1) How many animals have you taken w/ the .30-30 Contender & 150 BT load?
2) Has the 150 BT always performed well for you, (good expansion & penetration)?
3) Have you ever recovered a bullet, if yes what did the bullet look like & weight?
4) What other bullets have you used & is the 150 BT your favorite for deer?

As much information that you are willing to share would be appreciated!
Thank you,
Del

[Redhawk1]

Congrats to ya.

[Sverre A.]

 I`m not the one you ask – but .......



1) How many animals have you taken w/ the .30-30 Contender & 150 BT load?
 17 – the biggest a zebra at 120 yds.  He went 60 yds.
The longest shot at 210 yds on a blesbok.  He went 3 yds.
2) Has the 150 BT always performed well for you, (good expansion & penetration)?
Everytime!
3) Have you ever recovered a bullet, if yes what did the bullet look like & weight?
Only from the Zebra.  Recovered on the other side in the skin. 85% left of the bullet.
4) What other bullets have you used None!
 & is the 150 BT your favorite for deer? Yes

[lovedogs]

Sounds like Sverre has more experience with the 150 BT than I have!  Wow!  You've really had fun with it!

No idea of game count taken with it.  Probably a half-dozen deer and a few antelope.  Lost count of coyotes and prairie dogs.  It's not the best for p. dogs 'cuz they don't expand the bullet well.

The 150 BT has always given complete penetration for me and I've never recovered one.  They do really knock things down so I assume they're upsetting correctly.

I've used the Hornady 130 gr. SSP, also.  But it's energy level drops off in less distance than the 150 BT.  The 130 energy and expansion gets iffy past 150 yds.  and the 150 BT will work all the way to about 200 yds.  My most memorable shot on a deer with the 150 BT was at an even 200 yds.

I start the 150 BT off at about 2000 FPS using H335 & CCI 250 primers.  It shoots 7/8 inch groups at 100 yds. and about 1 3/4 to 2 inch groups at 200 yds.  Mine wears a Leupold 2.5X8.  It works at all ranges and the crosshairs are thick enough to be highly visible under all conditions, even in brush.  I like Pachmayr Decelerator grips to take bite out of recoil.

[Del]

Hey Guys thanks for the feed back on your field experience w/the .30-30 & 150 BT combo!!

Sverre A. - 1) What barrel length is your .30-30?
                2) What powder & primers do you use w/the 150 BT's
                3) What velocity do you get w/your 150 BT load?

I have a number of reloading manuals, including Nosler #1 - #5, but wonder what kind of "real world" velocities you're getting?!!

Thanks again,
Del

[Sverre A.]

 1) What barrel length is your .30-30?  14"
 2) What powder & primers do you use w/the 150 BT's  N140/Federal Large Rifle
 3) What velocity do you get w/your 150 BT load? 2034 fps