NEF 30-30

[James B]

I am thinking of sending in a reciever for a 30-30 barrel. For those who shoot the 30-30 Handi Rifle, How do they group and do you shoot spitzer bullet in yours? I had an old H&R 30-30 that didn't shoot well at all but it was really loose. Had a lot of play back and forth when closed. I think it was a model 58 or something like that. Just wondering how the newer ones shoot. Thanks.

[stimpylu32]

James

I have shot a few 30/30s and all have been MOA or better , i have a 30/30 barrel on the way so i will have a range report in a week or so .

stimpy

[Dillohide]

My 30-30 with 130 grain hrdy sp at the max recomended pistol load of IMR 3031 shoots as good as, if not better than, my 30-06. Doesn't do bad with most factory ammo either but that 130 grain sp load is 1" or less from a bench at 100 yards.

[carbineman]

James B wrote,<I had an old H&R 30-30 that didn't shoot well at all but it was really loose>

That can happen to the modern day rifles also, but usually not with the 30-30 as it operates at lower pressures than the newer style rimless versions do.

The 30-30 (Ive had 3, two NEF's and 1 Topper) have all shot well. The 1st 30-30 I had was an NEF and was dead on with any bullet I loaded for it. The second one was given to my son-in-law with a Tracker II barrel as well. The 3rd was a Topper barrel I mated to a new NEF shotgun frame. The whole rig is light to carry and is the only one I ever use to hunt whitetail with. I like it so much I sold the 1st one to a hunting buddy.

The 130 Hornady and the 130 Barnes XBT worked well in all three rifles. My advice is to go with the 30-30 it's a blast to shoot and if you handload (I think you might by your post) it can even be more fun playing with the spitzer bullets The Speer 110 grain SP is fun to shoot also.

Do you still have the old Topper? I might be interested if you have it and would possibly sell it.

[James B]

I sold the old Topper to a friend who had some kind of project in mind for it. I don't know if he ever did anything with it or not. Thanks for the reply's I think I will try it. I might give the Ballistic tips a try in it as well.

[ONE HOLE 4570]

MIne also shoots good with the 130's but the 125 sierra's are a little better(130s may be a little too close to the lands)
max contender load with 3031 work up to it.
my son shot his first deer with this 125 load in this handi this year. the 150 winchesters do good as well for a factory load
great little gun

[Paul5388]

James,

I forgot who I got my .30-30 barrel from, but I think it's a pretty nice chambering.  I shoot mostly cast 311291s in it with a load of 15.0 gr of 2400.  It shoots pretty close to 1" at 100 yards with cast, which is about what jacketed bullets will do.  Here's a 4895 load with a 150 gr Win JFP at 100 yards.