30-30 Carbine Guys.. your favorite deer bullet?

[sculbert1]

I bought a 30-30 carbine barrel for my contender this summer and I'm working on a load for deer season this year.  I've been shooting some Sierra Gameking 150gr BTSP's  and 150gr Nosler Ballistic Tips under a pretty good charge of H4895.  These loads shoot good, but I'm worried about expansion of these bullets at 30-30 velocities.  What are some of you guys favorite bullets/loads for this setup?  Btw, most of the deer we shoot down here are pretty small.. in the 100-125lb range.

[BobT]

My favorites are almost gone but the few I have left are the old Winchester 150 grain Silver Tips for the .30-30. The 150 grain .308 STs are not the same animal. The 125 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips work well in my .30 Herrett and I would say the 150s would work as well in your carbine barrel. I think Nosler recommends 1600 fps for expansion from the Ballistic Tips.

Bob

[Hopalong7]

Nosler 125 BT's work great out of my 16 1/4" barrel....expand good....kill deer plumb dead....   GOOD SHOOTIN', Walt   

[C A Plater]

One bullet I've found works well in the T/C barrel is the Remington 125 grain PSP and in bulk they are quite reasonable.  Reloader 7 has been a good choice for making it go faster.  I also like the 130 grain Speer flat point in both lever guns and the Contender. 

[poncaguy]

Hornady LeVer action rounds.............

[swampthing]

Good old fashioned REM Core Lokt's. 150g or 170g which ever shoots best.

[rickt300]

I think the bullets your are testing will work nicely.  I fooled around with a bunch of bullets in my 30-30 and couldn't beat the 150 grain corelokts and power points made for the 30-30. I tried several of the old 125-130 grain bullets also. the Hornady 130 mostly tumbled but the 130 gr. Speer hollow point killed quickly with ribcage hits. My barrel had a 1-14 inch twist and finicky it was.

[K.K]

Mine likes Hornady LeverEvolutions, as well. I can use them in my levers too!

[Lloyd Smale]

I agree with smampthing. Ive yet to see any improvement using any bullets other then standard 3030 corelocks on deer or bear. There a bullet that was designed especially for the 3030 and its velocity and they WORK!

Good old fashioned REM Core Lokt's. 150g or 170g which ever shoots best.

[sweetwyominghome]

For your specified application, you'd be hard-pressed to find anything better than the 125 grain Ballistic Tip -- unless it's the 150 grain Nosler BT.

Both offer ample tissue destruction, match-grade accuracy and more than sufficient penetration. In fact, count on an exit with virtually any broadside presentation.

[sculbert1]

Thanks for all the input guys.  The 150gr NBT's shoot just a touch better than the 150gr Gamekings, so I think that's what I'll hunt with in it this coming year.  I emailed Nosler and they said the 150 NBT's will give reliable expansion from 3000fps down to 1600fps.  I figure I'm pushing them out at over 2250-2300, so I should be good.

[Capt Gary]

Barnes..............ALWAYS works!

[30-06man]

hornaday lever revolution or core lokt. barnes is good also