round nose vs flat nose bullets for 3030

[rugerfan01]

Hello folks,
This is my first time to post on the handloader forum, and I have a question.
Ive recently been loading for my marlin 336 and a new handi in 3030 and have only shot 150 grain sierra flat nose bullets.
I was looking in one of my catalogs today and seen that they (sierra) offer a round nose bullet also in 150 grain and I am sure that some other manufactures offer round nose as well. My question is what is the values of the round nose over the flat nose or vise versa in terms of performance?

Thanks
Morgan

[John Traveler]

I've never noticed much difference in performance between RN and FN .30-30 bullets.

Some users claim that the RN expands more reliably.

Maybe it's just another cosmetic variation for reloaders?

[Kragman71]

All my experience is with Whitetail deer and the 30/30.
The preference of round nose over flat nose is similar to your preference of Blondes over Brunettes.
Buy the bulets that are on sale;or simply stick to the ones that you are now using.
Frank

[Siskiyou]

I looked up the Sierra150-grain flat nose and the 150-grain Sierra Round nose in my Sierra Bullets Infinity ballistic program. 

1.   Sierra list the flat nose as a 30-30 bullet, the round nose is not listed as a 30-30 bullet.  The program shows when launched at the same velocity the round nose shoots slightly flatter.
2.   Hornady does not make a flat point 150-grain bullet for the 30-30.  The Hornady manuals show 30-30 data for their 150-grain round nose.

You might give Sierra a call at 800-223-8799 and see if they recommend round nose for the 30-30.  It might be a little tougher bullet.    Manufactures have the science of the 30-30 bullet down pat.

The program shows both Sierra bullets out performing my favorite Hornady RN and Remington C-L.  The Hornady and C-L are accurate in my Marlin, have not tried Sierra bullets in it.

[rugerfan01]

Thanks all for the replies.

[Double 30]

I called Sierra and the 150rn is NOT a bullet suitable for hunting with a 30-30.The r n's are designed to expand from 3400-2500 fps and the flat point is designed for 2400-1800 fps.So far , the 150 Sierra f p is the most accurate bulet in my Marlin 336. The other day I fired 6 3 shot 100 yard groups and they measured , center to center 1/2" 1/2" 7/8" 1 1/8" 1/2" and 5/8". I think the deer are in trouble....

[DDelle338]

I called Sierra and the 150rn is NOT a bullet suitable for hunting with a 30-30.The r n's are designed to expand from 3400-2500 fps and the flat point is designed for 2400-1800 fps.So far , the 150 Sierra f p is the most accurate bulet in my Marlin 336. The other day I fired 6 3 shot 100 yard groups and they measured , center to center 1/2" 1/2" 7/8" 1 1/8" 1/2" and 5/8". I think the deer are in trouble....

I'm sorry that you are stuck holding such a piece of junk! Horrible groups! I'll help you out and offer to buy that rifle off you. I need a sadle gun for horseback hunting anyway.
What do ya say?

[LONGTOM]

A word of WARNING!
I seam to recall reading in some of the newer books that they no longer recommend RN bullets in tubular magazines for fear of the nose exerting enough pressure under recoil to possibly touch off the primer in the round just ahead of it. I know for years and years the RN was the only profile you could buy for 30-30s but that was back then. I have never had this to happen but I do know that it could and has happened in the past.
I would hate to see a fellow shooter hurt or a nice rifle ruined because of the use of wrong components!
I am sure you are talking of using the RNs in a HANDI, just don't take the chance in your MARLIN.
For 30-30 single shots I use 135gr BTHPs in front of 37.5gr of H335powder in a custom 28" WIN HIGHWALL for a little over 2730fps with no problems so far. It seams to be right accurite with three shots
just under 1" at 100. I have taken a few deer as far out as 275 but most are in the 100-200 yd range.
You may want to consider a pointed bullet for use in the HANDI. Good luck and keep us posted.

LONGTOM