Sierra 150gr Round nose okay in 30-30?

[1longshot]

I didn't get home in time to call Sierra myself to ask this question.  I was looking on their website and the 30 cal Round nose bullet isn't listed as a 30-30 bullet. They have 30 caliber flat points that are listed as 30-30 specifc bullets.   It looks like the round nose will work, but I don't know if the jacket is too thick and the lead to hard to expand at 30-30 velocities. I don't know if it was designed for that.  Has anyone here tried it?  What are your opinions?

1longshot

[Dee]

1longshot, I have been shooting 150 grain round nose jacketed, and cast bullets thru the same Model 94 Winchester for 52 years. Many were Sierra bullets. As I write this it is leaned against the wall with in reach, and shows no signs of blowing up. Just put a light crimp on the case mouth in the cannelure.

[bcp]

Factories load/loaded round nose bullets, including FMJ.





Bruce

[Dand]

I have carried and used quite a bit of Remington 170 gr factory loads in my Win 94 with no trouble. And those bullets are round nosed. I figure if a big name outfit like Remington loads an RN bullet in 30-30 then you should be fine.

[bilmac]

If they have bullets specifically designed for the 30-30 then I would use those. Another problem with them may be that the cannelure isn't in the right place. If you want a RN then I would think you should be able to find some from some other maker that are made for the 30-30. Rem makes a factory round with a RN so they probably sell the component bullet.

[Siskiyou]

I have loaded the Hornady Round Nose 150 for years.  It is an accurate bullet and have used the roll crimp in the Hornady cannelure, and recently used the Lee Factory Crimp Die, which is nice.  I have also loaded the excellent 150-grain Remington C-L. 

I f I already had a supply of the 150-grain Sierra RN; I would load experimental loads and check the performance.  I would also call Sierra at 1.800.223.8799 and ask their opinion. 

My Sierra 5th addition manual does not show loading data for their 150-grain Roundnose.  It does show data using the 150-grain RN in the 30-40 Krag, 300 Savage, 30-06 and other 30 caliber cases that produce higher velocity than the 30-30 Winchester.  Manufacture have been making bullets for the 30-30 a long time and know what it takes to have reliable bullet in that velocity range.  I am “guessing” the 150-grain Roundnose Sierra is a little tougher bullet and they do not consider it suitable for the 30-30.

If I was in the market I would buy the 150-grain Remington C-L over the Sierra and Hornady for the 30-30.  I have ignored the 160-grain flex-tip and the 170-grain bullets being the question refer to a 150 grain bullet.

[jager]

   Sierra used to list the 150 and 170gr flat nose bullets for the 30/30 at a diameter of .307 vice .308. (Now days, they list both designs as .308.) Some past shooters reported slightly faster velocity for the (older) slightly smaller Sierra's over other brands when chronographs became fairly common. I don't think there is anymore diffence in performance than you would usually find between individual rifles in this regard.
   Sierra also listed the "most effective velocity range" of their "flat points" as 2000 to 2300fps vice 2500 to 3400fps for their 150gr round nose design. In an older Sierra manual, they depect the round nose's jacket as being slightly thicker than the flat point's, but their round nose doesn't look much different than a Remington Cor-lokt without the "scallops". I've used both bullets from Sierra and can't tell much difference on deer in that weight.

[saddlebum]

If you must have round nose bullets go with 30-30 specified bullets only. Core-lokt and Win. Power Points are ok, but I get best accuracy from Sierra 150gr flat nose. They work good on deer. They are also 2.00 a box cheaper than Core- Lokt at Mid-South. They are also the only ones in stock right now. I don't use Hornady because of past bad experience.

[1longshot]

I am going to call Sierra tomorrow to find out about the round nose.  To tell the honest truth I just like the shape of the bullet as compared to all the other round nose bullets.  The sierra doesn't have as much exposed lead as the Remington CL which tends to smash the lead flat as it is loaded and unloaded from the tubular rifle magazine.  The Hornady round nose looks as if it doesn't have enough lead exposed at the point to reliably expand?  I don't know about that really though, it is just my assumption.  Also the Sierra looks the most aerodynamic of all the round nose bullets I have found.  The Nosler Partition is a good looking aerodynamic bullet also but I want to stay away from that heavy of bullet and price point. 

Why am I concerned about aerodynamic? And in a 30-30 at that?  I don't know.  I guess to squeeze every bit as much performance as possible out of the cartridge in my new XLR with out using the 160 grain ftx bullet from Hornady.  I hate to use flat points due to this.  I know the Remington CL's are very good bullets.  I may end up using them.  I just hate that the tips get smushed in the mag.

[Dee]

I think your gonna find out that what your worried about is for nought. That bullet was designed for 3030 velocities. Their not gonna design a bullet in that caliber and weight for higher velocity.

[1longshot]

Yeah, that is what I thought too.  After getting off the phone with Rich at Sierra Bullets here is what he said:

150 Grain Flat Point 18 thousandths of and inch at the start of taper where the lead meets the copper

150 Grain Round Nose 14 thousandths of an inch where the lead meets the copper then tapered to a thicker jacket.

Both have 3% Antimony which he said was hard.

He said that the flat point actually had a thicker jacket than the round nose, and that it was probably due to the fact that the distances the the bullet was intended to strike were shorter so more robustness was needed.

He told me it should not be a problem shooting the round nose through the 30-30 and using it for deer. It would work just fine.  If I wanted to try it go ahead.  But don't shoot 300 yards with it.

I guess I will give it a try

[Dee]

Like I said longshot.I have been shooting that same bullet design in the same Winchester 3030 for 52 years. It is the best one I have found for my wants in a 3030.

[1longshot]

Dee,

Thank you for your advice and experiential wisdom.  It was not that I did not trust your words about using Sierra Round nose bullets, I just wanted to know why Sierra didn't list them as a 30-30 bullet.  Now I have some more information about them.  Thanks again.

1longshot

[Siskiyou]

Good information.

[jlchucker]

Factories load/loaded round nose bullets, including FMJ.





Bruce

Those look a lot like the Winchester ammo advertised in their 1905 catalog.  I've shot plenty of round nose bullets through various 30-30's over the years, and the Remington Corelocts sold as 30-30 specific are all round nose when you buy them in bulk. Like Dee, none of my 30-30's look like they're about to blow up.

[Dee]

When one sees a round nose bullet, or a flat nose bullet one should pretty much deduce that it's a low velocity (by today's standards) designed bullet. This isn't a I told ya so post, it's for some whom may be wondering. If I had doubts and wanted to REALLY KNOW, I would have done the same thing you did 1longshot.
The reason for this, is the wider face of the bullet absorbs more energy causing more deformity, or mushroom if you will. The spitzer type bullet with the sharper nose is designed NOT TO SHED VELOCITY as quickly, but is reliant on higher velocity to expand.
It is similar to comparing an "ice pick to a 4 lb. shop hammer" in many ways, other than the ice pick were it a bullet would deliver far more "hydrostatic shock" INSIDE THE BODY while the shop hammer would deliver a more crushing blow in the impact area. This may not be a clear picture but I am limited in my communication skills.
All in all, it is a pretty safe bet that if the bullet is a round, or flat nose, and has a cannelure, it is for loads under 3,000 fps, and probably for loads in the 2,500fps range or below.

[WyoStillhunter]

Call Sierra and talk to one of the tech reps.  They are great guys and will be glad to tell you all about the round nose bullet, it's use, and it's limitations (if any).

Remember, these are regular folks living and working in my home state of Missouri.  You won't get any mega-corporation run around from them.  E-mail works, too.

[WyrTwister]

If they have bullets specifically designed for the 30-30 then I would use those. Another problem with them may be that the cannelure isn't in the right place. If you want a RN then I would think you should be able to find some from some other maker that are made for the 30-30. Rem makes a factory round with a RN so they probably sell the component bullet.

     You can use the Lee Factory Crimp Die and crimp it any where you want to .

     I have had discussions with several people on the internet that freaked out about RN bullets in lever guns .

     I tell them I have several boxes of Federal 170 grain RNSP factory loads .  If Federal's lawyers are not worried , neither am I .

     As for as will the bullets expand at .30-30 velocities , I do not know ?  If I had to guess , I would say they will be OK .

God bless
Wyr

[WyrTwister]

[/quote]

Those look a lot like the Winchester ammo advertised in their 1905 catalog.  I've shot plenty of round nose bullets through various 30-30's over the years, and the Remington Corelocts sold as 30-30 specific are all round nose when you buy them in bulk. Like Dee, none of my 30-30's look like they're about to blow up.
[/quote]


     At around 1905 , I think RN bullets were SOP ?

     I remember reading the 1903 cartridge ( .30-03 ) used pretty much the same RN bullet as the .30-40 Krag ?

     They changed to sharp pointed bullet when the caliber was revised in 1906 ( .30-06 ) .

God bless
Wyr