Author Topic: 30/30 for larger whitetails... (Read 2801 times)

ironglow · « **on:** August 27, 2010, 03:35:46 PM »

What is your favorite bullet.. weight, type & brand..factory or reloading..

Land_Owner · « **Reply #1 on:** August 28, 2010, 02:35:56 AM »

Speer 170 grain FN reloads. Mild - comparatively. High IMPACT. Punch through. "Larger whitetails" is subjective. I have killed a lot of "large" hogs with these too (>200 lbs).

ironglow · « **Reply #2 on:** August 28, 2010, 04:30:53 AM »

Thanks land owner;
I only specified larger whitetails because that is what I will be hunting with my 30/30...and whitetails run toward the larger size here in the northeast than in some places. I have used Win CX2, 170 gr SP with good effectiveness, but want to handload more my empties.
Don't have any hogs in my area yet, but they are coming. State DEC has put hogs on the "kill on sight" list; anytime and anywhere hunting is legal. It doesn't matter if it looks like somebody's "porky pet" smoke it! Many believe they are trying to stave off the inevitable.

spruce · « **Reply #3 on:** August 28, 2010, 05:16:24 AM »

I like WW 170gr Silvertips in my model 94 (factory loads).

I've shot a few deer with Rem Core-lokt 170gr also and they worked fine too. The Silvertips have always performed well for me and when used in a tube magazine the tips don't get all deformed from cycling in and out of the mag. The Hornady Leverevolution ammo looks good too, but haven't tried it yet.

I haven't tried all the brands of ammo out there, but in this particular cartridge I don't really believe there's a dime's worth of difference in performance on game. Your rifle may shoot better with a certain brand/load, but as far as killing game I think they're all very capable.

FWIW the largest deer I've shot with the Silvertips weighed 210lbs field dressed.

ironglow · « **Reply #4 on:** August 29, 2010, 03:00:08 AM »

Spruce;
Thanks for the imput.... Your best weighed 210 lbs dressed, congrats,..I haven't gotten one in that size category yet....but maybe this coming season?

BBF · « **Reply #5 on:** August 29, 2010, 08:57:59 AM »

I don't think there are any whitetails around anywhere that are too big for a 30-30 with either 150 or 170 gr standard bullets................ Now please don't get on that range/distance thing.

jlchucker · « **Reply #6 on:** August 29, 2010, 12:56:51 PM »

+ 1 BBF!!

BUGEYE · « **Reply #7 on:** August 30, 2010, 02:59:12 AM »

many years ago, sam fadala polled a lot of hunters and it was determined that the 30-30 150gr was as effective as anything.

ironglow · « **Reply #8 on:** August 30, 2010, 03:50:06 AM »

Thanks for the imput guys, I'll have a better Idea what to load. I have some factory loads in WW power point 170gr, so I guess I should try loading some 150 gr bullets.

Land_Owner · « **Reply #9 on:** August 30, 2010, 07:29:48 AM »

You will not be disappointed with either 150 or 170 grain bullets, provided that you do your part and put them where they do the best job of taking down the game.

Swampman · « **Reply #10 on:** August 30, 2010, 08:14:11 AM »

I only use the Remington 170 grain Core-Lokts.

yellowtail3 · « **Reply #11 on:** August 31, 2010, 05:40:32 AM »

Quote from: ironglow on August 27, 2010, 03:35:46 PM

What is your favorite bullet.. weight, type & brand..factory or reloading..

I usually use Federal 150s or 170s. They seem to shoot fine in my rifle, and they're usually the cheapest, and do a good job on the deer. I did try some Win PP 150s last season, shot one deer... looked like that thing detonated in the chest, huge hole at entrance (and it penetrated all the way through). Maybe I should sight in with those this year...

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #12 on:** August 31, 2010, 06:58:45 AM »

Winchester 150 gr silver tip . the ones with the alum. cover over the tip. 2 boxes left. Never had a deer walk away from one .

ironglow · « **Reply #13 on:** September 02, 2010, 04:42:54 AM »

Looks like either 150 or 170 will work just fine....and yes, I figure a 30/30 to be "good medicine' for either deer or black bear.

shvlhead.45 · « **Reply #14 on:** September 02, 2010, 09:28:41 AM »

The Hornady 160 gr Lever Evolution bumped the 150 gr Winchester Silver Tip to second place for me. More accurate, flatter shooting, kills every bit as well as 180 gr SSTs and SGKs handloaded for use in my single shot.

v/r
Shvlhead.45

BBF · « **Reply #15 on:** September 02, 2010, 09:42:08 AM »

Because you have "bear" in the consideration I would favor 170 gr bullets

Land_Owner · « **Reply #16 on:** September 02, 2010, 11:44:28 AM »

The OP didn't have bears in mind.

BBF · « **Reply #17 on:** September 02, 2010, 12:04:58 PM »

OOPS, I sit corrected, "bear" came into it later.

Land_Owner · « **Reply #18 on:** September 02, 2010, 12:26:06 PM »

But I agree with your sentiment that IF you were hunting in an area with bears, I too would like 170 grain bullets...and a whole bunch of them too!

Dee · « **Reply #19 on:** September 02, 2010, 02:28:02 PM »

Been using the 150 grain round noses loaded to 2400fps for 53 years in the same rifle. Big hogs in the 400lbs range, deer, coyotes, it works on them all.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #20 on:** September 03, 2010, 11:07:11 AM »

if a black bear notices 20 gr. it is one sensitive critter.

ironglow · « **Reply #21 on:** September 03, 2010, 01:04:35 PM »

Yes; I brought bear into the equation later. Until recently our big game in this area was/is whitetails..with oinly an occasional bear. Bears have been really increasing in the last 3-4 years, and they are decent sized.
One was shot last year over the border from me in PA..went something like 717 pounds. That was a record, but 400-500 lbs isn't extremely rare.
Many sightings this summer within a 5 mile radius of my home.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #22 on:** September 07, 2010, 06:46:30 AM »

Same here with the bears and cougars . When I was a kid deer were seldom seen now its game everywhere .

ironglow · « **Reply #23 on:** September 08, 2010, 12:56:53 AM »

Quote from: SHOOTALL on September 07, 2010, 06:46:30 AM

Same here with the bears and cougars . When I was a kid deer were seldom seen now its game everywhere .

Bears are increasing around here, still no cougars however..at least, the DEC tells us so...

There are though, many otherwise credible hunters & farmers who claim sightings of mountain lions..

T.R. · « **Reply #24 on:** October 05, 2010, 05:31:08 AM »

This big red stag never knew what hit him. Straight line penetration and lethal wound channel. Live weight: approx 375 - 400 lbs.

TR

ironglow · « **Reply #25 on:** October 05, 2010, 06:00:11 AM »

I have shot deer with the 170 CX2 rounds, last time at about 40 yards...The damage was devastating..I figured I may try 150s so I would still have good kill power with a tiny bit of added reach if need be.
BTW: I talked with our highway superintendant this morning. He lives about 4 miles from my house and about a mile from my woods. He said he was down by the creek behind his house last night, watching a beaver work. When he turned around to leave, he discovered a bear was there behind...watching him..

PawPaw · « **Reply #26 on:** October 05, 2010, 02:31:53 PM »

Most folks forget that when the .30-30 was introduced, it was touted as the latest and greatest, fastest whiz-bang cartridge ever invented. Good for everything from prairie dogs to grizzly bear. And, it's taken all the game on the North American continent.

I've got three and I've never felt undergunned with a .30-30. I may have to slip up a little closer, but if you stick a 150-170 grain bullet betwixt the ribs, he's probably going to blow blood out of his nose and fall over in just a few steps.

Yeah, I've got other rifles, but come the fall and the whitetail season, you're just likely to see me with a .30-30 in my hands.

shot1 · « **Reply #27 on:** October 07, 2010, 01:19:54 PM »

A few years ago I load up some Hornady 150 interlock RNSP with the suggested hunting load from the 4th edition Sierra manual, 31.8 grs Accurate Arms 2230 for 2250 fps for my cousin to use in his Winchester 94 30-30 Win. It was very accurate and he has killed all kinds of deer with this load and has never had to shoot one twice. The first deer he ever shot with this load was a buck that went right at 200 pounds live. He shot it right in the chest as it came down a trail toward him from about 50 yards. He said that it knocked it back on it's butt like it it was just sitting down with it's front legs still stiff and then just fell over dead. This bullet really holds together good with full expansion he says. All I know is that he keeps bring me cases and the components and has me load them up every year.

Dee · « **Reply #28 on:** October 07, 2010, 02:15:45 PM »

I shoot the Remington bullet at the same weight, but at 2400fps, and have for over 40 years.

1marty · « **Reply #29 on:** October 07, 2010, 05:40:05 PM »

People are so hung up these days on bullets-NBT, accubond, you name it. I've had the same Win 94 30-30 my dad gave me 50 years ago. I shoot win white box 150 grain. Whatever deer I shot (big boys or big girls) they never ran more than 50 yards. Learn how to be a good shot and you won't need to worry about ballistics.