How do you make a 30-30 much more attractive?

[300WSM]

Nothing appealing about the 30-30...


until now....







One loaded with Ballistic Silvertip

The other with Hornady FTX
(Apparently the soft tip can be safely loaded in a tube mag)

We'll see how they shoot.

 

[Wolfshead]

I bought my model 94 from an older gentleman who I believe was in his late 70’s early 80’s.
He was selling it for his son.
As I was talking with him, he said that the rifle was “a shooter” and that it really liked those “new” Hornady bullets.
He told me that those shot really well in this rifle.
So I picked up some Winchester hollow points and round nose and a box of the FTX from Hornady and shot all of them to see for myself.
(Side note; yes they are safe for lever guns, and tube magazines)
As I was told, my rifle really shot well, and liked the FTX very much.
I now handload the FTXs using the Leverevolution powder and have shot clover leafs at 50 yards with iron peep sights and have been able to shoot into a 8” paper plate at 204 yards, again with iron sights.
I am really interested in hearing what you find and how you like them.

 

[Aussie Wanderer]

I christened mine on a red stag across a gully with those ftx bullets. I have mine in a marlin and that is a great little rifle to shoot. Doesn’t seem to matter what ammo it shoots. I have a bunch of 160ftx to load and really wish I could lever revolution or super performance powders here.

 

[FOTIS]

160 FTX and leverevolution. Works like a charm in my Marlin. She is going to Texas for hogs in April with my son. I think I will 375 H&H my hog!

 

[Guy Miner]

Fotis - didn't you chop the barrel on one of your great Marlin lever actions?

I really like the little ol' soft-kicking 30-30 and haul one along in my Jeep often, but I don't actually hunt with it all that much. The newer bullets and powders have really woken up the old cartridge re velocity, range, etc...

Regards, Guy

 

[diverdown]

Nothing appealing about the 30-30...


until now....


View attachment 25177

View attachment 25178
View attachment 25179

One loaded with Ballistic Silvertip

The other with Hornady FTX
(Apparently the soft tip can be safely loaded in a tube mag)

We'll see how they shoot.

I started using them in my Model 94 .32 special when they came out. Accuracy is good and they definitely do drop deer. Feeding with the pointed tip is also more reliable.

 

[FOTIS]

Fotis - didn't you chop the barrel on one of your great Marlin lever actions?

I really like the little ol' soft-kicking 30-30 and haul one along in my Jeep often, but I don't actually hunt with it all that much. The newer bullets and powders have really woken up the old cartridge re velocity, range, etc...

Regards, Guy

Yes sir. This one started life as a MLRX 24" tube. I saw no need for the long barrel so I cut it and recrowned at 21" just to have something unique!

 

[wvbuckbuster]

There is nothing wrong with the 30-30 when used in its limits. Just don't try to make it out to be something it isn't. The new FTX bullet and LVR powder has done for it same as the 35 Rem.
Dan.

 

[Slimfinn]

The the first 2 centerfire rifles I bought were 30-30s, an H&R Handi Rifle and a Winchester 94, geez I cant remember the last time I have shot either one of them. I do have some ammo loaded up with LVR and I'd have to look but I think some Speer or Sierra 150's

 

[Wolfshead]

As I’ve posted above I feel I have a good recipe for my handloads, which is able to reach out a bit and pretty accurate for a peep sighted 30-30.
My 94 is a 20” barreled carbine and at the range the other day I was able to get an average of 2360 out of these loads.
Hornady states that they get approximately 2400 out of their 24” barrel from their factory ammo.
In those regards I’m pretty happy with what I’ve been able to come up with!

 

[Blkram]

So, how did those 308 150 gr BSTs shoot?

 

[PJGunner]

I guess I'm just an old fuddy duddy as about the only thing I run in my 30-30s is my home cast bullets. I've used the Lyman #311291, a nominlly 175 gr. round nose bullet snce 1954. Only difference is the mold is marked Ideal and the bullet as #308291. Bullet originally came out in IIRC, 1905. It's a single cavity mold and makes a beautiful bullet. I took a few deer with it in an old M94 Winchester back in the day. These days most of the hunts I do and will ever do make to 30-30 a bit impractical so now they're just used for recreational purpose, or as I like to call them, fun guns.
Paul B.

 

[Ralt71]

Nothing appealing about the 30-30...


until now....


View attachment 25177

View attachment 25178
View attachment 25179

One loaded with Ballistic Silvertip

The other with Hornady FTX
(Apparently the soft tip can be safely loaded in a tube mag)

We'll see how they shoot.

I've loaded both and I don't care for the FTX in my 30/30's. They supposedly fly better, with less resistance and increase the accuracy node on this caliber... I have not seen that in any of my testing. The silvertip or the powerpoints in one of my model 94's shoots better than a lever should though!

 

[Wolfshead]

So, how did those 308 150 gr BSTs shoot?

BSTs?
I tried out some 130 ttsx’s I’m working on but I messed up my target and could not get any accurate results from it.
I did get some impressive speeds from my 20” barrel though.
Ramshot TAC powder
At the upper end toward max I was getting an average of 3202 fps. The last shot of this load that was under max recommended I got a little stiff bolt lift so I’ll be reducing from that point. (No other pressure signs though)
At the lower end I tested I got an average of 3075 fps.
I plan on loading up another round this morning and hopefully getting to the range tomorrow, for some accuracy tests. ( hopefully I don’t mess this one up)

I also have some 150 grain tsx’s for the 30-30 to test and will be taking them too.
With NY being what it is and the threat to go non-lead on state lands I need to have alternatives to what I’m now using.

 

[JMRhino]

BSTs?
I tried out some 130 ttsx’s I’m working on but I messed up my target and could not get any accurate results from it.
I did get some impressive speeds from my 20” barrel though.
Ramshot TAC powder
At the upper end toward max I was getting an average of 3202 fps. The last shot of this load that was under max recommended I got a little stiff bolt lift so I’ll be reducing from that point. (No other pressure signs though)
At the lower end I tested I got an average of 3075 fps.
I plan on loading up another round this morning and hopefully getting to the range tomorrow, for some accuracy tests. ( hopefully I don’t mess this one up)

I also have some 150 grain tsx’s for the 30-30 to test and will be taking them too.
With NY being what it is and the threat to go non-lead on state lands I need to have alternatives to what I’m now using.

I'm glad to hear you are getting those velocities out of a 20" barrel and 130gn TTSX and TAC. I too have recorded impressive velocities (3249 fps) with that combo out of a 20" Bergara carbon barrel and near max TAC and I was beginning to doubt my Lab Radar. They seemed too good to be true at first. I sighted in the loads @ 100 and then validated at 380 yds with my Leupold VX6. The turret worked really well. I don't see shooting too much past 400 where I am...

 

[TexasLife]

160 FTX and leverevolution. Works like a charm in my Marlin. She is going to Texas for hogs in April with my son. I think I will 375 H&H my hog!

where at in Tejas are you going if you don't mind saying

 

[Blkram]

"BSTs?" = Ballistic SilverTip

Wolfshead: the question was intended for 300WSM regarding his opening post.

 

[FOTIS]

where at in Tejas are you going if you don't mind saying

We went to Dos Plumas Ranch....

Best Hog Hunting in Texas | Hog Hunting Outfitters of Trent, TX

Top-rated hog hunting ranch in Texas. Tired of Hidden Fees & Fake Discounts? Dos Plumas Hunting Ranch offers affordable hog hunts with No Hidden fees or surprise charges. This is a true all-inclusive Texas hog hunt at a reasonable price.

www.dosplumashuntingranch.com

My boy shot 2 with the 30-30 and I shot 3 with the Savage 99 300 savage.

 

[TexasLife]

We went to Dos Plumas Ranch....

Best Hog Hunting in Texas | Hog Hunting Outfitters of Trent, TX

Top-rated hog hunting ranch in Texas. Tired of Hidden Fees & Fake Discounts? Dos Plumas Hunting Ranch offers affordable hog hunts with No Hidden fees or surprise charges. This is a true all-inclusive Texas hog hunt at a reasonable price.

www.dosplumashuntingranch.com

My boy shot 2 with the 30-30 and I shot 3 with the Savage 99 300 savage.

That's 5 hours from me. I'm 4.5 hours north of abilene. I lived in sweetwater for a year. I hope both of you have another enjoyable time there!

 

[FOTIS]

I booked another hunt for next April before I left the ranch! JD338 and spouse will be joining me.