30-30 150 or 170?

[bunny]

I would like to hear some opinions from experienced 30-30 hunters on what you think is the best for hunting Whitetail and mulies, my rifle likes the 170 Hornady and the 150 Speer FNSP Hotcore, both propelled by LVR.

 

[cooey43]

My believe is the 150 gr. are best for deer. 170 gr. best for anything bigger or heavier.

 

[LouF]

Heavier bullet is always best in heavy bush.

 

[kamlooky]

My believe is the 150 gr. are best for deer. 170 gr. best for anything bigger or heavier.

...........

 

[Joel]

My grandfather and dad were pretty much married to 170gr Core Lokts and if they ever didn't work on deer and moose, I never saw it.

Would be handloading a 150gr Barnes TSX myself but thats a whole other animal

 

[madtrapper143]

I shoot heavy for calibre in all of my rifles ( except the .250-3000) The .30-30 is not a long range round so by shooting a 170 grain bullet you give up very little in trajectory and ballistics to lighter bullets.
Darryl

 

[Midnight Rider]

I have always used 170s as I view it as more of a do everything round; but 150s are certainly capable of taking deer .

 

[j_m_ru]

I just posted new tread: 150gr or 170gr bullet in 1:12 twist rate (barrel is 22 inch) in 30-30 caliber. Someone has an experience answer?

 

[dan belisle]

At the distances I use a 30-30, the 170 is my choice. And yes, it does work on moose and bear. - dan

 

[Kilo Charlie]

Virtually all .30-30 bullets, 170 or 150-grain, are soft enough to expand well and drop deer. I just choose the most accurate load.
My .30-30 is a Marlin 336A in the Ackley Improved, and it really likes both bullets you mentioned. I'd happily use either for deer, or the 160 FTX. I'm just about to try some loads with the Hornady 140; if it's accurate, that would also do well, I'd think.
The one bullet my Marlin shoots poorly (so far) is the Barnes 150.

 

[ronecol]

The deer don't care. Both work fine.

Stick with one or the other.

 

[rhino519]

for some unknown to me reason 150 groups head above shoulder to what i’ve been able to achieve with 170

 

[28 gauge]

All in my family ,used the 170 grain bullets for hunting.Seemed to drop game quite well to me.

 

[CLW .45]

Either will do quite well.

 

[Jimbobob08]

Barnes has a 190 grain fnsp out

 

[Mike Webb]

Personally I think the 150 seems to drop deer quicker at woods ranges while the 170 kills well but several I have shot have run 25 to 50 yards before piling up. That may be a function of a little higher velocity. The 170 will wade more meat and handle heavy bone better. My 2 cents.

 

[Northern Amateur]

Whichever shoots better in your rifle.

Cheers

 

[dan belisle]

Barnes has a 190 grain fnsp out

Original Barnes had a 195 if I remember correctly. Was designed for the 303 Savage I believe, but worked in the 30-30 as well. I'll have to keep an eye out for those 190's. - dan

 

[Eagleye]

I prefer the 170 for all my hunting with the 30-30
I'm sure the 150 will work fine, though. Dave.

 

[sgt.rock]

I just chrono'd some 170gr Winchester and Remington shot from my 22" barrel 30-30. Both shot 2100-2175 f/s
The 150gr Rem I shot went 2300. I would shoot the heavier bullets myself as the trajectories are almost the same and bigger is better in my world.