Favourite .30-30 bullet weight?

I like 170 grain Hornady jacketed in handloads, also have some Noslers and Speers I plan to check out as well as other bullets in 150 grain and 125 grain. Cast boolits will also be tried - both plain based and gas checked (from Lyman's 311041 mould). What with my 30 WCF collection expanding, more research is in order ;)
 
The 150 grainers are largely an American thing. They seem to be very popular there. However, remember that their deer tend to be smaller.
That's not knocking the 150 as a deer load, just that to the Canadian mindset, the 170's are better.
I use 170's pretty much exclusively, including for moose. I've been thinking of trying some of the premium 130's for deer. But then, the 170's have never failed me, so, WHY?
 
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Actually, I have two .30-30's on the go. The Ackley shoots 170's fully as accurately as 150's, maybe a hair tighter. like about MOA. Haven't tried my standard '94 yet....the last three .30-30's I had (a 336 carbine, '94 carbine, Savage 340) all shot best with 150 gr Winchester PowerPoint factory ammo, or 150 Remington roundnoses over max loads of RL 15. I'm thinking I'll probably focus on the 170 grainers for now. Thanks for the replies.
 
I had some hard cast 180 grain flat nosed lead with copper gas check base. For the life of me can't remember the load but they shot very well in a couple of pre '64 Win '94 .30-30 carbines I had.
 
Calum said:
I have some 150 grain Winchester Silver tips...Still looking for a Deer to try them out on. :)
Click to expand...

This same formula worked well for me. Once the silvertip makes it into the chest cavity...lookout!
Besides the anticipated destruction of both lunges, even the forward part of the tenderloins were mushroomed my metal fragments.
I did not expect this level of vitals damage.
 
.30 Wcf

I have shot quite a bit of game with both the .30 WCF (aka 30-30) and the .32 Special, both with 170 grain bullets. I have always either shot winchester factory loads or many handloads with Hornady bullets with total satisfaction in both calibers. I have very seldom ever recovered a bullet from a deer or caribou and the wound channels have been satisfactory. I have received excellent hunting accuracy out of my rifles with these loads.

The Nosler 170 or Barnes 150 X bullets may offer even better performance however I have never needed it.

Shoot strait and over moderate ranges and either old round will serve nicely.

Regards,

Outdoors
 
I have a tree-ought tree-ought and I have used Remington and Winchester in both sizes as well as an old box of Dominions and a bunch of handloads. Basically all perform the same for my use. Shoot-Hit-Kill.

Don't need it for much more than 150 yards where I am.
 
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