Sierra 165BTHP (gameking) bullet performance at 30-30 velocities.

dthunter

dthunter

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Good day fellow gunnutz!

I am presently working up a hunting load for a Savage 99EG (30-30 winchester), that I picked up this spring.

I have worked up a very accurate load using Leverevolution powder and the Sierra 165Grain HPBT. (This is not the match bullet, it is the hunting gameking bullet).


I am able to seat these bullets deep enough to function flawlessly through the rotary magazine, and still have great accuracy.





I have managed to achieve an average velocity of 2365fps. Not to shabby for a 30-30 win and a 165grain Bullet.

My BIG QUESTION/inquiry is this:

Sierra claims the effective initial velocity for reliable expansion with this bullet is in the 2500fps range. They say that this will allow this bullet design to fully mushroom as designed out to approximately 300yds. (308win performance area).

With my velocity of 2365fps, can I expect adequate performance from this bullet at this slightly lower velocity level?

Has anyone tried this combo on deer,black bear, and maybe elk?
Please feel free to share your experiences with this bullet.

My only real concern is reliable expansion between the muzzle and say 250'ish yards.

Why am I trying this?

I enjoy experimenting, and I am trying to see if I can get a more modern bullet design to work for the good old 30-30 winchester.
I have heard a few reports that the 160gr FTX (factory ammo) are comming apart to easily, and this might offer me a more controlled expansion at this velocity level. Those FTX bullets (my own reloads), also shoot very well in my 30-30!

I suppose/realise that its kind of splitting hairs, but I just like trying different bullet styles like this.

I know I can just use the traditional round nosed bullets, but this sierra 165grain BTHP will allow the energies to be a bit higher for the old 30-30 at 200-250'ish yards.
 
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I have been using spire points in .30/30's for 30 years... they work excellent on game... I double jack 94's and also use a number of single shot platforms in .30/30... I have never used the bullet you are referring to... but LVR has really added some pep to these loads, and with excellent accuracy too. Standard Hornady SP's and Partitions all perform as they should on impact, with good expansion... I would expect that you will be perfectly fine with your bullet choice.

It really doesn't matter what speed they are going at the muzzle... it matters what speed they are going at your target... .30/06 @ 250 or .30/30 @ 100... the bullet doesn't know the difference, nor will the animal.
 
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Like hoyt I haven't got enough experience with the bullet your using to offer any more wisdom. It may be worth your while to email sierra with regards to your concerns. I've done it before with both speer and sierra bullets when loading bullets that I had concerns about the performance of and sometimes got some helpful load recommendations as well.
 
The game king bullets in 257 cal 120 gr expand nicely with an impact of 18-1900 fps. I'd assume the 30 cal would behave the same.
Reload a reduced load and test. Trail boss should get you in the 16-1700 fps range I'm sure. Or shoot you current load into a bullet box at 250 yards. Testing is the only true way to know
 
hoytcanon said:
I have been using spire points in .30/30's for 30 years... they work excellent on game... I double jack 94's and also use a number of single shot platforms in .30/30... I have never used the bullet you are referring to... but LVR has really added some pep to these loads, and with excellent accuracy too. Standard Hornady SP's and Partitions all perform as they should on impact, with good expansion... I would expect that you will be perfectly fine with your bullet choice.

It really doesn't matter what speed they are going at the muzzle... it matters what speed they are going at your target... .30/06 @ 250 or .30/30 @ 100... the bullet doesn't know the difference, nor will the animal.
Click to expand...

Thankyou for your rely hoytcanon, I am aware that its the velocity at the target that matters. Thats where the bullets work is actually done. I am just trying to get a good idea of the "envelope" of useful range, so to speak.

I went out today and shot some of the Sierra btsp's from my 30-30.

I am primarily using Leverevolution powder for most trials. It shoots great, but I haven't gotten up to the highest load charges yet.

At 225 yards the bullet expanded back about 1/3 of the overall bullet length in my target medium. It was encouraging, but I need to try another couple of loads to see which one gives me my best performance.
 
I recently built some 30-30 loads using the Hornady 165gr BTSP bullets. They too shot very accurate with the Marlin XLR I tried them in, unfortunately I don't have a report on how they expanded.

I was using that new CFE-223, it seems to be very similar to Leverevolution powder.
 
I put 4 shots through a running bear with these 165 hpbt Sierras from a .308 at 50 yards and they did not appear to have expanded much. I think Sierra is correct with their recommending 2500 fps minimum. I would consider them too tough for a 30/30 especially at longer ranges.
 
At 2365 fps with a 165 gr bullet, your bullet energy is down to about 1200 ft lbs at 250 yds. (Hornady Handbook of cartridge reloading)

This is marginal energy required at point of impact or deer, sheep, antelope or goat. For Elk or Bear up to 600 lbs the POI energy recommended is 2000 ft.lb. ( Alberta Conservation and Hunter Education)

I would suggest you use the .30- 30 for Deer and shorten your range.
 
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