where have 125 grain sierras been all my life?

[mikeystew]

i got some for my 30-30 marlin and was pleasantly surprised

I loaded up 10 rounds to the specs that came with my die set today and used the 36g max load for the 150's as the charge. holy $hit! after being amazed at how well it tracked for the first 2 shots at sighting in at 30m, i was totally blown away when the first 3 shots at 100m fell sub moa with a williams peep sight. very near bullseye no less.

finally i could not resist my leftover from lunch... a large naval orange.
at 50m it VAPORIZED! i've shot alot of fruit in my day with various calibers but few came close to the shear carnage that resulted from the little 125's pistolesque, excessively large hollow point. what seemed like minuites later there was still bits falling from the sky and the smell of OJ hung in the air.

the largest piece i could find was about 1/2" at it's widest point.
disintegrated the orange completely!

next im thinking of seating the bullet out past the cannelure and closer to the rifling to accomodate more powder, and crimp using a lee factory crimper.

 

[Teapot]

Any idea of the velocity?

 

[Brutus]

Mikeystew, I read a USA, LEO report once on thier proposed use of 16 or 20 inch barreled 30-30 lever gun as a shift supervisor back up piece.
The only ammunition allowed by thier department for street use, were the 150 grain winchester hollow point & the sierra 125 grain hollow point in federal ammunition.
Terminal effects on ballistic gelatin, the 150 grain winchester hollow point almost vaporized. The 125 grain sierra was perfectly mushroomed to a .62 calibre slug and almost 100% weight retention. It also penetrated deeper than the winchester bullet.

 

[mikeystew]

the velocity chronos just above 2500 from a 20" barrel using 36g of R15 according to a couple guys on the marlinowners forum. im really surprised just how devestating these little buggers are.

 

[Ganderite]

I used to use the 125 as a target rifle bullet for my son to shoot in his 308 when he was a litle guy (age 6). Powder charge was reduced, but it grouped very well to 600 yards.

I got the idea rom an American who told me it was a common bullet for them to shoot at the 200 yards rapid fire match.

 

[iceman2]

Are these flat/round nose bullets? If spitzer be careful if more than 1 in the mag. Pointy bullets and tube mags not a good mix.

 

[Boomer]

Loading a pointy bullet for a tube mag .30/30 is alright if you simply use the rifle a 2 shooter. One in the chamber and one in the mag. I've shot the 125 Sierra in .30/30s, .308s and .30/06s at velocities from 2400-2600 with mostly excellent results, from the standpoint of accuracy, shooting comfort, and terminal performance.

 

[hiredgun]

I have found the 125 Sierra's to be the most accurate bullet I have loaded in my 7.62x39 Ruger MII which has a 308 bore.

 

[iceman2]

I agree about pointy bullets in the 30-30 as long as only carried as a 2 shooter. That is why I said only one in the mag.

 

[snowshoe]

I used to have a 24" barreled single shot .30-30 that I shot 125g bullets [Remington PSP's] from, and was amazed with it. Using H335 I got the little fellows going 2650 fps and hitting well under the inch at 100 yards.

 

[mikeystew]

iceman2 these are flat nosed with a very large hollow point. they seem to defy what i understood about bullet shape regarding ballistics considering they look like a hollow pointed wadcutter. but they group really well. better than some spire points ive experimented with... one in the chamber, one in the mag of course

 

[Brutus]

Reviews from Midway homepage for this bullet:

h ttp://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=491932

You picked a winner Mikeystew.