30-30 XLR accuracy w/round nose bullets?

[1longshot]

Well, with all this marlin is moving shutting down talk I finally put some money down and ordered a XLR in 30-30. I have been wanting one since they came out.   I live in Northern Nevada so a 30-30 isn't necessarily the best long rang rifle for this area but I will make use of it just as well.  With the fact that round nose bullets in 30-30 cal will probably be around for a very long time and be in abundance I would like to shoot them in this rifle.  Does anyone have any range reports using this bullet and not the LE ammo?  I know I can reload the LE ammo but I probably won't and may never buy any loaded either.  Thanks for your responses.

1longshot

[mattmillerrx]

Just posting to follow this one.  I like the longer barrel on this gun but don't much need the pointed bullets.  Interested to see what others say about this one.

[Bossloper]

My XLR isn't a 30-30, but in 35 Remington I have found the XLR to be a great shooting rifle. I expect your 30-30 will provide the same kind of results that mine has for me with round nose bullets (see pic below). I look forward to seeing a picture when you have her all set up.

[plumberjoe]

My rifle really likes Federal 170 grain round nose soft points.  It is my hunting load.  I group 1 moa three shot groups when I do my part.  I also find this ammo on sale allot, under $20.00.  I just bought dies and bullets for my 30-30 yesterday.  Decided to go with the FTX bullet by Hornady. 

[robert4570]

I bought that same rifle last night, will give a range report once the scope and mounts are in.

[mangulator]

I bought a 30-30 XLR last year and it is very accurate. I have taken an antelope at 279 yards (ranged with a range finder), mule deer buck under 100 yards and a cow elk at approximately 150 yards. You will love the accuracy.

[robert4570]

I bought a 30-30 XLR last year and it is very accurate. I have taken an antelope at 279 yards (ranged with a range finder), mule deer buck under 100 yards and a cow elk at approximately 150 yards. You will love the accuracy.

Glad to hear ,
Cant wait to take her for a test ride.

[JohnnyLoco]

Leverevolution in 30-30 went south on me over the last 10 months, I don't know why and I'm not the only one.  I had been shooting it without fail for five years.

I now use Winchester Powermax 150's and it shoots real well in my Ballard rifles (XLR, bolt actions, handi-rifle, as well as the microgroove versions of leveractions.  It hits harder than the Lever-E without question.

Side note is from 25 yards where I sight my rifle to 100 yards the P-max is in the same hole as Lever-E??

My 35's still shoots Lever-E perfectly

Good stuff - Goodluck  

[sachel.45]

what do you mean it went south on you?

[JohnnyLoco]

I has several lots from many different places that started producing one foot groups in all my 30-30's.  I watched folks at the range get downright disgusted with their rifles until they swapped ammo.  I've seen many post on other forums.  I called Hornady and the fella on the phone said "they don't shoot real good in microgroove because the rifling is shallow".  I can tell you many reasons thats BS but my answer to him was "I've been shooting it in many types of rifles for five years without a hiccup until recently.

Long story long:  I know every box of Lever-E 30-30 can't be bad but, I can't afford to take a random chance.  The Winchester Powermax is the most devastating close range 30-30 I've ever used.  You know they are hit fer sure.   Most of my kills come under 100 yards and many times I've had Lever-E under 100 yards pass right through without so much as a flinch.  They did fall dead, but many times after I had unnecessarily pumped two more rounds in them.

Lever-E caused me to take on a new habit.  I shoot two or three from a box before a serious hunt to see where they hit and shoot from that box.

[saddlebum]

Leverevolution in 30-30 went south on me over the last 10 months, I don't know why and I'm not the only one.  I had been shooting it without fail for five years.

I don't know if this applies to you but is something to look at. I used to have a .243 that would print .5" groups with Hornady 70gr bullets. All of a sudden it started scattering bullets all over the place. After bedding the action, free floating the bbl and trying 3 different scopes on it, it still grouped like a scatter gun. Then it dawned on me. I was shooting loads made from a new lot of bullets. I held them up side by side and it was plain as day the ogives were different on every one. One would be pointier than the one it was compared to. I loaded rounds from a different lot that all looked the same and got my .5" groups back. After all I went through over that deal, I have never trusted Hornady since.                                                                                                                                                           As far as .30-30 store bought bullets go, I get my best accuracy from Sierra 150gr FPs pushed to the max. I don't remember a group size but I only shoot it open sighted anyway. My 336 20" bbl will tip the 200mtr chickens and 300mtr rams over EVERY time. I have taken several mule deer with it and it only took one shot,(each). I did accidently shoot two antelope with one shot though. My wife was ticked cause she had to tag one. BTW they cost about the same as the rest or less these days at Mid-South........Sorry this is not more scientific than it is.                   Boy this came out weird  &^%#$@!&*

[JohnnyLoco]

It probably does apply to me and all the others.  It would help if Hornady would man up.