30-30 (new guy)

[harley101]

Hi guys, have a chance to buy a handi 30-30 basically new for $190 for a short range open sighted deer gun.  Since I do not reload, do these typically shoot better with 150 or 170 grain ?  Looking to use regular soft point ammo ( cheap ).  Thanks for your help, any and all advice appreciated, John

[demented]

 Every rifle is different, some shoot one weight best, some another brand better.  At ranges the 30-30 would be used for, especially using irons, I doubt you'll see enough difference to matter.   I've seen an old shot out Winchester or two that wouldn't group better than six inches at 100 yards but were deadly for deer out to 150.   If you ever decide to scope your rifle, try Hornady's Leverevolution ammo, these will turn you 30-30 into an honest 200-250 yards deer rifle.   I load Nosler Ballistic Tips for mine, works about the same as the factory Hornady stuff

[quickdtoo]

150gr Rem Core-lokts have shot great in all of my H&R 30-30s.

Tim

[Dinny]

I recommend the 160gr FTX Hornady LeverRevolution ammo. I have yet to get a group over 1" at 100yds with it.


Thanks, Dinny

[quickdtoo]

See Best Factory Ammo in the FAQs, seems to me 150gr ammo was commonly recommended for accuracy.

Tim

[harley101]

Thank you guys for your advice, great forum, very helpful.  John

[shvlhead.45]

I'm with Dinny on this one, those Hornady 160 gr FTXs shoot as tight a group as I can hold and I zero them at 200 yards.  Next favorite load is the  Winchester 150 grain Silvertips which always shot nice tight groups but not on par with the LeveRevolutions. 

One day I'll try to load some 165 gr Sierra Game Kings and try them as all my .30 caliber rifles have shown a preference for the 165-180 bullets when the barrel was a 1:10 twist.

r/shvlhead.45

[Randy Morring]

The Federal 150gr. Power-Shok shoots the best in mine with groups in the 1"-1.5" range at 100yds if I do my part. I've tried Winchester 150gr. Power Points and Reminton 150gr.Core-Lok and both shot bad groups in the 4"-6" range at 100yds. I havent tried the Hornady yet as most of my shots are in the dense woods and mountains here in North Alabama and the Federals are $15.00 a box at our local Walmarts.
 
Randy

[lefty41]

At one time I handloaded some 130 grain Sierra's and took two deer with them inside of 75 yds. Rem 150 gr. cor-locs have been good in my Marlin 336 30-30. Remington also has a 125 grain low recoil round if that is a problem.
Good luck, the 30-30 is alive and well after a looooooong time.