Interesting range session with older 30-30

[carbineman]

Took my older scoped H&R 30-30 barrel that I mated to an NEF receiver(do this at your own risk) to our local 250 yard range today and fired approx 30 rounds (all handloads) with about half being 130 grain Hornady spire points and the balance 130 grain Barnes X bullets. All groups were in the white on a Midway 25 yard pistol target. Groups were fairly consistent in the 2 inch range with both bullets. Then all of a sudden after shooting about a dozen or so Barnes the accuracy fell off considerably with some shots not hitting the target.

I am going to check the barrel for excessive copper and then check out the scope mounting ETC. I did notice a little barrel heat building ,so that may have had a little to do with it. After the cleaning and checking, I'll try again and post back the results. This "put together" firearm shot as well as any at the range today at long distances and for the most part better than most. This was the first time I shot this rifle at that distance.

[lik2hunt]

hmmm........interesting. Ever try any of the LeverEvolution in it?

[carbineman]

lik2hunt, Never have, cause I'm a roll my own guy,  except for 7.62x39 as the Russian stuff is still a better deal. I have the components for 7.62x39 but just keep it in case of eventualities

[Dillohide]

The Nosler 125 grain ballistic tip is another bullet that shoots real well in the NEF 30-30. But, I kinda like plain old 170 grain bullets with 30 grains of IMR 3031.

[tallyho]

carbineman, I'm curious if this barrel might be one of the slim profile older H&R Topper 30/30 barrels? I had one (more than one actually) over the years, and I found that as I fired more, the more the barrel heated up, and shots would get more random. They are actually quit a bit thinner than current barrels, and it doesn't take long before to heat up.

I learned to shoot 3-4 shots maximum and then put it down to cool while I shot something else. Accuracy was definitely good while it lasted though. And I once I learned to be patient with it and made sure the scope was solid (like you suggest), I never did worry about where the first shot was going to land. 

BTW my favorite, and most accurate, load used a 165gr Speer PSP at a less than max velocity. Sorry I don't remember the recipe exactly but  was with IMR 4064.

Cheers
Kerry

[carbineman]

tallyho, I somewhat suspected barrel heat had something to do with it. And yes it is the older thinner profile barrel that I am using. At one time it felt just a little warm, even though it was 35 degrees yesterday at the range.

Aftr doing all my checks and cleaning I'll see if the slow and easy approach wards off the problem.

[Mac11700]

This was the first time I shot this rifle at that distance.

At what distance where you shooting...You never said.

If you follow Barnes recommendations..You will only shoot their X bullet from a perfectly clean bore...I know they shoot much better for me when it's completely clean..otherwise I can't get them to shoot worth a durn to begin with..The same goes for their triple shocks...so..you might follow their cleaning recommendations prior to your next range visit..

Mac

[carbineman]

This was the first time I shot this rifle at that distance.

At what distance where you shooting...You never said.My distance was 250 yards as indicated above though I didn't say I was using the entire distance. All my shots were indeed 250 yards. I probably wasn't clear on that.

If you follow Barnes recommendations..You will only shoot their X bullet from a perfectly clean bore...I know they shoot much better for me when it's completely clean..otherwise I can't get them to shoot worth a durn to begin with..The same goes for their triple shocks...so..you might follow their cleaning recommendations prior to your next range visit..I use the Barnes copper cleaner and may have just did to much shooting without cleaning. Like I indicated it if shoots well from the clean barrel next trip, I'll know that I was "coppered" up and that is what the fall-off in accuracy was from.

Mac