Pointy 30-30 bullets

[Ojaileveraction]

I've drifted back to trying Spitzer point bullets I'm a 30-30 lever action.
Initially I tried them in a Savage 340 clone, with little to show for it.
Tried them in a lever action at the time but couldn't get the bullet seating right and the unfired bullet would not eject.
I picked up a 336xlr in 30-30 recently. It's been shooting well with Sierra 150gr FN . At the same time I have been shooting and reloading for 243 Winchester.
So I worked up some loads for Sierra .308 150gr btsp and fbsp.
I first made up a dummy bullet to nail the seating depth. 2.595 a smidge this side of 2.60 in. is were I setteled on. That size cycled through the magazine and ejected perfectly
C 8asqy6omparing bullet length cross referencing Sierra and Hogdone data ,
I did a test ladder for each bullet, not shooting for accuracy so much as for a safe load.
Starting at Sierras lowest for 170gr flatnose and incrementally increasing the charge of Varget to Hogdone's lowest for 150gr flatnose.
I usually shoot 150gr fn over a stiff charge of IMR3031. I know were it's going from 35 to 300 meters.
I'm not after a hunting load but looking for something to shoot the club's High power Silhouette match.
The match was suposed to be today but the heat kept most away. But I was able to shot my test loads. They all worked no signs of over pressure. Accuracy was acceptable.
I used Varget for 30-30 when I first started reloading. Worked up to 34gr under 150gr fn. Pretty stiff. This load is less. Finished with three offhand shots ringing the 300 gong.

At the same time while letting the barrel cool I shot the 243 Finnwolf using for the first time IMR43650 and Sierra 100gr. Again another ladder test. Finished with a mid range load that I'll try out on the 500meter range. Sweet rifle to shoot off the bench over sandbags.

[JEBar]

interesting indeed .... this type of shooting and bullet development is the reason I'd love to see Henry come out with a 30-30 in their Long Ranger line

[Mistered]

So I worked up some loads for Sierra .308 150gr btsp and fbsp.

That size cycled through the magazine and ejected perfectly

I assume with the bullets you mean boat tail spire point and flat base spire point.
If this is the case you should not be loading them in the mag tube as the possibility of recoil primer detonation exists with a spire point bullet making contact with a primer in the mag tube.

[Ojaileveraction]

Oh yeah sorry.
MisterEd is correct lever actions should not have pointy bullets stacked in the tube. The Recoil may set off a catastrophic ignition chain.
They can be loaded one in the breach and one in the magazine.

[Ojaileveraction]

interesting indeed .... this type of shooting and bullet development is the reason I'd love to see Henry come out with a 30-30 in their Long Ranger line

Though I am using Spitzer bullets I'm still using published load data.
I'm HOPING the difference in pressures between Spitzer and flatnose bullets won't be dangerous.
But that's on me.
I'm not looking to to get faster than published velocities. I just want to use the higher Balistic Coefficient and Sectional Density of the pointed bullets for targets at 300 and beyond.
MAYBE there a pay off with the boattails at the furthest distances if there is a speed of sound transition.

[Mistered]

I discovered 150 grain BTSP bullets to give the best long range performance out of one of my Winchesters. I loaded several at top velocity with H380 and actually whacked an 18" gong at 500 yards a few times. I needed someone to spot the gong as I shot as the 30-30 bullets were pretty well spent at this distance but could be seen hitting it.

[220]

If you want pointed bullets in a tube mag the only safe option is the Hornady FTX.
The 30/30 160gr has a BC of .330 and the 308 marlin 160gr .395. Cannelure on the 308m is in the wrong place for OAL to work in most 30/30.
BC is not as good as most conventional pointed bullets but a lot better than anything else that is safe in a tube mag.

[GFK]

I discovered 150 grain BTSP bullets to give the best long range performance out of one of my Winchesters. I loaded several at top velocity with H380 and actually whacked an 18" gong at 500 yards a few times. I needed someone to spot the gong as I shot as the 30-30 bullets were pretty well spent at this distance but could be seen hitting it.

That is some shooting.

[Mistered]

That is some shooting.

Oh, it's not anything particularly noteworthy. If I could do it shot after shot it could be called 'marksmanship' - the rifle is inherently accurate but not really meant for that distance. Hitting it a couple times is more a matter of estimating the elevation & windage and 'lobbing' them in. Kind of like hitting five gal LP tanks at 100 yards with a pistol - and I can do this fairly easily with my 1911 .45 ACP - but it's more of a 'parlor trick' at the range than real 'marksmanship'

[Ojaileveraction]

That is some shooting.

Oh, it's not anything particularly noteworthy. If I could do it shot after shot it could be called 'marksmanship' - the rifle is inherently accurate but not really meant for that distance. Hitting it a couple times is more a matter of estimating the elevation & windage and 'lobbing' them in. Kind of like hitting five gal LP tanks at 100 yards with a pistol - and I can do this fairly easily with my 1911 .45 ACP - but it's more of a 'parlor trick' at the range than real 'marksmanship'

Markspersonship comes with Knowing your equipment, getting the right sights, and practic, practice, practice

[GFK]

That is some shooting.

Oh, it's not anything particularly noteworthy. If I could do it shot after shot it could be called 'marksmanship' - the rifle is inherently accurate but not really meant for that distance. Hitting it a couple times is more a matter of estimating the elevation & windage and 'lobbing' them in. Kind of like hitting five gal LP tanks at 100 yards with a pistol - and I can do this fairly easily with my 1911 .45 ACP - but it's more of a 'parlor trick' at the range than real 'marksmanship'

If that is how you see it. But, hitting an 18" object from 500 yards is nothing to sneeze at. I suspect if it was typical, you would not have tried it. You don't strike me as someone that takes the road well traveled. But, that is just my cut.

[Mistered]

If that is how you see it. But, hitting an 18" object from 500 yards is nothing to sneeze at.

Well with the right gun this is much more attainable - but maybe I'll load some 'stout' 30-30 and give it a try with one of my 26" Winchesters.
Reality being what it is however I am much more of an 'offhand' shooter and would be more satisfied with sub - 3" groups on paper at 100 yards than occasional, undefined hits on a gong at 500.

[GFK]

If that is how you see it. But, hitting an 18" object from 500 yards is nothing to sneeze at.

Well with the right gun this is much more attainable - but maybe I'll load some 'stout' 30-30 and give it a try with one of my 26" Winchesters.
Reality being what it is however I am much more of an 'offhand' shooter and would be more satisfied with sub - 3" groups on paper at 100 yards than occasional, undefined hits on a gong at 500.

Understood.