I have a very accurate load for my 30-30 Contender using this bullet but have had second thoughts about even attempting to use it for hunting.

Anyone succesfully used this bullet for deer at such low velocities?

I can tell you have seen hundreds of deer shot with every thing from 22lr to DGR of 40 cal and bigger. A 180 gr hornday well kill all the deer you want. That is if you place the bullet where it needs be. front shoulders and lungs well take care of them.

My 357 magnum Contender 10 inch starts a 180 grain .358 @ 1500 and turns deer into venison just fine, but the Remington hollownose soft I use is intended to operate at those speeds. Your .308 180 roundnose soft is likely at the lower end of its optimum expansion velocity so you need to decide if the extra accuracy is more important than using a softer and/or faster bullet. Have you shot your load into wetpack to compare its expansion to 170 grain factory ammo? If expansion is similar then go for it. If not, then do the right thing. I'd be inclined to sock your buck on the shoulder instead of going for purist double lung shot. Good hunting!

Yeah, I'm leaning towards just using this load for Metallic Silhouette ...

It slows to 1500fps at 100 yards and 1200fps at 200 yards ...

A better deer bullet for your .30-30 is going to be a 150 grain ballistic tip. I have taken no less than three dozen deer with this bullet out of my .309 JDJ and it works superbly. I have not recovered a bullet yet, so I cannot tell you how they expand.

My 30-30 is not a 309 JDJ !

I have even had second thoughts about the Nosler 150 Ballistic Tip at 30-30 handgun velocities. I just thought maybe the 180 hornady was more lightly contructed, it sound like it may be tougher to expand than even a ballistic Tip ...

Right now I'm leaning towards the Nosler 125 BT and SSP 130gr and 135gr bullets from Hornady and Sierra. But I sure hate lightweight bullets. I wish they made heavier "single shot pistol" bullets (150gr to 180gr).

I know exactly what your .30-30 is! Shot my 10" .30-30 barrel in Jackson at the silhouette matches in Jackson. I happen to have both barrels and know what each is capable of. Slowing the 150 BTs down a bit really enhances their penetration on deer size game.

quote:

Originally posted by MS Hitman:
I know exactly what your .30-30 is! Shot my 10" .30-30 barrel in Jackson at the silhouette matches in Jackson. I happen to have both barrels and know what each is capable of. Slowing the 150 BTs down a bit really enhances their penetration on deer size game.

Wasn't doubting your knowledge, sorry it came across that way ... If you say the Nosler 150 Ballistic Tip will perform well at 30-30 handgun velocities, then I will try them. Thanks for the info.

BTW: I'm sure we've met ... I shoot at the Jackson Metalic silhouette matches also! (just started recently)

We may have, I was match director for several years. Did not shoot last year, but schedule permitting I'll be back at it this year. May see you there on the 24th.