A buddy and I are in the process of setting up a hog/javelina/varmint hunt in Texas for next Feb. Now I could take several different guns with me, but I want to take my little NEF handi rifle in .30-30, and shoot everything with it. It loves the factory load win. 150 gr. powerpoint, and I know that it is more than adequate for javies, and coyotes. My question is do you think it has enough penetration qualities for a big hog [250 lb.+]? I know I could go to a 170 gr. load, but am afraid of shooting clear thru javelinas, and varmints with no expansion. Your thoughts please.

Mad Dog

I've seen the various 150 gr. loads do well on hogs. As with anything else, it is a matter of placement.

Go with the 150's if that what your gun likes. I haven't seen one bit of difference between the 150's and the 170's. I tend to shoot the 170's more often.

Mad Dog
Have you tried any of the PMC Starfire 150gr. loads. I killed a couple of deer with them out of a Winchester 30-30 Trapper. They make big holes and I would not be afraid to shoot a really big pig with one. The only problem you might have with the 150 Power Point's is if you shoot a 300lb or so Boar with a thick gristle plate and then hit the shoulder bone. Otherwise you should have no problems, my brother in law has killed several pigs with the 150 gr. bullets.
Good luck on your hunt.
P.S. pig meat is really good.

Mad Dog, do you reload?, I also have the NEF, and one of the bbl's is 30-30, I have had great luck with 170 grain flat points as well as the 180 grain round nose,both will shoot about one inch at a hundred,I don't shoot pass that on hogs down here.
The PMC rounds the NE450 is talking about have worked real well on deer for me also.

Your 150 gr. factory load that your gun likes will kill a hog very easily...Hogs are not hard to kill....