I am going to start working up some loads for Contender 30-30 carbine. What pointed bullets would you guys suggest for this. I want a bullet that is going to expand reliably at 30-30 velocities. This will be used to hunt whitetail deer.

Hornady makes a 130 Interlock that would work well. I use it and the Remington 125 gr PSP in a Savage bolt action carbine over a hot load of H-335 powder on blacktail deer. The Winchester 150 Power Point also works.

Oh, by the way, Hornady makes two .308 130 gr spitzers, I think. One is for single shot pistols and one is the Interlock - I prefer the Interlock from a rifle.

[ 08-02-2003, 00:28: Message edited by: Calif Hunter ]

I've used the Rem 125 gr spire points and the Sierra 125's out of a Rem 788 in 30-30 and they drop Mule deer just fine. Like the Hammer of Thor! I to use a healthy charge of H335 under these bullets and they give me velocities of approx 2600-2700 fps.

[ 08-02-2003, 03:33: Message edited by: Shooter973 ]

Yep, Hornady 130gr bullets with Reloder 15 and WLR Primers is the best in my T/C Carbine
start around 35gr. and you should find yourself with a good accurate load.

Wes

I too load the Rem 125g with H335 for a Savage bolt action .30-30. My wife loves this load, but I prefer the Winchester 150 power point PSP, and a full case of IMR 4064. I tend to still hunt and the 150g pp hits real hard in close, and still holds its own at 175 yards.

Hi
I load them with sierra pro hunter 125 gr pointed in front of modest 33 gr norma 202 for 2400 fps , very mild and accurate load and it expands more than twice of it's original caliber and penetrate quit well in paper but dry and soaked.
regards
danny

I've been loading both the 130gr Hornady Interlocks and the 125gr Nosler Ballistic Tips in two Contender .30-30s using Winchester 748 powder. They're accurate and definitely work on Colorado mule deer. Talked to the Hornady guy a while ago and he said the 130gr Interlock bullet would be excellent for deer. Proved correct.

I believe I have used all the bullets listed above in 30-30 contender and 788 rem. All are good choices, good deal eh? It is, you can also depend very well on the Nosler 125 ballistic tip, I find it extremely accurate and very useful on deer.
If you are interested, you also have a great gun for cast bullet use and a good 170 grain flatnosed bullet will also work extremely well!

regards,
Graycg

This is the most sensible thread I've seen on hunting. An adequate caliber to shoot at realistic ranges. Most hunters think the deer or elk has a supernatural life force that requires an Ultra Magnum to kill. Guys in Texas routinely kill deer with .222 Remington or even .22 Hornet, because it is legal there. I think .222 is a little small for deer but the .30-30 is more than adequate if you can place it right and keep the range under 200 yards.

I decided to stay with the 170s since they work best in my 1894. However, the best pointy bullet load in MY .30-30 barrel was using the MagTip. The ogive was right for the "throat" on my barrel. 2350 fps with W748.

I have used the 125 Nosler Bal tip in the 300 Whisper & it worked well for the velocities that were generated. I don't imagine that the 30-30 in a carbine would be that much more. If you want a little bit more try a 150 Bal tip.
Rich Jake

A short barrel 30-30?
Going by the Elmer Kieth theory that you loose 33 feet per second for every inch you subtract from a given figure, you are in trouble. You are looking at something like 1,300 fps with a bullet designed to expand at 2,000. You are going to have to find a 30 caaaliber bullet that expands at 1,000 fps.

Madison,
Most of us are getting anywhere from 22-2300 fps with 130s and 21-2150 with 150s out of 14 inch barrels in contenders... My 16 inch carbine barrels eeks out another 50 fps per load.

regards,
Graycg

I used the 125 gr Barnes X spitzer in my Contender carbine .30-30 barrel. Don't know if they make them any more. Worked great. Makes a great low-recoil deer load for any .30 caliber rifle.

This is probably the only time I would actually recommend a Nosler BT, I would go w/ the 150grBT. At 30-30 vel. it should expand well & sill hold together.