A question on bullets for hunting

[Standing Elk]

I am by no means new to shooting cast bullets, BUT all of my experience has been with the large black powder cartridges in older Sharps and Springfield rifles. In these I use an alloy of 20-1 lead to tin at around 1200 to 1500 FPS. Now for my question. I am wanting to load some 170 grain cast in my 30-30 for hunting purposes. I realize that if the alloy is two soft that the velocity would need to be below what I am wanting for my hunting loads. Also I am concerned that if the alloy is two hard that the bullets will act like a "solid" and mearly punch a 30 cal hole clear through the deer or elk or what ever I shoot with it, and I am thinking that would not be a good thing. So can anyone give me some insight on what alloy to use for hunting loads and maybe some load data. I am ok with either buying ready made bullets or casting my own. They will be shot in my 1920s 94 Winchester carbine. Thanks

[Smoke4320]

I use an alloy of 20-1 lead to tin at around 1200 to 1500 FPS
depending on bullet design I believe you would be fine .. Flat nose would be better if you can get them to feed in your gun

I have gotten to 1903 FPS very accurately with a 30 cal 147 Gr HP 50/50/2 and powdercoated
2 dead deer in 2 shots .. 1 DRT.. 1 run a whole 35 yds

[white eagle]

hunting alloy can be tricky
what you may want to do is try your proven alloy then harden and see if there is a better alternative
no pat answers so sorry
My own personal hunting alloy for my 30-30 is 16-1 or air cooled 50/50 ww/pb

[HABCAN]

As a recommendation for the .30-30 within its iron-sights range capability (<200yds.) I'd say go with 50/50 WW/Pb aircooled @ ~1800 fps. There's no better boolit than the Lyman #31141/311041 IF it will feed smoothly/reliably in YOUR rifle.

[dave roelle]

Have you hunted with you BPC Rifles ?


http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa397/drroelle/IMG_4469.jpg (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/drroelle/media/IMG_4469.jpg.html)

Sounds like a fun 94-------------that said White Eagles alloy is tough which is critical and soft enough to perform well with the flat nose.

I would be a bit hesitant to put a 30-30 in an Elk -----not that it won't do the job, 45 caliber bullets do a better job :)

Dave

[kevmc]

I am by no means new to shooting cast bullets, BUT all of my experience has been with the large black powder cartridges in older Sharps and Springfield rifles. In these I use an alloy of 20-1 lead to tin at around 1200 to 1500 FPS. Now for my question. I am wanting to load some 170 grain cast in my 30-30 for hunting purposes. I realize that if the alloy is two soft that the velocity would need to be below what I am wanting for my hunting loads. Also I am concerned that if the alloy is two hard that the bullets will act like a "solid" and mearly punch a 30 cal hole clear through the deer or elk or what ever I shoot with it, and I am thinking that would not be a good thing. So can anyone give me some insight on what alloy to use for hunting loads and maybe some load data. I am ok with either buying ready made bullets or casting my own. They will be shot in my 1920s 94 Winchester carbine. Thanks

Welcome to the best shooting forum on the net!!!

[Standing Elk]

Yes I have used my 50-90 Sharps to hunt here in North Idaho. There is nothing living in these mountains that can stand up to a 680 grain bullet from the 50-90. LOL

[dave roelle]

Well there ya go sir--------------have a great time with the 94--BTW if you paper patch it you can run any alloy you wish :)

Dave

[docmand]

Grandson's and I have killed about a dozen whitetails with several 30-30's with the NOE .311-165 cast of 50/50 ww-pure air cooled. Velocity has been from 1550-1850 with 2400 and IMR 3031. Results have been the same regardless of velocity, none have gone very far.