I know its been talked to ad nauseam, but time does make a difference with ones opinion. That's what I am looking for, opinions. Sure, I could get a few of each bullet from different molds, but in the end the difference between one shooting 1/2" one way or the other is not what matters to me. Not looking so much for an accurate bullet, if that makes sense. I do want one, but that's not what I am looking for.
I shoot a M94 Ranger. Been shooting Lee C309-170 out of it. Shoots real good, but I did notice something from the last two deer I shot. Not much of a blood trail. They died very quickly, and if it was not for me hearing where they crash then it would have taken more time searching for them. I believe it is due in part to the pretty small metaplate on the Lee bullet.
The bullet is fantastic. I shoot good groups with it, and will keep it around for the plinking loads. It sure is fun to shoot a squirrel with my 30-30 and that bullet moving at a .22 cal velocity. Lets just say they don't go anywhere. But I want something with a bigger frontal area to let the air out quicker in deer sized game. I also hunt in area's with hogs.
I am torn though. I see the Ranch Dog's updated version that NOE makes, the standard Lyman 311041, and the RCBS 30 180 which is where I am really leaning toward.
I like the idea of having that RCBS for a hunting round and it only has a tad less smaller metaplate than the Ranch Dog. Most people say it casts at 190+ with the GC and all. People also say it groups very good. But I am concerned with the length of it.
Then the Ranch Dog with its massive metaplate but it weighs a tad less.
Then the Lyman. Which really, its nice because of the extensive amount of load data for it and it seems to just be an all around good bullet.
I am stuck though. I can imagine that I will wind up with all three one day. I plan on getting each of my boys their own 30-30 as time comes so there will always be a need for good cast boolits. But I want to start with one right now. Besides, if I bought all three it would be tuff deciding which one to play with first.
So give me the ups and downs. Is there another mold I am over looking? Also, I am going elk hunting next fall. May be rifle hunting, but that's not been determined yet. Even though I know the 30-30 is somewhat looked down upon for anything larger than Deer, I know, and you all know, its fine for an elk at its given range. If I do go during rifle, and I have the itch to take my 30-30 instead of buying a new gun, would one boolit be better than another?
I know its all about shot placement and such. But weight would make a difference would it not? Is there any 30-30 elk hunters out there? Why the 30-30 you ask - well, it was my first rifle given to me by my dad who never hunted a day in his life. In fact none of my family did. But he saw my intense desire to be in the woods and I begged and pleaded with him to get me this gun. So it would mean a lot to go on a hunt that I have been dreaming of as much as I did all those years ago about that gun. And to be able to take along loads I made myself to boot. Yea, all of that would be well worth the effort to get a few hundred yards closer to the elk in order to get a good shot.
Hollow point molds? Are they worth a hoot in a 30-30?
Give me some talk here. I am open to it all. I have been researching it for a while now but want some fresh input. Sometimes internet opinions can become stale.