I'm quite partial to 130gr Barnes TTSX over 3031 but its available as a factory load too.
My first "deer rifle" was an M1 Garand though, and I'd load a pretty much 308 velocity load of a 150gr hot cor. Honestly never saw anything that needed improving from that load.
One time I went moose hunting and wouldn't you know, couldn't find my fancy ammo. Used some Garand handloads of a 165gr SST at a very sedate speed to take it easy on the old rifle. Guess what? Knocked the fight out of a young bull fast.
Wasn't too explosive on deer either.
The last thing I was shooting the 130gr TTSX over 3031 load out of was an M1 with a brand new Criterion barrel and it stacks them. They work well on deer too. I was using the starting charge of 41.6gr but this is in 7.62x51mm NATO brass so likely counted for a few grains heavier. Weatherby Vanguard S2 shot them well also.
Last edited by Igloo; 12/16/22.
