Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles best load for a 30-30....

what would be the best load for takin the longer range shots(like 180+yds)as of now I shoot a 150gr REMINGTON core lock <BR> [img]images/icons/crazy.gif" border="0[/img]

There isn't one. At 180 yds., if your using round nose, or flat point bullets, your reaching the limit of bullet expansion. Yes, you can make kills at over 180 yds. with a .30-30. A guy with the handle of High Master over at Hunters.com, apparently made one at 400 yds. with a .30-30. I would point out that this guy is a master long range rifleman that (a) had excellent range information, and (b) knew his rifle and load quite well. <BR> Unless your in that class of shooter-you wouldn't need to ask that question if you were- you best not consider it. E

I use Hornady Interlocked 150gr RN bullets with a max charge of H-335 in my Marlin 336. It has a Williams peep site and is going to be my walkabout deer/hog rifle.<P>Mike<P>For 180 yds buying a new rifle would be my advice

The speer 130gr FN will do the job up to 200yds if you sight it in for this range. You can get 2400-2600 fps which gives you the same amount of energy that the 270 has at 400yds with the 130gr.<BR>You will have about 1200fp/energy which is adequate for deer with a well placced shot. If you sight in 3" high at 100 it will drop about 4" at 200 allowing for the FN bullet.

According to Speer, you can launch their 130 FP at a touch over 2400 fps. If you sight for maximum blank point range, staying plus/minus 3 inches, your minus 3 inches at a whole 216 yds. But your velocity has fallen to 1724 fps., and your bullet energy is about 858 ft. lbs. Very marginal. BTW, if the wind is blowing at 10 mph across your line of fire, your bullet will drift about 9 inches. E

E,<P>I was too high on the energy figure but it still looks like at least 1000lbs. But I don't have the speer book.<BR>Any way, it is marginal and requires good shot placement.<BR>I dropped a nice big doe last year at 180yds, one shot with my load at 2450fps. But I'm not a very good ballastician!

I was surprised that it shot that flat, and had that much remaining velocity. No doubt it would work, but wind is becoming a factor, and your right on the edge of bullet expansion. Not what I would recommend for longer ranges at all. E