Home Forums Lever Action Central Marlin 336 Lever Actions Speer 130gr. FN. (30-30)

has anyone ever used this bullet? was wondering how hard or
how soft it is.

Would like to know it would work for Whitetails?

Thanks,
jr1968

I had used this bullet in the 30-30 and the 307 Winchester prior to this old thread but this one got me to thinking seriously about the capabilities of this bullet. The 130-grainp Seer bullet has proven to be very accurate in a variety of 30-30, 30-30AI, 307 Winchester and 308 Marlin Express rifles.
At one time this bullet was the most accurate bullet I had shot in the 307 Winchester. The old smooth side Barnes X equaled this bullet for accuracy.
With chest and lung shots this bullet will put our little deer on the ground quickly. I have posted before that during a dry winter I have seen deer shot with the 130-grain Speer bullet hit the ground in a cloud of dust with the impact velocity above 2,400 fps.
There are a few other threads featuring this bullet with comments from hunters in Washington State and Georgia. There are no negative comments that I recall. The bullet is tough enough for 307 Winchester and 30-30AI velocities yet stil expands well at 30-30 velocities. We have shot a good number of cull deer with this bullet.

http://www.shootersforum.com/general-discussion/4151-one-mans-opinion.html


Edit - The Speer 130-grain bullet loaded ahead of 44.5 grains of IMR 4064 and seated to a COAL of 2.545� using Winchester brass and primers is a load that I was never afraid to say �Watch This� as I sat down at the bench to shoot a group. If thre shots were not under an inch it was my fault not the rifles. I have shot some bragging group 5 shot groups with this load too.

I have a new to me, '94 Winchester that I am thinking about loading for. The 130 grain Speer has always intrigued me for the .30-30. May have to try some of them out, just for the experience.

These are great deer loads

These are great deer loads

I am assuming a 20� barrel.
I like Hodgdon Varget - 36.0 grains chronographs 2,100 fps and will give excellent accuracy. I am not a 1� shooter with lever actions but this load will put 3 shots into 1 �� from the bench at it is one of those loads that gives you confidence when standing on your feet.
35.5 grains of Winchester 748 will give about the same velocity but has never given me the confidence building hits on small objects from field positions - clay birds on the bank.
Hodgdon 4895 is another good choice but I get better accuracy in the 16� barrel trapper than in my 20� barrel carbine. 35.0 grains is my load and this one gives me 2,100 fps+ from the 16� Trapper.

I'm about to try a new batch in a .30-40Krag Contender Carbine.

Ed

That piece sounds interesting, Ed. I'm sure the Texas Whitetails dread it.

They must, Joel. Every time I've had it out, I don't see so much as a doe!

All I've killed with it is time.

Ed

Loaded the 130 speer for years now with my win 94 for stalk hunting. Killed a few deer and one this year. One shot, few steps and down. Good deer round with flatter trajectory (if you need it) and lower recoil for young folks. I use W748 for good accuracy. It holds together well.

Thanks Cavey,

I am hoping to get my reloading bench put back together in the next couple of weeks. I plan to do a bit of loading and shooting with a .30-30 and a .30-06 this summer. I'll probably pick up a box of the 130's for the WCF.

Haven't shot any game with them, but loaded down slightly they make for less recoil. Very useful for youngsters or beginners.

I've used the Speer on several deer and the results have always been positive

I now hunt deer with cast but I feel the 130gr Speer is the ideal Whitail round. It expands well with behind the shoulder shots and holds together well when passing through bone.

So, are these going to be replaced with plated jackets like the Deep Curls in the future?

My understanding is something has stopped or at least slowed the Deep Curl introduction.
I have not shot any DC bullets but they will have to be good to replace the Hot Core. Our Leveraction velocities are ideal for the cup and core bullets. From the 307 Winchester down the Hot Core bullets work well.

This last weekend I set up 6 one gallon water jugs at 50 yrds.

The 130 speer exploded the first and second jug, went through
the third and stopped in the fourth.
Expanded to .536 and weight was 108.0 grs.

It's possible to safely get these up around 2600 fps out of a 20" 336 .30-30 using IMR 3031. Work up slowly and watch for pressure signs. Shoots sub-MOA out of my 1968 336C. Great deer load.

JW

I have experimented with alot of 30-30 loads...but always come back to the Speer. Consistent accuracy with great results on deer/pigs. Not fancy, but more than adequate!

What's your load for 3031?

I shoot 36 gr. IMR 3031, and this is probably maximum in my rifle. I've shot up to 37 gr, but accuracy was inconsistent. Back off 10%, work up with a chronograph, and stop if cases stick on extraction. Quikload estimates around 42 kpsi in my fire-formed cases. 36 gr. IMR 3031 is a published load with 125 Sierra HP, and if I remember correctly, it was in an old Guns and Ammo magazine my dad kept that had an article on "Hot .30-30 Loads." They were testing all the common bullet weights at maximum velocity in both a Winchester 94 and a Marlin 336. They were a little optimistic on most loads, but still good info nonetheless. I'll try to dig up the article next time I go to my parent's house and share some of the loads on here.

JW