Home Forums Lever Action Central Marlin 336 Lever Actions Are 30-30 bullets getting better?

I must be getting old --- I believe the manufactured ammunition for the 30-30 use to be about 990 +/- ft.lbs of energy at 200 yds with the muzzel velocity of 2200. But lately I have seen manufactures saying the energy of some at 200 yds. are now anywhere from 1030 to 1115 ft.lbs with the same starting speed. If true, then the only thing it could be is the bullet has changed. Does anyone know for sure? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/help.gif" alt="" />

It's got to be just their numbers and they way they crunch them. Energy will be just a matter of velocity and mass, so I'll bet that the speed is greater now than the previous calculations but bullet shape will come into play too. Of course, chronys have gotten much better as well. And the difference isn't that great - probably well within the normal statistical spread.

I just pulled out the data for my buddy's .30-30 load, a Speer 150g at 2341fps. Muzzle energy is 1825fpe, retained energy at 200 yards is 1059fpe.

Explain to me how they get better than the terminal performance of the 150 and 170 HPs on deer?

I've seen the results first-hand and can't imagine better performance in the field. Of course, it took almost 100 years to get to this performance, but it's there and what more could be asked?

What I was referng to was the Gland Slam bullets used in Federal ammuntion. It seems to have a higher B.C. that it allows for more down range energy than other bullets. It just seems that improvements keep coming for this old rifle cartridge. Especially with what Winchester has already done with 150gr round and what Hornady might do later on.

I understand, and agree, and apologize for the unintended tone of my earlier post.

Just as with all the bullets going into ammunition today, the improvements are rather impressive over what we had just 10 years ago. The .30-30, being one of - if not the - most popular caliber on the market (in sheer volume of ammo sales per year) would obviously be no different.

I, too, am happy to see that the ammo manufacturers are passing along the upgrades on components (primers, powder and bullets) to nearly all of the rounds that they carry; esp. the older cartridges. They can all benefit from the new technology, some to greater degrees than others, and there are a lot of us out there who continue to shoot what has efficiently worked well, and will put the improvements in these loads to the test every year.

That said, the .30-30 is NEVER going to be more than a 200 yard (+-) deer cartridge. A little additional downrange energy and a bit better bullet is all well and good, and will be gladly taken be your's truly, but makes not much difference on the range and application of the cartridge. It may, however, make it a bit more effective, but the .30-30 is been efficiently taking deer for over 100 years, much of that time with cast lead bullets, then with early and hard jacketed rounds.

The .30-30, like my old truck and a good Ford 9N red-belly tractor, it just plain works. True, a new fancy bullet, or a new engine in the truck, or better tires on the 9N, might make it work a bit better - but it's still just plain gonna work.

Hey, if your .30-30 loves the new Federal loads, or Hornady bullets, great - shoot 'em and enjoy. The .30-30s I hunt with like the HPs (150s and 170s) well enough that their nearly interchangeable under 150 yards and the terminal performance is all that could be asked of the cartridge.

The best 30-30 bullet is the 150-gr. / 170-gr. Grand Slam, which is more aerodynamic than any comparable bullet on the market.

Federal loads 30-30 Grand Slams that provide 1,115 ft. lbs of energy at 200 yards, which is the highest I've seen to date.

Not discounting the paper numbers, nor the probable results in the field on those loads (might have to try 'em in fact), just relating first and witnessed second hand experience.

Doesn't Winchester have a 150 grain Power Point Plus that is a bit speedier than the standard velocity for this weight bullet in the .30-30? Also hear tell of Hornady introducing a Light Magnum .30-30 that will add 200 fps across the board for comparable bullet weights! If Hornady manages this, then with Winchester already in the +P game you can bet Federal will bring out their extra velocity version as well. A 170 grain Nosler Partition at an honest 2,300 fps from a carbine barrel might be a tough act to follow in the timber.

Of course with all this said, the "dirty-thirty" has not really had a problem bringing home the bacon, venison, or even bear chops within its range and given good shot placement that is required of all calibers.

I saw the new .30-30 Fusion last Friday, and the 150-gr was said to have a muzzle velocity of 2,380 fps.

Good info on bullets for the .30-30. I'm getting ready to load some Barnes x bullets, 150 gr. (haven't seen the 165s available) and plan to use 30-33 grains of AA2520 to start. I'll post back again when I have some results. May also try 33.7 4064 which has been my standard load for both 150 and 170 gr.

forepaw