Anyone got any experience using a 30-30 on whitetail at 200 yards or so ? I would be using factory 150 grain loads(probably Rem corelokts).Although listed close to 2400 fps expect it is actually going about 2200 fps. Know what the round will do at 100 yards and less ,dont need quotations from ballistics tables as I have those, just needing some REAL world experiences with bullet performance at longer ranges.
The round should be fine, but unscoped, you may (if like me) have a hard time aiming well. I've taken a couple deer at ~150 yards with the 30-30 and standard loads. I'm sure it would be fine at 200.
My 50 year old eyes definetly need a scope and I will be using a 4x leupold. Just thought someone might have some actual PERSONAL reports of bullet performance at these extended ranges using regular ole 150 grain factory loads IE penetration ,expansion ,reaction of deer to the hit etc.
My 50 year old eyes definetly need a scope and I will be using a 4x leupold. Just thought someone might have some actual PERSONAL reports of bullet performance at these extended ranges using regular ole 150 grain factory loads IE penetration ,expansion ,reaction of deer to the hit etc.
bcraig, all you need to do is wander over to the specialty pistol forums and you'll have all the evidence you need to convince you that bullet performance will be just fine. Anybody running a .30-30 from a handgun is shooting slower or equal to what you're running, and even though they're shooting spitzers, the flat points at 200 yds will kill deer. I can assure you of this as I've killed several deer with a .357 Maximum pistol running 190 gr. flat points with a lower BC and wider front end than your rounds at distances close enough to 200 yds that it doesn't matter, the ammo will get the job done IF you put the bullet where it needs to be.
Selmer
"Daddy, can you sometime maybe please go shoot a water buffalo so we can have that for supper? Please? And can I come along? Does it taste like deer?" - my 3-year old daughter
MY experience w/30-30 MOSTLY involves a 10" TC pistol. Pointed bullets flat to 150 or so yds whereas the roundnose 150-165s took a serious nose dive after that, but note 1800-1900 fps, was an avg speed for the short bbl. I'd use a RIFLE w/roundnose to 200 or so, not alot more, but if you single loaded spitzers, it changes things alot, 250 may not be a bad window for range in a rifle.
Just remember do not put pointed bullets in the tube...
I shot a doe broadside at 210 yards with the Federal 150 grain ammunition and she dropped where she stood. She never twitched or moved at all. The bullet passed completely through both shoulders and gave a nice exit wound. I would feel comfortable out to 225 yards with it. My rifle is a H&R 1871 Handi Rifle.
There was a television program - hunting show - that was on a couple of years ago, when the hunting show program began - which was not a bad show - that bragged about the ethical harvesting of game.
It is not ethical to try to shoot a deer at 200 yards away with a 30 - 30 rifle.
Sorry - but that is my opinion.
I think you already knew the answer - but was just looking for someone to validate the fact that you are under gunned and you want to do something that is beyond the reach of a 30 - 30 rifle.
You already knew what the velocity of the bullet is at 200 yards and how much energy the load carries and how much energy is claimed to make a ethical shot.
In a month, when rifle season is here, you will be back here belly aching to us that you shot a nice buck and that it got away or that you shot at a nice buck and missed - and would want us to feel sorry for you.
I guess the goal needs to be - either for you to get a better gun or for you to become a better hunter and get closer to what you want to shoot.
One of the biggest bucks I ever missed was 300 yards away, and all I had was a 35 Remington - same ballistics, just a bigger diameter bullet. I kept shooting - till I ran out of shells. At one point - it was only 150 yards away.
If people wouldn't have told me to aim high or to aim over it's back, I would have got that deer.
The next year, that gun was no longer in my gun cabinet.
You missing at 300 with a .35 Rem has no bearing in this conversation. And has a lot more to do with your own abilities. Especially since in a earlier sentence you toot the horn of "getting closer" or getting a "better gun for you". Either way, it seems that both appky to you.
You will have zero problem killing deer at 200 +/- "or so" with your 30-30. Assuming you can deliver the bullet where required. And I'm sure you can or there would be no need for this post.
When you ring on up with your 30-30 at that range, be sure to post it up as a hunting lesson for some here.
It is not ethical to try to shoot a deer at 200 yards away with a 30 - 30 rifle.
I think you already knew the answer - but was just looking for someone to validate the fact that you are under gunned and you want to do something that is beyond the reach of a 30 - 30 rifle.
Bull feces! If one can HIT the deer in the boiler room at 200 yds with a .30-30 the deer will NOT survive it. Don't use your lack of abilities to criticize a cartridge or another shooter who may be just fine with the combination, especially if it's scoped.
Selmer
"Daddy, can you sometime maybe please go shoot a water buffalo so we can have that for supper? Please? And can I come along? Does it taste like deer?" - my 3-year old daughter