Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Test of .30-30 bullets in a .308 Win (would they blow up or not???)

Well, a little back story first before I get to the meat. I posted a while back about using 170gr .30-30 bullets in my .308 Win for deer, in place of the far more scarce 180gr RN that are designed for it's higher velocity. Some warned they would grenade on impact due to being used outside their design limitations. This, even after several members gave first hand accounts of them working fine on deer, hogs, and slightly larger game. You can read about it all here:

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbth..._Rem_Speer_or_Hornady_170gr_#Post9044206


So, I decided to set up an impact test to determine what the results would be. No fancy ballistics gel, just plain old fashioned and densely stacked wet newsprint. Lets just say, I nor anyone else should have reservations doing this, as the results speak for themselves!!!

Now, given this is just a test subject of one, but even I was surprised at the results. Tested both a Remington 170gr CLSP and a Speer Hot-Cor 170gr FN. Shooting into well saturated newsprint at a distance of 25yds with a muzzle velocity of 2630-2650fps. Stack was exactly 14" and the Remington penetrated 13 7/8. Finding it pressed against the very last few pages and dented the wood backstop. The Speer, penetrated the entire stack and embedded itself a good 1" or so into the hickory wood log I was using as a backstop.

I will test again the Speer with a thicker stack of medium in order to fully catch it, cause the slug had plenty enough speed left when it entered the log that it completely peeled off the petals and narrowed the mushroom considerably. As there was little to no lead or jacket material in the wound channel. And it was hard digging it out from the wood that I also broke pieces off. So not a true representation in my opinion.

In conclusion, anyone thinking of doing the dame should rest easy knowing knowing these wil perform just fine up to and including Max .308 Velocities. Especially impressed with the Remington, although it's larger frontal area didn't allow it to penetrate as deep.

Retained weight:
Rem__121.2gr @ 71% retained weight(left)
Speer__88.7 @ 52% retained weight(right)

Nice info--thanks.

I'm planning on running the Barnes 150gr 30-30 pill in 308, to 2600 or so, in my son's 308, along with 125gr NBTs to 2900+. Whichever shots best, but I think either is dead deer at 200 and in, with low recoil. That wide front on a 30-30 pill does emphasize things sometimes.

I had also tested that very same 125gr NBT running 3100fps at the same range for comparisons sake. Total penetration was about 12" with complete core/jacket separation and little to no traces of the core or jacket to recover other than the rear most jacket that was found. I still plan on using this combo in the upcoming season, but know I won't be taking shoulder shots unless the range is farther out past 100yds at least.