I posted this on the wrong forum by mistake, so here goes. I'm interested in trying some Hawk 308dia 190gr bullets in the 303Sav. and 30/30 and was looking for any input. There was a thread on here from Jan 2002 until Jan 2018, but was mostly bigger calibers at max loads. I can't seem to find the Barnes 190 but sounds like the Hawk are the same cup&core construction. I was hoping someone on here had recently tried Hawks in similar calibers. I always start at or just below starting loads, just want to supplement the few boxes of factory loads I have until they run out. I have loaded 170 FN but they have feeding issues, and just make it another 30/30. Want to keep the old boy shooting the way it was intended.

Well, ill step in. Up front, I have not used Hawk bullets since they were in Lakewood CO and then, it was for a 405 Win and a 45-90. That said, if they are made the same way they were then, i wouldn't hesitate to use them again. The soft copper jackets and lead are perfect for older cartridges and mushroom beautifully. Ask what jacket thickness they recommend for the 303S and try some. I have a 303S and have thought that i would look at Hawk but it keeps getting pushed back on the list of priorities so i have just been content to shoot cast loads. If you go with them, i would love to hear about your experience.

They are nice and soft. The 358 ones I tried with .025 jackets were still expanding beautifully down at 1600 fps. They are perfect for heavy for caliber lower speed applications. Most of your modern cup and cores need to be driven faster. I would expect a 190gr 308 with the thinner jacket to make a big entrance and huge exit, even at slower speeds.

Interesting. Just perused their website. I think I'll try their 350 gr in my 450 Marlin and their 180 gr in my 35 Rem Contender.

I use them with 3031 in 303 Sav & 30-30

I’ve used them in my 400 Whelen to take a cow moose and have the 190 grain FP loaded for my 30-30. Haven’t taken any game yet with them. Also have some 250 grain for my 348. I like them. They offer some options not readily available elsewhere.

I've used the .308 165 gr. .030 RT in my .308W and the .430 275 gr. .025 SP in my 444M. Both have been accurate and hell on deer, especially the 444M load. It hammers the snot out of deer.

If I were going to use them on game heavier than deer or out of higher velocity cartridges, I would go up one level in jacket thickness.

Thanks all, that's what I was looking for, a little concerned after that old thread . Going to try them. sqweeler, how do those flat nose feed ? I tried Hornady 170 FN and they hang up.
Happy Easter to everyone!

Mass, check your OAL with those Hornady FN bullets. You may just need to do a slight adjustment. Good luck and have fun!
Tom

Thanks Tom.
I have E-mailed Hawk bullets twice, and left a phone message once in the past two weeks and no reply yet. I may have to pull and reload those Hornady bullets if thats the case.