30-30 Accuracy

[A11en]

Well I finally sighted in the .30-30 I bought used 6 months ago. My expectations for accuracy was low (being a .30-30). After 6 shots, I was dialed in and shot thisgroup at 100 yards. I was shooting from a kneeling position using a bi-pod. I'm guessing if I was on a bench it would be tighter.

I don't have much experience with a .30-30. Is this average accuracy for the caliber. I'm shooting Federal 170 grain ammo. I'm using a 3x9x40mm scope on 4x. Each square represents an inch. In the end, I'll have no problem shooting a deer with it. I shot a 12 oz bottle of water at 100 yars with no problem. I'm just curious if I should keep tweaking or be satisfied with this group.

[salukipv1]

Mine has sat in the gun rack for years, i don't have a varmint rifle, so I though about trying it for coyotes, bought some federal 125gr, shot about 1.5" groups at a 100yds, wasn't very impressed. They're hollow pts, not sure if that matters, haven't tuned it to 150gr or 170gr or 160gr ammo yet, not sure if any of those would give me better/amazing accuracy. Guessing the heavier bullets would do a better job as far as accuracy goes, though also I'm not using it to shoot 200-300yds.

Looks like 1.5" groups above? so maybe that's a standard accuracy?

[Retaks]

For a 30-30 lever gun i would say 1.5-2in is good accuracy for them. I have seen some that shoot better.

[A11en]

My .300 WSM and .22-250 shoot groups less than 1 inch, so the 1.5 looks huge. I'm anxious to hear from the folks with .30-30 experience.

[Pavomesa]

Considering how you shot that group and basically a first try with the gun, I'd say that was mighty good. You could most like shave 1/4 to 1/2 shooting from a good bench rest. What's not to like. You're ready to go hunting, my friend. I suspect the 150 gr will hit right on the mark.

[jtb1967]

You need to shoot some groups from a solid benchrest. With the way you shot the group, you might do much better off a benchrest. Then again, you may have just gotten lucky with that group. Only a series of groups shot from a solid rest will give you a true indication of the accuracy potential.

[johnny2]

Have a smithy open that baby up to a 30-30 AK and watch it
come to life then...Looks like your groups are about average
for a standard 30-30 lever gun..

[Pawildman]

Definitely give it a good session off a bench with sandbags. Another thing I'd recommend is to do your bench shooting on 9X. I don't know how you can even see the 1" target on 4X. You will get much better definition with the higher power, but it's gotta be off a solid rest.

[SwampCollie]

ORIGINAL: johnny2

Have a smithy open that baby up to a 30-30 AK and watch it
come to life then...Looks like your groups are about average
for a standard 30-30 lever gun..

For what its worth, my 30/30 Ackley which is a Win 94 AE... 18" barrel will outshoot my Browning A-bolt 300 WSM... and that itself with factory ammo shoots right at 1" CTC groups off the bench at 100. That little 30/30 AI is way way more accurate than lever guns are supposed to be according to rumors. Its a great little deer gun.

With my Ackley handloads, the gun will shoot cloverleaf hole groups at 100 yards.... I shoot 150gr Sierra GameKings (round nose) with 36gr of IMR 3031. The gun will shoot factory ammo about that well also... its a real shooter.

[TUK101]

Looks good to me. My son and I have shot a lot of 30-30 lately with handloads and 1-2 inch groups are the normal. You are pushing a pretty heavy bullet with minimal powder at a moderate velocity. 30-30's are just a lot of fun to shoot.