What rifle cartridge should i use?
 

I was just at Cabellas andI was looking at different cartridges for my .30-30. I was looking at theFederal Fusion* cartridge but I have always used RemingtonCore-Lockt* cartridges. So what would be the best to use for deer? The longest shot I would take is about 225-250yrds. Any advice?

RE: What rifle cartridge should i use?
 

Try the Fusions and the Corelokts both, and use whichever is more accurate in your gun. The Corelokt is an old design, but it has always worked very well for killing game when fired at.30/30 velocities...

RE: What rifle cartridge should i use?
 

Those new .30-30 hornadys 160gr turn your gun into a 300yd deer gun.....so that would give you more energy at 200yds than the standard 150 or 170gr bullets, sicne they should lose velocity more slowly since they have a pointed tip instead of a blunted tip. I think the .30-30 is a bit on the light side for deer out at 200yds+, so those 160's id try and if they do well id use those!

RE: What rifle cartridge should i use?
 

If you are trying to reach out to 200+ yards I would first look at the Hornady LeverRevolution line. They say they make a 300 yard gun of your 30-30 but most of the old 30-30s have 20'' barrels like mine so 250 is about max they got 300 because they tested in a 24'' barrel. I use them and have taken several deer with them and they shoot 1 1/4'' out of my Marlin.

RE: What rifle cartridge should i use?
 

Another vote for hornady leverevolution IF you have your rifle scoped and are trying to reach out to 150-200 yards. I STILL wouldn't reccomend them much past 200 no matter WHAT their ads say. For closer ranges,just shoot the standard 150 gr that is most accurate in YOUR rifle as then the leverevolution ammo isn't needed and is more costly. The 30-30 isn't a "speed demon" so I opt for 150s as they give better expansion as opposed to the 170s.

RE: What rifle cartridge should i use?
 

i'd definitely vote for the hornady leverevolution

RE: What rifle cartridge should i use?
 

It's just me,and i know countless deer have been killed with the 30-30 at a lot of different distances,but imo the 30-30 is best used at fairly short distances. Yes,I know all the hype about the leverevolution ammo and rifle specifcally made for it,and I think it's GREAT-likely 1 of the best things ever to come out for the ol 30-30,HOWEVER,there comes a point of diminishing returns. Also I feel too many people will believe the advertizing without fully testing THEIR rifles at that range before attempting shots at game animals (deer) for trajectory and most importantly,accuracy at that range. Also the simple fact that the new marlins designed for leverelution ammo,both in 30-30 and .308 marlin express costs just as much as a good bolt action rifle. I really feel that if you're going to be taking shots out to 250 yards regularly,the game deserves the respect of using the most efficent/deadly equipment available-a good bolt action chambered for something like the 7mm08 (my choice),.260,.270,30-06,.280,.308,or similar. If you're the kind of person that will extensively test your setup at those ranges and can cofidently place shots,then by all means go for it.

RE: What rifle cartridge should i use?
 

The only ammo you shouldeven be consideringforethically shooting deer at that range is the LeveRevolution.

RE: What rifle cartridge should i use?
 

Go with Hornady leverevolution you will love them on a old 30-30

RE: What rifle cartridge should i use?
 

Nah, it's not just you, stalkingbear. I echo your sentiments wholeheartedly. But again, I don't believe you need belted magnums to smoke a white tail with either. Your recommendations hit it pretty well. I second all the advice from the other posters who recommend trying different ammo in the gun to determine it's preference, and by all means crank a few rounds downrange at 200-250 yds. and see what ya got....... that should tell you something.

RE: What rifle cartridge should i use?
 

The pointy bullets Hornady is loading for tubular magazine rifles these days will no doubt make hitting at longer ranges easier by flatening out the trajectory, compared to flatnose bullets.

But if you look at the ballistic coefficients for pointed vs round-nose or flatnose bullets, it shows that the advantage of the pointed ones is not that great. Indeed, the advantages of the pointed projectiles really doesn't show up well until really long ranges are involved.... For example, the Hornady 150-grain roundnose .30/30 load starting out at 2390 FPS drops 29" @ 100 yards IF it is zeroed dead-on at 100 yards. But the pointed 160-grain, starting out at 2400 FPS, drops 21" going the same distance. So there's only 8" difference AT 300 YARDS, with a 10-grain weight advantage and a higher MV for the pointed bullet. If you can launch a 160-grain bullet at 2400 FPS (probably not, it a 20" barrel!!), you can surely get close to 2500 from a bullet weighing 10 grains less if the same powder is loaded to the same pressure. (I note in the Hornady tables, they's zeroed the pointed 160-grain load at +3 @ 100 yards, making the -12.1" @ 300 figure LOOK impressive.... But if you zero the old 150-grain RN +3" @ 100, it will show up better @ 300, as well!

Makes one wonder..........

RE: What rifle cartridge should i use?
 

I'm not saying there isn't a bit of an improvement and advantage in switching to a diffrent bullet type for a 30/30 rifle. However you cannot make a "pizza out of white bread". If one really feels a need to hunt deer with a rifle capable of taking the very odd 300 yard shot, it is probably time for a new rifle in a new cartridge.

A lot of years ago Savage could see that the American deer hunter was in love with the lever action but wanted to strech its useful range. So they brought out the Savage model 99 in a number of cartridges similar but a bit more potent than the 30/30. I have one in .300 savage that I have taken deer, moose and wolves with. Chambering the same rifle in .308 and .243 was another step in the right direction. Why the Savage 99 is no longer made is a puzzle to me. Winchester made the model 88 and 100 to fit in the same niche and they did not last too long. (i have a couple 100s as well)

The shot barreled lever action 30/30 has its place in the deer woods. It is a wonderful and well proven favorite of many deer hunters. It is less limited than a bow or a muzzleloader but limmited compared to many other rifles and chamberings.

So the choice of bullets in a lever "thirty-thirty" will only improve its range potential a little bit.
If you love to hunt with it, be aware you will have to sacrifice the odd shot at longer ranges.

Robin in Rocky

RE: What rifle cartridge should i use?
 

I agree you could try both and pic the one that is more accurate. I've been using corlokt for 30 years I buy the bullet in bulk now and load my own.

RE: What rifle cartridge should i use?
 

I am a HUGE proponent of the .30-30, and I snicker at folks who think they need anything else to kill a deer at reasonable ranges. That being said, I believe that the .30-30 is a 200 yard gun maximum with any bullet. It is not whatI would call a field caliber. If I was watching a beanfield/cornfield where shots would exceed 200 yards there are better options like for instance the .260 Remington, .25-06 etc.

My absolute favorite ammo for my .30-30 was the old PMC Starfire ammo. It has been discontinued unfortunately, but man that stuff did a number on whitetails!

RE: What rifle cartridge should i use?
 

Barnes has a bullet for the 30-30 that I think is similar to the old PMC Starfire. Wasn't that a 150 grain solid copper hollowpoint with a big gaping hole in it?