30-30 and pointy bullets

[jonylandrover]

Afternoon all, anyone tried using more standard bullets in a 30-30? obviously the tubular mag cant be used for more than 1 round in that case but one in the camber and one in the mag is what I usually do anyway.

any real world feedback? velocity's etc etc for a specific bullet? is it worth doing?

 

[6mmarc]

Long time since I have but never had any issues I used to shoot 150 game kings back in the day carnt remember the load though

 

[Smellydog]

The only issue you will have is the overall length being to long and you end up with a round stuck in the magazine tube.
Apart from that most bullets not designed for 3030 are tougher for working with higher velocity chamberings.
I have taken fallow with hornady 150gn round nosed bullets but they didn't want to expand!

I do load spitzers but on reduced performance for small game.

Boat tailed bullets load backwards work well for small game also.

 

[jonylandrover]

The only issue you will have is the overall length being to long and you end up with a round stuck in the magazine tube.
Apart from that most bullets not designed for 3030 are tougher for working with higher velocity chamberings.
I have taken fallow with hornady 150gn round nosed bullets but they didn't want to expand!
View attachment 467120
I do load spitzers but on reduced performance for small game.
View attachment 467121
Boat tailed bullets load backwards work well for small game also.
View attachment 467122

Hi smelly. What velocity have you managed on the Hornady that didn't want to expand?

 

[takbok]

I'd try 110gr Barnes TAC-TX

 

[Smellydog]

Hi smelly. What velocity have you managed on the Hornady that didn't want to expand?

No idea but I don't skimp on charge weights.
It would of been up there.

 

[Heym SR20]

Afternoon all, anyone tried using more standard bullets in a 30-30? obviously the tubular mag cant be used for more than 1 round in that case but one in the camber and one in the mag is what I usually do anyway.

any real world feedback? velocity's etc etc for a specific bullet? is it worth doing?

Ron Spomer has done this and written about and I seem to recall a video as well. Definitely worth giving it a try, especially with a monolithic bullet.

2 Tricks to Make Your .30/30 More Effective Beyond 150 Yards

2 Tricks To Make Your 30-30 Shoot Farther

www.outdoorlife.com

Going back to monolithic Peregrine make 135 Grain Bushmaster which is a flat nosed bullet designed for big thump at shorter ranges and will open well at 1600 fps impact velocities. Needs a min of 1 in 15” twist - haven’t a clue what the 30-30 twist rate is.

 

[Smellydog]

Ron Spomer has done this and written about and I seem to recall a video as well. Definitely worth giving it a try, especially with a monolithic bullet.

2 Tricks to Make Your .30/30 More Effective Beyond 150 Yards

2 Tricks To Make Your 30-30 Shoot Farther

www.outdoorlife.com

Going back to monolithic Peregrine make 135 Grain Bushmaster which is a flat nosed bullet designed for big thump at shorter ranges and will open well at 1600 fps impact velocities. Needs a min of 1 in 15” twist - haven’t a clue what the 30-30 twist rate is.

1/12".

 

[jonylandrover]

1/12".

I think my marlin is 1 in 10" as its the microgroove rifling.

think I will try some 150gr stuff and work up a load, see what velocity I can get and a load the gun likes. try it at some water bottles etc see if I can catch some and see what if any expansion I get. will be something fun to do when the Hinds go out of season after this weekend.

 

[Smellydog]

I think my marlin is 1 in 10" as its the microgroove rifling.

think I will try some 150gr stuff and work up a load, see what velocity I can get and a load the gun likes. try it at some water bottles etc see if I can catch some and see what if any expansion I get. will be something fun to do when the Hinds go out of season after this weekend.

Just watch for standard overall cartridge length.

 

[25 Sharps]

Afternoon all, anyone tried using more standard bullets in a 30-30? obviously the tubular mag cant be used for more than 1 round in that case but one in the camber and one in the mag is what I usually do anyway.

any real world feedback? velocity's etc etc for a specific bullet? is it worth doing?

Pointy bullets for 30-30?

Look no further….

For Sale: Thread 'Hornady 30-30 140 gr mono flex copper'

Feb 27, 2026

Bought these to try in the 30-30, but didn’t use them as found an accurate load with yew tree and decided I was happy to use as a 2 shot.

These have a rubber tip so ok for tube magazines and if they expand anything like the 250 gr .458 version I use in the 45-70 they’ll work very well even at lever action velocities.

£50 posted

• 25 Sharps
• Replies: 3
• Forum: Reloading & Ammunition

As Smelly says, most pointed bullets when seated to chamber will mean the base of the ogive will be past the ogive so can’t be crimped.

 

[Smellydog]

Pointy bullets for 30-30?

Look no further….

For Sale: Thread 'Hornady 30-30 140 gr mono flex copper'

Feb 27, 2026

Bought these to try in the 30-30, but didn’t use them as found an accurate load with yew tree and decided I was happy to use as a 2 shot.

These have a rubber tip so ok for tube magazines and if they expand anything like the 250 gr .458 version I use in the 45-70 they’ll work very well even at lever action velocities.

£50 posted

• 25 Sharps
• Replies: 3
• Forum: Reloading & Ammunition

As Smelly says, most pointed bullets when seated to chamber will mean the base of the ogive will be past the ogive so can’t be crimped.

Nevermind all that...where did you get the yew tree from and spill the beans on your load data please???

 

[25 Sharps]

Nevermind all that...where did you get the yew tree from and spill the beans on your load data please???

126 gr HP as available on their website. Lovex DO73.5, can’t recall the data but I did post it elsewhere. Was north of 2000 ft-lb.

Only concern will be expansion at the velocity obtained, which I don’t think the monoflex will suffer with.

Find out in a few weeks when I start on the roe bucks

 

[M@tt]

Afternoon all, anyone tried using more standard bullets in a 30-30? obviously the tubular mag cant be used for more than 1 round in that case but one in the camber and one in the mag is what I usually do anyway.

any real world feedback? velocity's etc etc for a specific bullet? is it worth doing?

I use 7.62 NATO Ball pulled bullets, even tracer. They work great out over 500yds. Great at ETR on the field firing ranges where lead LFP would fear to go.

As you say, single feed is the way to go.

 

[jonylandrover]

Well chaps iv done a bit of messing about this bank holiday weekend and given this a go, so far iv used some Hornady SST 150s i got hold of to play with, put some Levereveloution powder behind it and managed to work up a load. getting 2310FPS average. with the gain in BC over flat and round nose bullets its looking quite promising, until lead is band that is.

 

[Smellydog]

Good fun isn't it. Good old 3030, it's so versatile and I think efficient.

 

[jonylandrover]

Good fun isn't it. Good old 3030, it's so versatile and I think efficient.

I love my 30-30. proper little carry anywhere gun, but the lack of range and muzzle energy for Reds has been an issue for me over the last 5 months since getting my new permission so the .270 has taken top spot again and plus my game dealer only accept non-toxic shot only so the .270 has been my tool of choice.

However the 30-30 will still be my choice for the Reds this winter and the Roe bucks this summer for my own freezer.

 

[Smellydog]

I love my 30-30. proper little carry anywhere gun, but the lack of range and muzzle energy for Reds has been an issue for me over the last 5 months since getting my new permission so the .270 has taken top spot again and plus my game dealer only accept non-toxic shot only so the .270 has been my tool of choice.

However the 30-30 will still be my choice for the Reds this winter and the Roe bucks this summer for my own freezer.

I got some Hornady copper for my 3030 and scraped a load together.
I'm not looking forward to using them. They seem reluctant to expand but I guess they will penetrate.
At least I can tick a box....

 

[jonylandrover]

I got some Hornady copper for my 3030 and scraped a load together.
I'm not looking forward to using them. They seem reluctant to expand but I guess they will penetrate.
At least I can tick a box....

When forced to use copper we will have the same issue with the 30-30, the lack of speed thus lack of expansion of copper will reduce the range back down again to probably less than a standard 30-30 flat point jacketed lead bullet i expect.

 

[Smellydog]

When forced to use copper we will have the same issue with the 30-30, the lack of speed thus lack of expansion of copper will reduce the range back down again to probably less than a standard 30-30 flat point jacketed lead bullet i expect.

The good thing is though in the early morning dark it's sometimes difficult to see what your loading....