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Lever action cartridge bullet manufacturer?

1.4K views 14 replies 14 participants last post by  buckeyeshooter  
#1 ·
What is you favorite bullet maker for a 150 grain 30-30 bullet or 170 grain 32 WS?
Clearly bullets in 30 cal especially cannot be expected to give optimam game performance across the board of 30 caliber cartridges.
 
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#3 ·
For target shooting & hunting I like the Hornady 150-grain RN Interlock. I just loaded five hundred of them in Starline brass for testing the new Marlin Trapper & Rossi R95, Laminated .30-30. Two great rifles in that caliber and both in stainless. What fun I'm having!
 
#5 ·
My two .30-30s are a Savage 24 and a Savage 340. I have good results with both 150 and 170 grain Partitions. Frankly, the LEVER factory stuff shoots fabulous out of my 340 and I used it when I can get it.
 
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#6 ·
For my '49 Mod 336A 32 Win SPL---either 170 gr Hornady Interlock RN or 170 gr Speer Hot Cor RN will do the trick on game. I don't shoot any 150s in my 30-30s as none of my Marlins like them. They like the Hornady 170 gr Interlock RN or Sierra 170 gr ProHunter FP but the Sierras are hard to find these days.
 
#8 ·
I like the 170's in the 30-30s and 308 mx.
Sierra Pro hunters or the Speer Hot cor.
In the cabinet as I type are 300 + Speer and somewhere around 4 -500 Sierras's.
I've killed deer with both bullets in a couple 30-30's and with the MX.
I can't tell a minutes worth of difference in their performance on game.
I'm sure the Hdy version would work with similar results.
Just never had a need to change.

RP
 
#9 ·
Bill2311,

I have been a fan of GT Bullets out of Charleston, SC for many years. However, I am not alone. If interested in testing, expect 6-7 months lead time on your order. Both 150 gr options with gas check.

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#13 ·
I have been a Speer fan in other calibers but Hornady is the most available. I have to do some research but I recall that one maker produces a bullet marketed for the 30-30.
All academic at this point as I don't have the rifle yet so not sure if I will go with 30-30 or 32 WS. Hoping to hear back this week from a local guy on the price of his brother's Winchester Model 64 in 30 WCF. Always been a fan of longer barrels and half tube magazines so I am planning on buying one but it seems that the 32WS is more available in this gun.
 
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#14 ·
There were those spouting the advantages of loading Spitzer in 30 30s. Never thought that was a good idea as they are designed for hotter cartridges. Almost all the flat nose 30 30 bullets offered are good. You can even get the Hornady Le bullet for reloading. With their soft tip they still work like Spitzer. They are 30 30 bullets and expand. Good if you are shooting a little farther. The Barnes 150 gr txx is also good and they make a 190 grain OS. Hawk makes a 190 gr just for the 30 30.
Plenty of choices.

DEP
 
#15 ·
As I bought 6 boxes of Federal Blue Box 170 grain at Wheeling Cabela's after the season on closeout for $5.99 a box in about 2003, I think. I am still using the first box as I generally use a 308 Marlin Express or a 308 Winchester these days. So, the factory 170 is good for me.
I used to love the close outs as Federal Blue box was $5.99 for 30-30, $6.99 for .308 Win and 30-06 and $7.99 for 7mm Rem Mag and 300 Win Mag. The only thing was that you were limited to 6 boxes per person per visit. So, I brought a friend and cash to get 12 boxes. They ran this every year for about 5 years back then so, I generally have 100 rounds of blue box on the shelf for my popular rounds. I have not been back after the Bass Pro buyout, but I found Bass Pro pricing so high I only went in a couple times.