Max Performance .30-30

[OXN939]

Been on a lever kick the last few years after finding a load my 336 really likes. It's nothing crazy- 150 TSX doing about 2125 FPS MV- but has been super effective in both water jug testing and on several large whitetail I've killed with it.

While considering which rifle to take elk hunting this year, it occurred to me that a short, handly lever would be pretty much perfect for the tag I have- dense timber with most shot opportunities between 50 and 100. I'll also be moving to AK next year, and the new Marlin trapper would fit like a glove in a supercub.

So. Anyone got real world experience with the upper end of .30-30's humble performance envelope? I feel like 100 and under with a stout projectile like the TSX is a pretty effective package, but where would you guys draw the line? Elk, moose, bears? Thanks in advance for any input!

 

[vonb]

I’ve found a max load of LeverEvolution powder and a 160 FTX to be the ticket. It gets me 2,370 fps out of a 336 with a 20” barrel. Not much it won’t do within reasonable distance.

 

[OXN939]

I’ve found a max load of LeverEvolution powder and a 160 FTX to be the ticket. It gets me 2,370 fps out of a 336 with a 20” barrel. Not much it won’t do within reasonable distance.

Heard good things about Leverevolution, and Barnes load data does show it as their fastest listed powder. Might have to grab a pound to try.

125 probably the farthest I'd shoot anything over the size of a deer, but there is this dude straight locking one up at like 300. The more I pull the thread, the more convinced I get it would be just fine for anything in North America at peep sight range

 

[FredH]

At 30-30 speeds the standard factory loads from the Big three are excellent. Very good penetration and expansion even out to 200 yards. I have taken a lot of game with 30-30 rifles and 150 grain factory loads and my handloads that mimicked them.

 

[ItsBrettyWap]

I need to get my dads .30-.30 out....

 

[Wolfshead]

I’ve found a max load of LeverEvolution powder and a 160 FTX to be the ticket. It gets me 2,370 fps out of a 336 with a 20” barrel. Not much it won’t do within reasonable distance.

I have a similar experience as you.
I can’t post MV as I have not chrono’ed it yet, but the 160 FTX and Leverevolution powder is a wonderful combination in my model 94, 30-30.
I have loaded up some Barnes 150s because NewYorkistan keeps threatening to go non-lead on state lands.
I’ll have to report back as to what I think about those.
I will say that the FTXs and Leverevolution powder has made my rifle a 200 yard gun.

 

[Wolfshead]

Update on my muzzle velocity for my FTX and Leverevolution handloads.
I had a chance to get to the range later Monday morning and they averaged 2360 fps.

 

[Ringbill27]

I’ve worked on the Hornady Monoflex 140 grain using LeverEvolution and found decent accuracy and speed up around 2500fps. With in 100 yds I cant see how the monoflex or the TSX wouldn’t work on elk. You’d be well within the expansion threshold. If it were me I’d probably increase my charge and run that 150 as fast as accurately and safely possible.

 

[Wolfshead]

I’ve worked on the Hornady Monoflex 140 grain using LeverEvolution and found decent accuracy and speed up around 2500fps. With in 100 yds I cant see how the monoflex or the TSX wouldn’t work on elk. You’d be well within the expansion threshold. If it were me I’d probably increase my charge and run that 150 as fast as accurately and safely possible.

I’ve talked with others about Barnes accuracy and having to completely clean your barrel before shooting them to be accurate.
In regards to the Monoflex, have you had to do anything “special” to get them to shoot well in your rifle?
I’m having trouble with my .308 and getting an accurate load for the 130 ttsx and I’m apprehensive about the Barnes in my model 94.
Still might try some of the Monoflex because of how well the FTXs work.

 

[Ringbill27]

I’ve talked with others about Barnes accuracy and having to completely clean your barrel before shooting them to be accurate.
In regards to the Monoflex, have you had to do anything “special” to get them to shoot well in your rifle?
I’m having trouble with my .308 and getting an accurate load for the 130 ttsx and I’m apprehensive about the Barnes in my model 94.
Still might try some of the Monoflex because of how well the FTXs work.

I guess I’ll say this. Load development was more difficult with monos before I would cleaned the barrels out. I also haven’t noticed any problems with accuracy when switching back to regular bullets after cleaning and shooting monos.

With the 30-30 I think I cleaned the barrel out. It’s an iron sights rifle and if a get 1”-1.5” groups at 50yds I’m happy.

I don’t see iron sight well.

I’ve found that monos are happy being seated to the listed COAL as well but with most the cartridges I load. I seat them as long and the mag and feeding allows. Monos like longer jumps.

What loads are you working on with the 130ttsx and the 308?

 

[Wolfshead]

For my 308 I’ve tried Barnes 130 ttsx and Varget, and the best 10 shot group at 100 was approximately 3”.
I currently use 150 grain Nosler Accubonds and Varget and can shoot clover leaves at 100.
I’ve loaded up some 130s with Ramshot TAC to see what i can get.

I bought a box of the Barnes 150 for the 30-30 and loaded them with the Leverevolution powder and we’ll see about those.
The reason I bought those was they were about $10 a box cheaper than the Monoflex. So I’ll shoot the Barnes and see what I can get out of that.

The reason I’m looking into the coppers is I’m in NY and they every year it gets brought up in the legislature about going monos on state lands. Part down state already is, so I’m trying to be prepared in case it goes state wide.

I have a great load for my 94 with the FTX and have shot very tight groups at 50 yards, using a Williams peep sight.

This is a five shot group at 50 yds. The upper left shot was a self induced flyer. I hadn’t squeeze the lever before pulling the trigger and was not prepared for the shot. You can see the other four
Below the bullseye.

 

[SloppyJ]

I went through this with my 30-30 as well. I don't feel the velocity advantage is there in this cartridge to even consider a mono bullet and think it's handcuffing an already moderate cartridge. Mine loved the 150gr interlocks and 3031. I skipped the lever powder due to the temp sensitivity as I have a wide range of hunting conditions throughout the season.

My advice, find a better bullet. The 170 partition would be my pick and you get the best of both worlds as far as expansion and pass through capability.

 

[Ringbill27]

For my 308 I’ve tried Barnes 130 ttsx and Varget, and the best 10 shot group at 100 was approximately 3”.
I currently use 150 grain Nosler Accubonds and Varget and can shoot clover leaves at 100.
I’ve loaded up some 130s with Ramshot TAC to see what i can get.

I bought a box of the Barnes 150 for the 30-30 and loaded them with the Leverevolution powder and we’ll see about those.
The reason I bought those was they were about $10 a box cheaper than the Monoflex. So I’ll shoot the Barnes and see what I can get out of that.

The reason I’m looking into the coppers is I’m in NY and they every year it gets brought up in the legislature about going monos on state lands. Part down state already is, so I’m trying to be prepared in case it goes state wide.

I have a great load for my 94 with the FTX and have shot very tight groups at 50 yards, using a Williams peep sight.

This is a five shot group at 50 yds. The upper left shot was a self induced flyer. I hadn’t squeeze the lever before pulling the trigger and was not prepared for the shot. You can see the other four
Below the bullseye.

I tried varget with the 130gr I didn’t get the best accuracy or speeds. A found a max load of BL-C2 get me speeds and small groups.

I had I Lyman’s 66 on my rifle until Covid with it broke and was unable to find a replacement. I always shot the peep sight better. I better get it ordered.

I went with the monoflexs for the same reasons you went to Barnes they were much cheaper when i found them on sale.

 

[Wolfshead]

I tried varget with the 130gr I didn’t get the best accuracy or speeds. A found a max load of BL-C2 get me speeds and small groups.

I had I Lyman’s 66 on my rifle until Covid with it broke and was unable to find a replacement. I always shot the peep sight better. I better get it ordered.

I went with the monoflexs for the same reasons you went to Barnes they were much cheaper when i found them on sale.

Yes, a max load of Varget with the 130s is only giving me about 2925 fps.
The guys from Vortex love the Monoflex especially for the 30-30.

I went through this with my 30-30 as well. I don't feel the velocity advantage is there in this cartridge to even consider a mono bullet and think it's handcuffing an already moderate cartridge. Mine loved the 150gr interlocks and 3031. I skipped the lever powder due to the temp sensitivity as I have a wide range of hunting conditions throughout the season.

My advice, find a better bullet. The 170 partition would be my pick and you get the best of both worlds as far as expansion and pass through capability.

NY may force us to go monos on state lands and I hunt a lot on them.
I contacted Alan Griffith from Barnes and he said “If I used a moderate MV of 2050 fps, 1000' elevation (average NY state altitude) and 32 deg F (cold NY Fall morning) I'd call 110 yds the max yardage you should try a shot. Depending on your loading skills I would think 2200 fps is achievable which then pushes the max yardage out to 145 yds.”
I’m getting an ave. of 2300 fps with the 160 FTXs and Leverevolution. I’m hoping I can get around 2200 with 150s.
“The 30 cal 150 gr TSX FN FB will hit full, double diameter expansion down to an impact velocity of 1600 fps”, which is what I would be shooting.
Where I use my 94 I don’t get very many 100 yard shots let alone worrying about going to 150 yards.
I developed my load for the FTXs in about 25-30 degree weather, in January, and I’ve shot the same load in July in the 80s and haven’t seen much of a change in impact or accuracy.
As I’ve mentioned before I’m shooting with peeps and I’m looking at 5” groups out at 100.

 

[OXN939]

For my 308 I’ve tried Barnes 130 ttsx and Varget, and the best 10 shot group at 100 was approximately 3”.

Some rifles just don't like Barnes bullets in general. I also own a JM Marlin 336, which by all reports is a higher quality rifle than the originally pictured Remlin. It groups the same TSX load at about 3 inches that the Remlin puts into quarter.

I usually go to Hammers when that happens- in this case, I got a pack of their 120s to try. Have yet to have time to do load development with those yet, but that's how my last three rifles ended up with pet loads.

 

[Jim1187]

Elk, moose and Brown bears get killed every year with the 30-30 slinging whatever factory load folks can lay their hands on. Generalizing here but, there is a preference towards the 170's among those who do. For most the challenge of passing on what would be an easier shot with many other centerfires is the hardest part.
I know of one Marlin 30-30 with a mountain goat, a semi trailer of caribou and 2 walruses to its credit for game beyond the normal scope of whitetails, hogs and black bears.
If I was to go unleaded I'd probably go hammer, monoflex and then TSX in that order.