Re: Recommended Cartridge for a Winchester 94 30-30
The reason 3030 bullets have flat points is due to tubular magazines that most rifles chambered for this cartridge have. Flat point bearing against case head ensures that bullet point will not impact against primer upon recoil, thus preventing cartridges in tube mag from going off.<br /><br />How a bullet works on game is "shock" (to nervous system) and "damage" (to vital organs, bleeding). For example, a lite bullet at very high velocity imparts much shock, but may not impart much damage. A heavy bullet at low velocity may cause much damage but low shock. An example, an arrows broad head provides some shock, but much damage, IE-bleeding.<br /><br />While ballistic tables and energy data are relevant and make for great discussion, bullet construction is more relevant. Energy transfer during impact with animal and the bullets retained weight after stopping or passing through are most important.<br /><br />Bullets intended for 3030 operating velocities have jackets of lighter construction to ensure proper expansion as well as weight retention properties. Premium bullet manufacturers (Hornady) will state that a .30 cal. bullet is intended for 3030 velocities for example, not to be used for 3006 velocities due to bullet construction (the lighter constructed bullet "blows up" upon impact at high velocities). That said, a heavy constructed jacketed bullet intended to perform at very high velocity would be the wrong choice for lower velocity cartridges (little if any expansion, energy transfer, and damage).<br /><br />The 150 gr 3030 bullet may be fine for average whitetails, higher muzzle velocities (shock). The 170 however, is a better choice in this case do to potential of a black bear or larger deer presenting itself. 170= shock as well as damage due to initial greater bullet weight as well as greater retained bullet weight (deeper penetration-more damage).<br /><br />BTW dogsdad, domestic US commercial 8MM ammo is down loaded to 2200-2300 fps muzzle velocity (170gr bullet) due to manufacturers recognition that there are many mil surp Mausers of questionable condition as well as recognizing that some early rifles had a .318 groove diameter barrel as opposed to the later .323 groove diameter. Norma offers 8MM hunting ammo loaded to the full potential of this cartridge, a 196gr spitzer bullet @ 2700 fps intended for big game hunting. Expensive and harder to come by in the US.
The farthest shot that I will get is no more than 50-75 yards. I am a dead on shot and this rifle is a tack driver.<br /><br />So what do you all recommend?
