Aldeer.com Forums Alabama Deer Talk Serious Deer Talk Forum 30/30 for deer hunting?

I’ve never killed a deer with a 30/30 round before, I’d like to get on the board with one though. What grain bullet is best for deer 🦌 hunting with one? I’ve shot 2 deer with 150 gr., got blood on both but didn’t knock the deer down, nor recover the deer. I know I need to concentrate on my shot placement, but I’m wondering if I should go with 170 gr. Bullets? Thanks in advance, Robinhedd

The 170 grain Remington Core-Lokt ammo will take him out. He may or may not fold up, but if the shooter does his part he won’t go far.

My first 9-10 deer were with a 30-30 150 grain. Long time ago, but I probably just shot Remington coreloc. I don’t remember losing any

My little boy killed one with the 125gr reduced recoil load this year. Got a pass through and blood trail. He didnt run but maybe 30yds. That being said ive got some of the 170gr leverution (something like that?) hornady ammo i would hunt with if i carried it. 30-30 has been a killed for a long time before all the zillion calibers that are out there today.

150gr will do the job. I'd keep the shots under 100 yards though.

I've killed a bunch with Winchester 170 gr....... never had any issues

My old marlin loves the 170gr blue box federals. I’ve only killed 1 deer with since mom gave me that rifle after dad passed. It was about an 80yd shot and dropped him where he was standing. Those 170s made a mess of him. He ain’t the biggest buck I ever killed but he’s the one that means the most to me!!

That’s what it’s all about right there.

150s or 170s

Never lost a deer with my 30/30. Never had one go more than 30 yds. I prefer iron sights and tight quarters hunting with it. I load 170gr Sierra's for it.

I've killed a lot with a 30-30 either 150 or 170gr will drop them in their tracks if hit in the right spot

I've killed very near 70 deer with a .30-.30 alone. I never used a 170 grain bullet...150 grain only. Dropped a great many right where they stood. Easy blood to follow on the ones that didn't drop. Sight in dead on at 50, a little high at 100, dead on at 150, and a few inches low at 200. Great round if you aren't hunting big clearcuts.

My 1971 Marlin absolutely loves ammo with the 150 grain barnes bullet. Remington or Barnes makes it.


The 160 gr leverevolution is also a very potent deer killer in 30/30 if you can find it. My son shot 2 doe's and a buck last year, 2 with the barnes and one with the hornady. No trouble finding either one. The buch he shot with the barnes bullet, OMG what a blood trail. I have seen the same with the hornady when I have shot deer with it.

Mine shots 150 grain remimy core locks never had any issues with them. More for me was shot placement than ammo. Great guns that’s killed deer for years.

Killed a bunch with 150's.

It don't matter . I used to hunt with mixed shells in my pocket. 30-30 just but what's on sale sight it in and go . Ain't like you shooting a gaymoore at a 1000yrds

Though I like the 170gr Rem hollow point the best.

I hunted only with 30/30 for several years and still do occasionally. What I learned comparing notes on what I saw and what others reported is you are hard pressed to get the truth out of anyone about any deer cartridge they used themselves. People will swear up and down to supposed facts that can't possibly be true.

Like many slow cartridges, decisive performance with factory ammo depends on accurate shot placement. What you'll see with all factory ammo is about the same. Try different makes and weights. Use whichever is most accurate. Don't think an old 30/30 can't be accurate.

Speer offers an 130gr flatpoint and hot data to use it. We've been impressed with the blood trails from that one. It's hard to believe it's a 30/30.

150 core loks shoot better groups than 170 in my Marlin . So that is what I settled on.

Probably more deer killed with a 30/30 than any other caliber.
O wouldn't hesitate to hunt with one if I hunted with a gun.

Either the 150s or the 170s will do. I like the 150s a little better. No bullet is going to knock down a deer unless you hit or shock the spinal cord. Most knock down shots are not actually great shots because it takes longer for the deer to die.