250 Grain, .30 Caliber Bullets

[Brother Bob]

Hi guys. I was wondering if 250 solids in .30 caliber, were still available? I remember seeing a box of .30-06, 250 grain solids on a shelf years ago. All these bear threads got me thinking about that box of shells. Now that may be just what the doctor ordered for those grizzlies????? I also remember reading about it in an old "Cartridges of The World"....

[Midas]

The heaviest bullet I was able to find on Midway USA was a 240 grain Woodleigh round nose. That would be an excellent bullet for hunting bison, as penetration would be very very good. However, I hate to sound like a broken record saying this, bit if I were to use bullets that heavy, I would probably step up to a .338 or .375, to get a little more bullet diameter with that weight.

[Brother Bob]

Originally Posted by Midas

The heaviest bullet I was able to find on Midway USA was a 240 grain Woodleigh round nose. That would be an excellent bullet for hunting bison, as penetration would be very very good. However, I hate to sound like a broken record saying this, bit if I were to use bullets that heavy, I would probably step up to a .338 or .375, to get a little more bullet diameter with that weight.

Oh heavens yes! I was just thinking about all the bear threads and the .30 caliber fans. If I only had one rifle, and that rifle was a .30-06, and I loaded my own, and I was dirt poor, and I lived in Alaska, and I.........I think you get my point. LOL! If and when I go on my Alaskan brown bear hunt, I'll take a .338, .375 H&H, and/or a .458. I'll also have a .44 magnum revolver strapped to my side. I've read enough stories and have seen some pretty graphic pics of what happens when someone doesn't take enough gun to a bear fight!

[Midas]

Originally Posted by Brother Bob

Oh heavens yes! I was just thinking about all the bear threads and the .30 caliber fans. If I only had one rifle, and that rifle was a .30-06, and I loaded my own, and I was dirt poor, and I lived in Alaska, and I.........I think you get my point. LOL! If and when I go on my Alaskan brown bear hunt, I'll take a .338, .375 H&H, and/or a .458. I'll also have a .44 magnum revolver strapped to my side. I've read enough stories and have seen some pretty graphic pics of what happens when someone doesn't take enough gun to a bear fight!

I know that residents of Alaska probably fill their tags every year with 30-30's and similar cartridges, but for me, as an out of state hunter, I wanna stack the cards in my favor as much as possible!

[Brother Bob]

Originally Posted by Midas

I know that residents of Alaska probably fill their tags every year with 30-30's and similar cartridges, but for me, as an out of state hunter, I wanna stack the cards in my favor as much as possible!

LOL! That's like shooting a drunk with a .22! He'll either go down for the count or he'll take offense and stick that .22 where the sun don't shine! The Alaskan Dept. of Fish and Game use .375 H&H magnums for when they're out in the brush. They claim that that's the maximum caliber their folks can handle, for use in stopping a bear charge. They preferred something bigger, but most employees couldn't handle the recoil. I wouldn't ever feel any recoil if I had 1,000 pounds of furry coming at me at 30+ mph. Probably wouldn't realize that I was loading my britches, either!.........Which reminds me, maybe I should ask these "professional bear hunters" if they wear Depends when they go after grizzlies with a .30 caliber.........LOL!

[Midas]

Originally Posted by Brother Bob

LOL! That's like shooting a drunk with a .22! He'll either go down for the count or he'll take offense and stick that .22 where the sun don't shine! The Alaskan Dept. of Fish and Game use .375 H&H magnums for when they're out in the brush. They claim that that's the maximum caliber their folks can handle, for use in stopping a bear charge. They preferred something bigger, but most employees couldn't handle the recoil. I wouldn't ever feel any recoil if I had 1,000 pounds of furry coming at me at 30+ mph. Probably wouldn't realize that I was loading my britches, either!.........Which reminds me, maybe I should ask these "professional bear hunters" if they wear Depends when they go after grizzlies with a .30 caliber.........LOL!

It's hard to argue against the ole .375 H&H for any hunting situation, except for charging elephant, but if you put the shot where it needs to be, you won't have to worry about a charge, and on top of that, you will have a guide right beside you, to assist in any "sticky situations". The .375 H&H is a great choice, because like you said, it offers superb killing power, without the abusive recoil of the larger cartridges, and it can reach out for a 250 or 300 yard shot, if necessary. However, if I had a pissed off grizz coming at me, recoil would be the last thing on my mind. Now certainly,for the resident hunter, a .30 caliber would work fine, but for an out of state hunter, bigger is better in this case.

[just_a_car]

Personally, the largest I've found was the same, 240 gr Sierra MatchKing BTHP, but I did remember seeing some loaded rounds within the last week or two that had 250 gr .30 cal's in 'em. I think they may have been in the MidwayUSA catalog...

I'm actually intending on, once I get a reloading station, working out some sub-sonic 7.62x39 rounds with anywhere from 180-240gr .308-.311 cal bullets.

[Magnumsrule]

I just dont really understand the point of getting these huge bullets for a 30 cal. You just are not getting the preformance out of the cartridge anymore. The tragectory would also be atrocious. I think sticking with the 180's is the best bet for most 30 cal rifles. Only the 300 win mag gets beter results with 190's and the 300 rum, well is the 300 rum.

[irish murphy]

The trajectory wouldnt be that bad.Heavy pills shoot flatter.

[Midas]

Originally Posted by Magnumsrule

I just dont really understand the point of getting these huge bullets for a 30 cal. You just are not getting the preformance out of the cartridge anymore. The tragectory would also be atrocious. I think sticking with the 180's is the best bet for most 30 cal rifles. Only the 300 win mag gets beter results with 190's and the 300 rum, well is the 300 rum.

Now you've seen the light, atta boy!

[billy]

Originally Posted by Midas

It's hard to argue against the ole .375 H&H for any hunting situation, except for charging elephant, but if you put the shot where it needs to be, you won't have to worry about a charge, and on top of that, you will have a guide right beside you, to assist in any "sticky situations". The .375 H&H is a great choice, because like you said, it offers superb killing power, without the abusive recoil of the larger cartridges, and it can reach out for a 250 or 300 yard shot, if necessary. However, if I had a pissed off grizz coming at me, recoil would be the last thing on my mind. Now certainly,for the resident hunter, a .30 caliber would work fine, but for an out of state hunter, bigger is better in this case.

yes a charging elephant could be referred to as a "bit of a sticky wicket old chap!'

[just_a_car]

Originally Posted by Magnumsrule

I just dont really understand the point of getting these huge bullets for a 30 cal. You just are not getting the preformance out of the cartridge anymore. The tragectory would also be atrocious. I think sticking with the 180's is the best bet for most 30 cal rifles. Only the 300 win mag gets beter results with 190's and the 300 rum, well is the 300 rum.

You don't understand it huh?... Well, if you had read the post just above your's, you'd see why someone would want a heavy bullet. The calculation for kinetic energy is as such:

E = 1/2 * mass * (velocity)^2

So, if you want to keep your velocity sub-sonic (i.e. less than about 950fps), then the only way to get a higher muzzle energy is to raise the mass of the projectile.

Admittedly, you have to watch your pressures when doing this, but it used to be common (way before my birth, prior to WWII) to work up "reduced loads" for pleasure and cost savings (less powder per round = more rounds per pound of powder).

I'm personally considering anywhere from 180-240gr (likely going to settle on 180-200gr) bullets for the sub-sonic 7.62x39 to shoot out of my AES-10.

[CroMagnum]

The people that I know who carry weapons for Fish and Game usually carry 12 gauge shotguns filled with slugs, same with the State Troopers when their on a wildlife call.

[Magnumsrule]

Would you be using them for target shooting or what, like i said before hunting bullets in my opinion are maxed out at the previous statment. I did take physics and i do understand. I thought the whole point of this was for the max hunting weight for bears. Not for target shooting....

[samuel]

A 1in10" twist will handle up to 220gr in .30cal.From there up they reccomend 1in9"twist. sam.

[Deersniper]

I loaded some 180 gr Nosler .308 win Ballistic tips, and they shot within 1/4" of the 168 gr Sierra BT's, so this is my results. They should have a little lower FPS but as much or more momentum. The 180 gr would the max I think for my .308. You have to find where the peak performance is.

[just_a_car]

Originally Posted by Magnumsrule

Would you be using them for target shooting or what, like i said before hunting bullets in my opinion are maxed out at the previous statment. I did take physics and i do understand. I thought the whole point of this was for the max hunting weight for bears. Not for target shooting....

No worries... I'd just be target-shooting with those sub-sonics. Admittedly, I'd love to have a few for SHTF or ZHTF, so I'd make sure that they were viable rounds to at least 100 yards, if not 300.

As this is in the hunting forum, I'll concede that your call on the 180gr is likely the best choice for max-weight bullet. Sierra and Winchester both make an affordable bullet in that weight.

[Nathan123]

Originally Posted by Midas

The heaviest bullet I was able to find on Midway USA was a 240 grain Woodleigh round nose. That would be an excellent bullet for hunting bison, as penetration would be very very good. However, I hate to sound like a broken record saying this, bit if I were to use bullets that heavy, I would probably step up to a .338 or .375, to get a little more bullet diameter with that weight.

That is correct, Woodleigh make a 240gr Protected Point that they brang out specifically for the 100th anniversary of the .30-06 it has a B/C of .401 and a S/D of .361 Nick Harvey wrote not that long ago that they were brilliant for heart lung shots on buffalo. So if they can handle buffalo they will sure as heck handle a bear.

I love Woodleigh projectiles they are brilliant, not to mention half the price of Barnes projectiles (dont get me wrong there, i still use Barnes projectiles but Woodleigh's are exactly half the price)

Here is a list of what Woodleigh offer. Bullets

[Phil Lozano]

I agree, Woodleigh's are good bullets. I shoot them exclusively in my double.

They have worked for me every time, backing clients or when it gets "touchy". Soft's and solids, good bullets, both.

Personally, if you are seriously looking at the 240 grain 30 cal. bullet, I'd get a 300 Mag. and stuff them in that.

However, before I did that, I'd get a 338 Winnie or a 358 Norma, both excellent cartridges !

If you are 'popin' for a big bear hunt, the cost of a new rifle is small in comparison.

With a 30 '06, you will have to hold your fire on a semi-bad angled shot (IMO).

With the Norma or Winnie with 250 grain bullets (or larger), in the same situation, you can "let er' fly "

Best,
Phil
_____________________
Professional Hunter ~ Tanzania

Stay out of sight and down wind

Phil Lozano Tanzania Trophy Expeditions - Dangerous Game Specialists

[Nathan123]

Originally Posted by Phil Lozano

Personally, if you are seriously looking at the 240 grain 30 cal. bullet, I'd get a 300 Mag. and stuff them in that.

That is good advice, but you would have to keep them under 2400fps - the reccomended impact velocity on that projectile is 1900 - 2400fps.

Woodleigh's are great projectiles. I have never had one fail. I am going to try some 300gr solids and some 300gr PP's in my .375 H&H (currently i am using 270gr Protected Points) and over here they are $50 for 50 vs $100 for 50 Barnes projectiles.

Originally Posted by Phil Lozano

With a 30 '06, you will have to hold your fire on a semi-bad angled shot (IMO).

With the Norma or Winnie with 250 grain bullets (or larger), in the same situation, you can "let er' fly "

That is very true. When i mentioned earlier that they used those 240gr on buffalo in .30-06 that was only under perfect conditions. If that shot wasnt perfect you could not take it. And as you know, alot of the time they dont like to stand around and pose for a side on shot, and in the event of a charge i would begin to be feeling a little nevous if i only had my .30-06