.30 carbine performance - The Firearms Forum

JLA · 05-10-2009, 03:27 PM

Just got back from testing the 90 gr. XTP bullets in my Inland .30 carbine. I gotta say they do a lot better than expected.

Bullets averaged 90.1 gr. in this lot. The load consists of 16 gr. of H110 over a CCI small rifle magnum primer. Bullet velocity averaged 2200 fps from my shooting chrony with an extreme spread of 18 fps. I fired 3 rounds into a barrel of water at 25 yds, 50 yds, and 100 yds to test expansion. All 3 expanded to the point of jacket/core separation.

I am going to get some of the Barnes solid copper expanding bullets to test next.

The expanded bullets pictured are from left to right 100 to 25 yds. The bullet fired into the barrel at 100 yds had a retained weight of 75.7 gr., the 50 yd shot had a retained weight of 62.4, and the 25 yd shot had a retained weight of 58.5 gr. Giving this particular loading reliable expansion throughout its intended effective range of 100 yds. With roughly 60 to 75% retained weight. Not bad for the anemic hunting properties of the .30 carbine round...

Hemi · 05-11-2009, 10:50 AM

Thanks for the info. I'm new to reloading and a 30c was a load I'm going to do. That bullet expansion is great, I bet it will do a number on a whitetail!!

carver · 05-11-2009, 02:57 PM

I use the Hornady XTP's on everything I reload. They just work! Great pic.

JLA · 05-11-2009, 08:02 PM

No prob hemi, That particular load is pretty close to max so id recommend backing off 5% to start

wouldnt want you to blow your fingers off at my suggestion.

I was very impressed with them carver. I too have used XTP bullets in just about everything they make an XTP bullet for but the .30 carb test is the first i have gotten velocities up enough to facilitate such profound expansion. I like it.

05-10-2009, 03:27 PM	#1
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,319	.30 carbine performance Just got back from testing the 90 gr. XTP bullets in my Inland .30 carbine. I gotta say they do a lot better than expected. Bullets averaged 90.1 gr. in this lot. The load consists of 16 gr. of H110 over a CCI small rifle magnum primer. Bullet velocity averaged 2200 fps from my shooting chrony with an extreme spread of 18 fps. I fired 3 rounds into a barrel of water at 25 yds, 50 yds, and 100 yds to test expansion. All 3 expanded to the point of jacket/core separation. I am going to get some of the Barnes solid copper expanding bullets to test next. The expanded bullets pictured are from left to right 100 to 25 yds. The bullet fired into the barrel at 100 yds had a retained weight of 75.7 gr., the 50 yd shot had a retained weight of 62.4, and the 25 yd shot had a retained weight of 58.5 gr. Giving this particular loading reliable expansion throughout its intended effective range of 100 yds. With roughly 60 to 75% retained weight. Not bad for the anemic hunting properties of the .30 carbine round... Attached Images __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF! -->

05-11-2009, 10:50 AM	#2
Hemi Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 3	Re: .30 carbine performance Thanks for the info. I'm new to reloading and a 30c was a load I'm going to do. That bullet expansion is great, I bet it will do a number on a whitetail!! Last edited by Hemi; 05-11-2009 at 10:51 AM..

05-11-2009, 02:57 PM	#3
carver TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: DAV, Deep in the Pineywoods of East Texas, just west of Shreveport, LA Contributor Posts: 11,283	Re: .30 carbine performance I use the Hornady XTP's on everything I reload. They just work! Great pic. __________________ Y'all be safe now, ya hear! Lamentations Chapter 5: 1. Remember, O LORD, what is come upon us: consider, and behold our reproach. 2. Our inheritance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens. 3. We are orphans and fatherless, our mothers [are] as widows. 5. Our necks [are] under persecution: we labour, [and] have no rest. 16. The crown is fallen [from] our head: woe unto us, that we have sinned! 21. Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.

05-11-2009, 08:02 PM	#4
JLA TFF Moderator/Host Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Heart Of Texas Contributor Posts: 17,319	Re: .30 carbine performance No prob hemi, That particular load is pretty close to max so id recommend backing off 5% to start wouldnt want you to blow your fingers off at my suggestion. I was very impressed with them carver. I too have used XTP bullets in just about everything they make an XTP bullet for but the .30 carb test is the first i have gotten velocities up enough to facilitate such profound expansion. I like it. __________________ It takes 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 3 for proper trigger squeeze. The latest caliber or gear is no substitute for experience and skill. Rifles and cartridges don't make hits -- shooters do. Fact of life: After Monday and Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF!