I've used 150's and 170's.
It really depends on the individual bullet. Each one has to be considered individually on its own merits.
Most of the Speer 150 and 170gr FN's are what you would call "multipurpose" in that they are not explicitly ".30/30" bullets. They actually have sometimes given me poor performance in the .30/30 due to a lack of expansion. The Speer's are intended for the .307wcf, as well with other "higher velocity than the .30/30 applications. Ditto the now discontinued Nosler Solid base 150gr FN. I actually lost several deer with this bullet with lung shots from a Marlin 336A with a 24" bbl with velocities running 2,350-2,450. These bullets were astonishingly accurate though... The Nosler 170gr partitons perform very well however, expanding well throughout the normal velocity envelope of the .30wcf (.30/30) and even at higher velocities, too.
However, I've seen excellent results with the Remington CorLokt's with the usage you've mentioned. The Corlokts expand readily at the lower velocities of factory loaded .30/30 (Muzzle vel. of 2,200fps of 150's and 2,000fps of 170's -actual observations from 20" production rifles). However, because of their construction, they hold together very well at higher velocities. Because of their less than optimum shape, they loose velocity quicker than more streamlined bullets and at 300yds from an '06 would perform much like a .30/30 at 200yds, which is still very well, thankyou !!!!!!
Since a lot of hunters,(myself included) like a blunt nosed bullet for various reasons, and since neither Remington or Winchester any longer release their excellent 180gr RN's for the '06 for reloaders, the 170gr CorLokt is an excellent replacement.
Yes, they put deer down VERY well, at ANY REASONABLE distance, but no better than the above mentioned 180gr RN's.
That said, the 180gr Remington CorLokt Pt.Spt's likewise perform excellently from some of the large MAGNUM rifles such as the .300RUM. An application much like running the .30wcf bullets through an '06.
Not a good advertisement for the $1+ "each" bullets being touted as "NECCESSARY" for the behemoth magnums........................
I bought 500 Remington CorLokts a year ago for $48 (they're a lot more expensive this year) or, for about what 50 of the new MRX Barnes or XP-3 Winchester "bullets" cost.......(note that they are sold in boxes of 20 !!!) NOT LOADED AMMO.......... They run over $3.....EACH (box of 20 goes for $60+ !!!) What is also bizarre, as "rough" as the bulk packed CorLokts look, they are the most accurate bullet in My Savage M110 in .300RUM (at or under MOA at 3,300fps) Performance on deer has been superlative, too. No "exploded" bullets failing to penetrate, just "exploding" deer, with 24"+ penetration and smaller than expected exit wounds............ or about like the 10X more expensive bullets......
If the ".30/30" bullets are all you have, you'll do "OK" with them. I suggest also saving a little on the powder charge too, by loading to 5-10% below max. for optimum accuracy and performance. Bullets to avoid are the Winchester PowerPoint FN or Open points (HP). These have given me some shed jackets and short penetration even from a .30/30. Ditto some of the 110gr "plinkers" and "varminters"... These were primarily intended for the .30 Carbine.
P.S. Hutch.......BTW.. Some of the deer killed with these loads were taken in west Lee Co.,AL back in the mid- to late '70's and early '80s while I was in school and working for the Auburn P.D.
than the more customary 150gr - 165gr spire point bullets.
