I bought a Winchester 94 Trapper in 30-30 Win for deer and black bear hunting in South Carolina mountain areas. The deer around 80 to 150 and bears 150 to 300. My shots are under 100 yards. I was thinking 150 grains would be better in the 16" barrel. Any information , experience with a lever rifle.
Winchester 94 Trapper Ammo
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Riomouse911
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The ballistics on the ammo charts are almost all for 24" barrels...which drives me nuts because fewer 24" barrels were made compared to the 20". The 16" trapper is slower still. No factory load is going to steamroll anything from a trapper, but both the 150 and 170 gr bullets will work just fine. Win 150 gr Powermax bonded worked well when I shot them. It's kind of a hollowpoint, so I dont think I'd use them for bears but on deer it's a great load.
The Hornady 160 Lever Evolution load is one that I've shot from a 20", and it is a velocity improvement over standard, so that might make up a touch of the velocity loss from the trapper tube, and the bullet weight is right in the middle. I'd use this on either.
For the bears at short range, especially a 300 pounder needing deep penetration, try the Federal Nosler partition 170 grainers.
The Hornady 160 Lever Evolution load is one that I've shot from a 20", and it is a velocity improvement over standard, so that might make up a touch of the velocity loss from the trapper tube, and the bullet weight is right in the middle. I'd use this on either.
For the bears at short range, especially a 300 pounder needing deep penetration, try the Federal Nosler partition 170 grainers.
I have chronographed some Winchester Power point ammo in my 20" and 16" Marlins. According to factory specs you should get:
170 gr 2200 fps
150 gr 2390 fps
Remember this is from 24" test barrels. In my guns I got
20" 170's 2003 fps
20" 150's 2214 fps
16" 170's 1972 fps
16" 150's 2182 fps
There isn't that much difference between 16" and 20", at least with my guns. I'd say the 170's are the better choice. Lighter bullets need speed to work. Heavier bullets get penetration without the need for speed.
170 gr 2200 fps
150 gr 2390 fps
Remember this is from 24" test barrels. In my guns I got
20" 170's 2003 fps
20" 150's 2214 fps
16" 170's 1972 fps
16" 150's 2182 fps
There isn't that much difference between 16" and 20", at least with my guns. I'd say the 170's are the better choice. Lighter bullets need speed to work. Heavier bullets get penetration without the need for speed.
Hello deputy 599,
I have a Win Trapper in 357 mag, not 30-30. I have never hunted bear but my rifle knocks over Fairly big Texas hog. I use a 125 grain Buffalo Bore I bought a lot of some time ago. I also have heavier Buffalo Bore loads that I have never used. Go to Buffalo Bore website and look up 30-30 loads as they list them from a Trapper. This stuff runs right around $2 a shot and has only one saving grace, it works as advertised. I carry my trapper and a 357 SP101 when I go down to see Texas relatives.
blindhari
I have a Win Trapper in 357 mag, not 30-30. I have never hunted bear but my rifle knocks over Fairly big Texas hog. I use a 125 grain Buffalo Bore I bought a lot of some time ago. I also have heavier Buffalo Bore loads that I have never used. Go to Buffalo Bore website and look up 30-30 loads as they list them from a Trapper. This stuff runs right around $2 a shot and has only one saving grace, it works as advertised. I carry my trapper and a 357 SP101 when I go down to see Texas relatives.
blindhari
Dr T
Member
Historically, the 170 gr. has been a better bullet for the 30-30.
Abel
Member
Test both in several brands. Use whichever is most accurate. Either will work fine, but for a 300+ lb Black Bear, I would prefer a 170.
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