So i have had this idea rolling around in my head for a while now and was hoping I could find someone that may have some insite on the subject. I have some Speer Mag Tips for my big 7 and was noticing that they are not pointed and not round nosed but more of a semi flat tipped bullet. I was thinking if the mag tips that are made in .308 are made the same way shouldn't they be safe in a tube fed 30-30? There is not point to hammer on the primers when being cycled and as long as they can be seated deep enough they should cycle and chanber fine. This is just a thought and possibly a good way to get some range out of the old 30-30 without buying the hornady FTX.

What is the dia of the meplat? I do not have any experience with this , only the indoctrination of constantly being told "NO". If the meplat was larger then say.220" you wouldn't think it would touch would you. The only other consideration would be are they straight in line. In other words would it be possible for a corner to touch a primer? I think it would be, so my answer would be no. Anyway the jackets are probably thicker and if you are extending the range this would mean even more at lower velocities. You do know of course if you are using it as a single or 2-shooter none of this applies and you could use anything you wanted if the accuracy of said weapon merited it.

I don't think you'd be gaining much, BC wise, and the Mag-Tips would give you less expansion. The meplat on the .308, 180 grain Mag-Tips I have on hand measures 0.150", smaller than a small rifle primer.

Okay i wasn't sure as the ones I have for my 7mm are older and seem to have a larger tip then the large rifle primers. I am not sure if they were made differently before or if it has to do with the idea that they are made for the .284.

They look a lot like Speer FNSP that are made for the 30-30 so I was just curious.

The last thing you want is a chain fire in a tube magazine. I would err on the side of caution. I would only load 2 like FN said. And if you need more range use your 7mm.

the flexy tips arent that expensive, grab a sample pack and try them atleast you know they will be safe. If you really want a longer range load you can use what you like for your first load aslong as it doesnt go in the magazine. which would work in a tree stand situation I guess.hmmm I wonder how those speer 130grn hps would go as a single load, they sure are great in the 08.

I have loaded some Hornady FTX's in 160 gr and they work great. I am not really planning on loading Mag Tips but I thought it would be interesting to see if they would work. I picked me up 200 Speer Deep Curl FN 170 grain bullets for the 30-30 today and I am looking forward to trying them out. I am also considering trying Hornady Mono-flex 140 gr bullets for the 30-30 as I have read great things about how they perform and I read where a black bear was taken with one of these.

sounds like you have got her sorted.170s for the scrub and a lighter bullet for longer work/steady rested shot.

thats what I am going for. man i seen the new mossberg model 464 30-30 and I may just get one for the fun of it, they are pretty cool. Its like lever gun meets assault rifle.
www.mossberg.com/produ...n=products

I saw that Mossberg on another forum the other day and they were trashing its appearance. I said that in areas where semi-autos are banned something like that might be just the ticket for home defense. While I personally prefer the traditional look I don't see any problem with the "modern" look. I'd like to shoot one sometime in a side by side comparison with a wood-stocked version.

Yuk!!!, I'll take the rifle that's leaning on the cowboy boots with the rope and hat.

Ominivision1 wrote:

Yuk!!!, I'll take the rifle that's leaning on the cowboy boots with the rope and hat.

I'll take my Marlin model 336 in 35 rem over either of them thanks, but if I had to take one of them I'd take the same one as you Omni.

You know, I don't care much for the "military look" especially in a lever gun but I refuse to begrudge those who do like it. I applaud Mossberg for stepping out of the box and maing something a bit different.
I don't care for lever guns at all but I like the look with wood - I just don't like the lever action.
All of my long guns are bolt actions - even the .22 rimfire - except for three of my shotguns but they are either break open or pump. I do own a 20 ga. bolt action and I LOVE it!
That is why they make different actions - not everyone likes the same thing. (same reason God made blondes, brunettes and redheads);)

I think that mossberg is being smart about it really. They manufacture the traditional look for those who perfer it but they are also manufacturing the military like lever gun because times are changing and more and more there are people who would rather have military type guns such as AR's. I am not saying this applies to all but I think that they are taking into consideration the future of the firearm industry and if the lever gun doesn't become more appealling to those who do not share our interest in the classics then they may be lost to history as it were. I love my old lever gun but I would not mind having the new ones mossberg is making just so I can say I have one plus I am not worried about lessening the value by changing it.