Jack O'Conner
New member
This photo shows what the 30-30 does best. That is, a deadly deer rifle that has moderate recoil, affordable ammo, easy to carry all day in rough country.
Jack
30-30 Cal. too small?
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This photo shows what the 30-30 does best. That is, a deadly deer rifle that has moderate recoil, affordable ammo, easy to carry all day in rough country.
Jack
Lawyer Daggit
New member
TV emphasis now is on M-16's rather than the lever action of western movie fame. This will accept sales in some quarters.
There are also literally millions of serviceable lever actions out there that are doing sterling duty every year. They are far from defunct.
There are also literally millions of serviceable lever actions out there that are doing sterling duty every year. They are far from defunct.
Unless you're from California where the deer are too armor plated for a 30-30 to kill. I'd be curious as to what kind of California deer is too tough for a 30-30. Seems like the posts from every state in this thread so far indicate that the rest of the US has far more fragile deer. 
Nevertoomanyguns
New member
No its not to small, in fact its perfect for where I hunt. Its hard to get a shot further than 100 yards where I hunt, and the ole 30-30 fits the bill. Easy to carry all day. One shot on this guy he was 30 yards away, rattled him in from on the ground, DRT at the shot. 201 lbs dressed 11 pts. Speer 170 grain flat nose handloads and williams peep sight.
I'm sure the 30-30 will kill California bucks the 30-30 has been used here to take moose and many of our bucks push 300 lbs or more live weight and they fall to the 30-30.
I'm sure the 30-30 will kill California bucks the 30-30 has been used here to take moose and many of our bucks push 300 lbs or more live weight and they fall to the 30-30.
My dad passed down a 1954 Marlin 336C in 30-30 when I was a teenager and I will be using it to teach my son and daughter how to hunt. One day, its going to be passed down to them as well.
I also like the fact that I can find 30-30 ammunition absolutely everywhere and cheap.
I want to try and handload a stoughter bullet like the new 170 grain partition and try it for short range elk. Wayne Van Zwoll had an interesting article in my #6 Edition Nosler Reloading manual about big game hunting with the old thuddy thuddy.
I also like the fact that I can find 30-30 ammunition absolutely everywhere and cheap.
I want to try and handload a stoughter bullet like the new 170 grain partition and try it for short range elk. Wayne Van Zwoll had an interesting article in my #6 Edition Nosler Reloading manual about big game hunting with the old thuddy thuddy.
plenty enough
When the next deer season rolls around and I go to my gun safe. I'm going to reach right on past the 243,270,308,30-06 cal. rifles that I own and come out with my trusted Marlin 336, 30-30 Cal. rifle. If it was good enough for whitetail back than,its good enough now.
When the next deer season rolls around and I go to my gun safe. I'm going to reach right on past the 243,270,308,30-06 cal. rifles that I own and come out with my trusted Marlin 336, 30-30 Cal. rifle. If it was good enough for whitetail back than,its good enough now.
Switch to Hornady LeverEvolution ammo and you can take that shot. I sight mine 3" high at 115 yds (happens to be the lenght ouf our home-made range) and that puts me right on at 200 and about 3" low at about 230 yds. They leave the barrel just a little faster than a standard round-nosed bullet but they retain their speed MUCH better.
Jack O'Conner
New member
This photo shows what a careful and patient hunter can accomplish. Clearly, neither the bull nor this hunter read current hunting magazines or they'd know that 30-30 bullets bounce off any animal larger than jack rabbits.
Jack
humanitarian2112
Moderator
yes
yes
yes
Jack, that rifle looks just like my fathers 30-30 which I am fortunate enough to still have. With it I killed my first deer, with my first shot with his gun. He said, " Take a fine bead.". He didn't waste ammo shooting paper.
It would be interesting to know how many animals my Dads 30-30 has brought down. It had been around a long time before I ever got to shoot it.
It would be interesting to know how many animals my Dads 30-30 has brought down. It had been around a long time before I ever got to shoot it.
jhgreasemonkey
New member
I think Jack OConner said it all
You know every hunting season one of the older guys I hunt with uses an old beat up 30-30 and he has honestly killed more deer than me or any of my buddies could ever hope for. Yet we all use 7mm rem mags, .270's, 30-06's, .300 mags, wsm's etc. You know for more range and power.......lol
That makes us better hunters right?
You know every hunting season one of the older guys I hunt with uses an old beat up 30-30 and he has honestly killed more deer than me or any of my buddies could ever hope for. Yet we all use 7mm rem mags, .270's, 30-06's, .300 mags, wsm's etc. You know for more range and power.......lol
That makes us better hunters right?
Years ago on one my first deer hunt a four point buck fell to the crack of a pre 64 model 94 winchester chambered in 30-30 with iron sights. What else could a hunter ask for. The 30-30 is plenty for deer, but through the years we have wanted all the power we could get.....kinda of like cars..I always wanted the most powerful one. Many game animals have been taken with that fine caliber. I don't think its gone just yet. It will probably outlast some of these new super dopper blastem calibers as they pass away like a fart in a whirlwind....
dalegribble
New member
I saw them take a full grown buffalo with the 30/30 on some hunting show with 1 shot. I was impressed.
leathermanwave
Inactive
Read my sig.
30-30 is a proven round...
I'd much prefer to be in a situation of hunting in the woods with a 30-30 and being challenged to stretch out the 30-30's performance to beyond 100 yds....
than to be in the situation of carrying a .300 Win.Mag in the woods and being challenged to shoot a smallish deer that's just 50 yds. away.
It's easier to get closer than to back up...
The 30-30 is very versatile. Most of my shots <about 99%> will be at a range of 200yds or less. The 30-30 is also a gentle round ie. more power and range and less recoil than a 44mag. A lever gun also allows a quick follow-up shot.
I'd much prefer to be in a situation of hunting in the woods with a 30-30 and being challenged to stretch out the 30-30's performance to beyond 100 yds....
than to be in the situation of carrying a .300 Win.Mag in the woods and being challenged to shoot a smallish deer that's just 50 yds. away.
It's easier to get closer than to back up...The 30-30 is very versatile. Most of my shots <about 99%> will be at a range of 200yds or less. The 30-30 is also a gentle round ie. more power and range and less recoil than a 44mag. A lever gun also allows a quick follow-up shot.
Love my 30-30
Never seen an A-Bolt in 30-30 but I got an old Savage 340c bolt action in 30-30 and I use it every deer season in Pa. I shoot the Hornady Leverevolution and its deadly out to 200yds. The gun didnt cycle flat or roundnose too well and I was a happy camper when Hornady came out with them. +1 to Hornady for thinking of us.
Never seen an A-Bolt in 30-30 but I got an old Savage 340c bolt action in 30-30 and I use it every deer season in Pa. I shoot the Hornady Leverevolution and its deadly out to 200yds. The gun didnt cycle flat or roundnose too well and I was a happy camper when Hornady came out with them.
+1 to Hornady for thinking of us.