.30 carbine for deer?

Right after the Korean surplus carbines came back here -- it was the gun of choice on the east coast for deer. It is a fine round BUT that was before we thought about lung and body shots. I agree on the head shots and most carbines are quite capable of that every time.

For hogs, I've seen a lot of guns used but the many hog hunting guides I knew in Florida, Georgia, Arkansas, Louisiana, all used to suggest 12 gauge pumps, no plugs and slugs. I've seen a horse they ripped the entire belly out of from one end to the other while the rider was looking for the hogs. For hogs, my only choice would the long tube, pump with modern slugs.

That's my opinion and it's worth what you paid for it.

If your son is smaller, I'd consider an AK semi-auto clone with hollow points as well.
 
well art if you got shot with a 30-06 66 times in the foot you still wouldn't die. One shot from a rimfire in the head will put you down for good. aiming it the point. i was just wondering if you aimed, neck or head shots could it be used. Besides i dont think anyone would use hardball for hunting anything short of fur bearing animals.

And I've hunted the swamps of Blountstown, Florida, with a .22 Magnum

.30 carbine is illegal in florida but 22 magnum is legal, Who's writin these laws.
 
.22 magnum or any .22 is not legal for hunting deer in florida either. Besides that, if minds are made up in advance, regardless of the question or thread, why post a request for opinions or information? Guess some just like to read their words printed somewhere.
 
A summary might be that if everything goes absolutely perfectly, quite a few "pipsqueak" cartridges will collect some fair-sized critters.

My problem is that I've never seen absolute perfection, not even when I shave.

:D, Art
 
With the proper load and at short range it does a very fine job. Ball ammo in a carbine is a disaster waiting to happen on any hunt. Up to 100yds if you can pick a good shot it will pop-pling them just as dead as a 06 will. It is very legal to hunt with one here but so is a .32 pocket pistol if you have a 5 round mag, go figure. The bottom line is what you are trying to do with the gun and how well it works for what you are trying to do with it. A high powered 400yd deer rife is just as worthless for quick aimed kill shots in the brush as a .30 carbine is for 400yd open country kill shots. Every deer I have shot with the carbine has been a one shot kill which is more than I can say for the ones I have shot with the 30-06. I do remember the Elk my dad was trying to shoot with his 06 and could not see anything but rug in the scope, when it finaly jumped and ran my old "pipsqueak" 25-35 killed it just as dead as any of the many dozzen of elk, deer and bear it has killed in its life.
 
radom, I just have to disagree with some of your last comments.

Any problem with picking up a critter at close range/in the brush has to do with the rifle's sighting system (or lack of) rather than the rifle itself. A low power scope is just as quick in close as are any sights.

& any comparison of a .30 carbine to an '06 (or similar class) is just silly - there ain't none. Sure, may be that the carbine's a very handy li'l thing & points quite fast, but so do many compact bolt rifles.

Far as the carbine (paraphrased) "killing stuff that an '06 won't" - that's merely shot placement, nothing more.

I'd suspect you seem to like the carbine (or your 25-35) is that you are very familiar with it. Lots to be said about "a man with one gun" ....
 
Mannlicher, your your opinion doesn't mean we all stand back in awe and declare your words law. If I wanted only your opinion I would have said "Question for Mannlicher" in the subject. Be nice people, the anti's already have enough reasons to shut us down, lets not add closed-mindedness to it.

Moderator comment: Even edited by me, Art, this is still far more personal than I like. Be advised, folks. "High Road", remember?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Art, He ticked me off, and i am still ticked off, BUT, I SHOULD have ignored him. Instead, I typed faster than I thaught, and joined him in the moral lowground, I apologise for that. I concider the subject closed, i've gotten my answer anyways. Thank you all for your replies.
 
.30 Carbine is for killing people. Why use it on deer when there are so many other cartridge that do a better job on deer? Only use the .30 Carbine of it is all you have. Don't make a point to use a certain cartridge just because it seems like a novel idea. If it does work--it barely works.
 
Back
Top