I don't think any of us doubt that a .30-30 can be used beyond 100 yards but realistically after 150 yards the power and trajectory really begin to fall off. The power is the biggest factor for me because if you know how the rifle shoots you can compensate for trajectory. I feel that the .30-30 is truly at home in the dark woods where most shots will be limited to around 100 +/- yards.Posted by Wuchak:
Also I'm not sure why so many people think the 30-303 is a 100 yard gun. The Remington 170 gr hp core-lokt sighted 2.73 inches high at 100 yards will be zeroed at 170 yards and will have a point blank range for animals with 6" vital zones of 200 yards.
This all really depends on the terrain that you hunt in. Where I hunt 200 yards shots can be the norm and 3-400 yard shots not uncommon. I'm pretty confident that using my sticks or shooting from a good seated or prone position any animal out to 300 yards will be going home with me. I've taken quiet a few game animals at or beyond 200 yards to include bear, mule deer, elk, and pronghorn as well as several varmints. If you hunt where the 200 yard shot is rare then I can see how you think it is a long one.Realistically I think anything over 200 yards is a looooong shot for any hunter and is well beyond the range of a new hunter so the extra flat shooting range of the .243 is not really an advantage since it is unlikely to ever be used.
taylorce1 said:I don't think any of us doubt that a .30-30 can be used beyond 100 yards but realistically after 150 yards the power and trajectory really begin to fall off. The power is the biggest factor for me because if you know how the rifle shoots you can compensate for trajectory. I feel that the .30-30 is truly at home in the dark woods where most shots will be limited to around 100 +/- yards.
Look at your own statement and you will see what I'm talking about. You have to zero for 170 to get an extra 30 yards out of the rifle. It drops roughly 3" in 70 yards past 100 and after 170 you drop 3" in 30 yards, that is quiet an accelerated rate. Used within it's limitations the .30-30 Win is a fine deer rifle that can even be used for elk.