Is my .30-30 Redundant?

S

Shep

New member
Here's the issue: I've had a Marlin 336 for awhile. It's handy, goes anywhere I do and does pretty much what I ask of it, within its & my iron sights range limitations. I also have a .44 mag revolver and that's where the "trouble" starts. I've been thinking about getting a second .44 mag gun of some kind; maybe a second Redhawk. Then I got to thinking, what if I bought a .44 levergun instead...? Would I be giving up much by swapping the 336 for a 44??

I also have a couple of scoped .30-06's, both of which are pretty new to me
I haven't hunted with either one as yet, but I think they'll replace the capabilities of the 336 -- and their range is better.

I guess it would just be easier to keep the .30-30 and buy the 44 levergun too, but I'm not really a collector and with ammo prices being what they are, I'd like to reduce the number of calibers that I need.
I haven't learned to reload yet, but that's in my plan for sometime soon. :o

What would you do???

Thanks,
Shep
 
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My $.02, and worth every penny you paid for it:

Spend your resources (time and money) developing your capabilities with your new to you -06's.
 
If you hunt in woodlands there isn't a much better brush rifle than a .30-30.

The .30-06 is a great rifle and has great range but the long barrel is a pain in brush.

I have both and they both have their place.
I admit that there is a lot more brush hunting in the east than in North Dakota, so I could be a bit biased.
 
I should have given the issue more thought before posting the question.

Thanks for taking the time to give your excellent answers.

Shep
 
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Add a .44 lever gun and keep the 30-30.
Click to expand...

This is what I was thinking also. But then again I have 20 rifles, so you know why I would say that.
That 44 would put a nice whack on a deer in the brush.
I think having guns is better than putting the money in the bank.
 
I make my choice by the type of hunting I am doing that day.
Stomping through brush, thickets and gullies. The 357 mag lever gun is my choice. (44 mag if I had it) 16 inch barrel, light easy to get a shot off.

If I am in the logging trail areas where I may have a clearing and shots in the 100 to 150 yard range. The 30-30 goes.

If I am sitting in a stand on the edge of a 40 acre field. The 308 comes with.
 
The effectiveness of the 30-30 is so underrated by many out there. If you like your 336 keep it, a 44 lever, while a nice gun won't buy you anything more, except may shooting some mild 44 specials in it.
 
with 20 rifles you are a collector just have to admit it to yourself lol by the 44 wish we could hunt with handguns in Canada the challange would be a blast and we do have lots of areas that it would be fitting would love to have your problem
 
Having lived and hunted in ND for the last 17 years the 30-06 is still my primary hunting rifle. If pushing brush or gullies the 44 lever gun gets the nod, for open areas it is the '06. The 44 will do everything the 30-30 will do.
 
Well, if your .30-30 is redundant, my three certainly are.

Redundancy is not a bad thing, in fact, it's something to be sought-after in many systems. Don't sweat it.
 
I'm not a fan of redundancy but for better or worse that's pretty much the name of game with many gun folk today. Personally, I'd be lookin to sell 2 of your 3 current rifles, not lookin to add another in a similar game range. Adding a .44 lever action is absolutely redundant.

I do however prefer guns using the same cartridge. Not for any fantasy thoughts of running around the woods for weeks or months and needing long and short guns that fire the same cartridge but instead out of convenience. I'd rather reload one cartridge than 2 or 2 rather than 3, etc.

So your thoughts on the .44 carbine are valid. IMO you don't lose much if anything vs. the .30-30 and you'll gain in handling with most of the pistol caliber carbines. I don't have a .44 revolver so I'd just stick with the .30-30. But you can bet your shorts that if I did I'd be lookin hard at trading to a .44 carbine if I had that in a revolver.
 
Kind of in the same boat. I love my 30-30 but sure think it would be swell to have a .44 to match my super blackhawk. Just have not convinced myself yet it needs to be next on the list.
 
I own more than 20 gun as well. Than doesn't make me a collector. Most are family guns past down for generations. Anyway... I have both 94 wins in 30-30 and in .44 mag( with saddle ring). I load 180g, 200g and240g bullets. Both JHP's and laser cast silver SWC. I get 1900 fps with the 180g. Compared to the 30-30 with a 170g at 2100 fps your not losing much. Unless you need maximum range the .44 will do the job. At 100 yards the dear will not know the difference. So if you can afford both I'd get both. If not the 30-30 is still my first choice. I do load a small quantity of rifle only 44 but I mostly use pistol ammo because I like to pack my revolvers.
 
I don't think of the 30-30 as redundant, I think of it as the standard default round to take. Really, I think the 30-30 makes the 44 mag redundant, because it is soft-shooting but more capable in most situations. I would only bother taking the 30-06 if I knew there would be unusually long shots that I would have a steady enough rest to take. Most deer are taken inside 200 yards though, and a properly-placed 30-30 will definitely do the job in that range.

Use enough gun to do the job, but not more. You'll just flinch and miss more often.
 
Great thing about 30-30s is the availability of cheap brass,
its a great rd for hunting, esp. with open sights (range that is),
and abundantly available in levers

sunaj
 
If you think you might ever need to shoot past 100-125 yards, keep the 30-30. I've had pistol caliber carbines and they are fine guns. I have clean-killed deer well past 200 yards with the 30-30 and I would not have taken that shot with a 44 or 45.
 
I hunted blacktails when I was stationed at Travis AF Base, northern California. This 44 MAG toppled 'em with no problems. My average shot was approx 85 yards or so.

Jack

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