Grapeshot--
My experience with the .45 Colt M-94 Trapper is limited to a few rounds from a friend's example. I own a 1950s vintage 94 .30-30 cut to 16 inches, with a Lyman receiver sight and plain front post. I have shot it extensively. I'll throw in what answers I can provide.
1. How accurate at 100 yds? 250?
Easily minute-of-whitetail at 100. Someone with better eyes than mine (My elder son, for one) could make a clean kill on a deer at 200. I can hit a humanoid silhouette at 200 every time, with a rest, but it would not be sporting for me to shoot a deer at that range. Remember, I'm using peep sights, not a scope.
2. What's the velocity for a 150 grn?
Best I recall, about 2050. I'm not at home and don't have chrono records with me. There is a definite velocity cost to be paid for the handiness of the short tube.
3. Best compact scope?
I've never shot a .30-30 with a scope. I've used a couple of the Leupold M-8 compact scopes at 2.5 and 3 X and they are GREAT. They are not cheap, and, as Jerry pointed out, it makes a compact little arm a bit clumsy. I wouldn't scope mine on a bet. I like it just the way it is--Short, light, handy as a walking stick, in and out of the case quickly, and it doesn't need pampering.
Would a shotgun scope work?
Probably, but all you get there is single sighting plane, with little or no magnification. Not enough return for the added clumsiness and delicateness (Delicacy? That sounds like a culinary term to me.)
4. The Ranger/Compact 16" is $50 cheaper - should I just get that?
For your stated purpose, I'd say yes. If the arm is to be a general purpose hunting proposition, no. Go with the 20" tube for added velocity and sight radius. Also, if you do scope it, the appearance with the longer barrel is not so awkward. To me. Granted, your eye and mine may differ somewhat.
5. Max. range? Trajectory?
See 1., above. Half the fun with a new gun is experimentation at various ranges. Most large loading manuals have ballistic tables in 'em for various bullet shape/ weight coefficients and velocities to allow you to figure your maximum point blank range. At a guess, with iron sights--sight in with the 150 RNSP three inches high at 100 yards. This should give APPROXIMATELY zero at 150 and two inches low at 200. Look in the Federal ammo brochure your dealer will happily give you. Details therein.
6. Muzzle blast bad?
Not so much as a .308, but noticeably greater than a 20" bbl .30-30. You need ear muffs at the range with whatever barrel length and load. But you won't be shocked senseless if you DON'T use muffs to make a shot or two at a deer or hog.
7. How does 30/30 compare with .223 on deer
This one has been beaten to death. The .223 is not really sporting or humane on deer UNLESS you use a scope,
AND proper, heavier bullets (not 55 gr. varmint poppers)
AND a good rest
AND keep shots at under 100 yards
AND hold for neck or high lung shots only,
AND do a lot of SERIOUS field position practice, not just plinking or blazing away to make noise or bounce beer cans around.
Remember, the .223 is a varmint cartridge, adapted as an antipersonnel round by the military, and, as such, sporting and clean kills don't enter into the equation. The .30-30 is somewhat more forgiving of sloppy shooting. The bullet has enough mass to smash through a shoulder and bull through the offside of a deer.
and on people?
It is easier to hit a human being at an unknown range with the .223. Unless you are doing hostage rescue stuff, it doesn't matter if you make an instant one-shot stop. The individual struck in the torso will become muy enfermo, muy pronto, and will stop what he's doing.
Much the same holds true with the .30-30, except for ease of first round strikes at longer ranges. But, please think--Under what circumstances would you possibly engage in a rifle duel with someone beyond, say, 50 yards? You pretty well have to stipulate some proximity to determine if you even WANT to harm another person. You can make a case for it in the military and possibly in law enforcement, but VERY seldom in the private sector. Yes, I can come up with such a scenario. Other than outright murder, I know of one--Exactly ONE--such situation reported to me at reliable second hand, in the 40+ years I've paid close attention to such things. Perhaps another three or four, per anecdotes, but I couldn't verify these if I had to. I know of several long range pistol shootouts, with predictable results.
Sorry this is so long winded, but you DID ask for opinions. My opinions are mine own, and they serve me well. I feel I have earned the right to them over the years.
Best,
Johnny
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