Why do I want a 30-30??

FOTIS · Post by **FOTIS** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 8:15 pm

About the most useless rifle I can possibly get for my type of hunting!!!
Still want one!
Stigmas.................

Not as accurate as bolt guns.....
Low bc bullets can only be safely employed...
Limited power....

(again all of the aforementioned are not in fact general hindrances, but inapplicable to my available hunting)

Usage factor .....1

Cool factor..........10

Can anyone relate?

Tycer · Post by **Tycer** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 8:20 pm

What IS your type of hunting? 150+ yards? Moose?

If your shots are mostly less than 150 yards and animal elk and down and you can shoot, then the 30WCF will suit you perfectly.

FOTIS · Post by **FOTIS** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 8:23 pm

I live in Wyoming. Most of my shots are over 200 yards. Very rarely do I get an opportunity to hunt the timber and if I do it is always for elk.

bogus bill · Post by **bogus bill** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 8:32 pm

Can I relate? I have a safe full of high powered rifles, two 30/30s included and havent seriously hunted in years! If all of us owned only what we use or really need and absolutely had nothing else there would be no econemy.

Post by **Hobie** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 8:39 pm

No I can't relate. I have 3 .30-30s (one of which is a SINGLE-SHOT!

). Wouldn't willingly part with any of them. Don't know what you hunt or where you hunt that makes them useless. Don't know why you'd post that here except to fire up some controversy.

brucew44guns · Post by **brucew44guns** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 9:07 pm

Fotis, you are stressed over this. Better leave the 30-30 to those who bring home the pay load every yearwith one of them, and go get you a big magnum or some such powerful shooter. Life's too short perplexin' over a 30-30.

Post by **Chuck 100 yd** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 9:14 pm

Sounds like you need to plant some trees.

WCF3030 · Post by **WCF3030** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 9:22 pm

brucew44guns wrote:Fotis, you are stressed over this. Better leave the 30-30 to those who bring home the pay load every yearwith one of them, and go get you a big magnum or some such powerful shooter. Life's too short perplexin' over a 30-30.

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 9:25 pm

Same reason that those of us who hunt semi-rural whitetail in the woods want a 7mm Remington Magnum...

... just LOOK at the ballistics - why, with a 140 grain bullet, it's over FOUR INCHES flatter than the stupid old .270 at 500 yards

.

I need one NOW...!

The longest range I can target shoot at conveniently is 100 yards, and that's about as far away as I could get a shot at a whitetail even if 7mm Remington Mag were a legal deer cartridge here. It is legal for coyotes, but I'm still not likely to see one much past 200 yards.

... and besides, if I shot a a coyote with my 6mm Remington (which I also need), it might not put it down as definitively as that 7mm would - it's got 2200 vs. 1700 foot pounds at that range, and coyotes can get pretty big...

As my wife says the difference between men and boys is how much money they waste on their toys...

model55 · Post by **model55** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 9:38 pm

+1 tycer. I think that you may be surprised at the ranges you actually are shooting at. I tried a range finder a friend had and was surprised at how far off I was but then I'm not much of a hunter any longer.Also the 30/30 seems to be under appreciated as far as what it will do.But like you said The rifles are cool! Just my.02-and about what it's worth.

RIHMFIRE · Post by **RIHMFIRE** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 9:52 pm

Taking game at long range with a with any gun is gratifying....
But getting as close as you can....without the prey knowing your there...
and knocking em down with a 30-30 or smaller caliber, with open sites,
a muzzy or a bow.....is a lot more gratifying to me anyway!

Tycer · Post by **Tycer** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 9:57 pm

I GOT IT!!!

You want a 30-30 so you can learn to be a better hunter.

Cool! What do I win?

Tycer · Post by **Tycer** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 9:58 pm

Lastmohecken · Post by **Lastmohecken** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 10:32 pm

Well, I don't recond I really need a 30/30. It's kinda funny, when I think about it, but I have owned a 30/30 in some form, just about all of my life, at least since I was about 14 or 15, I am 51 now.

And Last count I think I own 5 of them. Two pre-64's, two comeratives, and a Marlin straight grip, pre-safety. But ironically, I have taken a lot more game with other calibers, but I could have taken a good portion of that game with an iron sighted 30/30. I recond if I had to hunt exclusively with a 30/30 from now on, it would be a small hinderance, at times, and quite suitable the rest of the time.

It's not the caliber that draws me to the 30/30, as much as the wounderful pre-64 model 94's that keep me holding on to several 30/30's. But the 30/30 can stand on it's own merit.

Post by **Old Savage** » Wed Dec 10, 2008 10:51 pm

Well, no, actually a good caliber for medium/short range hunting for American game short of large bear.

waz · Post by **waz** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 12:05 am

At the end of the day it's all about the shooter. I only have 2 guns. (scoped) 243W and (peep) 30-30. If I can't do the job with these, then the job aint worth doing. But I shoot in some open country and some scrub so my choice is for me. Choose whatever suits you.

You probably don't need a 30-30, but geez I love mine.

Waz

20cows · Post by **20cows** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 12:13 am

Not as accurate as bolt guns.....

I believe this is a practical myth. The peculiarities of an individual barrel are FAR more importnat than how the bolt gets to the chamber.

The other differences that matter are the sights chosen and THE SHOOTER.

Jaguarundi · Post by **Jaguarundi** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 1:14 am

The 30-30 of Legend still slays ...http://www.levergunscommunity.com/viewtopic.php?t=6167

FOTIS · Post by **FOTIS** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 7:42 am

Hobie wrote:No I can't relate. I have 3 .30-30s (one of which is a SINGLE-SHOT! ). Wouldn't willingly part with any of them. Don't know what you hunt or where you hunt that makes them useless. Don't know why you'd post that here except to fire up some controversy.

Absolutely not my intention at all!

I am a lever gun nut and my post was meant to be facetious. As in "I am going to buy a gun that will probably not get a lot of use in the hunting field but I gotta have it be cause it is a lever."

Got a Marlin 45-70, got a Win 94 356 might as well get a Marlin 30-30 huh?

AndyM · Post by **AndyM** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 7:59 am

FOTIS wrote:
Hobie wrote:No I can't relate. I have 3 .30-30s (one of which is a SINGLE-SHOT! ). Wouldn't willingly part with any of them. Don't know what you hunt or where you hunt that makes them useless. Don't know why you'd post that here except to fire up some controversy.
Absolutely not my intention at all!

I am a lever gun nut and my post was meant to be facetious. As in "I am going to buy a gun that will probably not get a lot of use in the hunting field but I gotta have it be cause it is a lever."

Got a Marlin 45-70, got a Win 94 356 might as well get a Marlin 30-30 huh?

read the following....
http://www.leverguns.com/articles/paco/3030varmint.htm
then let us know if you buy a Marlin or Winchester...

FOTIS · Post by **FOTIS** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 8:22 am

Very interesting reading indeed. I have been using Unique and light slugs in my levers fr years with results that mirror the author's. 300 gr cast for the 450 and 45-70 Marlins light 180 gr bullets in teh 444 and 110 plinkers in the 30-30. What fun!

KirkD · Post by **KirkD** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 8:47 am

Fotis, I like to hunt with a variety of old Winchester leverguns. I've taken a few Whitetail deer with the 45-70, but this year I hunted with the 30-30, using a tiny little 150 grain bullet. As far as the 30-30's ability to bring home the venison, I got two Whitetail Bucks each about 200 pounds live weight. Only one shot was required for each one. You can read the report and see the photos here http://www.levergunscommunity.com/viewt ... lit=report . The little 30-30 carbine I have (named Old Savage) is also my wilderness packing rifle when I take my family into the remote wilderness. It is light, fast and compact, and is plenty of medicine for any problem Black Bear or Cougar we may run into.

Post by **Hobie** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 9:58 am

FOTIS wrote:
Hobie wrote:No I can't relate. I have 3 .30-30s (one of which is a SINGLE-SHOT! ). Wouldn't willingly part with any of them. Don't know what you hunt or where you hunt that makes them useless. Don't know why you'd post that here except to fire up some controversy.
Absolutely not my intention at all!

I am a lever gun nut and my post was meant to be facetious. As in "I am going to buy a gun that will probably not get a lot of use in the hunting field but I gotta have it be cause it is a lever."

Got a Marlin 45-70, got a Win 94 356 might as well get a Marlin 30-30 huh?

Well, you'll never get an argument from me about getting more guns. That's a no brainer. Get all you can while you can (ammo, too).

donw · Post by **donw** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 11:55 am

i had a marlin 336 in 30-30 years ago and the doggone things recoil led me to get rid of it...i guess i'm just a 'wimp'...perhaps a 30-30 in a BA or single shot might be ok it it had more 'heft' than the light weight 336 after all, the 30-30 cartridge is an all time great.

Nath · Post by **Nath** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 2:01 pm

30/30 bullets don't fall out the air at 200yds

If you hunt the prong horn at 200 my trapper model (16" barrel) was 6-7" down. I'd go for it.
Never did it but the dear size rocks I would shoot at at that distance made some convincing sounds!

Don't worry about penertration, the bullet ain't beating it self up as bad as the faster one's.

Nath.

JohndeFresno · Post by **JohndeFresno** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 2:07 pm

Listen, pilgrim - if it's good enough for the Duke, then it's good enough for me!

Post by **Old Savage** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 3:43 pm

Didn't The Duke use 92s?

JohndeFresno · Post by **JohndeFresno** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 4:24 pm

Old Savage wrote:Didn't The Duke use 92s?

Actually, yes - but let's keep that a secret. Shhhhh... Factory .38-40 and .44-40 rounds are not very plentiful or cheap, and I don't want to buy another set of dies!

Post by **Old Savage** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 4:42 pm

I am sure he wanted to use a 94.

Buck Elliott · Post by **Buck Elliott** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 4:54 pm

FOTIS wrote:I live in Wyoming. Most of my shots are over 200 yards. Very rarely do I get an opportunity to hunt the timber and if I do it is always for elk.

I live in Wyoming. ALL of my shots are well within 200 yards. I hunt deer, elk & antelope, plus the occasional coyote.

I hunt with a '92 .44 Mag.; a '73 .45 Colt & an '86 in .45-70.

I try to get as close as I can. Then I get closer...

PS: I DO have a .223 for 'yotes & prairie dogs

bogus bill · Post by **bogus bill** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 4:56 pm

Old savage you should be proud when someone names their gun after you!

FOTIS · Post by **FOTIS** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 5:08 pm

Old Savage wrote:Didn't The Duke use 92s?

tman · Post by **tman** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 6:47 pm

look what sgt. york did with a stock 03 springfield and a mil-spec .45 acp 1911. no 14x rangefinder scope. no super premium bullets. no $4000 tricked out .45acp. if limited to a 30wcf. ,we would all become better shots and more sucessfull hunters. money and technology can't replace practice and time in the field. just my 2 cent's worth.

Post by **Old Savage** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 10:10 pm

Well you know Bogus I am. No finer fellow than that KirkD. And I am excited about his accomplishment with that 30-30 but it is a little new for him, 54' - OK though, his birth year.

OJ · Post by OJ » Fri Dec 12, 2008 12:34 am

Because - every rifleman - particularly levergunner - should have at least one -

IMNSHO -

Bullet Bob · Post by **Bullet Bob** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 9:22 am

Because you are a good American

FOTIS · Post by **FOTIS** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 12:34 pm

OJ that is one classy rifle!!!!

FOTIS · Post by **FOTIS** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 12:35 pm

Bullet Bob wrote:Because you are a good American

Actually I am !!!!!!!!

DerekR · Post by **DerekR** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 1:11 pm

I have a .35 Remington and a .32WS, but the 30/30 is THE most fun cartridge to reload that exist, IMO. I have one that I only shoot cast out of and another that I shoot mostly jacketed out of. I load them with everything from 115 grain cast to 190 grain cast and everything in between. I am now working up a load for the 150 grain Barnes TripleX Flatpoint for my son. I understand it is quite the deer killer!

OJ · Post by OJ » Fri Dec 12, 2008 2:25 pm

FOTIS wrote:OJ that is one classy rifle!!!!

Thanks - it shoots as good as it looks, too. Have owned it 40 years now and it always gets noticed at the range.

O.S.O.K. · Post by **O.S.O.K.** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 3:44 pm

A 30-30 loaded with a good hard cast bullet like this (happens to be a gas checked 170 grain Laser cast...)

With enough powder to drive it around 1900 fps will do just fine on elk in the timber. Seriously - complete penetration.

There are plenty of members here that do just that every year - ask em!

Now, just picture yourself sitting behind a nice elk that you just brought down holding a Winchester or Marlin 30-30 and flashing a big cheese eatin grin.

That's why you want a 30-30.

Mutt · Post by **Mutt** » Sat Dec 13, 2008 7:25 am

I have 6 in 30.30 lever action. I got them " Just Cause " .........Mutt

Borregos · Post by **Borregos** » Sat Dec 13, 2008 7:42 am

Mutt +1, but I only got 3

FOTIS · Post by **FOTIS** » Sat Dec 13, 2008 10:44 am

Well I will have one for sure....just cause

6pt-sika · Post by **6pt-sika** » Sat Dec 13, 2008 4:23 pm

FOTIS wrote:Well I will have one for sure....just cause

You just might end up with more then one before it's all said and done

The 30-30 is not my favourite cartridge by any stretch of the imagination !

However I still own on no less then a DOZEN rifles chambered for the cartridge

FOTIS · Post by **FOTIS** » Sat Dec 13, 2008 4:52 pm

Got a collection going huh? Do they breed?

6pt-sika · Post by **6pt-sika** » Sat Dec 13, 2008 6:32 pm

FOTIS wrote:Got a collection going huh? Do they breed?

Along with the 70 or so other Marlin's

Then you can add shotguns , bolt actions , 22's and handguns !

You kinda get the picture

FOTIS · Post by **FOTIS** » Thu Dec 25, 2008 3:24 pm

Well got one from the wife as a X-mas present!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Post by **Chuck 100 yd** » Thu Dec 25, 2008 3:42 pm

O.S.O.K. , That bullet of yor`n is the spittin image of the Lyman 311041 that does so well in my .30-30`s
Can`t have too many .30-30`s.

50yd target.

bogus bill · Post by **bogus bill** » Thu Dec 25, 2008 4:38 pm

I just wrote about my 94 on the williams foolproof thread. Here again, my first centerfire rifle was this 94 I bought new at about 15 years old in 1956. I soon added the pad and foolproof. I have NEVER had to resight it. One nice buck at 225 yards. While I dont really hunt much anymore, I used to quite a bit. Through the years I have acquired a safe full of high powered bolts, scopes etc. Winchester 70s, ruger M-77, Browning safari, Bar, remington etc.
For years I would throw the model 94 in the truck as a backup to my "exspendsive" bolts. I sometimes would really hunt with the 94 when I got tired carrying my 8+ pound 300 H&H win 70 and scope. Several times driveing to or from hunting I spotted a deer and grabbed the 94 instead of a bolt because it was faster to get into action, and collected!
The old winnie has always been spot on, I know where it hits, it is fastest to get in action, it is the lightest and easyest of all to carry, and in MOST situations will do the job. If I ever had to be on the run in a battle senerio, the 94 wouldnt be my worst fast choice out of my safe. Follow up shots are faster with the lever than a bolt. I trust my williams sight more than a scope over time, and you can find 30/30 ammo easier anywhere.