Old 30-30 lever guns

What's the best round out there accuracy wise I've heard hornady but working on switching over tm after work any ideas on what I should try

It will vary from gun to gun but often yes the FTX bullets do shoot well. I load them for my father and while we like the way they shoot we're thinking of switching to either the 140 grain monoflex or back to more traditional projectiles. We both feel the 160 gran FTX bullet is a touch soft for up close shooting particularly if moose may be on the menu. Don't get me wrong we haven't had them fail to kill any of the whitetails we've shot with them, but we have had considerably more blood shot meat, jacket and core separation and fewer bullets exiting. Since neither of us shoot deer much past 200 yards, most are shot between 30&80 yards, the trajectory benefits offered with the leverevolution loads aren't needed. The right traditional bullets shoot very well, have rarely come apart on deer and are cheaper allowing for more practice.
 
Weight, the forestock and also the pistol grip stock all help the Marlin.

Not to mention a butt pad or ergonomic hard pad as compared to the traditional steel plate on the 94... that being said I don't find 94's at all objectionable in .30/30, .32 Spl or .44 Mag...
 
What's the best round out there accuracy wise I've heard hornady but working on switching over tm after work any ideas on what I should try

I've got nothing but great things to say for the Federal Fusion 170gr. Super accurate in every Marlin I've ever used it in, and it is an absolute hammer on deer. It holds together really well, and according to the ballistics retains almost 1000 ft/lbs at 250y.

With a zero of 175yds on my current Marlin, I'm about 2.5 up at 100y and 2.5 down at 200y.
 
I use a 94 in .32 Special for whitetail hunting. Wonderful old rifle. Easy to carry, fits like a glove, lots of character.

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Gneiss!!!
 
IF you ever purchase a Winchester, I strongly suggest you seek out a Pre-64 version.

I once intended to hunt with a '67 Centennial rifle, purely because or it's nice long 26 inch pipe. It was some sweet deal for offhand shooting!
However the sheet metal shell lifter broke after just one summer of frequent use. WTF

Fell back on the nice 1956 made carbine and you can see my results here in my photo.

Too much talk from me now!

I fitted a post '72 forged lifter to my '67 centennial, it solved that problem.
 
Don't know about the rest of you, but I've always found the '94 30-30 CARBINE a NASTY SHARP recoiling rifle for its caliber! And that WOULD make a big day for a 9 year old!!!!! BUT! in the "heat of battle" it goes un-noticed and no one would admit to a sore shoulder!!!!

The 1894 rifle with 26" barrel in the same caliber is a much "softer" gun to shoot BUT is heavier to drag around all day and not as handy in the bush...

My ol man complains bitterly about the recoil on those rifles. Says it has something to do with the buttstock angle. I shot one a few times, didn't notice a thing.
I suppose some of the ol timers are just a little recoil-sensitive.... :d
 
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I have my Grandpa's Winchester '94 30-30, and I'll never let it go. It was made in the early 40's and is still in great shape. It's so light and handy, we always use it for bear protection when we're fishing at my uncle's cottage that's a former CN water stop in NW Ont. Never had to use it against bears yet, but its taken lots of deer and everything from rabbits, magpies, a coyote or two and who knows what else before my time.
 
^Beauty Picture!!


Don't know about the rest of you, but I've always found the '94 30-30 CARBINE a NASTY SHARP recoiling rifle for its caliber! And that WOULD make a big day for a 9 year old!!!!! BUT! in the "heat of battle" it goes un-noticed and no one would admit to a sore shoulder!!!!

The 1894 rifle with 26" barrel in the same caliber is a much "softer" gun to shoot BUT is heavier to drag around all day and not as handy in the bush...

The old man used to have pails and pails of 303 ammo. I'd pound away all day long. Used to bring an extra "bunnyhug" to roll up to help with the steel buttpad. The 30-30 was nothing compared to that old 303 for me, and I always wanted to shoot it. No pails of ammo for it tho!
 
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