30-30 for Moose?

abalas

abalas

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Would you hunt moose with 30-30? Would it even drop a moose? I know it is all about "shot placement" but I am curious about hunters' opinions and experiences. I have two Marlins in 30-30 and I am curious if i need a moose gun (35 Rem perhaps?)
 
It will do the job but if you got the spare cash, buy a more powerful round. If you do shoot with the 30-30, 170gr Hornady is what I would suggest.
 
yes you can hunt moose with a 3030, just no long shots and placement has to be on the money
how do i know, 75 paced yards in and out on a 2-1/2 year old moose,
older buddy i was with said if you see one don't let it get away, well i didn't
i was young and let go 5 rounds, moose only walked 20 ft. NO finish shot required when buddy showed up he did not think it was me cause he said it sounded like a semi, found 7 holes after skinning, so at least 2 went right through

1st moose i had to clean!:eek:
 
I haven't done it but I have seen it done. None were one shot bang flops. If you do it try to put a few into it as it cuts down on tracking. It actually hits harder than the paper ballistics suggest.
 
Absolutely, thousands of moose have been shot with 30-30's. Out to 125 yards it should not be a problem at all, just put it in the boiler room and it will go down.

+1 on the 170gr bullets, they seem to be fine performers in the 30-30. Make sure you can hit a 4-5" circle consistently at whatever range you are going to be shooting at and you will be fine. Multiple shots are normally not required but usually happen because they don't just drop instantly unless you miss and hit the spine.

Let us know how you make out...
 
Plenty moose have been taken down since the late 1890's with the venerable 30 30.
Its not exactly the best choice considering all the new cartridges available today but with good shot placement inside of 100 yds. it works fine.
 
abalas said:
Would you hunt moose with 30-30? Would it even drop a moose? I know it is all about "shot placement" but I am curious about hunters' opinions and experiences. I have two Marlins in 30-30 and I am curious if i need a moose gun (35 Rem perhaps?)
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That 30-30 would be a great back up rifle for that new 35 rem of yours ; )
 
Yes but keep your shots to around 100 yards. I wouldn't go with the 35 Rem as it won't extend the range you can shoot. If you want to stick with a short action lever then think about getting a .300 Savage, .308win or a .358win.
 
Thanks guys for all you replies. So far none said "30-30" wouldn't do the job. Friend of mine just laughed at me and said 30-06 is the smallest round he would use on a moose (and believe me, this is guy is an incredibly good shot). I think he is more concerned about a nice and clean kill one that does not require a couple of follow up shots. And yes, I do want a 35 Rem but I already have two 30-30 Marlins, one blue and one stainless steel. I love them both but I do like the blue better. It just looks better. In this whole question I asked, I forgot to mention that the 30-30 I am talking about is a cartridge for a lever gun, thus round nose. I know Hornady offers the Lever revolutions rounds with sharp polymer tips which are safe in lever guns. Are they still safe in really cold weather where the polymer tip is frozen stiff?
 
abalas said:
Thanks guys for all you replies. So far none said "30-30" wouldn't do the job. Friend of mine just laughed at me and said 30-06 is the smallest round he would use on a moose (and believe me, this is guy is an incredibly good shot). I think he is more concerned about a nice and clean kill one that does not require a couple of follow up shots. And yes, I do want a 35 Rem but I already have two 30-30 Marlins, one blue and one stainless steel. I love them both but I do like the blue better. It just looks better. In this whole question I asked, I forgot to mention that the 30-30 I am talking about is a cartridge for a lever gun, thus round nose. I know Hornady offers the Lever revolutions rounds with sharp polymer tips which are safe in lever guns. Are they still safe in really cold weather where the polymer tip is frozen stiff?
Click to expand...

I shot 2 with a 30-30 marlin one of them in the neck around 75 yards ,dropped the pair of them like a bad Habit ,30-30 will always be one of my fav. cal.
 
Lots of moose have benn killed with the 30-30...but lots have run away wounded as well. If you have something larger use it. If not, practice up with your 30-30 and put the bullet right behind the foreshoulder.
 
A guy I work with has one rifle, and yes, it is a Marlin 336 .30-30. He uses it every year for his moose hunt. He's not a gun nutter and as he puts it, "I'm not into guns", but he uses his Marlin like the functional tool that it is and has killed several moose over the years. They didn't run away either.
 
Then again, I have seen a lot of deer etc run away , not to be found , when hit with the larger bore rifles too. it is the hunter that controls the hits not the rifle. Knowing your gun limits and your capabilities that affects the outcome.

There has been more moose and elk put down with a 30-30 and .303 British than with all the "newer" power calibers.
 
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