30-30 advice please

I have shot quite a few deer with a 30/30 ranging from 30 to 265 yards and probably 95% of them dropped right on the spot. One elk decided he needed to walk off a single round to the boiler room (about 30 yards) and this was despite the fact both his lungs were obliterated. I honestly don't know why I would want for another caliber, none of these animals would be any less dead with a "more powerful" round.
 
If you practice your shooting 30/30 is absolutely fine. It's got weight and power out to 200 yards for sure to deal with any deer you're going to find in North America.

So yahhh, basically I don't think it was the cartridge that was causing all the "wounded and lost game" they were talking about. Be polite and respectful, but unless they're providing you with a substitute gun and ammo for you to use and practice with, stick to your gun ;)
 
As others have mentioned, put a couple more boxes of ammo through your rifle to tighten up your groups, and your confidence (sounds like your partners did not help you on that one...) and head out there and get 'er done!
 
Go for it. hes likely one of the "nothing short of a 300 win mag is suitable for deer" crowd.

This deer dropped like a sack of potatos with one shot from a 3030. He took exactly 0 steps.

Deer3.jpg
 
I took my first whitetail with a 30/30 in the dense crap.....that's where the group decided to put me....me being the 'noob'.....then I heard the slow crunch ....crunch..... crunch in the frost covered leaves.....I could hear it coming my way, and it was close, but I couldn't see it!!...........long story short, the deer's legs folded under it like an accordian with one shot with that 30/30....all that time spent at the pit with my Dad paid in full....practise and patience is all I gotta say,....the gun is plenty to get the job done
 
With alot of rifle range practice & a peep sight prior to opening day of deer season, I used exactly one of these:
Super_Speed_4_150_ST_crimp_2_ss.jpg

To do this:
M37-1.jpg

@260 yards, the deer fell dead right there. At about 9:20 AM, 22nd November 2005, in the Cold Lake Petroleum Oilfields area.
Using a very high sight-in, and a steady hand with no noteable wind. Believe it or not, this was done from the offhand position. I was standing in the middle of a field of mature winter wheat, and had a very short time to pull off this shot. Thankfully I had his white throat patch to hold on. A whitetail buck silly enough to hold perfectly still for me, as I caught him chasing the ladies that morning. When the bullet impacted he took one stumbling step and fell right there, I reloaded with my eyes on him. As I approached on foot, I paced off the distance, and a following up shot was not required. Bullet struck him 2 inches left of centre chest. I estimated bullet drop at 14-16 inches, with a +3 inch sight in at 100 yards.
I know there are some that will not believe this, but it's true.
 
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A poorly hit deer is a poorly hit deer it doesn't matter what caliber. Put a 170 gr bullrt in the lungs and it is dead, put it in the gut and you lost a deer unless you see where it goes and are ready for a quick followup. have fun and enjoy your 30-30.
 
I used to get trash talk about carrying a 30-30 for moose. I always pointed out how many deer, bear, moose, buffalo, etc have been taken with one. Just don't lob the shot over a lake to get what you're after.

I say go ahead and use it for many years to come. Make sure of your shot and good luck. Let us know how you do.

think how much fun you'll have if you get your deer and they don't !
 
Buy yourself a box of Hornady LeverEvolution ammo for that puppy and go hunting! You're good to go on anything out to 200 yds...even 250 if need be to stretch on a clean shot.

Sighted in 3" high at 100 yds, you should be dead on at 200 yds, and about 3" low at 250.

As for enough jam for deer, you hit 'em where you're supposed to, they'll die just as fast as if you were using a 300 Win Mag.

In the "good ol' days" of the lever 30-30, the prevailing philosophy tended to be "where there's lead, there's hope", and being able to crank that lever fast and furious (a la Chuck Connors) made it happen...or so I've read/heard. Some still subscribe to this... :rolleyes:

Anyway, most important thing is to shoot straight, and the 30-30 will shine with the best of 'em!

:)
 
Keep it 200 yards or less and you're in business...............Harold...a couple years back my son cranked a big cow with my H+R 30-30 SS and Hornady 170gr /32grs/ Win 748 Lights out.
 
I don't know if this has already been mentioned, but if you are just getting into hunting and need to practice your shooting, the 30/30 is one of the most affordable calibers to shoot that is still suitable for deer. If money is tight a day at the range with a 300 WSM can really put a beating on your wallet.
 
Not that I promote it, but I know (not hunt with) guys who will drive deer out of the bush by being vocal and with their dogs to people who are waiting for the deer to run past and shoot at them. It's wrong and I don't aprove, but some people still do it.

If this is the type of hunting that you will be doing, then, no a single shot is not sufficient and will require a lever action, pump action, or an auto loader.

If you are like me and respect the game, then a single shot is all you need. I am no expert on hunting, but I have never needed more that one shot. Usually, if they are not spooked before the shot and you make your shot count then one shot is all you will require. (Even a 338 magnum with a poorly placed shot could end up with a lost animal, so make that shot count)

I don't use a 30-30 myself, but I know they work well in the bush at shorter ranges. In an open field they work well on deer size game out to about 300yds.

Cheers and good luck
Colt_nut
 
Practice until you know every nuance of that gun, and then don't shoot until you know you have a good shot.

If an arrow can kill a deer, a .30-30 should do it with authority.
 
Anyone who says it can't be done with a 30-30 is unknowingly commenting on his marksmanship.

150 grains at 2400fps will kill most anything.
 
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