307 win, or 30-30?

BowHuntingManiac

BowHuntingManiac

New member
EE Expired
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
307 win, or 30-30?


I have hunted farm land throughout Renfrew County all my life with scoped rifles.This year was my first year hunting thick bush. I figured out that sneaking through the bush with a scoped rifle when the trees are hanging with snow plain sucks. I have decided on something easier to carry with a apature sight would be better for these conditions.

A friend I hunted with this season has two rifles that fit the bill, but i am hung up on what one to buy. Both are 94 winchesters. One is in 307, the other is a 30-30 XTR.Both are like new, and priced right. I am very unfamiliar with the 307, so I am not sure what rifle I should choose.

Any help would be great.
 
The deer won't notice which you are using, nor will you. But, you will quickly see the difference when you go to buy ammuntion. The 30-30 is available anywhere that sells centre fire ammunition. Many clercs at such places as Canadian Tire, will have never heard of the 307.
 
The .307 is a great cartridge that gives Model 94 owners about the equivalent power to a .300 Savage, or a bit less than a .308 Winchester. Unfortunately, it never really took off that well, so ammo is a bit scarce and pricey. If you reload, the world's your oyster. If moose are on the menu, it is a serious step up from the .30-30.
That said, the .30-30 just plain kills deer at ranges under about 200 yards, which is what you want the rifle for.
If you don't mind the hassle of finding ammo (just go to LeBaron Ottawa or Benny's Pro Shop at Stittsville Range) and paying for it, grab the .307 and you will have a great rifle.
If you want to always be able to easily find inexpensive ammo, the .30-30 will do the job.
My take? Even at the prices of used 94's these days, buy them both. You will never regret THAT!

I will add that if I were buying a new Marlin, I'd get the .308 Marlin, which is basically the .307 with the shoulder pushed back a hundred thou.
 
The .307 hits with much more authority, flatter shooting and is several notches ahead of the old tried and true .30-30. Think of it as a .30-30 on steriods. .307 is not too hard to find but you are limited in choice unless you handload, in which case the sky is the limit.
 
Your better off with the 30-30 IMO. 307 ammo isn't cheap, and it only comes in one offering, loaded by winchester.
There is a wide variety of ammo that can be had for the 30-30. Every maufacturer produces it with alot of different bullets, and bullet weights. You can aso buy 30-30 ammo anywhere, at a very resonable price.Truth be told you are only giving up 200fps with the 30-30 to the 307 with factory ammo.
If you reload, by all means go for the 307.

The 307 was a great idea but came 30yrs too late.Had it been offererd in 1952(instead of 1982) when the 308 was initialy introduced things would have been a whole lot different. Back in 1952 that kind of perfomance in a tube fed lever would have sold in great numbers, and today there would be ammo made for it by everyone. IMO it won't be long this ammo isn't going to be produced by anyone. Those who do have a 307 might want to stock up on ammo and save brass because it won't be produced forever. It is already on the endangered list.
 
Go with the 30/30. It's perfect for close range hunting. The 307 will be hard to find ammo for.

OTOH ..... A Savage 99 in 300Savage or 760/7600 Carbine would be great with a receiver sight as well.

.
 
+1 on the .30-30 Win. Or you could also score a Savage 99 in .300 Savage or .308 Win if you have your heart set on something in a lever with a bit more pep than the .30-30.....

2007-10-27_091302_1aCoffee.gif

NAA.
 
NAA said:
+1 on the .30-30 Win. Or you could also score a Savage 99 in .300 Savage or .308 Win if you have your heart set on something in a lever with a bit more pep than the .30-30.....

2007-10-27_091302_1aCoffee.gif

NAA.
Click to expand...

I really like the feel of the 94. It has got to be one of the best balanced one hand carry rifles ever produced.
I might buy both. I can get the two for $500.
 
BowHuntingManiac said:
I really like the feel of the 94. It has got to be one of the best balanced one hand carry rifles ever produced.
I might buy both. I can get the two for $500.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I'd likely buy the both if it was for $500 for the pair, too. And then worry about getting the .307 brass for it later.

2007-10-27_091302_1aCoffee.gif

NAA.
 
As mentioned, the 30-30 is much easier to find ammo for, and it's cheaper. 30-30 will usually run you about $20/box, while .307 will be around $30. Mind you, the .307 does hit harder than the 30-30, and AFAIK Winchester does still make it...
 
Last edited:
iceman2 said:
If you buy the 2 for $500, I"ll buy the 307 from you for $275 PM me if your interested.
Click to expand...

I think you just told him that the 307 is probably worth a bit more than $275.:p As far as the rifles themselves are concerned, buy both, and use the 30-30. Brass doesn't last long in leverguns if you reload, and that is the expensive component in the mix. Also, very few bullets that can be used in lever action rifles are comfortable being pushed at 307 velocities.
Mike
 
My good friend moved up here about 4 years ago, and he brought with him a mint win big bore .307 (shot 5 times) bought by him new in 87. I immediately coveted it from him. (I temporarily borrowed it for the next 3 years. ) He brought 8 factory boxes with him , minus 5 rounds.
Anyhow, I shot 3 wolves, 1 wolverine, and 3 caribou with it. I called it my good luck gun. Then , I just assumed he would sell it to me when he left (this past year). NO FRIGGIN LUCK. I offered him ANY gun in my locker, which is packed with super hunting rifles. He said he was gonna be buried with the rifle. I told him that I own a shovel, and I keep it sharpened.
I used up 2 boxes of ammo on him, and I thought it was the perfect carry rifle. All the power you need for "accidental" species. (The ones you run into that , while carrying a tag for it, weren't necessarily hunting for it. ) Such a black bears and moose. Balanced just like a regular 30-30 win 94 for field carry. My buddy better not feel too safe when he croaks. Better be buried under cement...........
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom