Is 30/30 a good caliber to hunt deer?

Superbrad said:
Hmmmm.... or maybe some of us just want to put our game animals down as quickly and humanely as possible and don't want them running away wounded.... and we feel there are better tools out there now to do the job than a .30-30 ..... and before you tell me to "practice" so I can make the perfect shot, I do practice.... but the woods is not the rifle range.... and sh1t happens....

Has anyone ever told you that sarcasm is the lowest form of humour?
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What you are looking for is an insurance policy to make up for poor shooting ability.
 
sealhunter said:
What you are looking for is an insurance policy to make up for poor shooting ability.
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I'm not looking for anything....lol.... I have a 30-30... as well as several other rifles.... I shoot just fine thanks...

I just don't think the 30-30 is the best rifle for OP's needs... but that is my opinion.... not saying 30-30 is "no good" or won't do the job.... but if you listen to some folks we should all only own and use 30-30....

By that logic, we should all only own .410 shotguns... why would you need anything else? .410 shotguns have killed lots of things... 12 gauge is just overkill...... lol
 
Superbrad said:
I'm not looking for anything....lol.... I have a 30-30... as well as several other rifles.... I shoot just fine thanks...

I just don't think the 30-30 is the best rifle for OP's needs... but that is my opinion.... not saying 30-30 is "no good" or won't do the job.... but if you listen to some folks we should all only own and use 30-30....

By that logic, we should all only own .410 shotguns... why would you need anything else? .410 shotguns have killed lots of things... 12 gauge is just overkill...... lol
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You don't think the 30-30 is the best rile for ops needs...
He has specified under 100 yards and in the bush...

Please tell me the rifle that would better suit his needs and include its advantages.
 
sealhunter said:
You don't think the 30-30 is the best rile for ops needs...
He has specified under 100 yards and in the bush...

Please tell me the rifle that would better suit his needs and include its advantages.
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Does it have to be a rifle?..... under 100 I would recommend a 12 gauge sabot slug in a well scoped shotgun with a rifled barrel.... More knockdown power with less velocity and more "push through the bush" power so less chance of deflection off of a branch.... available in several configurations and actions and for young shooters doubles for other purposes with barrel and choke combos...
 
Superbrad said:
Does it have to be a rifle?..... under 100 I would recommend a 12 gauge sabot slug in a well scoped shotgun with a rifled barrel.... More knockdown power with less velocity and more "push through the bush" power so less chance of deflection off of a branch.... available in several configurations and actions and for young shooters doubles for other purposes with barrel and choke combos...
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How much knockdown power do you suppose Is required for a deer at less than 100 yards, whereby a 12 gauge sabot slug provides a legitimate advantage?

Did you seriously just post that?
 
sealhunter said:
How much knockdown power do you suppose I req united for a deer at less than 100 yards, whereby a 12 gauge sabot slug provides a legitimate advantage?

Did you seriously just post that?
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As soon as you tell me what "req united" means I will answer you bud.....

Also, if you read my other posts rather than just taking the one outside of context it isn't just about the bullet but also the action....
 
I've killed lots of deer with the 30-30, and the shotgun, they both died quickly, generally dropped on the spot.
I've taken moose with the 30-30, and bear as well, they also dropped on the spot.
But the 30-30 carbine generally holds seven small potent rounds. The 12 gauge restricted to three fat shells.

If you intend to walk all day, and take small game along the way, I'd prefer not to have a pocket full of fat shells, and have to switch to small shot to take a grouse or rabbit.
 
John Y Cannuck said:
I've killed lots of deer with the 30-30, and the shotgun, they both died quickly, generally dropped on the spot.
I've taken moose with the 30-30, and bear as well, they also dropped on the spot.
But the 30-30 carbine generally holds seven small potent rounds. The 12 gauge restricted to three fat shells.

If you intend to walk all day, and take small game along the way, I'd prefer not to have a pocket full of fat shells, and have to switch to small shot to take a grouse or rabbit.
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that wasn't op's criteria....
 
Superbrad said:
Again... I take insult at your insinuation that anyone that has the opinion that a more powerful rifle be used is some sort of "bling bling" poorly experienced city boy hunter.... I have been shooting for 30 years now in one form or another and have fired everything from a crossman .177 to a Carl G launcher....

Bigger is not always better but when you are comparing simple points such as muzzle velocity a .30 - .30 is lacking..... now, if you are willing to limit yourself to teh capability of a .30 - .30 then fill your boots... but no need to limit the OP's capability also.....

And your "old boy's" analogy.... times change, things progress, life goes on.... lever actions are by far the most unreliable and unsafe actions....
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Why would you say the muzzle velocity is lacking, now????
 
The 30/30 may have killed the most deer (maybe) but it probably poached and wounded and gut shot the most by far as well. I would not shoot beyond 100m with a 30/30 and only on a very still broadside deer at that. Within that range it will take most deer handily, usually. This may be heresy but not everyone gets the luxury of a close encounter that allows the old round nosed bullets from lever action 30/30s to make a killing shot. So, they may be OK for short shots, especially in heavy woods, but they are of little practical value for longer shots or for larger game. If you need to use a 30/30 buy a 30/30 bolt or pump action and load your own cartridges with bullets with better ballistics and that can give you very good performance at farther ranges and with much larger game. There are so many "better" more utilitarian rifles for the same or less cost than a 30/30 lever action (.243 to 300 WSM) but you can make your own choice. Good luck!
 
Superbrad said:
Because the projectile is about half the size and 12 gauge slug weighs an ounce.... simple physics as you say... force = mass x acceleration

again... you haven't told me why you think the 30-30 is better?
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I can't get into another debate on this stuff with guys who clearly don't know a whole hell of a lot about this stuff.,. Soon you'll be talking about sectional density...

Next thing well need a cannon, cause a 4 lb ball is bigger.
 
Superbrad said:
Because the projectile is about half the size and 12 gauge slug weighs an ounce.... simple physics as you say... force = mass x acceleration

again... you haven't told me why you think the 30-30 is better?
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Not the cartridge but the rifle for me. Why carry a big honkin 12 gauge shotgun when you can carry a slim sleek 94 ( or 336 if your a heathen :stirthepot2: ). To me this all boils down to how confident you are with irons, because if your getting a scope then you might as well be getting a bolt ,semi , or pump in a larger caliber.

to think we still have another 11 months before deer season to keep arguing this :eek:
 
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