Nobody has mentioned what you are shooting at. For deer, absolutely. Moose, elk etc is pushing it imo. A 30/30 will kill just about anything in North America at close range. Stretching things out on heavy game makes it an iffy proposition to me.
30-30 a 200 yds cartridge?
- Thread starter 6.5x55swm
- Start date
My father killed 15 or 20 moose with a Win 94 in .32 Special with 170 grain Silver Tip factory ammo, from 20 - 200 yards. Essentially the same as a .30-30... I think it can be done safely and ethically with the better ammunition available to reloaders. Personally, I never felt the need to use a 94 on moose as I bought an old 77 tanger in 7x57 with my yard work money as a young teen... but my first dozen deer were taken with a 94.
Yup, I'm actually reading his book right now. I think his 300 yard load was for a rifle with an "improved" chamber and a 24 inch barrel Winchester. I will look back next time I pick it up for another chapter.
You can kill moose with just about anything. They are not particularly hard to kill if you can shoot. Just saying there are better choices for longer ranges.The OP inquired about deer shooting.
Pretty well answered here to the OP's specific query ....
Deer game at 200yds Yes the cartridge is capable and arguably ethical ....energy wise.
His particular rifle setup being scoped and assuming his skills are competent likewise makes it capable/ethical.
Good points added regarding modern ammo ...specifically bullets with better BCs than common round nose fodder....the ole dirty 30 starts to behave closer to 308win which an all around gold standard for deer and even moose
Modern 3030 ammo popped out of a scoped rifle...especially with a bit more barrel length def elevates the 3030 from its typical ~100yd playground
Deer game at 200yds Yes the cartridge is capable and arguably ethical ....energy wise.
His particular rifle setup being scoped and assuming his skills are competent likewise makes it capable/ethical.
Good points added regarding modern ammo ...specifically bullets with better BCs than common round nose fodder....the ole dirty 30 starts to behave closer to 308win which an all around gold standard for deer and even moose
Modern 3030 ammo popped out of a scoped rifle...especially with a bit more barrel length def elevates the 3030 from its typical ~100yd playground
So it wouldn't be "ethical" or have the performance for anything larger than a deer at 200 yards?
There a bunch here that have a limited view of what performance and killing capability really are.
Would everyone feel the same about a 308 stuffed with 180's at the same distance?
R.
There a bunch here that have a limited view of what performance and killing capability really are.
Would everyone feel the same about a 308 stuffed with 180's at the same distance?
R.
Comparing factory ammo, 150gr fusion in the 30-30 with 180gr fusion in the 308win, the 308win has the same velocity at 500yds as the 30-30 does at 200...
So no, most people probably wouldn't feel the same.
One could easily make them very very close, performance wise, given the same pressures and pointy bullets.
Would they feel the same then?
Seems very silly that folks can't comprehend a 30-30 will drop damn near anything its pointed at, at 200 plus yards, in this country.
R.
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From an old Marlin Sight In Guide
For 30-30 & 32 Special
170 grain Bullet: 2280 FPS
sight in at 20 yards puts zero at 180 yards,
50 yards = +1 1/4"
100 yards = + 2 3/4"
150 yards = + 2"
200 yards = - 2 1/2" energy ~ 1000
250 yards = -10"
300 yards = -21"
150 Grain Bullet, 2410 FPS.
sight in at 25 yards puts zero at 195 yards
50 yards = +1 1/2"
100 yards = +2 3/4"
150 yards = + 2 1/4"
200 yards = -3/4"
250 yards = -5 1/4" energy ~ 1000
300 yards = -13 3/4"
spit balling, ymmv
guides were given out in the 50+60s+ , so yes the 30-30 has not always been thought of as a 100 yd rifle, that is a more modern myth
For 30-30 & 32 Special
170 grain Bullet: 2280 FPS
sight in at 20 yards puts zero at 180 yards,
50 yards = +1 1/4"
100 yards = + 2 3/4"
150 yards = + 2"
200 yards = - 2 1/2" energy ~ 1000
250 yards = -10"
300 yards = -21"
150 Grain Bullet, 2410 FPS.
sight in at 25 yards puts zero at 195 yards
50 yards = +1 1/2"
100 yards = +2 3/4"
150 yards = + 2 1/4"
200 yards = -3/4"
250 yards = -5 1/4" energy ~ 1000
300 yards = -13 3/4"
spit balling, ymmv
guides were given out in the 50+60s+ , so yes the 30-30 has not always been thought of as a 100 yd rifle, that is a more modern myth
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Punching a small hole a critter at long range out past where the bullet expands will still likely kill it, most don’t feel comfortable with that.
200 yards isn't "long-range," it's pretty typical actually. However, the 30-30 isn't a high-velocity round either.
If you can hit a coffee can lid at 200 yards, I'd say hunt with confidence. Bullets are way better than they used to be - choose one that's made to expand at lower velocities if you're worried about that sort of thing.
No, the OP specifically asked about deer at 200 yards. This thread has widened out from the original question.
Your statement was "there are better choices for longer ranges." I was pointing out that he didn't ask about anything other than a .30-30 @ 200 yards. Everyone here knows there are better choices, there are always better choices, it is a question of "what is enough... is a .30-30 enough at 200 yards?"
My answer, yes it is.
For deer, absolutely.
