If I could only have one, it would be the 30-30. Much more versatile. The 44mag is fine up close (maybe 75m), some guys I'm sure would push it farther than that, but I'd be comfortable using the 30-30 on deer or moose out past 100-150m, even farther with a scope.
30-30 vs 44 mag Lever action rifle
- Thread starter Heydaddy
- Start date
If stuck with those two choices, then Savage 99 in 30-30. The Savage 99's advantage of being able to use a nearly unlimited selection of bullet profiles and weights for the 30-30 would be far more appealing to me than anything the .44 Mag could offer.
Last edited:
I find it an immensely pleasant gun to hunt with. And that was exactly what I wanted; a compact, light, weather resistant single shot thumper. Mine is cerakoted rather than stainless, but almost as bad-weather proof. I like the single shot design because they are built tough, light, short and available in relatively potent cartridges.
I’d be perfectly confident using my 44mag on 150m shots from a trajectory and stopping power perspective. I shoot a heavy, spitzer shaped bullet faster than factory-spec 44 ammo. With a zero of 125yds, it’s less than 1.5” high at 100, and at 150 its less 2.5” low and travelling over 1400fps. Hornady says this bullet will expand reliably at 1300fps, so I see this load as an easy 150 yard deer to moose cartridge. That’s more energy than a factory load at the muzzle from a long barrel pistol. It’ll work just fine, and it’s my close cover to moderate range bad weather gun. Good enough for me, not everyone’s cup of tea, I acknowledge.
Last edited:
That's a cartridge that has always interested me. But I've stayed away because I've always had the sense that availability of off-the-shelf ammo, and/or components to build my own would be a problem.
But as far as the concept of a compact, light thumper, the 454 was always on my list of cartridges to consider. And while it's cool to have a rifle/pistol combo than can use the same ammo, that's more of a notion from by-gone days of the old west than a practical solution. Here in Canada we can't carry a pistol for any reason with a few exceptions, and we certainly can't hunt with them. So more of a romantic/nostalgic notion than a practical solution.
Last edited:
I have Marlin's in both. What and where I'm hunting would determine my choice but, in most cases I'd select the 30-30 because it may afford an opportunity the take a deer at a distance I'd pass at with the 44Mag.
The Marlin 1894 44Mag/44Spl is my most shot centre-fire rifle. It's been a year or so since I've shot the 30-30.
redbirddog
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Maple Syrup land Ontario
30-30 all day everyday. The 44mag is fun... but lacks after 100yrds. I have a few of both rifles. I keep grabbing the 30-30.
A .44 rifle with full loads will net you 1,800 fps with 240 grain jacketed bullets.
If I had to choose between those two for all my hunting...well, I'd already be in a pretty bad mood, so I would want the most versatility I could get out of both handloads and factory ammo. For me the .30-30 would be the obvious choice.
But...if I were going on a close-range iron-sights fun hunt, I would grab the .44mag every time. If I needed just a bit more range, but still wanted to use a lever, it would be a .45-70. I have almost zero interest in the .30-30 cartridge, don't even have a lever in that chambering. Still have a single-shot that shoots it; nice light low-recoil plinker, but I doubt I would stoop to using it for hunting...
But...if I were going on a close-range iron-sights fun hunt, I would grab the .44mag every time. If I needed just a bit more range, but still wanted to use a lever, it would be a .45-70. I have almost zero interest in the .30-30 cartridge, don't even have a lever in that chambering. Still have a single-shot that shoots it; nice light low-recoil plinker, but I doubt I would stoop to using it for hunting...
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
I haven't fooled with the Henry rifles at all but it looks like you made a good choice.
