I feel a strong desire to acquire a 30/30 to play with. Mostly with cast for cheap plinking but I'm torn on what to get. Love the pre 64 94 but the marlins 336 is always a good choice. Then there's various single shots which I've had an urge to get as well. Any one care to share about their choice of 30/30? I'd like to hear what ppl like about various actions whether bolt lever pump hinge or rolling block
30/30
- Thread starter brybenn
- Start date
mossyhorns
CGN Regular
- Location
- The city that rhymes with fun
I agree with Hoytcanon that the best way ( only way actually) to get the full potential out of a 30/30 is to handload a single shot. Having said that however, I also believe the best way to fully "experience" a 30/30 is to get yourself a nice model 94. Pre 64's can still be had for a decent price. I recently picked up a 1952 in very good shape for $400.
I've loaded up some cast bullets and it's a blast to shoot.
I've loaded up some cast bullets and it's a blast to shoot.
My 94 is the second gun I ever bought. It had sat in my cabinet for years. I have been casting/reloading for about the last five. I have about 5 different cast bullets I use for the ol' 30-30 now. Casting and reloading for the old girl has really brought a lot of fun back to my shooting.
Waiting to go through my LEE Alox lubed bullets to get casting again and try sine powder coating.
The cartridge is fantastically fun, get what ever gun floats your boat.
Waiting to go through my LEE Alox lubed bullets to get casting again and try sine powder coating.
The cartridge is fantastically fun, get what ever gun floats your boat.
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Can't argue with Hoyt on his point that in a strong single shot like the No.1 you can push the .30-30 well beyond what is typically considered its abilities. On the other hand for me the appeal of the .30-30 is the light weight and handy carbines like the Marlins and Winchesters already mentioned. The marlins microgroove rifling may give you grief with cast loads or so some people claim, so the Winchester may have an edge for your desired application. Add a decent peep site if needed and proceed to fulfill your cast bullet fantasies or take game or whatever other adventure you feel inclined to drag the .30-30 into.
I don't know about single shots. You can get a Winchester 94 for a decent price on EE, If your new to 30-30 don't worry too much about pre/post 64, get a gun and get shooting. I've been shooting 30-30 for 20 years and my Winchester Trapper 16" barrel is my favorite for plinking. Reloads are the way to go.
Marlins are re-known for their blatant accuracy.
If yer eyes are aging, the Marlins offer up a better way to
mount glass.
Winchester 94's are lighter to carry if hunting is yer vertue.
Pre 64's have a better following on opinion.
If yer eyes are aging, the Marlins offer up a better way to
mount glass.
Winchester 94's are lighter to carry if hunting is yer vertue.
Pre 64's have a better following on opinion.
or you can (try to) find a savage 24v in 30-30/20 gauge.
Single shot features, accuracy with a shotgun just in case. not very common any more, but they are out there.
I think a model 94 pre or post is a great gun. Ignore the haters, these are excellent bush guns.
Single shot features, accuracy with a shotgun just in case. not very common any more, but they are out there.
I think a model 94 pre or post is a great gun. Ignore the haters, these are excellent bush guns.
steve-o1979
Regular
- Location
- Nova Scotia
Just bought my first 30-30 a month ago. Model 94. Was after a pre-64, but couldn't find one at a decent price for the condition... I got a 1965 in great shape. What a fun little gun to shoot.
- Location
- Southern Vancouver Island
The .30-30's I've owned over the years have always served me well for both hunting and plinking. Had many Winchester & Marlin lever actions, a few Savage pump & bolt actions as well as their single shot models, and even had an old M1889 Swiss Schmidt Rubin conversion in .30-30 for a while. All were fun to shoot and reliable, but for me most had some downsides.
In the case of the Winchester 94's, the standard twist rate of 1 in 12" kept me from using bullets heavier than 170 gr. to get the accuracy I was after as well as to feed reliably feed in the action. For the Savage pump & bolt rifles as well as the 219 single shot, the lack of an external hammer quickly ruled these out in the field as I could not silently ####/de-#### these actions when stalking game. This factor also kept me from getting a Remington 788 or Ruger No.1 back then as well.(I should've grabbed an H&R Handi Rifle in .30-30 when the gettin' was good.)
In the case of the Marlins I had, the Micro-Groove rifling was not conducive to good accuracy using cast boolits at velocities above 1500 fps. or so. As for the Schmidt Rubin, it was just too porky to pack around and the bore was not in good enough shape to get the accuracy I wanted.
That all said, the .30-30 has done the job well for countless hunters & lawmen over the years and will continue to do so for many years more. It's a sweetheart round that won't disappoint for those that learn it's
capabilities.
In the case of the Winchester 94's, the standard twist rate of 1 in 12" kept me from using bullets heavier than 170 gr. to get the accuracy I was after as well as to feed reliably feed in the action. For the Savage pump & bolt rifles as well as the 219 single shot, the lack of an external hammer quickly ruled these out in the field as I could not silently ####/de-#### these actions when stalking game. This factor also kept me from getting a Remington 788 or Ruger No.1 back then as well.(I should've grabbed an H&R Handi Rifle in .30-30 when the gettin' was good.)
In the case of the Marlins I had, the Micro-Groove rifling was not conducive to good accuracy using cast boolits at velocities above 1500 fps. or so. As for the Schmidt Rubin, it was just too porky to pack around and the bore was not in good enough shape to get the accuracy I wanted.
That all said, the .30-30 has done the job well for countless hunters & lawmen over the years and will continue to do so for many years more. It's a sweetheart round that won't disappoint for those that learn it's
capabilities.
madtrapper143
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Steep Rock Lake NWO
Owned and sold several Marlin 336, Winchester 94, Steven 325 etc. The one I regret selling the most was a Handi Rifle in .30-30. Easy to carry, accurate and a hoot to build custom loads for. Why can't I find a decent used one anywhere?
Darryl
Darryl
I'm in a similar boat, I too want to plink with a 30-30 and re learn to hunt deer in at close ranges and for cheep... yas might have picked up I'm a bit of a tightass when it comes to factory ammo etc.
my 375BB may as well be what I am after..... now I'm using cast bullets from a Company, the price of ammo is MOOT , and the threat of no brass is not so important as I load quite low pressures and 30-30 bras would do!
I cant separate from this old gun, so trading for the 3030 is not an option for me, however I have a thing for the Winchesters.... if I were hunting though and to get the most out of the cartridge a scope would be a wise move.. untraditional but hey realistic.
sorry not much of a help to you
WL
my 375BB may as well be what I am after..... now I'm using cast bullets from a Company, the price of ammo is MOOT , and the threat of no brass is not so important as I load quite low pressures and 30-30 bras would do!
I cant separate from this old gun, so trading for the 3030 is not an option for me, however I have a thing for the Winchesters.... if I were hunting though and to get the most out of the cartridge a scope would be a wise move.. untraditional but hey realistic.
sorry not much of a help to you
WL
My late Brother and his Wife did a lot of hunting together in the Yukon where they lived and her pet rifle was a 219 Savage.
With it she regularly filled her Caribou tag usually bagging one with a nicer head than his.
And if I remember correctly she dropped a very nice Bull Moose with it too.
According to Brother it was one very accurate 30-30 and she was a fine hunter..
With it she regularly filled her Caribou tag usually bagging one with a nicer head than his.
And if I remember correctly she dropped a very nice Bull Moose with it too.
According to Brother it was one very accurate 30-30 and she was a fine hunter..
Savage 340. Light, easy to carry all day. Darned accurate within reasonable range. With the box mag you can load pointy bullets that don't work in a lever gun. Singles are nice but having that follow-up which may ensure meat in the freezer.
