300 savage vs 3030 lever

Personally, I like the Savage 99 rifle. Especially, in pre-mil serial number, model 99F. But that said, given the choice between one in .300 Savage & .308 Win I'd take the .308 Win all day long.

Most 99's I've seen in .300 Savage have had very bad cracks in the tang of the stock, a kind of achilles heal for these rifles. So, consequently have never bought one. I have had a couple, and currently own a 99F in .308 Win without the tang crack, though.

Given the choice between something in .300 Savage and .30-30 Win though I'd still likely go with the .300 Savage. However, the .30-30 Win is actually no slouch either.

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NAA.
 
A Browning BLR in 308 would be a better choice than both. Better ballistics and far more choices for ammo that's a lot easier to find than 300Savage.



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The primary reason to get a .30-30 is because you want a 94 or a 336. 1899s were made in .30-30 but aren't common.

As NAA has pointed out, it is not unusual to see a 99 with a cracked stock. This is because the stock behind the receiver tang is hollow - the bolt runs there. Strike a blow sideways, and a crack can result.
 
I had the pleasure of running a friend's 99 through it's paces this past weekend. Beautifully handling gun. That internal rotary mag is awesome. Nice and accurate with quick follow-up shots.

I think it's kinda ugly compared to the smooth, classic lines of a 30-30 tube mag, but hey we're more concerned about practicality and cartridge performance right?
 
I really love the vintage optional apature sights on the 99's.
IMHO those sort of sights need to come back on modern hunting rifles.
 
I like the 300 Savage alot, but I can't use a 99. I wish there were many more rifle choices out there for this cartridge. If it was available in a BLR, I'd have one for sure.
 
Your post refers to deer, elk, ETC

The "etc" is worrisome as it is pretty ambiguous. If the etc includes moose and the odd black bear and anything in between, my reply would be neither of them would be a wise choice.

I am presuming that you have not yet purchased a rifle and your post lends itself to believing that you may not familiar with hunting in general.

There seems to be a particular enamoring for the lever action. OK, look seriously into the BLR line of rifles (308, 30-06, 270, etc.) all of those calibers would be fine for that type of hunting with the right bullet doing the job.

In my opinion, the 30-30 is a closer range rifle. I own one and love it, but not to the point where I would aim it at an Elk 300 yards away. Ballistically, the typical round nose ammo loses energy and trajectory too fast. Yes, the LeverEvolution ammo is much better, but still....when you compare to a 308, 30-06, etc, you'd have to ask yourself, why would I attempt this?

The 30-30 is an excellent bush rifle, but so is a 308 carbine or BLR. The 300 is also an excellent bush rifle, but a 308 is superior.
 
A lot of BLR's have a very heavy trigger pull, and most gunsmiths don't like to work on them to lighten them. I would go with the Remington pump in 30-06 or .308. In fact I have, and I have lightened the trigger. Maybe you can stay on target while working a lever action, but I can do it a lot better with a pump.
 
Calum, the topic did not spin off topic, quite the contrary. The OP wrote...

"I want to start hunting deer, elk, etc. and I'm looking at a either a 300 savage or a 3030 lever action. what would be the better rifle to use? "

The OP is STARTING to hunt deer, ELK, ETC and eventually ended up asking which is the better to use.

For Elk and the "etc", the correct answer of course is neither. The guy is a noob at hunting, therefore, the tracking/stalking option is likely out, otherwise he would be asking which arrow and compound bow was the best. We know the ballistics of both the rounds he quoted are not the best (or even suited) to large game such as the elk/moose, etc.

To suggest otherwise would be irresponsible in my opinion, because the OP is new to the sport. Yes, there is the argument of shot placement, etc., but in reality, no experienced hunter I know will purposely go into a hunt larger animals with the two light calibers refereed to.
 
sobo4303 said:
Calum, the topic did not spin off topic, quite the contrary. The OP wrote...

"I want to start hunting deer, elk, etc. and I'm looking at a either a 300 savage or a 3030 lever action. what would be the better rifle to use? "

The OP is STARTING to hunt deer, ELK, ETC and eventually ended up asking which is the better to use.

For Elk and the "etc", the correct answer of course is neither. The guy is a noob at hunting, therefore, the tracking/stalking option is likely out, otherwise he would be asking which arrow and compound bow was the best. We know the ballistics of both the rounds he quoted are not the best (or even suited) to large game such as the elk/moose, etc.

To suggest otherwise would be irresponsible in my opinion, because the OP is new to the sport. Yes, there is the argument of shot placement, etc., but in reality, no experienced hunter I know will purposely go into a hunt larger animals with the two light calibers refereed to.
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Wow! Since when were moose and elk equipped with armour plate?
A 300 Savage is a very good calibre for moose and adequate for elk.
I don't intend to get an old 30-30 thing going, escept to point out that in the past, thousands of experienced moose hunters have regularily gone hunting with a 30-30, and killed thousands of moose.
 
....:rolleyes:

Here we go. H4831...you made my point. You wrote EXPERIENCED. Big difference.

I shoot a 30-30. Regularly in fact over the years. Pounded a deer with a Marlin about 20 years ago 150 gr bullet. Hit him a little high (open sights, about 230 yards). Hit the shoulder blade. What a friggin mess!!!

I'm not about to debate yours or anybody else's experiences. If you love the 300 Savage or 30-30, more power to all of you experienced hunters.

No way in hell am I going to EVER recommend to a newbie hunter to use such a light round on those bigger beasties.

You are an experienced reloader and hunter, as am I. You know full well the ballistics of those two rounds compared to other more competent hunting cartridges. Is it possible to hit and kill...certainly,...advisable as an all round hunting cartridge...no way!

You know that as well as I do. :mad:
 
So shooting a moose with a .308 is fine but not a .300 savage???

Anyways, the 30 30 and the.300 savage are fine cartridges to start hunting medium game with. Just use common sense regarding distances. And again, I would take the .300 over the 30 30.
 
Methinks if an arrow can take down a bull moose I'm pretty confidant that a 30/30 or a 300 savage could also. :)
 
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You can get shells for both, but the 30-30 will be easier and cheaper to get. Ballistically the 300 savage is better, but the 30-30 winchester has killed more deer than any other caliber. The gun in question should be said.. and your hunting range should be determined. If you are under 100 yards with all your shots I would go with a nice 30-30 for nostalgic reasons. For practicality I would go with the .300 savage.
 
SuperCub said:
A Browning BLR in 308 would be a better choice than both. Better ballistics and far more choices for ammo that's a lot easier to find than 300Savage.



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X2 on the BLR.

Unless you have a great deal on a particular 99 rifle in .300 right now,..look around for a 99F in .308Winchester, or a BLR81 in .308Win.

I see the occasional 99F in .308 available on the EE from time to time at very reasonable prices.

Again,... the .300Savage trumps the .30-30 for any of your requirements, but unless you have a particular rifle eyed up right now,look for a .308Winchester in your lever. The .308 offers the most ammo choices for you for both practice and hunting of any .30cal on the market. The .308Win supersedes the .300Savage marginally with the exact same bullet in a factory load. But when you get the best available choices for both calibers, the .308 now exceeds the .300 on a margin almost like the .300 does over the .30-30, especially at ranges out to 300 yards.

Example. You can get FMJ ammo for range practice for 14.00-18.00 per 20 round box in .308Win, if you like to shoot often and then zero your rifle with hunting ammo in the fall.

You can buy Winchester PowerMax 150PHP at any Cambodian Tire for 20.00 plus tax.

And of course if premium ammo is your forte, if an ammo maker loads it, ..it will be available for the .308Winchester. If you go with a .300Savage, your choices are few and far between. Not unobtainable mind you, just very few choices.

Good luck with your purchase:), and if it has to be a 99, look for a nice 99F in .308Win.;) Sweet looking and deadly!
 
Thank you all that helped a lot, just thought I would let you know I bought the savage and paid only $300. It is quite a neat gun :)
 
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