Advice for new Lever 30-30 owner?

Al Bear said:
Sorry if I hit a nerve, Mephisto. Your arithmetic is sound. However, while I congratulate you on your gunshow finds, you need only look at EE (and maybe some Forum discussions) to see that your costs - while enviable - do not reflect the reality of most reloaders … and especially new ones.
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Where did I say that this would be your or anybody else's cost?

This is my cost and can only be achieved by hunting for components at the best price.

Now if I would be lazy (like some here) and buy all my reloading stuff in the next store, the cost per cartridge would be closer to $1.30 per round, and up.
 
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On hunting with a lever gun. My best advice would be to make your first shot like you had a single shot rifle. Make it count. Too many folk think they can crank round after round to compensate for poor shooting.

That's not to say you should disregard that backup. I have always believed in follow up shots, even if you think your first was perfect, when the animal does not immediately go down. Not hail Mary's, but well aimed fire. Use the extra speed the lever gives you to aim properly, and not just to yank the trigger.

The 30-30 is capable well beyond the 150yds most sources credit it. But you will need a lot of practice to get there.

What ammo? Lots here recommend the latest and greatest, and that's fine, however, I shoot the Hornday interlock. A relatively plain soft lead cup and core, and with the 170 grain, have taken moose with it. The newer bullets will extend your range somewhat, if you and your rifle can do that accurately, and your wallet can sustain the cost.
 
mephisto002 said:
Where did I say that this would be your or anybody else's cost?

This is my cost and can only be achieved by hunting for components at the best price.

Now if I would be lazy (like some here) and buy all my reloading stuff in the next store, the cost per cartridge would be closer to $1.30 per round, and up.
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Wouldn't call it lazy. Its called being busy with a job and family. Some don't have time to peruse for deals.

So again....the 2025 reality for most reloaders isn't yours.
 
hobophobe said:
Wouldn't call it lazy. Its called being busy with a job and family. Some don't have time to peruse for deals.

So again....the 2025 reality for most reloaders isn't yours.
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You want to be right, so be it, you are R I G H T and I am wrong, now go upstairs and tell you mom that you are right!
 
hobophobe said:
Wouldn't call it lazy. Its called being busy with a job and family. Some don't have time to peruse for deals.

So again....the 2025 reality for most reloaders isn't yours.
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Even at today's prices, I add it up to be under $1/round to load 30/30 if you have the brass.
Half or 1/3 factory ammo prices.
 
Of course its still cheaper, not denying that. But perusing endlessly for crazy deals isn't something I have time for. Sometimes a guy gets lucky and they fall in your lap.
 
John Y Cannuck said:
On hunting with a lever gun. My best advice would be to make your first shot like you had a single shot rifle. Make it count. Too many folk think they can crank round after round to compensate for poor shooting.

That's not to say you should disregard that backup. I have always believed in follow up shots, even if you think your first was perfect, when the animal does not immediately go down. Not hail Mary's, but well aimed fire. Use the extra speed the lever gives you to aim properly, and not just to yank the trigger.

The 30-30 is capable well beyond the 150yds most sources credit it. But you will need a lot of practice to get there.

What ammo? Lots here recommend the latest and greatest, and that's fine, however, I shoot the Hornday interlock. A relatively plain soft lead cup and core, and with the 170 grain, have taken moose with it. The newer bullets will extend your range somewhat, if you and your rifle can do that accurately, and your wallet can sustain the cost.
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The lever gun is the perfect close range double tap hunting gun. It's a go to for dense brush. IMO.
You need to try the ammo and see what works.. Right? But I think that's what your sayin, cheers
 
hobophobe said:
Of course its still cheaper, not denying that. But perusing endlessly for crazy deals isn't something I have time for. Sometimes a guy gets lucky and they fall in your lap.
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Yeah that's not anything I have time for either.
Loading is a time commitment too, I agree with that as well.
I load over the winter, only down time I get, focus on what I'm planning to play with alot over the summer. 20 rifle hunting rounds I can turn out in 30 mins any day.
Couple hundred target rounds takes a lot more time and prep, it's not an easier solution to factory ammo there at all, but I'm the quality control, and I'm better at it then any factory lol
 
Silverado said:
But a newb has to buy gear etc...
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Yes, that's correct, but it depends on the amount of shooting/reloading.

If all you need is 20 rounds per year, for your favourite hunting rifle, then you better buy factory ammo.

But if you are shooting 30 different calibers (like a lot of us) including obsolete calibers, then the reloading gear will pay itself in one season.
 
Plato said:
I recently purchased a lever-action Henry in 30-30, with an interest in eventual hunting.
For now I am target shooting and getting familiar with the firearm. Towards that I would appreciate any advice out there for the reliable 30-30 WIN round.
In the short term, what ammo do you recommend for practice?
In the long term, what resources do you recommend for learning about deer hunting in the north-east?

thank you
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Practice with the cheapest stuff that will cycle reliably in your rifle.

For hunting, choose a good bullet, but don't go nuts searching for super-duper accuracy. It's a lever gun, meant to be shot off the shoulder at close and/or moving targets (stalking in other words). If you can hit a pie plate at 80 or 100 yards you're already doing better than most guys out there, and that's more than accurate enough for ethical hunting.

Have fun with the new rifle.

Happy hunting
 
I use federal powershok and fusion in my 30-30s kills them dead.
Go to Mason Outdoors youtube site. HE does ballistics testing on just about everything.
You will which seems to be good ammo rounds.
Reloading is still OK is you can get products cheaply.
I don't bother anymore. I just use factory ammo.
Every rifle likes something different so test 4-5 different manufacturers and pick the most accurate and stick to it.
 
270WSMXBolt said:
FTX over Leverevolution Hornady stuff is my go to. Though I roll my own. Cheers
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Mine as well for hunting.

I used DRG 165gr 30cal hard cast for plinking. I played with gallery loads of 7gr of w231 with the DRG. Super cheap load. Miss my 30-30 sigh... There's a gallery page out there with a bunch of different pistol powders. TBH though LVR is fairly cheap powder.
 
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