Anyone shoot a 30-30

MD

MD

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I was at the range today to check the sighting on my 300 Winchester and brought my 1974 era Winchester 94 in 30-30 too.


300 is fine, but that 30-30 vexes me.

I"ve put a reciever sight on it. I tried some Remington ammo, handloads and old Imperial rounds too, all 170 gr. bullets.

The best I can get is about a 2-inch group at 50 yards with the Imperials, and I tried the Remington loads at 100. I got two shots about 4 inches apart, but a third one was way off, by about 5 inches away from the next one. Coulda been me.

I'm just curious though, have you shot 150 grain bullets in your 30-30 Winchester? Do they group better than 170 gr. bullets?
 
First place I would start is with the shooter. Do you flinch???? You should at least be at about the 1" - 1.5" inch groups at 50 yards. After that I would start checking the gun itself. I just bought some Remington accelerators to try when I'm not busy. Next will be the Leverrevalution pointed bullets which are safe in a tubular mag. The pointed bullet should make the old thudy-thudy more accurate
 
Umm...

I get good groups with my rifles that can shoot good groups, like my scope sighted 270 and 300 Win mag, so I don't think I flinch.

I have tried this gun on other occasions with an even wider variety of ammunition, Winchester, Remington, Imperial and a variety of handloads, and it consistently shoots minute of frying pan patterns, not groups.

The sight picture is nice with the peep sight, way better than the old buckhorn.

The bore is in nice shape. This gun was given to me by friends from their father's estate, and he didn't didn't shoot it very much.
 
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MD, I have a Marlin 30-30 that is perplexing me as well. Inconsistency and flyers are my problems. I changed scopes - put on a Leupold. I have tried 150's, 170's, factory, reloads, changed powders - you name it and I can't seem to shrink my groups either. I ran out of time last year and will be working on some new loads soon.

I know that waiting in between shots and the tightness of the screw in the barrel band affected my group size.
 
I just picked up a 30-30 bolt action...Haven't shot it yet...

As to your problems, it could be alot of things- including how well you can see the sights.:confused:
 
I reload for mine now...not bad groups IMHO, even though I still have just the open sights on it...I'll be putting a lyman aperture on it soon.

Practice practice practice, and try a few from the bench to rule out the human factor as much as possible. :D

BTW IMHO Imperial ammo/brass in the 30-30 is brittle sucky stuff, and I end up with the brass getting stuck in the chamber due to the necks splitting. :mad:

Winchester brass...no problem.
 
I've got two 30-30s, both Marlins. Mine shoot both bullet weights well. I'm thinking there might be a problem with your rifle. Is the crown OK? bore? Would a real good cleaning help? Maybe a tight spot on the barrel somewhere?

Hopefully John Y Canuck will show up as he knows Winchesters well and I recall him posting taking some minute of pie plate 94 Winchesters and tinkering with them to shoot much better...
 
Trying different bullet weights is a great idea. Depending on your barrel twist rate the rifle will have a prefference for a coresponding bullet weight. Variations of one model are often sold with different twist rates

Faster twist = heavy bullet, slower twist = lighter bullets.
 
with the lever guns consistency in shooting technique is critical,sling pressure ,grip on fore stock etc ,as well as bullet weight,with a peep it should group under 2-3 inches for a 3 shot group,it could take a lot of rounds to get there though:)
 
First time I shot a Marlin 30/30 with scope I got the eyebrow cut!

I sold that Centinial Marlin next day,my next Win 30/30 was no better!

I then took the brass cresent butt plate off a 50 cal hawkin and fitted it to the Win butstock(looked like a 73)that extra lb cured that beast!

Shoots fine now!


Bob
 
I've owned a few M94's over the years and they usually do 2"-3" three shot groups @ 100yds from the bench. Check your sights and barrel band. My favorite load in the little .30-30 is Winchester 170gr Silvertips.
 
Did I just read this right? Did somebody call the 30-30 a beast? I love my 30-30s, they are not sniper rigs but hey I use then for hunting not shooting. Make sure you use consistant ammo when shooting, switching will mess you up. Shoot from a bench and see where you are at, make sure your sight is tight as well and that you are shooting consistantly, meaning your positioning as well.
 
I was shooting from a bench.

What should I do with the barrel bands?

Tighten?

Loosen?
 
Yes I called the 30/30 a beast in a win ,kicks harder than .308 in a sav 99F!

Must be an weight to rifle thing,I had a loyiola Ten guage 3&1/2 mag ten guage double that didn't kick as hard. course it weighed 9 lbs!

I'm not the only one that thinks a Win 30/30 kicks like mule in a five pound gun!

I've got a 8 lb win 70 in .375H%H that doesn't kick as hard as a carbine 30/30!

Just as I feel it!


Bob
 
bobbyjack said:
Yes I called the 30/30 a beast in a win ,kicks harder than .308 in a sav 99F!

Must be an weight to rifle thing,I had a loyiola Ten guage 3&1/2 mag ten guage double that didn't kick as hard. course it weighed 9 lbs!

I'm not the only one that thinks a Win 30/30 kicks like mule in a five pound gun!

I've got a 8 lb win 70 in .375H%H that doesn't kick as hard as a carbine 30/30!

Just as I feel it!


Bob
Click to expand...

Actually the KICK from a 94 feels greater because of the design of the stock. The barrel sitts higher off the shoulder then most guns. There is also more barrel rise then most guns
 
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