Bolt-action 30-30 (Stevens/Savage)

sidvicious

sidvicious

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I'm considering picking one up for my son who'll be 12 next year...He's small in stature but keen on hunting. Are there any issues or concerns with these rifles in general that I should be aware of?? I've seen them on the EE from time to time and I like the look and (usually) the price...Seems like a good youth rifle?

Any insight is greatly appreciated!
 
Sounds good to me. Probably about $300.

You could also go with a lever in .30-30, which you should be able to pick up under $300 easily. I suspect bolt action .30-30s may sometimes not feed as well as levers, but then you do have the option for spitzers.

Another option would be a new single shot, such as the H&R/NEF Handi-Rifle in .30-30, again around $300. A repeater is probably more humane than a single shot though because you can dispatch faster if a follow-up shot is needed.

A bolt action in something like .257, 6.5 (Swedish) Mauser, or 7x57 Mauser would probably work well. You should also be able to pick one of those up for under $300 if you shop around.

If you're open to semis, you could probably move up to the .270 or .308 range because the felt recoil will be less with a semi but then you're talking more money, probably over $500.
 
nothing wrong with a bolt .30-30. Not sure why someone would think that there would be feeding problems. Not something I have experienced in mine. Great round for a bolt since you can use better bullets if you reload extending the range and punch. 165gn spitzers work great. Recoil is low and expectations should be pretty good. My kids all learned on an old cut down Lee-Enfield with reduced loads and still shot deer with it throwing 180's at 1900fps.
 
Yep, a bolt 30-30 is a good choice. Stevens 325 or a Savage 340 would fit the bill. If your lucky enough to come across one, a Remington 788 in 30-30 would be another choice ( more money). Another option would be a pump action Savage 170 ( also 30-30).
 
On a slightly different Tangent, but...219's. Lately they seem to be commanding serious dollars for what they are but the Savage hammerless break open single shots are nice to handle and shoot.
They are nicely carried in the open position with a loaded round in the chamber.
If you feel comfortable with that sort of carry practiced by your son...of course.
Safety first.
Good luck
 
Since he is smaller in stature, and also a beginner, a single shot would be worth looking at. They are a few inches shorter than a repeater and are the simplest to operate and prove safe (including checking bore for obstructions)
 
sidvicious said:
I'm considering picking one up for my son who'll be 12 next year...He's small in stature but keen on hunting. Are there any issues or concerns with these rifles in general that I should be aware of?? I've seen them on the EE from time to time and I like the look and (usually) the price...Seems like a good youth rifle?

Any insight is greatly appreciated!
Click to expand...

There is a very nice Savage 340E bolt action in 30-30 complete with scope on the Equipment Exchange right now,if I had the extra cash right now I think I would pick it up myself.
 
I have two 340 series guns. they are great. My scoped version got an eight point buck last year at 50 yards. I love them because they are light and yet love the leverevolution loads. I find it has little recoil with the stock hard plastic butt plate. Have your son try it before changing it. He may prefer it the original way. Or you can get a slipon pad until he is ready for the recoil.
 
I had a Savage 340 at one time. It was a dandy little rifle and close to MOA accurate. As one poster mentioned, though....put on a decent recoil pad! I was astonished at the perceived recoil from that rifle; I assume a combination of the light weight and open-sight stock geometry.
I really enjoy the Marlin 336A I traded it in on, but I do wish I had never traded that rifle away. GREAT choice for a young hunter, or anyone who wants to shoot deer-size game to 200-odd yards.
 
I have a savage 325 B that feeds empty cartridges into the chamber from the single stack magazine. 125 Sierra Spitzers at 2500 fps with RL 7 shoot MOA. Great kids carbine. Recoil...not much, but cutting the stock and installing a recoil pad can give you a shorter LOP and that helps.
 
For the same money, you can buy him a brand new Marlin X7 in 7-08. Far superior rifle in every way, and a much superior cartridge.

And, he will be thrilled that Dad bought him a new gun!

Ted

PS: You buy him the Marlin, and I will donate a good scope to make the package complete. :)
 
Hi Sid. Hope you don't mind the little story here, I think the savage- stevens 30-30 would be a fine choice, Here are some pics of one I built for my son thirty years ago this coming winter, He shot his first deer with it the next fall and a few after that. It started life as a old 325 A that hadn't been, shot much but not too well taken care of, as you can see I spent most of the winter tuning her up. It never gave any problems feeding and shot very good, with my spitzer handloads. The best part of this story is my Grand son turns 10 next Aug. and guess what,he will start shooting. :) I think he will be a hunter, I just got a txt from my Son and he and my Grandson were coming back down from climbing a mountain, sheep hunting in the Kananskis. As far as a new gun , I agree new is always better :rolleyes: but please don't get a 7-08 unless you hate your kid, they boot like a mule. Anyways enjoy the pics and no you don't have to go to the work I did. What ever you decide on, it's great your getting your boy hunting. Cheers

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You got to love technology just got this pic from Son's phone. My Grandson!

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I thought I'd love a Savage 340 bolt action rifle in 30-30, so I bought one. Very nice little rifle. But I needed a scope on it and I was sadly surprized to discover that it's a side mount for them. I shoot left handed. So I gave it to my youngest son to enjoy.
 
Ted: I don't know if sid is a re-loader or not. I have never had anything to do with the marlin, but I do agree you should be able to load any ctg. to suit a young first time shooter. Personaly I would try to use the 120 grain bullets to start out with . I presume you are talking about the youth model of X7. My main experience with the 7-08 was in a rem 788 that I bought for my wife, way back when they first came out with the short barrel. It kicked the living s---t out of her. Seemed like no matter how I loaded it. This was a "girl" (well at that time LOL) that was shooting a 270 Husky with solid butt plate with no problem. But she got into shooting hunting rifle competitions that were happening at our range. We thought the ticket would be that 788. In all fairness I think I was mostly loading 160 some grain Sierra match because that little 788 would shoot with them. I just wanted to show off the little old 325, thought it fit the thread. If your buying sid a scope for that X7 to get his son stated , guess he can't pass that up. LOL
 
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