Do You Use 30-30 for Deer
- Thread starter cityhunter1
- Start date
If you want to go new, go with the Marlin 336. If you are willing to look at used, either the Marlin or a Winchester model 94 are both worth considering and often up on the Equipment Exchange for reasonable prices
Despite wanting one for 20+ years I've never had one of my own, however I bought the Mrs a used model 94 in 30-30 when she told me we were expecting, she has given it a good work out. She's taken deer and quite a few problematic critters around the property. The 30-30 has probably taken more game than most other calibers combined
, so it has to be good for something. I tried the Horandy Leverevolution ammo in it, and the rifle pukes them out all over the place, but it LOVES 150gr. Winchester ammo from WallyWorld.
Despite wanting one for 20+ years I've never had one of my own, however I bought the Mrs a used model 94 in 30-30 when she told me we were expecting, she has given it a good work out. She's taken deer and quite a few problematic critters around the property. The 30-30 has probably taken more game than most other calibers combined
, so it has to be good for something. I tried the Horandy Leverevolution ammo in it, and the rifle pukes them out all over the place, but it LOVES 150gr. Winchester ammo from WallyWorld.
- Location
- Yellowknife, NWT
The Leverevolution is loaded using a particular powder/powders that are producing a velocity difficult to acheive by handloading. Also, some spitzers must be seated very deep into the case to meet the OAL for the cartridge. Easy to load single shot, but try to get them to eject, unfired! And of course, one reason they built repeaters is to be able to shoot repetetively. I realize you can put flatnoses in the mag and have round number one as a spitzer, but I don't like the idea of mix&match ammo in the rifle.
Last point: very few 150 to 180-grain .30 cal spitzers are designed to work optimally in the .30-30's velocity envelope, but the Leverevolution bullet is. I use the 150 Speer flatnose in my .30-30 handloads, and it has a very small meplat; it looks almost pointed. But I use my .30-30 as a .30-30; the idea behind Leverevolution, and I think they've been successful, is to make it more like a .300 Savage. Okay, they say .308 Winchester, but I think that's a stretch.
Last point: very few 150 to 180-grain .30 cal spitzers are designed to work optimally in the .30-30's velocity envelope, but the Leverevolution bullet is. I use the 150 Speer flatnose in my .30-30 handloads, and it has a very small meplat; it looks almost pointed. But I use my .30-30 as a .30-30; the idea behind Leverevolution, and I think they've been successful, is to make it more like a .300 Savage. Okay, they say .308 Winchester, but I think that's a stretch.
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You can get away with scoping a Marlin, but scoping a Winchester 94 is pure blasphemy, LOLI've got one of those too.
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- Location
- Yellowknife, NWT
Nice picture. Who said guns and liquor don't mix?
Ammo companies have been saying this for years.
I guess it depends on your 30/30 as I can eject mine (win94 post 64) top eject with no problem.
You make a good point about bullet seating, but then again an easy fix for most hand loaders.
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huntsman said this-- "You can get away with scoping a Marlin, but scoping a Winchester 94 is pure blasphemy, LOL"
Then he showed us a picture of his Marlin with a monster scope, that completely ruined the look of the lever gun!!! lol, lol.
Then he showed us a picture of his Marlin with a monster scope, that completely ruined the look of the lever gun!!! lol, lol.
Huntsman made the statement I quoted, indicating it was OK to scope a Marlin. Then the Marlin in the picture had a scope on it out of all relation to what one would expect on a 30-30 and (my view) ruining the look of the Marlin.
And if I'm a "big silly," I guess you must be a "little silly."
That's the only centerfire I currently own with a scope. It looks a little akward, but it will print 2 shots under an inch from each other, and you can still use the irons if you have to. I have a Weaver K3 if you prefer that looks a little better suited, but I prefer this one.
BC Bigbore
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- BC's Peace Country
What happened to your other rifles, pharaoh2? You had a nice little Ruger Hawkeye .30-06 if I remember correctly...
As for the .30-30, I usually have a model 94 around and nearly always use the Winchester 170gr Silvertips. I've shot several blackbears and coyotes with that load (along with dozens of steers) with no problems.
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- Location
- Back in the Peace Country
I have a scope on my marlin with see thru mounts.
Actually, I have seen a lot of see thru mounts, but these mounts I have were specifically made for using Irons with a scope on, some are not.
I use my Marlin out to 220 yrds sometimes, and the scope comes in handy.
with the mounts, I have the best of both worlds. Unfortunately i lost my scope caps and will be going just with the open sights this year.
Can't bring myself to buy another scope yet after stupidly losing the caps.
Actually, I have seen a lot of see thru mounts, but these mounts I have were specifically made for using Irons with a scope on, some are not.
I use my Marlin out to 220 yrds sometimes, and the scope comes in handy.
with the mounts, I have the best of both worlds. Unfortunately i lost my scope caps
and will be going just with the open sights this year. Can't bring myself to buy another scope yet after stupidly losing the caps.
I change guns more frequently than I change my underwear. (Sweet dreams
)I've got rid of alot, and aquired some new ones just for fun. Don't worry, I've got my oversized sights set on a few replacements.
BC Bigbore
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- BC's Peace Country
You aren't alone there, bro
Spoken like a true gunnut
(sorry for the hijack
)
30.30
The 30-30 is probably one of my favorite go-to guns for the eastern woods. Right up there with my .308 and .30-06 depending on where I hunt.
Top is a pre 64 Winchester with a Leupold LER M8 2X that is simply an awesome woods brush gun. Below that is a Marlin in 30.30 with a older Bushnell Scopechief variable.
The 30-30 is probably one of my favorite go-to guns for the eastern woods. Right up there with my .308 and .30-06 depending on where I hunt.
Top is a pre 64 Winchester with a Leupold LER M8 2X that is simply an awesome woods brush gun. Below that is a Marlin in 30.30 with a older Bushnell Scopechief variable.
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