Hunting with 30-30

H4831 said:
I don't know why so many people place such a restricted distance on the killing power of the 30-30 class, or less, rifles.
Of the true stories that I know have really happened over the years, I will give two examples.
In Manitoba in homestead days a group of men were working with their teams of horses at a gravel pit in the winter. A moose appeared at a known distance of a quarter mile. One of the men was a Native Indian and he stated that if the moose showed up the next day, he would kill him. The others all laughed at him, telling him the distance was 440 yards. "I know," said the Native, "I'll shoot him."
The next morning the Indian brought his rifle with him, a Winchester 44-40!
As if on schedule, at noon the moose appeared, same place. The Native took a long, thought out aim, shot and killed the animal, with the one shot!
In homestead Saskatchewan was an exceptionally good hunter who used an 1894 Winchester, in 32 Special calibre. In the winter he took his team and sleigh to a field, where he had a stack of hay. He loaded the hay, then climbed up on the hayrack to go home. He looked and saw a moose beyond the end of the field. He knew his haystack was 300 yards from the end of the field and he said the moose was about thirty yards beyond the field.
He laid down on his load of hay, made a mental calculation of elevation needed, carefully squeezed off a shot and killed the moose.
Regardless what you may say about what I have written, I know the two events happened, exactly as I have written.
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My cousin, Al Patchetts, partner in the sawmill, gave me a choice of a rifle when he was 'thinning' things out. My choice was an old '94 Marlin in 44-40 and I know he had a number of similar circumstances with it on Moose in the Wells area. Mind you, as he'd been 'involved' in some long range experiences in WW II so he also knew what he was doing.

 
3030 is a fine rifle for black bear, deer, and moose given that one knows its limitations. Im pretty sure it could defeat an elks armour plating under certain circumstances.

Whatever animal you're after, I'd use Hornady 160gr FTX ammunition. It will extend your range and velocity considerably. Just be warned it almost certainly wont be interchangeable with other cartridges as the added velocity will move the point of impact.

The myths around 3030s are almost comical. One old timer I know said 3030s arent allowed at his camp because once a fellow was shooting at a moose and the bullets were bouncing off its hide. They said you could see an indent for a split second as the moose was running. "No power!", he said
 
In the hands of any avid hunter, one whom takes his marksmanship serious, one who practices his art, has no problem taking ANY North American game with the old 30/30. Add to this an identical number of game taken with the tried and true 35 Remington and 32 Winchester. Think about it, these rounds were around long before the 30-06 let alone the belted magnums. As pertains to killing any game effectively and consistently, shot placement is key. Congrats on joining the 30-30 brotherhood! This gun will serve you much like an old wool coat, long reliable years of service. Regards!
 
I love the .30-30, but sure the 30-30 has killed a lot of game in it's history. But there are no stats on the number of game that were wounded and ran off because they were shot at past ethical distances for the cartridge. Just looking from the other side of the coin.
 
mosinmaster said:
I love the .30-30, but sure the 30-30 has killed a lot of game in it's history. But there are no stats on the number of game that were wounded and ran off because they were shot at past ethical distances for the cartridge. Just looking from the other side of the coin.
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You could say the same thing about any cartridge on the market.
 
H4831 said:
I don't know why so many people place such a restricted distance on the killing power of the 30-30 class, or less, rifles.
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My recommendation to keep shots under 150 yards had to do with the platform, not the caliber.
 
hoytcanon said:
If the .30/30 is all you have, then that's what you use. Shoot the 170 Silver tip Win, 170 Fed Fusion or Hornady LeverEvolution 160 FTX... Stay within 150 yards... Practice with your gun and load and place the bullet in the lungs.
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Its not all I have, its what i baught to use as a brush gun for close range, if thats what you ment
 
Warden70 said:
In the hands of any avid hunter, one whom takes his marksmanship serious, one who practices his art, has no problem taking ANY North American game with the old 30/30. Add to this an identical number of game taken with the tried and true 35 Remington and 32 Winchester. Think about it, these rounds were around long before the 30-06 let alone the belted magnums. As pertains to killing any game effectively and consistently, shot placement is key. Congrats on joining the 30-30 brotherhood! This gun will serve you much like an old wool coat, long reliable years of service. Regards!
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Thanks, Ive heard in the past that a 3030 should be in any hunters arsenal, I look forward to next season
 
StiffDrink said:
Who makes 220 grain? Ive only seen up to 170
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220 isn't loaded in 30/30, and is hard to find in any other cartridge these days .you would be lucky to find any even to reload. Even if you did they would have to be seated deep and they would be going too slow to expand properly
 
Ive been using my grandads mod 94 on deer and moose for over 30 years now. My Grandad used it for at least 30 years before he gave it to me and I will give it to my grandson when he is ready to hunt. That rifle has killed more moose and deer than any other rifle I know of. I still prefer it over my expensive "fancy" big cal rifles for the bush hunts I do here in BC. Anyone that doesn't think a 30-30 can do the job any any game in North America doesn't know what they are talking about.
 
It isn't that the .30/30 can't get the job done, it is just that there are better tools for larger game like elk and moose... For brush hunting whitetails, it is hard to beat a Win 94 .30/30...

OP, if you have other calibers for moose, you'd best use them and keep the .30/30 for deer. When I was 15 I shot five deer in five minutes with a Win 94 in .32 Win Special... It was my first year hunting with the gang and they put me on the end of a dogging run... Over a dozen deer streamed by me... Five didn't make it.
 
First white tail was 3 weeks ago, with my norc m14 with a 180 grain. Thing is it was from 40 yards, same with another we came upon whilst driving, which got me thinking even though the norc got the job done, perhaps something smaller would be better suited. I guess the start of this thread was, am i limited to white tail. Also im surprised no one has mentiones anything about cayotes, wolves or cougar, and only one comment about black bear
 
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