Is 30/30 a good caliber to hunt deer?

To get back on track, our group got 7 deer for 7 guys, in 3 1/2 days.

None were more than 70 yards. Four of them were inside 50 yards.
All were 1 shot kills, with 270's and 308's but the good old 30-30 would have killed every single one of these deer just the same with one shot.

Practice, and patience will get it done moreso than what calibre it is
 
Wow has this ever turned into a pissing contest. We are so far off the original subject that it hurts. We tend to be our own worst enemies.
The OP asked if a 30-30 was enough to kill a deer within 100 yards......the answer is YES. He didn't ask if there was a better choice........
I'm all for a parent teaching their kids good hunting skills, firearms skills and spending time with your children in a world where the pace is so fcuking fast that most parents pay daycare to raise them. We should all be applauding his parenting skills. Not putting down his choice of caliber. It will kill a deer legally and ethically.
 
Superbrad said:
first of all, I NEVER leave a round in my 1911...lol... I grew up on a cooey single shot shotgun and was taught if I had to release the hammer after cocking to take a grouse or rabbit to keep it pointed as if I was going to take the shot... and unlike the lever... I only had 1 round to worry about firing... not a tube full...

Look... I am not looking to argue.... I understand your arguments... but you are an experienced firearm owner.... as am I .... that being said, take a look at your lever action... do you really think it is a good "first rifle" based on design?
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Unless you have full auto, there is only ever 1 round to worry about: the one in the chamber.

And yes, I don't think it is any better or worse than any other "first rifle" and have thought that since I was 14 and had one in my hands.;) And the tube full was not a concern because at that age, I could count all the way up to 7! So when I put 7 cartridges in the gun, I kept my finger off the trigger unless I was going to shoot, or I counted 7 cartridges coming out of the gun. No really!:D

Anyway, we've hi-jacked the thread enough.
 
joe-nwt said:
Unless you have full auto, there is only ever 1 round to worry about: the one in the chamber.

And yes, I don't think it is any better or worse than any other "first rifle" and have thought that since I was 14 and had one in my hands.;) And the tube full was not a concern because at that age, I could count all the way up to 7! So when I put 7 cartridges in the gun, I kept my finger off the trigger unless I was going to shoot, or I counted 7 cartridges coming out of the gun. No really!:D

Anyway, we've hi-jacked the thread enough.
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Fair enough Joe... and I apologize for my part..... not looking to start a fight or "troll" as the net gang says.... I am just firm in my desire to grow the sport by setting young hunters up well... and to avoid safety incidents as much as possible
 
there may be better choices, but there are far worse choices the OP could make

each argument for or against can be turned around

it is far easier to miss a deer's vitals at 300yds, with a scoped 300WinMag, than it is at 100yds with an ironsighted 30-30

as to the OP's original question: Yes, the 30-30 is not only adequate, it can be considered MORE effective and efficient than many Faster Flatter cartridges.

Nothing like blowing off a hind quarter with a 300WinMag at 45yds, cause a deer jumped the trigger
 
Huntin' Gun said:
Now, I'm sure you weren't in Alberta using that 799 on a deer. They don't come in a caliber large enough to be legal here. You must have been in BC or Montana or something, no?
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What do you mean? Anything over . 230 is legal. 799 is chambered in 7.62x39mm. That's a thirty Cal in my book. They got rid of the cartridge length rule a few years ago. Try to keep up.
 
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nanuk said:
there may be better choices, but there are far worse choices the OP could make

each argument for or against can be turned around

it is far easier to miss a deer's vitals at 300yds, with a scoped 300WinMag, than it is at 100yds with an ironsighted 30-30

as to the OP's original question: Yes, the 30-30 is not only adequate, it can be considered MORE effective and efficient than many Faster Flatter cartridges.

Nothing like blowing off a hind quarter with a 300WinMag at 45yds, cause a deer jumped the trigger
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Jumped the trigger of a 300 winmag at 45yards?:rolleyes: Fukkin kwik deer dude.
 
The answer is yes. . . this took 130 posts! As an aside, every gun ever made is exactly as safe and effective as the person using it. The action, calibre, magazine capacity, weight, type of sights, and even the length of barrel all do absolutely nothing on their own.
 
Superbrad said:
Now, as far as safety... how do you uncock the hammer on a lever action?.... you pull the trigger when not intending to fire the rifle....
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Clearly you don't sound like you know how these work. If you ask nice I'm sure a 30/30 lever owner would be happy to show you how to handle one of these safely.

Bottom line is it's up to every firearms owner to learn how to operate their firearms design safely.

Speaking of which, here is how it's done... Muzzle pointed in safe direction, note how this guys finger is not in the trigger portion of the guard while cycling the action to unload...
[youtube]_jQ8sdBsE58[/youtube]
 
I want to comment on some of the discussion that is going on and also say thanks for all of the opinions and insight.

Here are some things I did consider especially since it also involves my son who's 11.

He has his own guns, .22's and enjoys firing them at fairly close distances <50 yds.

He is apprehensive about recoil since he has seen me shoot my 12 ga. and the .303 so I don't want a repeat of a situation years ago with someone and "recoil fear". I know he's not going to want to shoot the .303 and it's too big for him. As for gun safety of a lever action, he has plenty of experience with gun safety and handling.

Yes I can go with a .223 or a similar but this too sometimes gets debated regarding effectiveness, etc., etc. Also I don't see us or myself going often on hunting trips for all different animals and needing a "big" calibre, long distance gun.

My boy is very sensitive toward animals and I have already warned him that killing a deer could be a little upsetting for him, but he still wants to go. Besides wanting to get meat himself, he wants to experience first hand what it's like to hunt for something and then kill it.

So with this in mind and the fact that I always kind of wanted a lever in my collection, all I wanted to know was the calibre's ability on deer at fairly close range since it may get used for this purpose infrequently and maybe used on the odd Coyote instead or at the gravel pit.

I also wanted to know if the Marlin 336BL was any good.

I think those questions have been answered and I thank all those that commented.
 
Superbrad said:
Look... I am not looking to argue.... I understand your arguments... but you are an experienced firearm owner.... as am I .... that being said, take a look at your lever action... do you really think it is a good "first rifle" based on design?
Click to expand...

As an experienced firearm owner yes I think a lever action(especially an older 94) is a excellent 1st rifle!
Teachs muzzle control every time it's unloaded!
 
You can get a Youth Stock for the 336 as an after market product. New Marlins have been hit or miss. Should you buy one, you might want to take it to someone have it disassembled and the parts buffed. The internal finish has been talked about as being ruff at best. Personally, I'd be looking for a minty older rifle that was made before Remington took over and still buy the Youth Stock for the lad.
 
Applefarmer said:
You can get a Youth Stock for the 336 as an after market product. New Marlins have been hit or miss. Should you buy one, you might want to take it to someone have it disassembled and the parts buffed. The internal finish has been talked about as being ruff at best. Personally, I'd be looking for a minty older rifle that was made before Remington took over and still buy the Youth Stock for the lad.
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Great idea, I was just thinking the same. Or get another stock and cut it and add a nice recoil pad. I just got rid of a nice 30-30 with a slick action and shortened stock.

I could be wrong, but I have heard that that new ones are just as good again. At least my new one was nice. As for slicking it up, start shooting! It'll get there!
 
Calum said:
Clearly you don't sound like you know how these work. If you ask nice I'm sure a 30/30 lever owner would be happy to show you how to handle one of these safely.

Bottom line is it's up to every firearms owner to learn how to operate their firearms design safely.

Speaking of which, here is how it's done... Muzzle pointed in safe direction, note how this guys finger is not in the trigger portion of the guard while cycling the action to unload...
[youtube]_jQ8sdBsE58[/youtube]
Click to expand...

I know how to unload a lever action rifle... I have 3 of them... but when he releases the hammer he is still going to have to put his finger in the gaurd and pull the trigger when not intending to fire...
 
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