Trying a 30-30, what should I look for?
- Thread starter paz
- Start date
Mogulrider
CGN Regular
In your opinion. Try to shoot a running deer at 140yds with irons....
I have. It's nearly impossible and if you hit the engine room it's a fluke.
A scope makes it both easier to shoot, far more ethical on long shots, and besides there is nothing worse than gutting a gut-shot animal.
Mogulrider
CGN Regular
My scoped 30-30s are just as fast as irons. Especially on longer shots. I've hunted with them for 45 years and easily shoot quicker at runnign deer accurately with a scope,. Unless you have 20-20 vision good luck hitting a runnign deer at 140yds.
Inside 80 yds sure it's faster. I find no difference in speed at any distance.
Mogulrider
CGN Regular
those who say a scoped 30-30 is a travesty.
Teh point of hunting is hitting an animal in the engine room ethically, cleanly, to dispatch the animal quickly.
Tradition has nothing to do with hunting.
If a person needs a scope to be effective then it's perfectly acceptable.
I have several iron sighted Model 94s that I use in deep bush. But those shots - IF TAKEN - are under 50 yds.
Anyone who says a scope is a travesty has never tried to hit a running deer or stationary one at 140yds plus....
If you did you either are a true marksman or irresponsible.
Teh point of hunting is hitting an animal in the engine room ethically, cleanly, to dispatch the animal quickly.
Tradition has nothing to do with hunting.
If a person needs a scope to be effective then it's perfectly acceptable.
I have several iron sighted Model 94s that I use in deep bush. But those shots - IF TAKEN - are under 50 yds.
Anyone who says a scope is a travesty has never tried to hit a running deer or stationary one at 140yds plus....
If you did you either are a true marksman or irresponsible.
- Location
- The Conservative part of Ontario
At no point did I claim a scope wasn't better for many conditions, only that a side mount is clunky, and even top mounts destroy fast handling. I was referring to bush ranges with the original 94 Winchester, where shots are made in feet not yards. I have hunted at those ranges, and under those conditions for more than 50 years now, including with dogs, were running shots are a near certainty. Typically with a peep sight.
Yes, I use scoped rifles. But they are bolt guns, or modern levers, like the 88Win, for my longer range hunt spots.
Count me in the "scopes affect the handling of lever guns" crowd and I don't like the cheek (ok chin) weld...but I definitely shoot them better scoped!
Definitely agree on "if you aren't going to scope it, go with a Winchester 94" but kinda curious about the new Ruger made Marlin 336 Classic and a Leupold 2.5x scope.
Definitely agree on "if you aren't going to scope it, go with a Winchester 94" but kinda curious about the new Ruger made Marlin 336 Classic and a Leupold 2.5x scope.
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freddyfour
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Brant County, Ontario
70's vintage Marlin 336 all day long, if you can't make that happen then pre 64 Win 94 SRC!!
Curious to see what they end up with. I bastardized a 336 into some modern tactical thing with a red dot, but the rifle was just about as beat up as I've ever seen a Marlin that still functions, so I had no qualms with it
Either way, hopefully they listen to the vast wealth of knowledge shared here.
If someone needs a scope to feel comfortable, I think we would all prefer them taking shots they are confident in than any alternative.
Either way, hopefully they listen to the vast wealth of knowledge shared here.
If someone needs a scope to feel comfortable, I think we would all prefer them taking shots they are confident in than any alternative.
freddyfour
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Brant County, Ontario
If I wasn't fully committed to the 35Rem I may have gone down the '71 route in 348.
- Location
- Southern Vancouver Island
Ye gotta try out the out the Rossi R95 Trapper in yer search for a 30-30 lever rifle. I've owned many leverguns over the years and to me at least,
the R95 ranks up near the top in build quality, function & price for a new rifle. If going for used rifles, ye gotta research and check out the
many pros & cons associated with the makes that catch yer fancy.
https://gundigest.com/rifles/hunting-rifles/rossi-r95-review
Marlin is the easiest to scope….as has been mentioned. If you do decide on a Winchester you can always look at a scout mount for it. This will let you mount a low power extended eye relief scope if you decide to go that way. I like them better than any of the side mount choices. XS sights makes a good one, as does Dr. Perasons.
Your other option is a Savage 99 in 30-30. Good ones are difficult to find in 30-30. Depending on year they may or may not be drilled for scope bases. The up side is that they use a rotary magazine, so if yo reload you can load pointy boolets.
Your other option is a Savage 99 in 30-30. Good ones are difficult to find in 30-30. Depending on year they may or may not be drilled for scope bases. The up side is that they use a rotary magazine, so if yo reload you can load pointy boolets.
Hard to beat the cumbersomeless of these sleek/slim/trim fine old 92’s & 94’s.
Too bad my eyes don’t do open sites very well.
Next up are the Marlin’s.
Bit meatier but do scopes well.
- Location
- Western Manitoba
My thinking is similar - I did install a rear aperture sight on my "made-in-1955" Win 94 - I can hit stuff with that type of sight, whereas it is pretty "iffy" with a barrel mounted rear sight, any more. Stupid me was well into my 50's before I started to learn about and to use aperture sights - I should have started with that about 45 years previously!!! I also have one installed on my Ruger 10-22, after years and years with a scope on it, and Canada Post tracking says I will get one on Monday that I ordered for a "new-to-me" Browning BLR in 22 Long Rifle. Is also what I installed on a Win Model 70 push feed in 6.5x55 - a bunch of round nose 156 grain on hand for that outfit to use, when I get to use that one.
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