What is 30-30 good for?

popcan

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My father-in-law has just given me an early Christmas present.... his Winchester model 94 in 30-30. It is a pre-64 version, and is in great shape... but what will I use it for? I have never owned or shot a lever gun before.

It has taken it's fair share of deer in New England a long time ago... but had been retired when he brought his family out to the West Coast of Canada in 1972....until now.

I don't think a gun like this should wear a scope... so what is a 30-30 capable of, what kind of range and accuracy can be expected with the irons, and what kind of game ?

Is this a good bear gun with heavier bullets? :wink:
 
My dad uses his Canadian Centennial Win 94 30-30 for deer, moose and coyotes. I carry one in the saddle when we ride during hunting season. I've shot several deer, moose and a couple bears with the 30-30. 170g bullet. Open sights. 175yds and less. (maybe 200yds after laser eye surgery)

But of course you could always send me the partial serial number, and if it is the right year, I'd buy it.

But I guess if it belonged to the father in law, you better take it hunting.
 
It has been used to take every animal on this continent. Realisticly, it is a great short/med range woods cartridge. I will shoot as good as you shoot it.
 
Buy a reciever sight for it. Lyman or Redfield (all steel) are the nicest but the Williams FP (alloy) work very well too.

Mine has a Lyman. Last trip to the range shot a 3" group @ 100yds with 150gr Remington bullets :D

SC...............
 
Thanks for the replies, guys.... I had already picked up some cheapo 150 gr to try out... I'll get some 170's also and test 'em. I don't think the F-I-L used anything bigger than 150 gr for the deer in Maine/Connecticut.


Supercub, tell me more about the sights... got a link for a source on those? I can't afford laser surgery like some rich guides I know :wink:
 
It has the same comparable ballistics to 7.62X39. Effective range is around 200m. It drops drastically due to the bullet design. I always tell everyone that it was the "original assault rifle". But don't tell the Liberals that. :wink:
 
Okay, seriously, a 30-30 lever gun is good for close(r) range hunting of deer and black bears and moose I suppose too! :D

The real problem with many lever guns is thier ####ing awful "buckhorn" sights that make you want to take the gun and smash it into the dirt when trying to 'sight in.' :D

What SC said is right on the money. Get some reciever sights, I think the ones that clamp onto the back of the reciever (rather than the tang mounted ones) are better.

The tang mounted ones work fine, but I always think I'm going to poke my eye out with them! :D (Actually, IIRC, I think that has happened a few times) :shock:
 
popcan reports:

It is a pre-64 version, and is in great shape... but what will I use it for? I have never owned or shot a lever gun before.

Enjoy it bud. A lot of the old ones ain't in great shape. I'd use it for range fun first. Lever carbines are the funnest rifles to shoot off hand in my book. Then maybe use it for certain walks in thick bush. :wink:
 
popcan said:
OK, I found some links to Lyman sights... looks like I need a 66A (receiver sight).
Tang sight might work fine for Quigley, but not for me.


Does anyone know who carries Lymans sights in Canada?
Check around to see if you can get a used one as the new Lymans are alloy instead of steel. E-bay usually has a few, but you have to look aroung there as they get put un alot of catagories.

I did a search for mine earlier this year and found one for $65 delivered. Not bad as they are close to $100 new.

Try Epps :idea:

SC.....................
 
Gatehouse said:
A 30-30 is good for old guys that like to relive their glory days.

Guys like John Y Canuck! :D :D

What's the matter Gatehouse? No glory for you yet? :lol:

It's true, I've used the 30-30 for just about everything In Ontario. Sparing moose, and that could happen, I sometimes carry the 30-30 as a dogging gun when moose hunting. Although we aren't using dogs, we are making a lot of noise, so the chances of a shot are minimal.

The 170 grain bullet has been the most accurate for me, and I always felt I was better off with a few grains more wieght, when velocity loss was minimal.
 
if it a pre-64 version dont be drilling ot taping it keep it the way alot of guys a interested in the pre-64 version
 
You could replace the awful f****** buckhorn sight with an aftermarket sight, so you don't have to drill into the receiver.

Grouse Man
 
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