What is it about the good old 30-30 ?

The 30-30 in a lever action rifle is many things to many people, but mostly it is a light, handy rifle that carries easily, shoots better than most people can with open sights, is easy on the shoulder, ammunition is fairly inexpensive and can be obtained almost anywhere, will bring home the game, offers quick follow-up shots when necessary, and is just plain fun to shoot!
Many kids started out their hunting careers on the farm or in the backwoods with their Dad's/Grandpa's/Uncle's 30-30 and it has been a tradition that has been past down through the generations. (I took my first whitetail with my grandpa's Marlin 30-30 and my first black bear with my Dad's Winchester 30-30)
And it is that: a hunter's rifle. With open sights, most must get close enough to use it effectively. And with its power rating, it is not meant for long range shooting, even if it is equipped with a scope.
It has undoubtedly taken more deer than any other rifle, because there are so many of these rifles out there (Winchester, Marlin, Savage, etc.). And it has taken untold numbers of other big game too; moose, bears, hogs, antelope, etc.
While it may not be everyone's cup of tea, or favourite rifle configuration or cartridge; any serious rifle loonie (or gun nut) would be remiss if they did not own one!
And every hunter should hunt and take game with one, before dismissing it. Who knows, you just might enjoy it as much as we have!
And if not, that is why we have so many alternative choices!
 
I haven't found many guns that carry as well at the Winchester 94.

People seem to forget that the 30WCF killed and buried the 45-70.

From my research I believe the 32 Special was more popular than the 30WCF in BC prior to 1950.
 
Andy said:
Except that there have been lots of Hail Marys with the 30-30, so if more deer have been killed with the 30-30 than anything else, then there are probably more deer wounded with the 30-30 than anything else.

Better yet, use a rifle in 38 Special, or 22 Magnum, or etc.

Going further along with this an "actual hunter" uses a bow, and a "actual actual hunter" uses a spear.............. ;)
Click to expand...

Lol I was thinking the same thing. Old timers with iron sights on a 30-30? Bet they didn't talk much about all the misses. But back in Jack O'Connor's days emptying the magazine on running game was a normal practice...
 
I'm going to run contrary to most of the sentiment in here. I like lever actions but have slowly fallen out of love with them. I have inherited both a Winchester in 30-30 and a BLR in .308. I also owned a Marlin in .357 magnum. I preferred the Marlin for any bush walking and plinking and if there was any possibility of needing anything more than a max loaded 357 mag I'd take the BLR as it could fill literally every need in North America. The 30-30 got forgotten about as I didn't like the win 94 action as much as the Marlin and I happen to own an BLR in a do all calibre. Maybe a Marlin 336 would make me a true believer.
 
30-30 is just another tool of harvest. All cartridges and archery gear have thier own limitations.
If something walks into your target zone you need to have the moral dignity to be prepared to the best of your personal abilities. As well recognizing what is beyond your sphere of hardest influence.

That's it that's all.
 
Andy said:
Except that there have been lots of Hail Marys with the 30-30, so if more deer have been killed with the 30-30 than anything else, then there are probably more deer wounded with the 30-30 than anything else.

Better yet, use a rifle in 38 Special, or 22 Magnum, or etc.

Going further along with this an "actual hunter" uses a bow, and a "actual actual hunter" uses a spear.............. ;)
Click to expand...

Feeling a Tad 'Trollish' this morning?
 
Brutus said:
30-30 is just another tool of harvest. All cartridges and archery gear have thier own limitations.
If something walks into your target zone you need to have the moral dignity to be prepared to the best of your personal abilities. As well recognizing what is beyond your sphere of hardest influence.

That's it that's all.
Click to expand...

You're right.

Mostly it's the gun not the cartridge that is so attractive. I've got three and none of then are accurate. I put a receiver sight on the 1956 I have and the first time I had it at the range I thought it shot well, but I took it out last year and the groups were abysmal with 170 grain Winchester Super X loads

I might try 150 grain bullets or a different brand.
 
Around 1964, I was spending a bit of time with a fellow who fed his family on moosemeat.
His tool of choice? A 1937 vintage M94 carbine in 30-30. [I was using a 30-06 at the time]

I asked him once why he did not opt for a bit more firepower for his moose rifle. His reply
was priceless: "Why? dead is dead!" He always got to within 100 yards of his target, and
he was a decent shot. One, 170 grain KKSP through the lungs, and it was all over but the
hard work. Hunters like him do not need a 300 Magnum to shoot moose with. Dave.
 
Andy said:
Except that there have been lots of Hail Marys with the 30-30, so if more deer have been killed with the 30-30 than anything else, then there are probably more deer wounded with the 30-30 than anything else.

Better yet, use a rifle in 38 Special, or 22 Magnum, or etc.

Going further along with this an "actual hunter" uses a bow, and a "actual actual hunter" uses a spear.............. ;)
Click to expand...

The 1894 30-30 Win. has been around for almost 130 years, and in all my 63 years I only witnessed one animal wounded with a rifle. On the other hand, I witnessed many animals running around with arrows sticking out of almost every body part. I give the little rifle many accolades in the hunting world. It has performed admirably with very little fault. If you believe that this rifle wounded many animals, well it never did, it was the user of the rifle who failed...........same aquivalence can be used, "it's not guns that kill people, it's people who kill people."
 
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The only 1 moa group I have ever shot off hand was with an old well worn,Marlin 336 and iron sights.
3 shots at 100 yards, with cheap Federal power shok, can't remember the bullet weight... Probably a bit lucky to keep them that tight but that gun just felt right in my hands, shouldered even better and the shot's all felt great.
 
I've had quite a few model 94's over the years along with a Marlin 336a & a Mossberg 464. The 94's are me favorite as they have that perfect feel.
The 30-30 round is dandy for reloaders for game taking or target fun. Best part about the 30-30 for me is the cartridge case itself as it be simple
to form for 25-35, 32-40 & 35-30 chambers.

I would like to get a real tidy Rem 788 bolt rifle in 30-30 to use for target work. Those buggers shoot sweet.
 
Andy said:
Except that there have been lots of Hail Marys with the 30-30, so if more deer have been killed with the 30-30 than anything else, then there are probably more deer wounded with the 30-30 than anything else.

Better yet, use a rifle in 38 Special, or 22 Magnum, or etc.

Going further along with this an "actual hunter" uses a bow, and a "actual actual hunter" uses a spear.............. ;)
Click to expand...
I'd be willing to bet many Hail Mary shots have been taken with every other cartridge in the deer woods as well. I'd also be willing to bet there have been wounded animals left behind with all those cartridges as well.
 
Those "hail Mary" shots are probably far more common than we imagine.
I have personally dug bullets from non-lethal previous wounds at least 5
times over the years. Also shot a moose that had a grown-in 22 LR bullet
against one rib. Rib had been broken, but was completely healed up. Dave.
 
Within a reasonable range(say 150 yards) the .30/30 will kill any deer or moose that ever walked. The rifle is more of an attraction than the calibre. The Winchester 1894 or the Marlin 1893/36/336 are all superb woods rifles, well balanced and natural pointers. Everyone should own at least one.
 
Wish they still made the Savage 99.

To me it was a superior design to the Winchester 94 in every way. Funny how some very good designs get chucked by the wayside and others continue.
 
Did anyone make a pump action 30-30? My hands hate operating a lever action. When I have to use one I take my hand out of the loop and grab the outside of it. There is something to be said for the light weight and slim profile of a Winchester 94 but I just can't do lever actions...
 
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