Author Topic: 4" at 100 yards...? (Read 871 times)

sport240 · « **on:** July 09, 2003, 06:23:07 PM »

Hi all,

I've been a browser for some time now, but I've decided to jump in, this forum being such a great place for us lever action junkies.....

I own 3 lever actions, 2 post '64 M94's in 30-30 which are so sweet and 1 model 1873 built in 1891 which is a keeper on all accounts.

My post relates to one of my 30-30's which I've decide to hunt with this fall, normally I hunt deer with my .300 Win Mag, but this fall I really want to take one of my 30-30's out to stretch it's legs's.

Anyway's, I was at the range today and after about 60 rounds, I'm grouping 4" at 100 yards with open sights. Is this acceptable for clean deer hunting or should I practice some more...I must say that I feel really comfortable with the gun and the results, but I'm wondering if I should try to reel it in some more....Honestly I don't think I can do better, but I'm wondering if any of you guys are doing better with similar set-ups....

Thanks in advance...

BTW..I'm shooting 150gr. in either remington Core-Lokt's and Federal Hi-Shok....got a box if Win. Silvertips in 150gr. which I have'nt tried yet, but I figure similar results are to be expected

Sport240

John Traveler · « **Reply #1 on:** July 09, 2003, 07:24:06 PM »

Hi, sport!

If you were using the factory open rear and post front sights, 3" inch groups at 100 yards is about typical of the 20" barreled carbines. I would have expected smaller groups in your M64 rifles.

Have you tried installing receiver peep sights? That should tighten your groups to about HALF of what they now are.

I've visited Le Belle Province many times. What are the typical deering hunting distances? I would have expected brush and timber, under-100-yard shots, but maybe you have clear cuts and do longer range stuff.

John

John Y Cannuck · « **Reply #2 on:** July 10, 2003, 12:18:02 AM »

I agree with the above. Peeps are the way to go.
It does several things:

1: increases your sight radius
2: looking through a small aperature close to your eye improves your vision
3: You only have to worry about the front sight, your eye will automatically center in the back aperature. So as your eye is only focusing on the target and the semi blurred front sight, you can be faster.

Some find they need a large aperature for hunting. I used to unscrew mine. But lately, I find I can leave it in

ButlerFord45 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 10, 2003, 12:20:46 AM »

Sport, welcome to one of the most easygoing discussion borard to be found.

The idea of a more rearward mounted sight is, in my opinion, the way to go. Receiver or tang mounted, my preferences lean more to tang mounted, will almost double your sight radius without detracting from the lines and style of the lever gun. :grin:

I don't presume to tell you how to hunt, but just to remind you that if your shooting 4" off the bench at 100', when that 12 point, 200 B&C, that field dresses 320# walks in front of you, the increase in heart rate and blood pressure plus a big dose of adrenlin that makes sighting more difficult, you might want to be a little closer!? :-D

Mikey · « **Reply #4 on:** July 10, 2003, 03:57:24 AM »

Sport - with the factory sights and nekked eyeballs that is what I would expect at 100 yds. On my old 30-30 the front sight bead almost totally obscures a 4" target spot and crossing the bull is difficult. I would just continue to practice until you know you can drop them right in where you want them to go.

Also, I would not wait until I had cooked up the barrel with 60 rounds before trying for a group. You should try that with a clean, cool barrel as that will duplicate your field conditions and give you a better indicator of the rifle's capabilities. And, you may wish to try the 170 grain loads for a bit more penetration at the 100 yd mark.

You can also change your sights to a Ghost Ring set-up. They give you more visibility and make target work easier. Hope this helps. Mikey.

Bullseye · « **Reply #5 on:** July 10, 2003, 01:33:23 PM »

I would say that is good with the standard issue sights. I am using the Williams Fire Sights on my lever action right now and my groups improved a great deal. Tried the Ghost Ring but did not like it as well.

sport240 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 10, 2003, 05:29:27 PM »

Thanks for the warm welcome guys!!

A couple of your posts are interesting and quite helpful....I did notice that at 100 yds, I really can't see the 4" target all the way over yonder, it is really blocked out by the front dot, so I basically put the dot on the mark and fire away. That's really why I think 4" at 100yds is the best I can do, but I will be practicing some more.

To answer John Traveler's question, indeed 100yds in timber/evergreen/brush hunting is a pretty long shot and of the 3 deer I've ever taken, all of them were less than 75yds away, with this years buck barely 50yds away. I really wanted to set it up to 100yds as a maximum range issue, since I don't consider the 30-30 to be a very effective gun for whitetail beyond that mark (1000 lbs/ft), I wanted to have the confidence that a vital zone shot at that mark would be a given. If a buck comes in shorter, all the better, if farther away...well I'm not doing my part....or maybe the powers that be have decided that it was'nt his time just yet.

I hunt moose with a .300Win Mag and am not afraid to take those long shots, but for deer I like to keep it close and fair.

Sport240

Mikey · « **Reply #7 on:** July 11, 2003, 04:40:00 AM »

Sport - don't downplay the capability of the 30-30. Just a couple of posts up the line was a pretty good discussion of what the 30-30 is capable of. It has great penetrability. A friend in Colorado took a large cow Moose a couple of years ago with a 30-30, using the 170 grain loads. The first round penetrated clear through the chest side to side, the second shot broke the shoulder and down she went. That was a 75 yds - ya'll can't complain about that. Mikey.

GooseGestapo · « **Reply #8 on:** July 11, 2003, 04:58:27 AM »

An honest 4" at 100yds is good! I recently found a Glenfield mod30 in good condition (had been looking for good one for several years as project gun- has 20bbl, half magazine, and pistol grip stock w/ plain wood-no white spacers, ect). I made a "hill-billy tactical rifle out of it.... put reciever sight and Williams fire sight front sight (.450 high .505 wide base dove-tail, sling w/swivels, and elastic ammo carrier on butt stock after refinishing wood- metal is/was excellent).

With original sights I was getting 3-4" groups at 50yds with cast bullet loads. With original front sight and Reciever sight (Williams Sour-dough) I started getting 1.5-2" groups. Now with 1/16" front FireSight, I'm now getting under 1" groups from bench. 100yd groups are running around 3" (sitting and prone "practice").
Take those 150 W-W SilverTips and go hunting !
In my experience they are "softer" than the others and will expand better for better "put down" and will leave larger exit wound for easier tracking if necessary.
See my reply to "whats wrong with the .30/30".
However, I do prefer my .35 Rem. mod336 as "deer getter", but like the .30/30 too. I plan to possibly rechamber this rifle to either .30/30 Ack. Imp., or .307 Win. eventually. Thought about doing .35 Rem. to .356 WCF until I chrono'd the .35 loads. It's enough, thank-you!