30-30 advice, please.

[Canuck Bob]

I've lurked for awhile but am ready to buy either a 30-30 or 22 Hornet.  I just did some searching and don't see any concerns over the recent changes in ownership like the Marlin folks are having, correct?
 
The 30-30 appeals to me because I can shoot cast and break it down to carry as a travelling salesman in a suitcase.  I'll probably put a WGRS on it and thats about it.
 
What do owners think of this Handi rifle?  Is the stock the pallet wood version the threads talk about?  Are the factory sights ok for irons or cheap and poorly adjustable?

[rsl]

I put a Nikon Pro Staff scope on my 30/30 Handi and it will shoot same hole at 100 yards with Winchester 170 grain Power Point factory ammo... Can't ask for better than that from a 30/30.. Good luck..

[gcrank1]

If you want to use the WGRS you will probably have to change to a taller front too.
I have had 3 .22H's, and it is a grand old cartridge, but pricey as can be if you dont reload. I picked up a .22Mag and had it along with the Hornets, FWIW, they are now gone and it is still here. If I want/need more beans or range than it has I go to a bigger caliber, in my case 25-35, but a 223 would be dandy in a smallbore and you could afford Win. White Box and still handload it down to Hornet if you want less. A 22H Handi may be available with open sights and still the same issue of the front may not be tall enough, the 22M or .223 does not have them but the WGRS will screw on and only one D/T of the muzzle end will mount a ramp&blade.
My choice would be a 30-30 or 308 and load to whatever level of beans I needed, from 32-20 equiv. on up  (though you wont get open sights on a .308). I already do this with a Win.94 carbine and have two loads, the 32-20 equiv. and the factory 150gr. that covers my bases. Why factory 150's?, because I use so few that the boxes I bought cheap on after hunting season sale years ago arent gone yet!
Most factory open sights are (and have been for some time) about as cheap as they can get away with. Fact is, they are just a point of reference and it doesnt really matter if they are cheap and simple as long as they dont break or just fall off. The older, inexpensive 22 single shots on the used gun rack have the same thing, cheap simple sights, and they have accounted for a lot of squirrels.

[petemi]

Plus one on rsl.  Mine is synthetic, and I removed the factory sights because my old eyes can't use them.  I have other Handis with pallet wood stocks and I don't see much difference.  I guess it's a matter of taste.  I haven't heard of anyone complaining about .30-30 accuracy.  I haven't hand loaded for mine yet because I had a bunch of odds and ends factory stuff to use up.  Both my Handi and 336 Marlin like the old Winchester Silvertips in either 150 or 170 gr.  Either one kills deer very effectively.  Good luck.

Pete

[geezer56]

The 30-30 is the second must have, after the 45-70.  The factory sights are marginal, to me at least.  I have 2 in 30-30, one wears a 1.5X4.5 scope, the other has the WGRS and required a MUCH taller front sight.  Stock selection is determined by what feels good to you, and the sight system you use.  I prefer the newer style synthetics to all others, wood is a close second.  If you reload, the handi lets you use pointy bullets.  They will add 50 yds or so to the useful range, all else being equal.  If you are a user of cast bullets, the old 30-30 is about the perfect caliber for those as well.  You won't go wrong with the old 30-30!

[FLNT4EVR]

Yoy can't go wrong with the Handy in 30-30. It's one of the best Handys they make. Always good accuracy out of the box and very easy to modify to meet your needs. With all the 308 calibre  bullets on the market, You can load it for everything from mice to moose.

[Deerhunter#1]

Well I just got mine and its already my favorire handi. Mine actually has the thumbhole laminate and have been at the range for the first time and had a mix of ammo and it shot it all respectable for the first time out at 100 yards. I will primarily be using it for deer in pa. I got it as I can and will load the 130 hornady 308 sp bullets. With the higher BC of the sp bullets and the extra speed generated it is still holding 800 lbs energy at 300 yards with very lite recoil. Rel 7 max load is pushing it close to 2500 ft sec. Sighted 1 1/2 high at 100 will only put you 3 1/2 inches low at 200. out to 250 yards you only have 100 ft lbs less than a 100 grain 243 at max with less recoil.