Author Topic: Accuracy of the 30-30 and 44 magnum barrels? (Read 725 times)

barm · « **on:** May 25, 2005, 12:45:13 PM »

I'm looking to purchase a rifle in 30-30 or 44 magnum, and I am wondering what kind of groups you are getting with you rifle?

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #1 on:** May 25, 2005, 01:44:57 PM »

I haven't gotten the chance to shoot my .30-30 enuff to break it in yet, But, Right now its a can murderin machine. With the way it shoots right now I believe it will shoot MOA at a hunnert or so yards.

.44Mag is on the list of to gets this summer along with the 7.62x39.

ONE HOLE 4570 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 25, 2005, 01:57:21 PM »

My 30-30 I got from Mac shoots at an inch with federal 150's & 1.5 with remimton 150's . Alli've tried in it but it is a keeper. Do not have a 44 but if I did it would become a 444, have one in a marlin 444p & all the reloadin tools to go with it but no 44 stuff have my 45 colt to take care of that

Will get some relodin done for the 30-30 when time allows, will work up a youth load as well.

Get one & then send in for the barrel of the other then your hooked :-D

De41mag · « **Reply #3 on:** May 25, 2005, 02:09:19 PM »

barm;

I've got a 44 barrel on my Ultra and after a lot of blood, sweat, and tears, I've got this baby shooting 1-1/2" groups for five at 100 yards. But now they do like the heavier bullets. Mine likes a 265gr. RNFP-GC and the Speer 300 grain SP. JPH45 gets good results with the Speer 270gr. and a cast bullet he makes himself.
I think you will be happy with either one. Good Luck.

Dennis

JPH45 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 25, 2005, 02:38:08 PM »

My 30-30 shot great with jacketed but lousy with cast, seems Paul is getting better results in that department than I, but for a barrel that shoots with both, I'd have to say my 44 is the single best barrel I got. It shoots. Have to watch the bullet size with cast, may barrel is on the large side at .432, once I quit sizing the bullets to 429 it shot lots better. So if cast is where you are going be sure to slug the barrel and fit the bullets accordingly. If I was shooting nothing but jacketed, I'd be hard pressed to say that I'd choose the 44 over the 30-30. Mine was shooting 3/8" groups with Remington green box 150's at 50 yards, it'd do that day in and out no questions asked. My 44 wil do the same with, but lacks the range the 30-30 has. Get honest with your expectations and with the kind of hunting you do. I stuck with the 44 because in the woods 60 yards is a long shot and I don't need the range a 30-30 offers, and my 44 shots cast really good, an area my 30-30 was lacking in, at least in my experience and ability.

jeff223 · « **Reply #5 on:** May 25, 2005, 04:12:42 PM »

i have a 30-30 barrel that i bought a number of years ago.it was the first handi rifle for me.a year or so ago i had the barrel all set up with a high power varmint scope for one of the postal matches.i shot a 5 shot group that measured 3/4 of an inch center to center at 100yds with some handloads.i think the 30-30 is one of the better choices in the handi rifle offerings.get one and dont look back

mt3030 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 25, 2005, 05:25:58 PM »

Barm,

I have a 44 mag and two 30-30 Handis. The 44 will keep them into 4 moa, but in all fairness that might be the open sights and my old eyes. The scoped 30-30 loves Winchester factory loads, both 150 Silvertips (1.5 moa) and 170 Silvertips (1.25 moa). Both loads will do minute of muley.

Wally

Paul5388 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 25, 2005, 05:34:26 PM »

I haven't put a pencil to it, but I would almost bet the 44 generates more energy than what I'm getting from those cast 30-30s I've been shooting.

I've never owned a 30-30 before and I just got this one because it was available, it wasn't a lever action and I just wanted to play with it!

If I was thinking about short range deer hunting, or whatever, I think I like my 22" 45-70 the best. It will do everything the .44 will do and more. :grin:

Longcruise · « **Reply #8 on:** May 26, 2005, 06:59:15 AM »

So far I don't recall seeing mention of the .44's /38 twist rate. Some here have complained of not being able to stabilize bullets in the heavier weights. If it weren' for that fact, I'd have a .44 barrel too. Like Paul5388 says, the 45-70 is a great substitute if loaded with 300 or 350 grain bullets!

My 30-30 is the only Handi I've kept. It shoots equally well with jacketed and cast. It's about a 2 moa gun, which is more than adequate for the typical 30-30 application :-)

Mac11700 · « **Reply #9 on:** May 26, 2005, 08:33:50 AM »

Quote from: ONE HOLE 4570

My 30-30 I got from Mac shoots at an inch with federal 150's & 1.5 with remimton 150's . Alli've tried in it but it is a keeper. Do not have a 44 but if I did it would become a 444, have one in a marlin 444p & all the reloadin tools to go with it but no 44 stuff have my 45 colt to take care of that

Will get some relodin done for the 30-30 when time allows, will work up a youth load as well.

Get one & then send in for the barrel of the other then your hooked :-D

Glad you like the barrel...I'm glad it shoots good for you...

Mac

barm · « **Reply #10 on:** May 26, 2005, 04:58:29 PM »

Thank you all for your posts. I'm looking for a rifle to carry in the mountains yet capable of a 200 yard shot if it presents itself. I think the 30-30 will fit the bill nicely.