30-30 verses ?

[orchemo]

Now that we have the pointed tip 30-30 rounds (Leveevolution) commercially available. Would this change anyone choice between: 30-30 , 7mm-08, and 308.

Looking at the combo packages (223 / 20) and adding a larger rifle round or two.

Thanks for our opinions and time in advance.

Eric

[quickdtoo]

Welcome aboard, Eric!!  As far as pointed .30-30 ammo being available, it's never been an issue for a Handi, many have been shooting spitzer bullets in their .30-30 Handis for a long time. Even with pointed bullets, the .30-30 will never be an equal to any of the rounds you made comparison to.

Tim

[stimpylu32]

orchemo --- Welcome to the forums

I happen to like the 30/30 but if i was to get a large rifle round it would be the 270 win. it can be used for Elk and loaded down to lighter bullets for a desent long range varmint cal.

The .223 is for sure a great choice as well is the 20 ga. , true the 30/30 will not come up to the 308 or 7mm-08 but do not over look it as a good mid-range deer cal.  

[myarmor]

The 30-30 is a fine caliber for deer. It's probably the most popular first choice for most shooters starting out.
Light kick, .30cal, decent velocity, and as a plus seems to be one of the more accurate calibers in a Handi.
Personally I'll take a 308 any day.
But I never knocked the 30-30..it's a tried and true cartridge.
Just not in range with a 308 or 7-08. IMHO
-Aaron

[one$$shot]

One thing I really like about 30-30's is you can buy ammo for them at any gas station/tavern/laundry mat/car wash/restaurant out in the boondocks.  When I ask if they have any 30-30 shells the usual response is "How many boxes would you like"!

[Mac11700]

The Grand Ole 30-30 is a great little cartridge.It probably has accounted for more deer killed with it than most others combined.It's not a really longe range cartridge..but in a Handi it can be handloaded to extend the range somewhat..just like the new Hornady stuff will allow.I'd buy a 30-30 to use as intended..and leave the long range shots to the cartridges that can do this better...The new Hornady ammo wouldn't change my mind about getting a 7-08 or a 308..both which give good results in the Handi's and are outstanding cartridges in their own rights....but if I was wanting a lever gun.. it would make it all the more appealing...same to for the 450 Marlin and the 45-70..and allow you a longer distance shot if needed..

Mac

[Norseman112]

Welcome to GBO Eric   ,

The 30-30 caliber has taken lots of deer no doubt  and is a great cartridge.
However if you want to cover more ground, 25-06, 7-08, 308 are great choices.

John

[orchemo]

Thanks for the comments. New to the Handi rifle, but with a saffe ful of other rifles and pistols

The pointed lever action rounds are nice for the 35 remington and other 30-30s I have. Thought past the fact that a single action 30-30 does not need flat tipped bullets, although I do not reload (not enough time in the day)

Am thinking about the Handi mostly as a back up rifle, something to bring along. Have several other 308s and this was my original thought, but thinking about a rifle for my son in a few years and thought the 30-30 might have less kick. But then there is also the 243.

Was looking at the combo packages on the Wallymart site. Anyone know what choke is in the 20 ga barrel?

Thanks again for the responses, will troll the board.

Eric

[lik2hunt]

Here's a thought. You mentioned your son, so how about a .357 Mag? Good to 100 yards and has little recoil considering it shooting a 35 cal bullet. Later on, as he grows, it could be reamed to a Max and be a good 200 yard killer.
Just a thought.  :money:

[orchemo]

Thought about that, but than I think I would prefer 44mg. Easy to load down with 180 gr bullets and I like things with 44 or 22.

So now my choices are expanding (223/243/44/20ga/308)

Eric

[orchemo]

Found a used Handi w/ 30-06 barrel at th local shop. I did not have a rail and I purchased a Weaver rail b/c I didn't want to wait for H&R shipping and all, bt I think I made a mistake. The weaver rail only have 2 slots and limits the scope mounting options.

Mounted a Simmons Aztec that was in the safe, but it initially feels like I really have to come into the gun to get the eye relief for the scope. Will have to further access this at the range tommorrow before popping a cap.

Am trying to plan future barrels and would really like a 260 remington, but no barrells from H&R. I have Remington Mountain rifles in 30-06 and 260, thus I thought the Handi would be a great back-up plan).

Now my thought is 223 and 7mm-08. Thought about the 243, but seems the 7mm-08 does all the 243 does plus much more and I would have the 223 for varmints.

[quickdtoo]

You can cut more cross slots in the Weaver rail with a file or dremel burr, but the flat spot on the rear really defeats mounting flexibility. In a pinch, I've cut the flat part off, then drilled and counter drilled 2 new holes, but you need a drill press to do it, just an option for ya.

Tim

Weaver on the bottom, standard NEF on top, middle is the Ultra rail

[tomr]

I dont know about you guys, but I have tried this new Hornady pointed crap in both my 23" contender and my 22" handy, and I'm not impressed w/ it at all. My groups are no better than those of the Win grey box 150gr. Just my opinion.

[quickdtoo]

Tom, I've read many, many shooter/owner reviews of the .30-30 and several .35 Rem Leverevolution ammo, yours is the first negative report, FWIW.

Tim

[mt3030]

As Forrest would say, "Accuracy is as accuracy does."

Was the new Hornady loads advertized as improving accuracy? I thought it was designed to allow pointed bullets to be used in tube magazines. A lot of us have been handloading pointed bullets for our Handis for years and they do improve exterior ballistics. In fact, the pointy 30-30, both factory and handloads, should perform very close to the old 300 Savage, which has a very positive reputation as a deer killer.

Wally

[tallyho]

tomr said

I have tried this new Hornady pointed crap in both my 23" contender and my 22" handy, and I'm not impressed w/ it at all. My groups are no better than those of the Win grey box 150gr. Just my opinion.

Like mt3030 pointed out - no where have I read any claims for this (as you call it) "Hornady pointed crap" being offered as an accuracy improvement. It has, as far as I can tell, only been offered as a way to allow those with tubular magazines to get better bullet aerodynamics with safety in tubular magazines.

The advertising consistently promotes safety in tubular magazines. If memory serves, Contenders don't have magazines tubular or otherwise.... at least the ones I had didn't. Maybe TC changed something about Contenders in the last couple of weeks? :? I have been out of town and busy for awhile, and I may have missed it.

So I'm wondering, if your Contender barrels shoot crappily as is implied by your use of the word 'crap' and your statement "...groups are no better than those of the Win grey box 150gr..." with other ammo, is it a stretch to think they wouldn't they shoot the same with the Hornady stuff?

And how satisfied are you with the groups from Win grey box stuff anyway? Accurate enough for what you want to do with them? Hunting accurate? Silhouette accurate? Competition accurate?

Have you considered reloading and working up loads that do shoot better in your guns? You can use any number of pointed bullets in a single shot so there's no real reason to use the so-called "Hornady pointed crap" at all if you don't like it. On the other hand, if you don't reload, and do want pointed bullets, I guess the only choice you have is the aforementioned Hpc... oh well.

Most folks who shoot know that some loads shoot better in a particular gun than others... and some of us are blessed to have a gun or two that can shoot practically any loads well. And then there are rifles that should be classed as shotguns because their groups really are patterns.

Whatever the case, it is not uncommon to have to 'tinker' with loads, sights, stocks, barrels, whatever, to get things shooting better.

Personally I would not be inclined to call a new ammo "crap" if it is shooting groups pretty much the same as other ammo. Sounds to me like there's some other factor besides just the ammo.

Just my opinion.

[mt3030]

tallyho:

Well put. I was going to go down this same route but was cramped for time this morning. Thank you.


Wally

[tallyho]

Thanks Wally

:agree:  :agree:  

[Uncle Ji]

Most people like and shoot the 30/30 for what it is, an American Classic that still gets the job done.  It's also a light kicker with still enough medicine for deer so perfect for the beginning novice hunter as well as the most experianced.  Same reason many have rechambered their 30/30 barrel to 30/40 Krag because that too is another American Classic.  They just as easily could order a 308 barrel and be done with it, have more energy, and save a bunch of money in the process but then they wouldn't have a 30/40 Krag.  Same type guys that like driving 55-57 Chevys, the more modern designs are more efficient but...  you get the picture.
Maybe just me but something extra special about a rimmed cartridge in a single shot (or double) that just go so well together esthetically, call me an old fart.  :lol:  I already have a 30/30 levergun but 30/30, and 45/70 are on my barrel list.  The 225 Winchester is something i'm considering too.  Wish someone could bore me a 9.3x74R barrel (a German Classic) but no cigar, already called around, oddball size.  :cry: