New toy from Whittaker Guns

[xhare]

Well I finally got one.  I picked up a used 30-30 handi rifle at Whittaker Guns after seeing it in their used rifle listings.  For me, 30-30 Handi's have been the hardest to find, I have only seen 2 others (one new, one very used) over the years, so I snapped this one up.  This one has a NS serial number.  It has the older style rear sight, ejector, and synthetic stock.  It came with a Tasco 3x9x40.  Like new condition, out the door for $199. 

My intent is to make this an all around gun for me, meaning a rifle that is not to costly to spend a few hours with at the range, easy on the shoulder, and more than capable of taking a deer when fall rolls around.  I will eventually reload, with the intent of using spitzers. 

[petemi]

A very nice find.  There are a few Handi's that are hard to come by, and that's one of them.  Don't be too concerned about the "cheap" Tasco scope.  When I bought my used .45-70 it came with a 3-9x50 Tasco, and it's still going strong after quite a few hundred Hornady LEs.  I don't think you can hurt yours on a .30-30.

Don't wait to get started reloading.  I was a fool and paid a fortune for ammo over the past 50 years when I could have been reloading.  I finally got my act together last month when Patty got me starter equipment for my birthday.  The only consolation I have in taking so long to start is I've got lots of brass   Get the current Lyman manual and start reading.  It's as addictive as Handis.

Good shooting and good hunting,

Pete

[spikehorn]

Great gun, good find! Of the factory loads I've tried so far in mine, it seems to like Remington core lokt 150gr & 170gr about the best with a slight edge going to the 150gr.

[petemi]

Both my .30-30s like the old 170 gr. Winchester Silvertip

Pete

[xhare]

Petemi, I have reloaded for years, but never the 30-30.  I do know you mean about spending too much money.  Of late I have had little time for reloading and have had to buy ammo for range visits and hunting.  BTW there was a 35 Whelen and several handi grips there.

[wreckhog]

30-30 is one round for which reloading is not a big cost saver. I can buy Federal deer loads in Walmart for about 55 cents each in boxes of 20. Or I can reload the equivalent for about 40 cents if the brass is free. I am playing with light cast loads, and those are a lot less $, but then again, I probably ought just load a pistol cartridge with cast for that purpose.

By far the cheapest CF Handi to shoot is .223 if you get one that shoots Russian steel case.

Looking at the Whittaker used guns on their website, I would be in trouble if they were within driving distance.

[gcrank1]

I think the 30-30 is perfect for cast bullet loads, for plinkin' and hunting. I make 100gr. 32-20 equiv. loads for varmints and fun and have an old Lyman 130gr. PB that I like a lot. With that long neck I can load up long, heavies for my 30-40K or '06, sized properly, and get deep penetration without a lot of velocity required. Fine for open sight distances anyway with my eyes.
Makes .55 per round seem extravagant. Thinking about it, I dont even have any factory loads for any of those calibers in house.

[xhare]

Wreckhog,

Whittakers is about 2 hours away and is heaven on earth for a gun guy.  All the longarms are on customer accessible racks.  No need to ask for help with each gun you want to look at.  Plus they have lots of variety, things you don't usually see at other gun stores.  Oh and their prices are tough to beat, the used prices are tax included. Just don't expect a lot for a trade!