Author Topic: 30/30 Verses 44 Mag. (Read 943 times)

Greysky · « **on:** February 17, 2005, 09:48:38 AM »

I just know I'm going to regret this, but I happen to like both, so I hope I don't rub anyone the wrong way here.

Would it be reasonable to say that the 44 mag pistol cartridge - when used in a 22" Handi barrel - delivers superior hunting performance out to 50-75 yards before the better ballistic qualities of the 30/30 rifle cartridge surpasses it?

James B · « **Reply #1 on:** February 17, 2005, 10:26:14 AM »

Thats a good question and I will have to drag out the books to answer that for sure. However off the top of my head, I would say that they are pretty much equal out to at least 100 yards and maybe even 125-150 yards. Two things come into play here. You have the heavier bullet at less velocity against the lighter bullet at higher velocity. The sectional density of the 170 grain 30-30 bullet is quite a bit higher than the bullets in 44 caliber with the exception of the 300 grain 44 which does not develope the velocity of the 30-30. It kind of comes down to the battle of velocity VS bullet weight. Here however to 150 yards I don't think there would be much difference in the effect of a good hit with either. Here the two therories kind of equal out. A good hit with either should provide what I have on the stove as we speak. Venison Stew. :lol:

Greysky · « **Reply #2 on:** February 17, 2005, 11:55:58 AM »

You wouldn't happen to be a fan of the late Elmer Keith, would you, Mr. B?

Elmer was a staunch advocate of big bores over those "...needle guns" as he described lesser calibers.

Once the range exceeds 75-100 yards, I don't think the 44 Mag can compete with the 30/30.

However, the 44 Mag has a big brother that is definitely superior to the 30/30 at 150+ yards. This, of course, is the 444 Marlin.

gwhilikerz · « **Reply #3 on:** February 17, 2005, 12:00:26 PM »

I like the 44 mag and it works just fine for deer at about 100 yds or so. But I can't say that it is equal to the 30-30 at any range because it simply isn't. my opinion

PistolPete · « **Reply #4 on:** February 17, 2005, 12:16:49 PM »

The 44 is sufficient for much bigger game, but lacks some of the range of the 30/30. Everything that walks has been taken with the 44, I don't know of the same for the 30/30. I would feel much more comfortable with the 44 rifle on elk/moose within 100 yards than the 30/30. Much beyond 100 I don't think I'd use either. I'd go with the 44, in fact I plan on it for my next barrel. So I would say that it definitely delivers 'superior hunting performance' as you are asking.

Pete

JPH45 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 17, 2005, 01:28:08 PM »

The 44 is certainly an effective killer, but as gwhilikerz says, there simply ain't no comparison. Ballistically the 30-30 is way ahead of the 44, and the 30-30 stands even stronger in the Handi as it capable of using spire point bullets. I drive the Nosler 180 Partition to 2260 fps from my 30-30, and that ain't even a load that is beyond SAMMI specs. The load has a point blank range of 200 yards, the 44 don't even come close to that. Use the Nosler 150 Partition and velocity right at 2400 fps is achievable. To put that in perspective, the 309 JDJ (30-30 rifle performance from a pistol barrel) drives the 150 Nosler to 2300 fps or so, He claims it is a 300 yard killer on game to 400 pounds.

All that said, I prefer my 44 to my 30-30. Both are capable of less than 1" at 50 yards (a long shot for me in the woods) But I simply shoot the 44 more, am more comfortable with it, I've taken 4 deer with it, and find it to be all I need. I went on a search this year for a rifle I might like better, but so far no dice. If my 38-55 ever gets here, I may have something I like better, but it will have to be a real shooter to upstage my 44.

Cement Man · « **Reply #6 on:** February 17, 2005, 09:43:29 PM »

I agree with gwhilikerz and JPH45.I assume by hunting performance you are referring to deer hunting, and factory loads. I have killed a number of deer with each. My first deer rifle was a Ruger carbine .44 which I traded in for a .30/.30 Marlin lever gun because the .44 was somewhat limited after 100 yards. (Long story about how the last deer I shot at with my .44 moved before the bullet got there) While both will get the job done, my experience has been that at any range, the .30/.30 was clearly better. If you are shooting at game where you want great penetration (boar, bear, etc) at the shorter ranges you mentioned, then a 300-325 grain hard cast bullet in a .44 might be of an advantage. I believe Randy Garrett sold a load like that and claimed it would kill any animal in the planet and was approved by his home state for handgun hunting elk. (if my memory is correct) In Illinois, for handgun deer hunting, we are required to use handgun cartridges, so for the handgun season, I do use a .44 Contender pistol. Both are fine cartridges, but for deer I believe the old .30/.30 is almost always a better choice. Just my opinion, FWIW. Good Shootin', whichever you choose.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 17, 2005, 10:05:56 PM »

I'll take the 30-30 any day of the week...

Mac

Greysky · « **Reply #8 on:** February 18, 2005, 06:17:19 AM »

Quote from: Mac11700

I'll take the 30-30 any day of the week...Mac

Since I am leaning towards purchasing a 30/30, please explain why you prefer it to the 44 Mag? :-)

Mac11700 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 21, 2005, 06:29:44 AM »

Gresky:

Sorry I didn't reply earlier to your question...don't know how I missed it...but I was doing a search for other 30-30 threads and found yours...so here goes...

First..let me say I am an admirer of the 44 mag cartridge..it has taken a-lot of game all over the world out of various pistols...rather large game at that...but that's what I rate the cartridge as...a pistol cartridge......at short range...it will make a very big hole and work admirably on most crtitters...but...if I want a short range brush gun...I'll use a 45-70...I'll use the 30-30 for shots out to 200 yards...and in my hunting areas...and getting a 200 yard shot isn't that difficult...but besides that...I like the versatility of the 30-30 over the 44 mag...I can use it as a varmint rifle with the right bullets...and I can hunt large game with it as well...but the real reason is that every 30-30 I have ever owned save for an old Savage bolt action...was that they were accurate...not so for the 44mag...in the rifle form...while it is a great pistol cartridge...it is lacking as a rifle cartridge...kick it up a few notches to the 445 Super Mag...which is a easy conversion from those here that have done it...and it makes it better...now...put those same bullets in a 444 Marlin and we are in a totally different class...but...as a pistol cartridge in a rifle...I haven't the need for it...it may work fine for some...but not for me...now...put it in a 5" Smith & Wesson...and I'll be a happy camper...there really isn't a need for me to try to make it into something it's not...the returns isn't there for me...

Mac

Greysky · « **Reply #10 on:** March 21, 2005, 10:07:29 AM »

Thanks, Mac.

Your explanation makes a lot of sense.

Big Blue · « **Reply #11 on:** March 21, 2005, 11:13:05 AM »

I guess I'm about to buck the trend here, but so be it. I've hunted with both, and beyond that magic 100 yard curtain, I'd agree the 30-30 wins hands down. Under 100 yards, make mine a .44 mag. Of course this all has to depend on bullet choices. I use a 320 gr. Cast Performance bullet w/ H110 in my Marlin 1894P, and it drops deer as well as anything I've used, and that includes the 45/70. I'll clarify this by saying that the longest shot I've taken on deer with the .44 mag. was 80 yards. The 30-30 has a more efficient bullet design and higher velocity, the .44 mag. has bullet weight and caliber going for it and those are two attributes I acquaint with short range effectiveness on game.
Now I'll finish off by saying that I don't think you could go too wrong with either choice.

Don