Author Topic: What good is that 30-30 good for anyway over your..... (Read 3036 times)

Cottonwood · « **on:** November 19, 2006, 03:00:29 AM »

Found an old Glenfield M30A sitting on the shelf of a local pawn shop for $179.00. I looked it over pretty good and could only find some scratches on the buttstock just around the swival stud. A friend of mine asked... "But I honestly don't know what you want a .30-30 for. Your Ruger .30-06 will do ANYTHING you want it to do in the field." Ah hello, ya get into the woods and usually get only a 20 to 40 yard max shot... aint needin a 30-06 to blow up my deer.

A 30-30 works quite nicely..... and is very packable, effective and best of all is a Lever Action Rifle!

My son used his Marlin 336 with 170-gr JSP (Fed Cartridge) for his deer this season.... dropped her right were she stood, as he spined her and then well she had to be put down with a head shot from my .44 Mag trail gun so no pictures of this fine large doe. Well anyway, I checked over Gunsamerica.com and found that I was getting a real good deal on the Glenfield M30A so I went in and put $20.00 down to seal the deal.

Going out hunting tomorrow with my son, just may use his 30-30 for a change..... been toting around my 11.5 pound Rolling Block and just don't feel like toting all the weight....

Gunjunkie · « **Reply #1 on:** November 20, 2006, 12:14:09 PM »

There is just something special about hunting with a lever and the 30-30 just wisk you back in time.. I know it may sound funny, but its just different walking and stalking with the lever 30-30 rather than a bolt .. I doubt I will ever go back to bolt action center fire again..

PS: good luck on the hunt

tacomaj · « **Reply #2 on:** November 20, 2006, 12:54:19 PM »

I recently purchased a 1972 model 336 that had less than a box of shells thru it. Excellent shooter with a Bushnell scope on it I have Deer Hunted for 35 years and always used a bolt gun or a slug gun.

Deer gun season opened in Tennessee last Saturday so I decided to take the 30.30 as I have never hunted with one before.

Well as luck would have it the Bull of the Woods slipped in and around my perch 25 feet up. The buck turned broadside to me at about 30 yards and the 30.30 did its duty.

I have a brand new respect for the 30.30 and the Hornady Pointed Bullets. The bullet went in about the top of his shoulder and did not exit. It took about 1/3rd of the top of his heart off.The deer was 19.5 inches spread, non typical 13 point rack. Body weight was estimated at 200/220 lbs field dressed. Estimated by several hunters and the Wildlife Resource Officer who checked my buck in.

Just thought I would share my good luck as I am feel like a very lucky dud right now, regards Tacomaj

cam69conv · « **Reply #3 on:** November 20, 2006, 01:33:59 PM »

Ummmm Tac....did you recover the bullet since it didnt exit??? I would LOVE to see a picture of it and see how it held up in a short range bone impact....Thats always been a good standard to go by...Hit a bone at 30 to 50 yards with good weight retention and you have a good bullet..Also if you have a grain scale please weigh it to see the exact weight retention and report back for us if you would be so kind...Thanks...OOPS...Oh yeah....BUCK PICS TOO DERNIT...

jwinva · « **Reply #4 on:** November 20, 2006, 06:09:12 PM »

Can't argue with success! The old .30/30 has been doing its job for years.I have a.30/06 but when I head for the mountain,I pick up the Marlin336CS or Winchester.Lighter and handier with a cartridge which will kill any deer at 200 yards if you do your job.If abullet doesn't exit,it has used up all its energy inside the animal.An exited bullet has wasted a lot of energy on the other side and against your shoulder.

peakoftherut · « **Reply #5 on:** November 20, 2006, 06:37:29 PM »

I hunt in northern MN. The cover in most of the areas I hunt in is a mixture of alder, aspen and birch. The 30-30 is perfect for both walking and stand hunting the wood's and has never let me down. Some of my friends like to give me a hard time for useing the puny 30-30 but I have never lost a deer that I have shot with the 30-30. This year I shot two 8 point buck's, one weighed about 175 pounds and the other went about 200 pounds both never took another step after being shot.

Last year out the same stand I shot a forkhorn with my 30-06 useing 180gr Nosler partition's and the buck staggered around like he was going to fall over but never did. I tracked him over 400 yards into a swamp and had to give up due to no blood trail. I'm sure the bullet was deflected but the point I am trying to make is that a larger cartridge does not make killing deer a sure thing.

Anytime I am in the wood's for deer give me a 30-30 lever and I will be happy, as long as the lever isn't a 94.

jimmyp50 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 21, 2006, 01:06:33 AM »

I almost believe that bullets (170 grain) that are designed for 30-30 velocities, in a gun that is used at "woods ranges", on animals in the 100-200 pound range is more efficient. It has been 4 years since a member of our club shot a 1 year old doe 4 times with a 30 caliber Winchester short magnum without hitting it in any place that would kill the deer. He has taken some leasons and is much improved but him having to walk to his truck to get more bullets to dispatch the deer (he only carried 4 as it was a magnum after all!) gives us all pause sometimes and we still rib him about it. I personally would like to find a 35 remington with ballard rifling in an 18 inch barreled lever action. While I like the regular Marlin 336 I would hunt with a 30-06 when the two are considered as they are about the same in terms of weight, bulk, length in my perception. When I go to hunt in a spot that others have characterized as "a good bow stand" (thick), I put my scent loc suit on and carry a marlin 1894 in 44 magnum. I need a "medium" gun in a medium caliber just because I like the idea and for no other reason! I wish that the Marlin 1894 action would hold a 30-30 or 35 remington.....too bad about Winchester and its 94 big bores....too bad and too late I guess.

Cottonwood · « **Reply #7 on:** November 21, 2006, 05:41:03 AM »

This is my 30-30 woods hunting area...... tell me I need anything more.

Here is a homesteaders cabin of years gone by..... in the same area.

cam69conv · « **Reply #8 on:** November 21, 2006, 07:06:57 AM »

ok THATS IT....IM MOVING TO MONTANA!!!!!!!!!!

tacomaj · « **Reply #9 on:** November 22, 2006, 08:54:43 AM »

Tennessee opening day hunt with Marlin 30.30 and new Hornady Pointed Bullet. Tacomaj

southernpride · « **Reply #10 on:** November 23, 2006, 02:33:24 AM »

Nice buck! I am contemplating using a Winchester 94 for this deer season over my 760 30.06. Just like the old time look and feel to it.

GRIMJIM · « **Reply #11 on:** November 23, 2006, 04:22:04 AM »

I go up to Wisconcin for rifle season and used to take a remington 742 semi-auto 30-06. Most of the areas we hunted were wooded,around 50 yard shots, so it was a bit much gun in my opinion, so I picked up a west point (marlin) 30-30 and the size and weight are just perfect for me. I do like the nostalgia factor as well.

cam69conv · « **Reply #12 on:** November 23, 2006, 07:50:41 AM »

tacomaj,,,,,Did you happen to retrieve that bullet for inspection? We are ALL curious about how it held UP....and......NICE BUCK

Cottonwood · « **Reply #13 on:** November 23, 2006, 09:10:45 AM »

cam69conv

I was hoping to recover a 170-gr JSP from my dear, BUT man it was like slow motion or something but I swear I saw two bullets exit the buck from being shot in the lung and then when he started to take off, shot again in the heart. My son and I could almost see the bullets exit and fir flying... oh well maybe next year cuz I will surely be using a 30-30 again and again.

He dropped right there and expired.

cam69conv · « **Reply #14 on:** November 23, 2006, 11:12:47 AM »

Quote from: The Montanan on November 23, 2006, 09:10:45 AM

cam69conv

I was hoping to recover a 170-gr JSP from my dear, BUT man it was like slow motion or something but I swear I saw two bullets exit the buck from being shot in the lung and then when he started to take off, shot again in the heart. My son and I could almost see the bullets exit and fir flying... oh well maybe next year cuz I will surely be using a 30-30 again and again.

He dropped right there and expired.

Hey Montana....Was referring to tacomaj's use of the new Hornady Soft point ballistic tip..(LEVEReveloution) Round that he got on that buck up above...He said it didnt exit and was hoping he recovered the bullet.....Oh...Montana....I am seriously thinking about moving out to somewhere in Montana...Would love to get together and chat a bit about work out there and living expences and all that jazz...Always wanted to Live in the open ranges and Hill country...Cant stand city life as I was raised in the Hills of Tennessee...But there aint any work around Tennessee anymore (that pays worth a crap cuzz of all the illegals) You are welcome to add my Yahoo messenger if you wish....I have it set to ignore those not on my list so just add super-bow and when I see it Ill add you...Just leave a note as to who you are...Thanks bud...tty soon

tacomaj · « **Reply #15 on:** November 23, 2006, 02:48:33 PM »

cam69conv,

I could not find the bullet, may have been in the heart. The top half was totally in pieces when I field dressed the deer. Did not see any signs of penetration into the oposite shoulder. Very badly bruised though.

The bullet did great, deer was down by the time I levered another round in and got on him. Very pleased, hope to do it again tomorrow or Saturday.

tacomaj

Gunjunkie · « **Reply #16 on:** November 23, 2006, 03:20:07 PM »

Looks like the area I hunt in ..

and Nice Buck Tacomaj..

cam69conv · « **Reply #17 on:** November 23, 2006, 03:22:46 PM »

Quote from: tacomaj on November 23, 2006, 02:48:33 PM

cam69conv,

I could not find the bullet, may have been in the heart. The top half was totally in pieces when I field dressed the deer. Did not see any signs of penetration into the oposite shoulder. Very badly bruised though.

The bullet did great, deer was down by the time I levered another round in and got on him. Very pleased, hope to do it again tomorrow or Saturday.

tacomaj

K tacomaj Thanks...Sounds like it did its job well....When I get the new XLR's imma buy some of them in .444 and do some test rounds....What I might do is use the shoulder off a deer with some ballistic jell in behind it for recovery...When I do Ill post the results folks...WIll be around January or so when I do it (if not a deer Ill use the shoulder of a meat bull)

yellowtail3 · « **Reply #18 on:** November 25, 2006, 09:17:23 AM »

Got a Marlin 336 in 30-30 this week. Took it to the range, it shot very well. Wish I'd gotten one of these 25 years ago, instead of 30-06. Look forward to hunting with it Monday.

Swampman · « **Reply #19 on:** November 25, 2006, 09:20:41 AM »

Calvin Rutstrum said...

"Gun lovers have their own guns and it is not well to argue with them. For many years I carried restocked Springfields, Mausers and others. Now I carry a 30-30 Winchester carbine with sling. The much improved cartridge in this weapon will stop a moose or a bear without trouble. The gun is small, light, has good balance for carrying, and is convenient. For safety the sling is looped around a thwart in a canoe and around a cross bar or a lash rope on a dog sled."

He should know....

Lug · « **Reply #20 on:** November 26, 2006, 05:09:53 PM »

Now Montanan need I remind you about the danger of posting pictures of our beloved deer and elk woods where the outside world can view them. Especially when they look like some of my favorite haunts.

The season at my house was 50 % on deer and 0% on elk. Filled 2 of the 4 deer tags. The wife missed her deer after dropping her rifle and I donated a B mule deer tag to the state because the tag was good outside of the nat. forest and there is no other readily accessable public land in that district. That will teach me to read the rule book a little closer.
Justin

bigjeepman · « **Reply #21 on:** November 27, 2006, 01:56:08 PM »

Nostalgia .....

Two moments in my life best define "nostalgia" for me .....

#1 ... walking into Wrigley Field in Chicago to watch a Cubs game ... omg ... I am a sports fan of golf, football, baseball, basketball, etc ... have been to many big league and college stadiums ... but nothing has ever come close to the feeling I had at Wrigley Field.

#2 ... taking a Russian boar with my 1894 Marlin three years ago this month with my son ... out of all our rifles, my son suggested using the Marlin ... he took a boar with it too.

T.R. · « **Reply #22 on:** November 29, 2006, 01:33:37 AM »

The ol' 30-30 doesn't get much attention in the magazines these days. After all, this cartridge is old news; it's been around for over 100 years!

The cartridge is often referred to as a brush cartridge. My guess is that many 30-30 hunters shoot their game at less than 100 yards because of terrain and cover. Yet with modern ammunition and a scope sight, lethal shots can be taken beyond the 200 yard mark.

Years ago, 32 Special was quite popular and the 35 Remington also sold well. These cartridges are close cousins to the 30-30 and certainly quite lethal but sales have diminished over the years. I'm not sure why this has occurred. 30-30 carbines continue to sell well in North America.

I have no quarrel with 30-06 fans. It has a long history of success where ever big game is hunted. But a bolt action 30-06 fitted with the standard 22 inch barrel is anything but handy in thick cover or long stalks in foothill and canyon country. Weight and length are disadvantages for most hunters.

30-30 was popular when my Grandad was a young man and will likely sell well long after my children's great-grandchildren have passed. It's just too usefull a cartridge to fade away!

TR

Swampman · « **Reply #23 on:** November 29, 2006, 12:02:57 PM »

I have a .30-30 NEF Handirifle on the way, and I was very glad that I finally found one. I'm tired of hauling heavy guns around.

wgr · « **Reply #24 on:** November 29, 2006, 12:15:38 PM »

i have a marlin336 i cast a 170grain bullet for it just use w/w size it and paper patch it will totaly wreck a white tail i use 28grains of blc2 powder

dpastordan · « **Reply #25 on:** November 30, 2006, 03:00:07 AM »

I love both the .30-06 and the .30-30. I have two of each. I took a boar and a doe last season with a .30-30 using the 170 grain partition loaded by Federal. The boar was 215 lbs and on both there was no bullet recovered. I was using a M94 Ranger Youth model...which fits me like a glove when hunting in cold weather with heavy clothes.

Buckmaster 30-30 · « **Reply #26 on:** November 30, 2006, 12:38:53 PM »

Killing a deer with a lever gun is something that is really un explainable , I love hunting with my Marlin 336SS. The 30-30 is probably the most popular lever action calibers ever made becuase here in W.V almost every one has one as a go - to brush gun..

WyoStillhunter · « **Reply #27 on:** December 05, 2006, 04:22:56 AM »

Yep, I have two '06, a 35 Whelen, and three Marlins. They'll all do it all if I do my part.

It's not a 30-30 but my Marlin .444 did it all this year on the local Wyoming game.

5X5 Mule Deer, one shot, 65 yards.

Cow elk, one shot, 50 yards.

2005 Mule Deer with '06; 2006 Mule Deer with .444 Marlin

Next year I just might go 30-30 all the way. I know it'll do the job too.

Cottonwood · « **Reply #28 on:** December 05, 2006, 06:08:18 AM »

WyoStillhunter

That is some fine game taken with a lever gun..... there is just something about a lever gun and using one.

Big Paulie · « **Reply #29 on:** December 05, 2006, 10:41:35 AM »

The sad and boring fact is that the .30-.30 Winchester round, with 170 grain bullet, is totally adequate out to 200 yards, for all game up to and including Mule Deer , which covers about 95% of all big game hunting situations. Nuff said.

Paulie

Author Topic: What good is that 30-30 good for anyway over your..... (Read 3036 times)

Swampman

Swampman