Author Topic: I like my 3030! Regardless! (Read 15307 times)

Redtail1949 · « **Reply #30 on:** February 14, 2009, 02:06:01 PM »

Dee:

That story brings back a lot of memories for me. You have a true family heirloom as well as the stories that go with it. The one should you hand it off, is indeed blessed.

No doubt the .30.30 has accounted for millions of animals that feed countless families. Black Bear, Elk, Mule Deer, Whitetails and list goes on. It has protected many men and their families and did a good job of it. It was in the saddle of many a Texas Ranger in the Bad Country of South Texas and help keep them alive.

You know they will all scream that there are better rifles for defense and they are right. However I think you were meaning a do it all rifle. Not a master of any but sufficent for all.

The .30.30 fills that bill very well.

You are lucky man to have that rifle.

Dee · « **Reply #31 on:** February 16, 2009, 08:21:04 AM »

Thanks Redtail1949. Indeed I am lucky to have it.

Graybeard · « **Reply #32 on:** February 16, 2009, 08:41:02 AM »

My only .30-30 is an H&R that belonged to my best friend prior to his death and I bought it from the family for the same $100 he paid for it just to have it since it had been his gun and I liked the look of the mannlicher stock on it.

I've owned darn few .30-30s really and never yet used one to take big game. I recall one Winchester 94 that was a pre-64 in kinda rough shape I had once long long ago. I don't think I ever fired it before it got traded off. I had a Marlin Glenfield I did fire before selling it I think but never hunted with it. I guess those three are the sum total of .30-30s I've owned.

I'm kinda partial to the .35 Remington and it seems to have gotten all of my attention that otherwise might have gone to .30-30s.

I really should take the H&R out and kill at least one deer with it since my friend got it too late in his life and never got it take it deer hunting as he had intended. I keep meaning to take it out hunting for him but just don't seem to get it done as I have about stopped hunting myself. I have killed some prairie dogs with it but nothing else other than some targets.

Dee · « **Reply #33 on:** February 16, 2009, 08:55:17 AM »

GB you missing one of the pleasures of hunting. Not much kick, and just the right amount of power to do the job. Those old guy knew what it was all about.

swordfish · « **Reply #34 on:** March 25, 2009, 03:40:49 AM »

I really like my Win 94 30-30, best all-round gun I have, I think, but for some reason, when I go hunting I always seem to grab my Marlin 1895CB 45-70.

Dee · « **Reply #35 on:** March 25, 2009, 04:02:49 AM »

Quote from: swordfish on March 25, 2009, 03:40:49 AM

I really like my Win 94 30-30, best all-round gun I have, I think, but for some reason, when I go hunting I always seem to grab my Marlin 1895CB 45-70.

Had one of those and sold it. Wish I had it back.

deernhog · « **Reply #36 on:** March 26, 2009, 02:06:51 AM »

I luv the long lean look of the .45-70 CB and you don't have to carry extra cartridges should shove it full and go for a week.

Mikey · « **Reply #37 on:** March 26, 2009, 02:33:43 AM »

I like my 30-30s. I have two M94s, both top eject in that caliber. One is a 1926 made Saddle Ring Carbine in 30WCF in nickled steel and the other is 1975 made, which has about the prettiest wood I have yet seen on a stock factory rifle. Both are more than accurate enough. When I first started with a 30-30 I was a bit surprised at the power of that round as it has more than enough ooomph to clean through a Whitetail at 200 yds (which is about as far away as I could get a good sight picture that day) (when I was younger and had better eyes). The carbine is soooo very handy to carry along or pack in the woods it just seems like the right rifle to have. My 94AE Timber Carbine in 444 always gives me fits when trying to choose which one I want to take for a walk though............

The 30-30 is also a good home defense rifle - it is short, handy and quick to bring to bear. The caliber itself is quite powerful. If a body armor wearing home invader thinks his body armor will stop a 30-30, he is right, out beyond 100m - but what the crushing force of the blunt force trauma of a 30-30 round will do to the body wearing the armor at home defense ranges is what autopsies are all about..................... jmtcw.........

Snowman366 · « **Reply #38 on:** March 27, 2009, 12:46:30 PM »

Br'er Dee...thanks so much for starting this thread.

I've been carrying a Marlin M336 in my police car since 1973. Like you, I've used it on man-hunts, roadblocks, warrant services and felony car-stops, as well as euthanizing road-injured animals. (Just used it on a back-broke white-tail earlier today.) Started out with a 20-inch barreled Marlin and, a few years ago, replaced it with a handy-but-astonishingly-accurate little Spikehorn. Both have worn Williams 5-D apertures and held their zero despite treatment that wasn't always the best.

All throughout this, the .30-30 (usually in the guise of Federal's factory 125-grain jhp's) has never let me down on man or beast. It's done whatever I asked of it, whenever I asked it, and did it with a conclusive authority that is superior to the .223's that are now the ubiquitous favorite of our fellow officers. There's an emotional aspect in a guy's attachment to an often-tried and faithful field companion, I suppose. Hoping to retire soon, and I have no regrets that I could have been better served by anything else.

Again...thanks.

1marty · « **Reply #39 on:** March 27, 2009, 12:59:09 PM »

I still own the 30-30 win 94 my Dad gave me over 50 years ago. It's still just as accurate and looks as good as the first day I got it. My first deer was a six point which I shot the year I got the rifle. I've owned many rifles after that but the gun brings back memories of going hunting on those cold winter days with my brothers and Dad. My kids have been urbanized and liberalized so I'll probably leave it to someone who appreciates a fine rifle.

jager · « **Reply #40 on:** March 27, 2009, 04:20:09 PM »

The 30/30 is an excellent cartridge that has been maligned by almost every "gun scribe" with a pen in the last 4 decades for not being "powerful" enough for "big game". "Hogwash", it is an exclusive "American" rifle and caliber that has done it all, while remaining at the top as one of the most "reloaded" calibers in the industry. And, you can still buy 30/30 ammo cheaper than any other caliber and find it at the at just about any corner hardware store.
Sam Fadala is one of the few 30/30 and Winchester 94's "supporters" who has written extensively about the rifle and cartidge's attributes. I'm glad to see Dee and other "notables" on this site hold it in such high regard.
I have had several, and should have held on to one particular Winchester 64 that was accurate and more "pleasant" to shoot than any of the '94's (not that they are bad). I now have a a Marlin 336 "Texan" that I will not part with even though it has "traces" of "freckle rust" on the receiver and the standard 1950's iron sights. My other 30/30 is a 1899 Savage that gives most loads another 100fps over the carbine barrel while able to use "pointed" bullets. I've only shot deer with mine, but would not hesitate to tackle bigger game (I'd just get closer). Guns in this caliber add to a deer hunt like a fine double does to a "covey rise".
I'll never be without a 30/30 even if my "magnum blasters" have to go to pay for food.

dukkillr · « **Reply #41 on:** March 27, 2009, 05:32:49 PM »

Could someone point me in the direction of a few of these articles by gun writers who are bashing the 30-30? I'd be interested to see, in their own words, what their thoughts are...

filmokentucky · « **Reply #42 on:** March 28, 2009, 05:00:45 PM »

Lately I've been reading positive articles about the .30-30 and the nice, light little rifles chambered for it. These writers have taken the time to get to know the guns and the cartridge and have found them to make an accurate combination.
These are guns for hunters--the serious, traditional guys--who can get in close and make a clean shot. Guys who hunt--not guys who think hunting means stalking to within 400 or 500 yards and opening up with the latest SuperStubby-MiniMaxi-MagicMagnum .500 +P ZebraZapper with a 50 power Day-Night Sniper Special scope on it. These guys are shooters and some of them are great shooers, but it isn't hunting in the same way that hunting and stalking in close with a little levergun and a .30-30 level cartridge is. One is hunting in its truest form and the other is target shooting at live targets that have no more chance of knowing you're there than a paper target would.
I wouldn't be at all surprised if a few people disagree with this point of view--not surprised at all. But I doubt if many of them are hunters who use a .30-30 levergun as their primary hunting rifle. They already know what I'm talking about.

mannyrock · « **Reply #43 on:** March 29, 2009, 05:04:12 AM »

As far as deer hunting is concerned, I know that alot of folks prefer the .35 Remington over the .30-30. The .35 Remington is legendary for stopping a deer in its tracks, and dumping it right where it stands. I have no reason to doubt this. None of the deer that I have seen shot with a .30-30 dropped dead in their tracks. Instead, they "jumped", and ran between 25 yards and 50 yards, and then dropped dead in their tracks.

Now, as lazy as I am, I will walk 25 to 50 yards to get my deer. :-) Accordingly, the universal availabiility of the .30-30 ammo, the lighter recoil of the round, the 25 yards of extra practical shooting range, the availability of two different bullets weights in factory ammo, and the fact that factory ammunition costs about ONE-HALF of what the .35 Remington costs, are benefits of the .30-30 that far far outweigh the added stopping-power benefits of the .35 Remington. For those in the Northeast who have to anchor their deer immediately, in order to prevent another "hunter" from shooting it whilst it travels the last 50 yards of its life, I can only express my sympathy. :-)

Regards, Mannyrock

1marty · « **Reply #44 on:** March 29, 2009, 05:59:24 AM »

I hunt in heavily wooded mountainous terrain in the east. After awhile I realized all the deer I shot were under 50 yards. I went back to the 94 about 5 years ago. It's easy to carry and the iron sights is all you need at those ranges. Stopping power is fine.

T.R. · « **Reply #45 on:** April 02, 2009, 01:04:07 PM »

I love my Glenfield 30-30 carbine. But mule deer hate it!

TR

Dee · « **Reply #46 on:** April 02, 2009, 01:28:40 PM »

This is becoming a better thread than I ever expected. When I look at my Model 94 3030 and realize that it is 51 years old, and has never been fired by more than 1 or 2 folks other than the 7 shots my dad fired, and the hundreds of hours I carried it, shot it, and bet my life on it, I see the bluing now polished away by my carrying it right in front of the trigger guard, the scratches have memories, and it is looking old like me. But it still will get the job done.
I was eight years old when that rifle came thru the front door. WOW! Time flies, and what a good friend it was, and is.

T.R. · « **Reply #47 on:** April 02, 2009, 01:48:28 PM »

This is my oldest daughter and her heavy bodied muley taken in rough country. It was toppled with one shot fired from about 120 yards or so. No exit wound; this big buck rec'd the bullet's full power. This is the newer 94 with angle-eject feature. 30-30 is perfect for the forests and foothills - recoil is moderate but it hits the animal HARD!

TR

Argonaut · « **Reply #48 on:** April 02, 2009, 04:15:28 PM »

I have a marlin 336 T at least i think its a T, straight stock, square back trigger guard. I bought it when i was stationed in Texas. I bought it because not only will it kill Game well within 150 yards (where 90% of all game is taken anyway) but if you take it on trips out of state, it is allot easier to explain to a police officer and less threatning to the LE than having an assualt rifle. I do have a cousin who is the best deer hunter I have ever met. limits every year, and he uses a glenfield 30-30 he got for christmas as a boy. He never misses.

Dee · « **Reply #49 on:** April 02, 2009, 04:33:18 PM »

Your right about the appearance of the rifle. It is non threatening in appearence, but packs a much bigger punch than a so called assault rifle.

mechanic · « **Reply #50 on:** April 03, 2009, 04:26:16 PM »

Quote from: Dee on April 02, 2009, 04:33:18 PM

Your right about the appearance of the rifle. It is non threatening in appearence, but packs a much bigger punch than a so called assault rifle.

I've owned several "assault" guns. I now have an old SKS. Most of the folks I've seen with them have a spray and pray attitude, (one of my brothers is that way.) It only takes one shot if its in the right place. If the going gets really rough, you can't beat a shotgun. The old standbys will still get the job done, despite all the modern stuff we have now.

Cheesehead · « **Reply #51 on:** April 03, 2009, 06:52:23 PM »

My "so called assault rifle" is a Springfield M1A. The 30-30 does not pack a bigger punch than this classic American firearm.

Cheese

zoner · « **Reply #52 on:** April 04, 2009, 02:24:15 AM »

my levergun is a win94 32 spec,a twin ballistically to the 30-30 so i'll throw my two cents in...when i was 12 I was going to camp on my first deer hunt..rigged up with a single shot 12 gauge and slugs. My gramps had the m94,and he never allowed me or my cousins to shoot that gun.He was ill(cancer) and it looked like he would never go hunting again.Just before i went out the door he handed me the rifle and a box of cartridges and said "use this"...well,the next day a five point buck came sneaking down the hill in front of the drivers but he didn't see me,one thru the neck at 25 yds was a bang-flop kill,keep in mind that i had never fired this rifle before.i was hooked for life...i still own that rifle,i'm 57,and it looks like that rifle might go in the box with me to the promised land...i sure don't want it to be sold and my son really isn't a gun guy. I shot half a dozen deer with this rifle in my youth,always with a entrance and exit hole.A lot of guys in the woods with their super magnums(that they can't shoot and are scared of) would be a lot better off with a less powerful rifle they can shoot.Most people don't have any business shooting farther away than 150 yds or so.Hunting is about taking shots you are confident in...not blasting away hoping for the best....

zoner · « **Reply #53 on:** April 04, 2009, 02:26:41 AM »

oh yeah,when i came home from the first hunt and grandpa learned what happened he gave me the rifle

filmokentucky · « **Reply #54 on:** April 04, 2009, 04:05:57 AM »

Quote from: Cheesehead on April 03, 2009, 06:52:23 PM

My "so called assault rifle" is a Springfield M1A. The 30-30 does not pack a bigger punch than this classic American firearm.

Cheese

True. But it isn't a lever gun either and that's what we're talking about. Kind of an apples and oranges comparison it would seem. Guess you just wanted us all to know you have a semi-automatic military style .30 caliber rifle? Thanks for sharing.

Cheesehead · « **Reply #55 on:** April 04, 2009, 04:46:16 AM »

You are welcome and you guessed wrong. The statement was related to ballistics, since assault weapons were mentioned by another poster.

Cheese

jimster · « **Reply #56 on:** April 05, 2009, 03:54:52 AM »

I'm not sure I even know what an assault weapon is anymore, anything from .22 to 50 bmg....fully auto? Beats me the Feds have their own criteria as well, but someone who knows how to use a 30-30 lever action could do some very serious assaulting if that is their intentions. If things get hairy I'm grabing the weapon I know the best to start out with here at home, that may very well be a 30-30 lever with a peep sight. Confidence in that rifle and what it can do will do me more good than grabing my "black rifle" which I don't care much for the feel of it anyway. I do however LOVE the Springfield M1A, I'd pick this over any black rifle myself....but the 30-30 lever carbine is what this is all about, and I personally think growing up and handling those can't be replaced when you need some confidence. It's short, accurate, handy, hits hard, and shoots minute of forehead within 100 meters if you needed it to with open sights.

Halwg · « **Reply #57 on:** April 06, 2009, 08:24:28 AM »

I have to agree with GB. I cut my teeth on a Marlin 336 in 35 Remington. I have 2 of those, and 2 Glenfield 30-30's. Although the 30-30's are great little guns, and quite accurate, it's still the 35 I grab when I go hunting.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #58 on:** April 06, 2009, 09:57:10 AM »

Well DEE , thanks for shareing your history . I enjoyed reading it . I have a mod 94AE 7X30 waters rifle ( 24in. bbl )that has the same meaning to me . Then next is the 1967 mod 94 with 26 in. bbl , I had the 20in. bbl one and traded for the longer gun . YEA I'm a big guy and the rifle feels better than the carbine . I have always felt the 30-30 was a hunters gun not a snipers gun . Don't mean to step on toes here but to close with your target to 30-30 range is hunting plain and simple . And a 94 just plain carries nice in the hand , comes to the shoulder like a bird gun ( shot one turkey flying with mine - raised the gun and killed it without thinking about it , My dad was behind me and said he would have never belived it if he hadn't seen it ).

filmokentucky · « **Reply #59 on:** April 06, 2009, 01:41:27 PM »

Quote from: Cheesehead on April 04, 2009, 04:46:16 AM

You are welcome and you guessed wrong. The statement was related to ballistics, since assault weapons were mentioned by another poster.

Cheese

The M1A is a Main Battle rifle, not an assault rifle. Assault rifles use a shorter cartridge and/or a smaller bore, not a full size rifle cartridge and are often in the .30-30 power range. They also are select-fire weapons in their true form, the civilian versions are semi-automatics and not the real deal. It is quite true that your rifle is more powerful than the .30-30 but that doesn't have anything to with this discussion. The same statement could be made about any number of rifles and cartridges regarding their greater power over the .30-30 and they would be true as well. Many of these rifles are a hell of a lot more powerful than your rifle too. But none of this has any bearing on a discussion of .30-30 lever action deer rifles.