30-30 barrel length

[teamnelson]

Its time for a change and I'm thinking a 30-30 pistol length might be just the ticket. I've fired a 10" once, and didn't find it unpleasant, but I figured I'd ask y'all; what length do you prefer for a 30-30 pistol?

I will also be shooting .32s through it with a chamber adapter, so I may round down with that in mind.

Thanks,
Chaps

[highwayman]

go with a 14'' reload some 125gr bt and you will love it. mine shoots great at 100 yards. never been able to try it futher than that

[blhof]

I would also recommend the 14".  I've had mine for 6+ years and got at least 1 deer per year with it and with the 125's mentioned above; I've taken prairie dogs out to 150 yds.  It seems to accurately digest many different wt bullets.

[giturgun]

I like my 16 1/4 , can use it as a rifle legal also.

[Hopalong7]

IMHO 10" equals a lot of muzzle blast and not enough velocity for many 30 caliber bullets to perform satisfactorily. 14" equals happiness.  I too have a 16.25" and like quite well, along with my 14" 30/30AI.  I never owned a 10", but a close friend had one for a short time(the emphasis here is on short).  That fire breathing 10"  'er went down the road pretty quickly.  I'll also 2nd the thought on the 125BT's.
GOOD SHOOTIN', Walt 

[slick00]

IMHO 10" equals a lot of muzzle blast and not enough velocity for many 30 caliber bullets to perform satisfactorily. 14" equals happiness.

I have a 14" and have shot (once) a 10" before...ditto the advice from hopalong7..he hit the mark perfectly. IMHO the 14" is perfect. Even if you don't handload, check out the Sierra manual.  Compare the velocity between the 10" and 14" barrels.  That might help with your decision.

[critter44]

Add me too on the 14" 30-30. I also shoot Nosler BT's (125 gr) over IMR 4198 and it is a TACK DRIVER (as in under 1" at 100 yds from the bench)! I have taken about 8-10 deer with mine and  the load is VERY effective. Closest one was 5 steps and the longest was 175 yds. PLENTY of penetration with the bullet.

[chiefs50]

I'll echo what the others have said about 14" barrels.  I had a 10" .30-30 and a 10" .223.  Both had impressive muzzle blasts.  I got rid of both and replaced them with 14" barrels.  Big improvement with both.  With 125 or 150 ballistic tips the .30-30 is deadly on deer.
IMHO you can't go wrong with the 14" barrel.

Mike

[jhalcott]

plus another vote for the 14". I had a 10" and shot sillywets with it, also a deer or 3. It was accurate enough, BUT it belched fire and smoke like you wouldn't believe. It left a LOT of unburt powder in the bore. It is ineffiecient in the 10". That's why the Herrets were developed, MORE effeicientcy in a 10" barrel. The 14" will be more accurate and work much better with handloads OR factory ammo. 

[IMshooter]

One more vote for the 14 inch.

[GameHauler]

Yet another vote for 14"
Very happy with mine

[Steve P]

I have one of each, 10" and 14".  I like the 10" for close range hunting.  I have a 2x Leupold scope and it makes for an extremely fast close quarters shot.  I could probably do the same with my 357 max or 44 mag barrels, but I like the .30-30.

My 14" 30-30 has open sights and has knocked over it's share of silhouette targets.  I would not be afraid to put on a nice 4+ power scope and hunt deer size game out to 200 yards with it.

Comments on the muzzle blast were right on the money.  Recoil is different too.  However, none of the targets nor critters my guns have been aimed at noticed the difference.

Good choice of caliber.  If you only get to choose one, get the 14".

Steve

[teamnelson]

I could probably do the same with my 357 max or 44 mag barrels, but I like the .30-30.

Well, my attempts at trading have not quite panned out so I take that as a sign from above that I should explore the potential of my .357 max a little more. Appreciate all the insight - uncontested 14" is the winner for 30-30 pistol. I've only ever shot unsupported with iron sights, and while I'm not the oldest dog, I find new tricks getting harder to learn.