Author Topic: Need input from you guys please!! (Read 750 times)

Jeffery8mm · « **on:** December 11, 2004, 05:29:05 AM »

HELP
Let me give y'all the scoop and then y'all tell me what you would do.

I have 2 Winchester model 94 30.30 open sight rifles
I also just bought a .308 barrel for my handi rifle.

My question is this. Which one would you guys usefor a woods type gun for ranges of 125yds and under. I have plenty of 30.30 ammo but no 308 ammo, so there is the expence of a new caliber of ammo.
My #1 deer gun is a Model 70 30.06, so the longer ranges are covered with that!
The .308 is a whole new caliber to me and the 30.30 is not. I love the Win model 94"s.
The expense of buying new ammo is putting me off. Also will have to but a rail and rigs for the 308 barrel. I have a side mount for a 94 already.
Man Im confused!
Jeff

savageT · « **Reply #1 on:** December 11, 2004, 06:05:57 AM »

Hi Jeff,
Boy, since you admit to owning a model 70 Win in 30-06, I don't know why you needed the .308 barrel?

?? But since you have it, you might consider thinking about using the .308 for range use as there are lots of .308 commercially loaded fodder and also mil-surplus stuff available to punch paper .
What you need for future growth is to begin reloading and then you can grab whatever strikes your fancy as you head out to the woods. You now have four all in .30 caliber that will take deer quite well no matter what! I believe you will stick with the two model 94's for the woods.

As for expenses, staying with 30 caliber saves you buying allot of different reloading supplies if you go that way. If sometime in the future you decide on other choices for the Handi Rifle might be something like a .223 for popping a woodchuck or coyotte. The round is cheap and easy to buy just about anywhere you go. Just my ramblings!

Jim

Jeffery8mm · « **Reply #2 on:** December 11, 2004, 06:21:17 AM »

Thanks Savage!! I guess I just gotta make up my mind huh! Never have been one to have a lot of different calibers though. Couple of good rifles and a scattergun or two should suffice. There is just something about the old 30.30 round that I cant shake away!!
Jeff

Broken-arrow · « **Reply #3 on:** December 11, 2004, 10:07:56 AM »

The .308 is closer to the 30-06 than you might think. I have a '94 30-30 too and its fun to shoot but it does'nt even compare to the .308. The main reason is that you cannot shoot pointed bullets out of the 94. The bullet and load selections for the .308 are almost endless.

handirifle · « **Reply #4 on:** December 11, 2004, 05:09:30 PM »

jeffry
The 308 is the most versatile of the three you own. It can be loaded very close to factory 30-06 fodder and is it's near equal to about 300yds with all bullets up to 180gr. Plus it burns less powder and arguably is the most accurate design of the three.

Would I get rid of the other two? No way, but don't give up on the 308 too soon either. You can load it down to 30-30 levels and even use the same bullets, or up to 30-06 levels. You pick!

mr.frosty · « **Reply #5 on:** December 13, 2004, 04:52:19 AM »

I'd keep the 06 and the 30/30 both rounds have been around for a long time. The 308 with the right bells and whistles is capable of tight groups
of well over 300 to 500 yards.

Mikey · « **Reply #6 on:** December 13, 2004, 05:39:45 AM »

Jeffrey - I'm going with SavageT on this one. I have shot, reloaded and hunted with the 308 and the 30-30 and prefer the 30-30 for hunting the type of environment you describe. The 30-30 has all that capability, and more. To me the next logical step up in power ranges is found in exactly what you already have, the 30-06, not the 308. I would not go the expense for the 308. I do not feel the 308 drops whitetail any faster than the 30-30. That cartridge was designed for North American Whitetail and has never stopped performing.

For my woods preferences I have the Winchester 94. Liked the 30-30s so much I got a couple in 444. What a blast. Just my opinion though. Mikey.

Jeffery8mm · « **Reply #7 on:** December 13, 2004, 05:47:28 AM »

I think I will sideline the 308 to the safe for a while and play with scoping one of the 30-30 win's. That round just screams nostalga. Just seems right to hunt with!!!!!
Thanks
Jeff

Mac11700 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 13, 2004, 06:43:22 AM »

Jeff:

I wouldn't sideline the 308 Handi just yet...it's a great round and an adequate performer on whitetails...they have many loads available for your type of hunting...not to mention they are quite accurate in the Handi...I sold my restocked 308 Survivor to my next door neighbor...and he's already taken 3 deer with it this deer season(1 buck-2 does)...using some cheap Walmart special Winchester 150 power points...ranges were from 175 yards to 30 yards...all 1 shot kills...it just takes getting over the feeling of having to carry more rounds with you than you need...and a good single shot will cure you of that real quick...and his groups are hovering right at 1/2" for 5 shots at 100 yards with it...so they are accurate...and worth setting up...

Mac

Jeffery8mm · « **Reply #9 on:** December 13, 2004, 08:15:10 AM »

Thanks Mac. Ya know this is the barrel from broken arrow that he had grouping probs with. So I accpeted it as a challenge for me at first. Then I got to adding up cost,
rail 15.00
rings 20.00
ammo who knows since you need to try different ammo!!
Luckily I have an extra scope
Adds up
Jeff

Broken-arrow · « **Reply #10 on:** December 13, 2004, 02:06:52 PM »

Good luck with the .308 bbl Jeff. With it on RHs receiver the 150gr. power-points would group about 8 inches @ 100 yds on a good day. But Mac says they will shoot and he's a MODERATOR :eek: But seriously , I'm sure it will fit your receiver a little different. I hope it shoots like a .308 is supposed to. Keep us posted would ya?

Mac11700 · « **Reply #11 on:** December 14, 2004, 03:19:03 AM »

Jeff:

Check the crown on it very carefully...even though it's a stepped type crown...they still can be damaged...and clean the heck out of it...I used Barnes CR-10 on mine...followed by a slightly oversized bore mop and flitz polish,I've gotten more copper and lead out of my barrels since using it,than what I previously thought I had.....if you still have trouble with it after tryiing different factory loads and handloads..you always have the option of rechambering it if the chamber is off...and reboring and rechambering if both are off...that is if you want to go to the trouble...

Broken Arrow...I've never owned a Handi that didn't shoot great out of the box...or couldn't be made to shoot better...sometimes the fix can be very simple...othertimes it may take some work...and in most cases...the succsess is determined by how much effort one wants to put into it...granted...there are some barrels that just plain won't shoot worth a durn...but...most cases with the handi can be fixed...one way or the other...

Mac

Jeffery8mm · « **Reply #12 on:** December 14, 2004, 04:11:35 AM »

Mac
The crown looks good and the barrel "looks" clean. I have no problem with Broken Arrow as I know what I bought before I bought it!!
Check this out though. The barrel will not lock up on my rec without a HARD upward snap of the barrel. The 223 barrel on this rec lock up tight with just a little upward pressure. So, What do I do about this? Sand away lightly at the curved part of the barrel lug, as in the part that "loops" aroung the rec bar. The terminoligy may not be right Mac!!
May use some JB bore paste.
Kicking around different ideas!!
Thanks

Jeff

Mac11700 · « **Reply #13 on:** December 14, 2004, 05:32:53 AM »

Jeff...PM sent...

Mac