Author Topic: 30-30 for ELK??? (Read 3278 times)

jpsmith1 · « **on:** October 01, 2006, 08:20:11 AM »

I drew a cow elk tag for northcentral PA. YEAH ME!! Then the reality of the matter set in. I really don't have an appropriate rifle to do the job. I'm planning on taking my Ruger Bisley in .45 Colt as I'm a fair hand with it, but I want a rifle as a 'back-up' I've got offers to loan me a 30-06 and I know that will work, but I'm alway reluctant to borrow a rifle because of the personal libility involved. I'd truly feel obligated to replace the rifle if I so much as scratched it ands I really can't afford that on top of the hunt.

The first outfitter that I talked to told me that 100 yards is probably the farthest shot I can expect and I know that I can shoot plenty well enough to place a shot in the vitals at that range.

I do handload and plan to use a Nosler Partition 170gr RN bullet (I think thats what they are.) in the most accurate load I can roll up.

Anyone with experience?

dawei · « **Reply #1 on:** October 01, 2006, 08:50:29 AM »

Quote from: jpsmith1 on October 01, 2006, 08:20:11 AM

I drew a cow elk tag for northcentral PA. YEAH ME!! Then the reality of the matter set in. I really don't have an appropriate rifle to do the job. I'm planning on taking my Ruger Bisley in .45 Colt as I'm a fair hand with it, but I want a rifle as a 'back-up' I've got offers to loan me a 30-06 and I know that will work, but I'm alway reluctant to borrow a rifle because of the personal libility involved. I'd truly feel obligated to replace the rifle if I so much as scratched it ands I really can't afford that on top of the hunt.

The first outfitter that I talked to told me that 100 yards is probably the farthest shot I can expect and I know that I can shoot plenty well enough to place a shot in the vitals at that range.

I do handload and plan to use a Nosler Partition 170gr RN bullet (I think thats what they are.) in the most accurate load I can roll up.
Anyone with experience?

Additionally Federal® loads this bullet in their 'Premium' line up. It's what my wife uses in he 30/30 elk hunting. The bullet will certainly do the job if you do yours.

jpsmith1 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 01, 2006, 12:29:13 PM »

That's even better. I didn't think they loaded .30-30 premium loads. I'll shoot cheap lead bullet handloads for practice and carry the good stuff.

RLB · « **Reply #3 on:** October 01, 2006, 12:34:40 PM »

I'd slap an elk with my .30-30 using the federal preminum partitions in a heartbeat.....

RLB.......I'd go for a neck shot myself especially if I wasn't planing on halving it mounted...break the neck and game over....of course you need to be a better shot then average for a hundred yard neck shot...

jpsmith1 · « **Reply #4 on:** October 01, 2006, 12:44:46 PM »

Since I've drawn a cow tag, mounting doesn't enter into the shot consideration. I've long been a fan of shoulder breaking shots, though. I've seen too much game run off after being neck shot. If properly placed, the shot is absolutely lethal, but there's too much room for error. I'd loose too much sleep knowing that I winged an animal as awesome as an elk and didn't bring it home.

Lots more wiggle room shooting at the shoulder/chest area.

lgm270 · « **Reply #5 on:** October 01, 2006, 12:49:19 PM »

My advice: Borrow a 30-06. It's vastly better.

kyote · « **Reply #6 on:** October 01, 2006, 01:26:19 PM »

your 30-30 will do for elk just fine.and if the outfitter told you 100 yards.that is great.I read all these gun rags about how tough things are,and what magnum calibers you need to take things.Bu-- Cr--.what ever happened to shot placement.But none the less the 30-30 will drop em just fine.and if your a handloader/reloader.Heck make your own for the hunt.check out Barnes's bullets,they make a great prem. bullet for the lever gun.and you will enjoy your hunt even better shooting it will home grown bullets.Good luck on your hunt.and don't ever think for a minute that you are undergunned for elk with a 30-30.

Mack in N.C. · « **Reply #7 on:** October 01, 2006, 04:16:01 PM »

nevr have hunted elk but what i have seen annd read you will be fine with the 30-30...like everyone says shot placement is the key.......i would never borrow anyones rifle.......1st you will not be comfortable with it.......i have a 30-30 that i bought in 1976.....killed a few small deer with it and 1 fox......decided last year to take it out of retirement to shoot a doe.........been at my spot i swear no longer than 2 minutes and a 19 3/4 wide 8 pter comes slipping down the river.........wish for a split second that i had my 270.......put the iron sights on his shoulder and let go.......he ran abought 50 yds.....weighed 202lbs...120 paces..............no elk but i would have never killed that deer if i had only shot that gun a few times...if you are comfortable with it use it........what about the bow hunters and the pistol hunters........i have a 2 30-30 barrels in the contender and wouldnt hesitate to use it on elk......if you do see 1 at 150 yds just get aliitle closer......good luck mack.

jpsmith1 · « **Reply #8 on:** October 02, 2006, 01:50:03 AM »

I've got another, kind of personal reason to want to take the .30-30. It was my grandfather's rifle. He killed many deer with it and it passed down to me. I haven't used it much in favor of another rifle of him, but a 6mm is too light for elk.

As far as shot placement, I'm a pretty fair shot and can handle the peep sights well.

Sixgun · « **Reply #9 on:** October 02, 2006, 04:22:22 AM »

I'm going to tell you a story about my mother's Uncle Albert. I went to his 100th birthday party a couple of years ago. He was singing and dancing and having lots of fun with all of his posterity. I sat down and looked at some of the family photo albums that were sitting on a table in the living room. Albert was a real hunter and about every three or four pages there would be a different picture of Uncle Albert with a 6 point Bull Elk and he would be holding his model 94 30-30.

I asked him about the 30-30 and he still had it. He said that most of the guys he hunted with had gone to "ought sixs" but he had very seldom needed more than one shot to kill his bull with the 30-30.

I have a 338 win mag that I usually hunt elk with but last year, I got my first Bull with my 30-30. It was lighter to carry and that bull was just as dead an any I ever shot with my 338. I doubt that he even noticed the difference.

Sixgun

Forest Walker · « **Reply #10 on:** October 02, 2006, 06:15:52 AM »

Shot Placement Shot Placement Shot Placement. I admit that I have never hunted elk, and up until last year I had to have the Fastes latest greatest super duper ultra mag out there. I know different now. I use two guns now a marlin 450 marlin for the under 100 yds work and a 2506AI for the longer stuff, and between these two I would not hesitate on anything this world has to offer. Poachers have shot plenty of deer and Balck bear with the 22 lond rifle. I wouldnt suggest or condone it but it is possible. P.O. Ackley shot a few deer with a .17 Javlina and Roy Weatherby shot A couple of Cape Buffs With his 257 Wby. The ols d black powder 45-70 decimated the buffulo. These aren't armor plated beast. Go with the gun you know, Put the bullet were it needs to go and that 30-30 will get the job done without any problem and you will feel better yourself using you Grandfathers rifle.

Just my .02

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #11 on:** October 02, 2006, 09:28:33 AM »

If you indeed use the .30-30 for elk, please let us know how this turns out.l

jpsmith1 · « **Reply #12 on:** October 02, 2006, 11:09:28 AM »

Certainly elk aren't armor plated. They're all wearing kevlar and spectra vests. That's due to gun rag writers and ammo companies hyping up the newest ear-splitter or powder burner. Elk have been an archery target for years. I'm sure that a round in the lungs will kill one.

I've always liked the 94 guns. I've got 2, the .30-30 in question and a 9422. They're light and easy to carry and quick to the shoulder. That's probably why they've been so successful for the last century or so.

John Y Cannuck · « **Reply #13 on:** October 12, 2006, 03:04:49 PM »

That's me, the mighty 30-30, and ast years bull moose.

jpsmith1 · « **Reply #14 on:** October 13, 2006, 12:06:26 AM »

That's what I'm talking about. Nice moose!!!

Dee · « **Reply #15 on:** October 13, 2006, 01:36:06 PM »

You can't kill moose with a 3030. It's too light. It doesn't have 10,000 foot pounds of energy at 600 yards. It's old, and out dated. Moose are tougher than they were a hunderd years ago. You have to use at least a 300 win mag or the animal will suffer. Besides, you going to make the gun writers look like fools.

My Winchester 94 3030 is 50 years old. Dad bought it new and decided he didn't want to hunt. I'll take on anything on the North American continent with it. Good moose, and a point well made concerning the 3030.

.308 Win. · « **Reply #16 on:** October 13, 2006, 01:52:55 PM »

I love the old .30/30 round myself. With today's premium bullets and some patient control when your blood starts pumping so hard you think you're going to die, I have faith you can kill that cow without any problem whatsoever. Good luck in collecting your backstraps. I think there is no venison better than that coming from the elk.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #17 on:** October 14, 2006, 12:44:02 AM »

thats a picture that should be shown on every forum and in every magazine in publication!! It put a ear to ear grim on my face!! It shows what a good rifleman can do with a great gun!! GREAT JOB! Lots of old hunters smiling up above looking down at that!

Quote from: John Y Cannuck on October 12, 2006, 03:04:49 PM

That's me, the mighty 30-30, and ast years bull moose.

jwinva · « **Reply #18 on:** October 18, 2006, 04:44:33 PM »

I've never seen a live elk much less hunted one but common sense tells me that if one can be killed by a bow or a muzzleloader then the first smokeless powder round to replace both should do very well. the main factors are knowing the limitations of the cartridge and the shooter.

LEO · « **Reply #19 on:** October 19, 2006, 09:34:53 AM »

I'm with most everyone else, put a bullet from your 30-30 in the boiler room of an Elk at 100 yds and you are going to have to figure out how to get that thing home. Plus based on what you said about the history of the rifle, if I were you, there is no way I would not take that rifle on that hunt, but I guess I am the kind of the sentimental sort about such things.

jpsmith1 · « **Reply #20 on:** October 19, 2006, 11:23:48 AM »

It's actually starting to look like a handgun hunt. I'll probably drag the .30-30 along if I can get it on target. I had to change the peep sight and now it shoots low. A new front will solve it, I know, but it's a matter of getting it done. I've got a Ruger Bisley and a T/C Contender on deck that are itching to prove themselves and after some help from some of the good folks here, I can actually handle them, now.

But, yeah, a third generation taking game with the same rifle would be nice...

Old Time Hunter · « **Reply #21 on:** October 19, 2006, 01:59:41 PM »

What do you think they used?

dukkillr · « **Reply #22 on:** October 19, 2006, 02:10:58 PM »

Do you use the trucks there did? When you go to the doctor do you take that picture and ask for their healthcare? Find a platoon of marines in iraq and ask them to trade in their guns for whatever was military issue whent hat picture was taken.

Because other people used to use it doesn't mean it's the best option. Things evolve and are replaced with things more designed for the task. Will the 30-30 kill elk? Of course. Is it the best choice? No.

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #23 on:** October 19, 2006, 03:51:19 PM »

Something my step-dad said several times over the course of the years about hunting (he was much better at it than I) - he preferred the .303 Savage to the .30-30 (both VIRTUALLY identical) BECAUSE the factory loading in the .303 was 190 grains over the 170 grains in the .30-30. He lived/hunted in up-state Vermont - where the 100 yard shots would be rare (in the woods).

Kal52 · « **Reply #24 on:** October 19, 2006, 04:22:00 PM »

Im pretty sure that the pictures were meant to show the OP that the 30-30 is powerfull enuf to take elk, and Moose, not to ask him to trade his other guns in for a gun safe full of '94's
People used to use a .45-70 to kill buffalo, does that mean its not "the best choice" for them now? What about the 30-06, was used to great effect on elk and moose? If the newest latest greatest magnum designed to kill on one end and cripple on the other comes out does that mean someone shouldnt use either of those.
I often watch the oudoors channel, one time, this fella was using a highwall .30-30 for a whitetail deer hunt, the host often made comments about how he is concerned about "name" out there with just that .30-30. To top it off he was really surprised how that .30-30 took down the deer. WOW!
The best choice would be one you are comfortable with, that is proven to work, and you have confidence in.
good luck with your hunt.

Dave

LEO · « **Reply #25 on:** October 20, 2006, 02:45:34 AM »

Dukkillr, kind of off topic but in reply to your comment about the Marines in Iraq. I have talked to a bunch of our warriors returning from the sandbox and a lot of them would gladly trade the M-4 for a Thompson in the house clearing and the same can be said for the M-1 and its 30-06 round for the more open areas, and of course a lot of units are pushing the 1911 platform back into service. Not trying to pick a fight but sometimes the old stuff is still around because it works. A lot of the new wonder cartridges will be gone and forgotten when the 30-30 is still taking game and keeping varmints out of the livestock. Is it the absolute best for these roles, probably not but does it do what can be reasonably asked of it, yes and in the end that is all that can be asked of any cartridge.

Dee · « **Reply #26 on:** October 20, 2006, 06:06:03 AM »

I traded a car-15 for a tompson to work marijuana fields in Texas on the Oklahoma border back in 81. It was my job to go in and locate suspected growing areas. I took the thompson once! Lug one of those damn things around all day long in the brush or in town and you'll be glad to get the m4 back. They would be better off with an automatic shotgun in house clearing, and I've done some of that. You pick up a thompson pluss enough ammo to fight with all day long and your luggin in excess of 50lbs. I know, I know, the Geniva convention. They say they want a tompson because they haven't had to carry one all day. As for the m-l? I rather have an m-14. jmpo

Forest Walker · « **Reply #27 on:** October 20, 2006, 11:49:11 PM »

This says it all. SHOT PLACEMENT! http://www.hornady.com/story.php?s=473

LET-CA · « **Reply #28 on:** October 21, 2006, 06:24:30 AM »

Quote from: John Y Cannuck on October 12, 2006, 03:04:49 PM

That's me, the mighty 30-30, and ast years bull moose.

Not just a moose, but a flying moose! - Congratulations on a successful hunt.

woodnbow · « **Reply #29 on:** October 22, 2006, 04:59:11 PM »

When I use a firearm for elk it's either a 30-30 M94 or a Savage M99 in 308 both seem to me to be equally effective. I get close, haven't taken a shot over a hundred yards in many years. Go for the ribs and both lungs, not the shoulder and at most you'll have a bit of tracking to do. I've also killed two cows with .45 colt handloads. 255gr keith and a 325 gr keith type bullet. both one shot kills and both tipped over in less than fifty yards.