[Mastrogiacomo]

I've seen this caliber along side the .357 in lever action guns. Being new to long guns, I don't know much about it. How cheap and available is it and how harsh is it to shoot?

[Quintin Likely]

How cheap, I dunno, I don't have a 30-30 yet, available, I've it seen everywhere from my local FFL's shelves to Wally World. How harsh to shoot? It's a very mild recoiling cartridge, I personally think the .243 recoils harder, but maybe that's just me.

All this comes from playing with my friend's Marlin 336 (I think?). It's a very nice shooting rifle, something that won't beat you up in an afternoon. I'll have one someday. :)

[Vern Humphrey]

I've seen this caliber along side the .357 in lever action guns. Being new to long guns, I don't know much about it. How cheap and available is it and how harsh is it to shoot?

The .30-30 is probably the most popular "deer-hunting" cartridge in America, and as such is priced about as cheap as hunting ammo gets. On the other hand, it was never a military cartridge, so there isn't any military surplus ammo floating around.

It's fairly easy to reload, and shoots cast bullets well, too. So you can shoot it about as cheaply as any other caliber.

[Art Eatman]

Pistol cartridges, generally, are pipsqueaks compared to even the milder rifle cartridges. Since this is comparing "power", it automatically compares recoil, as well.

Yes, the .30-30 has mild recoil, insofar as rifles. However, such rifles as the Winchester 94, you'll note, have rather narrow buttplates with relatively sharp edges. As you look at most bolt actions, you'll see there is commonly more area of buttpad to spread the shock of recoil. And, last, the heavier the rifle for any one cartridge, the less the felt recoil.

While I'm not particularly sensitive to recoil, neither am I a masochist. I've not fired any rifle which uses a pistol cartridge and noticed any significant recoil.

ONe thing which will make a great difference in felt recoil is the proper fit of the rifle to the individual. Length of pull, shape of stock...If it fits, recoil is much less noticeable. And, of course, a quality buttpad makes a great deal of difference.

As to relative cartridge cost, most hunting rifle cartridges "over the counter" will commonly run some $0.60 per shot and more. That's one of the reasons for the popularity of such as the AK, the Mini-14s and AR 15s, and the various .308s: Much cheaper ammo, particularly when purchased in bulk.

Art

[Mastrogiacomo]

I plan on getting the Ranger compact Winchester in a .357 but I've been considering getting the Trails End gun in the .30-30 -- just curious how it might kick...then again I just might get the Ranger and a 9422. :rolleyes:

[BeanTown]

Here is a link to an excellent article discussing the .357 vs. .30-30 lever Winchesters.

http://www.gunblast.com/Winchester-Ranger357.htm

-quote-
As far as power, the .357 Magnum using the right ammunition is in the same class as a good .30-30 load, while shooting a bullet of larger diameter. From a sixteen-inch barrel, factory thirty-thirty ammunition from the big ammo manufacturers drives a 170 grain bullet at just under 1900 feet-per-second (fps). The .357 Ranger Compact, with the same length barrel, drives a 180 grain bullet in excess of 1800 fps, and this too is using factory ammunition available from Buffalo Bore. I tested the Ranger Compact over the chronograph using a variety of factory ammunition, along with two handloads, with the following results:

Load Velocity (fps)
Grizzly Cartridge Co. 180-grain cast lead 1502
Buffalo Bore 180-grain cast lead 1812
Cor-Bon .38 Special 125-grain Jaketed Hollowpoint 1437
Handload 125-grain Jacketed Hollowpoint 2003
Handload 180-grain Hornady XTP Hollowpoint 1831

-end quote-

Good luck.

Beantown

[Mastrogiacomo]

I'm assuming that this gun is already set to accept a scope. So what a good, inexpensive choice? I'm thinking the Nikon Prostaff; 4x32 Field of View -- good choice?

[Tory]

"I'm assuming that this gun is already set to accept a scope."

BAD move. In point of fact, lever guns are RARELY "set to accept a scope." If that's what you really want, get a bolt gun.

Winchester did develop the "AE" (Angle Ejection) versions of its 94 for people who insist upon mounting glass on a cowboy gun, but a tang-mounted peep sight (think "Quigley Down Under") is far more authentic.

Oh - .30-30 ammo was on sale in your area for $7.95 a box last week. ;)

[wanderinwalker]

If you walk into a gunshop, or any place in N. America where they sell ammo, that doesn't sell .30-30 ammunition, I'd be pretty surprised. It is just about the standard lever-action deer rifle.

Recoil is nothing to worry about. I'm not masochist (though I have played one on TV ;) ) and I doubt there is a legal-rifle .30-30 light enough to be unpleasant to shoot. The original Winchester 94 lever rifle is very lightweight and handy and fairly pleasant to shoot. (If I put down the AR-15, the .30-30 might be even more pleasant.)

Scope? On a lever-action? Sure, it can be done, but it is almost sacriligeous. Get a good reciever sight and enjoy your lightweight, compact, easy handling, easy to shoot rifle.

Being in Massachussetts, I am assuming you aren't planning on using this deer hunting. If not, the .357 might be a better option, because as cheap as .30-30 can be found, .38 Special (for use in your .357 Magnum) is cheaper still.

[joab]

30-30 calibers -- How available? If they sell ammo at all they will have .22, .38, 30-06 and 30-30. If not look around you may have accidentally wandered into the 7-11

[g_gunter]

Scope? On a lever-action? Sure, it can be done, but it is almost sacriligeous. Get a good reciever sight and enjoy your lightweight, compact, easy handling, easy to shoot rifle.

I don't know? I kinda like my Marlin 30-30 with a scope. The good thing about Marlins is that mounting a scope is easy. My 30-30 is a great 225 yd. rifle. If I feel like showing off I can push it a bit further...like launching artillary. :D

g_gunter

[joab]

My 30-30 is a great 225 yd. rifle Really? I was told 150, 175 at the outside. I've only shot my scoped 336 a couple of times at no more than 50yds I live too city.
For some reason the scope on a Marlin doesn't look so bad. But scoping my 94 would be like putting a white wedding dress on Paris Hilton.
Just wrong.

[Mastrogiacomo]

Okay, maybe I'll just buy the gun and see how it does without the scope. If it works fine, then I've saved a bunch of money I can use to customize my Beretta Storm instead. :)

[longrifleman]

The .30-30 has mild recoil for a full sized(sorta) rifle cartdrige. Art's point on fit is right on. Most people of normal dimensions don't seem to have a problem with fit on either Marlins or Winchesters. I prefer Marlins.

One problem with factory loads that was in the previous info but not really pointed out is that the standard load is well below the capacity of a modern rifle. Way too many 100 yr old Winchesters still still being used and way too many lawyers lookin for work. If you want to get the most from a .30-30 you will need to reload yourself. I personally think the Marlin is a stronger action. The Winchester looks cooler.

Reciever peep, tang or scope is easy to do on a Marlin. Tang or peep work better on Winchesters. Side mounted scopes work but look ugly. Paris Hilton in white. HA HA

There is a difference between paper killing distance and deer killing distance.
Most experienced hunters I know consider 200 yds as the effective limit and at that range shot placement is critical. 100-150 yds is a more practical limit.

I've been know to hunt the elusive milk jug full of water with my Marlin at "more than a 100 yds". Trying to figure the proper elevation for the Marlin mortar is a fun way to burn up ammo. :D

[g_gunter]

Hi Joad.

Really? I was told 150, 175 at the outside. I've only shot my scoped 336 a couple of times at no more than 50yds I live too city.

I know what you mean. I thought the same thing until I realized that the ballistics show otherwise. Unfortunately, the 30-30 is sold short on this. Take a look at the following link where I was going through my initial sighting in period for my Marlin 336 with a scope. I have to say that my personal experience has shown the actual ballistics of my rifle and cartridge to approximate that of the included computer ballistics provided in the link.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=56914

Initially, I sighted my rifle in at a 50 yd. range per the computer ballistics and Winchester's ballistics chart using the Winchester 150 gr. round (the cheap ones at Walmart) and found I had to do only minor adjustments to zero it in at 150 yds. It should be just about right for a 175 yd. zero using the Remington Core Lokt ammo which is a bit hotter and shoots a bit higher than my Winchester.

Anyway, give it a try and have fun with it. It really gives you confidence in your weapon knowing what your old 30-30 can do at the different ranges with the various ammo.

By the way, when I shot my deer last season (185 yd. heart shot) the bullet went clean through and left a 1" exit wound. The bullet did its job. You can't ask it to do anymore than that.

g_gunter

[g_gunter]

Sorry, I meant "Joab".

Typo.

g_gunter

[countertop]

If you walk into a gunshop, or any place in N. America where they sell ammo, that doesn't sell .30-30 ammunition, I'd be pretty surprised. It is just about the standard lever-action deer rifle.


Here's one place for you that doesn't - The NRA's Headquarters Range in Fairfax, Virginia.

Despite my weekly pleas, they still do not stock .30.30

Its the only place I know that sells rifle ammo (and they sell a bunch) that doesn't.

[wanderinwalker]

Here's one place for you that doesn't - The NRA's Headquarters Range in Fairfax, Virginia.

Despite my weekly pleas, they still do not stock .30.30

Its the only place I know that sells rifle ammo (and they sell a bunch) that doesn't.

Ok, then label me surprised! :what:

[MrMurphy]

The .357 in a levergun has very little recoil. You also get ten of them at a time, and at close range, it makes a formidable antipersonnel rifle. The .30-30 is primarily a hunting round. It's reasonably cheap to shoot, but does have more recoil, on the level of other .30 caliber rifles (You'll "NOTICE!" especially if I remember right, and you're a small woman... it's controllable, but noticeable.) The .357 is a pistol round, in a six to eight pound carbine, so while it thumps, it doesn't thump much. For range use, and out to 100-150 yard fun-gunning, this will certainly do the job. It will even do a deer with a heavy bullet at short and medium ranges.

I wouldn't scope a levergun. I had a Marlin 336 in .30-30 with a scope and while fun to shoot, just didn't feel right. If I kept it, I'd have put a reciever aperature sight on it.

.38 Specials and .357 Magnums for FMJ range rounds are generally $10 for 50. 30-30 is generally $8-12 for 20. You pick.

[countertop]

eeer, nevermind

[Poohgyrr]

NRA doesn't sell 30-30???

Whoaaaaaa, that's almost un 'merican !!!

[Vern Humphrey]

NRA doesn't sell 30-30???

Whoaaaaaa, that's almost un 'merican !!!

The NRA doesn't sell ANY ammunition. You're thinking of the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) which sells surplus arms and ammunition from the government.

[countertop]

The NRA doesn't sell ANY ammunition. You're thinking of the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) which sells surplus arms and ammunition from the government.

I'm thinking the NRA which sells a ton of ammo out of the store at the HQ Range (http://nrahq.org/shootingrange/nrahqrange/).

[Vern Humphrey]

I'm thinking the NRA which sells a ton of ammo out of the store at the HQ Range (http://nrahq.org/shootingrange/nrahqrange/).

Ah, there. Why not ask WHY they don't sell .30-30?

I suspect there are two reasons -- first, it's not a target round, and second, the surrounding area is all shotgun-only for deer season.

[countertop]

Ah, there. Why not ask WHY they don't sell .30-30?

I suspect there are two reasons -- first, it's not a target round, and second, the surrounding area is all shotgun-only for deer season.

Nope. No one knows. They certainly have enough of it fired at the range.
And I only have to drive 15 minutes to be in rifle country.

Just a purchasing quirk, I guess.

[Vern Humphrey]

Nope. No one knows. They certainly have enough of it fired at the range.
And I only have to drive 15 minutes to be in rifle country.

Just a purchasing quirk, I guess.

Then you might suggest they start selling it.

While you're at it, do they let you pick up brass? I find that many people who shoot .30-30 don't reload, and you can fill a bucket with once-fired brass in the week or so before hunting season.

[countertop]

Then you might suggest they start selling it.

While you're at it, do they let you pick up brass? I find that many people who shoot .30-30 don't reload, and you can fill a bucket with once-fired brass in the week or so before hunting season.

I've suggested it about a dozen times, and each time they agree they should and wonder why they don't. It could be because they can't compete with the prices at Wal Mart down the street (or Galyans) but people buy plenty of other ammo there.


Yes, you can pick up all the brass you want.
Lots and lots of brass available if you want it, but most is swept into the fire lanes so you have to be there when they close to really go brass hunting.

They only thing you can't do is shoot a shotgun with shot (slugs are ok) and you cant shoot at images of people (for political reasons).

Pretty much anything else is ok. Calibers up to .460 Weatherby Magnum (BOOOOMING), full auto, etc. The targets are the only problem I have with the place - but I understand their concern.

[Vern Humphrey]

I've suggested it about a dozen times, and each time they agree they should and wonder why they don't. It could be because they can't compete with the prices at Wal Mart down the street (or Galyans) but people buy plenty of other ammo there.

Well that seems to be a logical, explanable reason.

Yes, you can pick up all the brass you want.
Lots and lots of brass available if you want it, but most is swept into the fire lanes so you have to be there when they close to really go brass hunting.

I've found that it doesn't take many sessions to gather up a lifetime supply of brass. When I was working in Michigan, I used to gather up brass and got about 600 once-fired .30-30 cases in a few weeks.

[Desert Dog]

Like others have said here, any sporting goods related store, or Wal-Mart or equivalent always have these rifle calibers:

30-06
.308
.270
30-30

These are the all-American calibers. :D
Recoil is moderate if you use 170 grain bullets but really nice with 150's. Yes, there are some rather sharp edged buttplates on some...

Good luck!

Art said:
While I'm not particularly sensitive to recoil, neither am I a masochist. I've not fired any rifle which uses a pistol cartridge and noticed any significant recoil.
Art, have I got some .45 Colt loads for you... :what:

Mike