Which is better 30-30 or 44mag with hardcast bullets from 18-20" barrel?
- Thread starter Glamdring
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jjmorgan64
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For applicable ranges with hardcast bullets I would go for the bigger hole.
Clemson
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With factory ammunition the 30-30 holds a very substantial edge. Beyond 100 yards that edge is even more pronounced.
Remington has a program on its website that will allow you to compare up to three centerfire cartridges' ballistics. Both the .44 magnum and the 30-30 are shown with 20 inch barrels. There is no comparison in trajectory. The 30-30 is a lazer beam compared to the .44.
Clemson
Remington has a program on its website that will allow you to compare up to three centerfire cartridges' ballistics. Both the .44 magnum and the 30-30 are shown with 20 inch barrels. There is no comparison in trajectory. The 30-30 is a lazer beam compared to the .44.
Clemson
Hutch
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Clemson, I think he was more interested in opinions about terminal ballistics comparisons, given hard-cast bullets in both guns.
Shooter973
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Better?
I shoot both of these types of lever rifles. I Think its about an even trade off. The 30-30 is a longer bullet and flies a little better than the shorter stubby 44 cal bullet but the 44 has a weight advantage. They about even out. Both are fine and a lot of fun, choose the one you like the best or reload the most for. I shoot the same loads in my 44 mag handguns as I do in the rifle's and it is just fine.
I shoot both of these types of lever rifles. I Think its about an even trade off. The 30-30 is a longer bullet and flies a little better than the shorter stubby 44 cal bullet but the 44 has a weight advantage. They about even out. Both are fine and a lot of fun, choose the one you like the best or reload the most for. I shoot the same loads in my 44 mag handguns as I do in the rifle's and it is just fine.
Mannlicher
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Frankly, I do not see any difference in results when comparing the 30/30 and .44 Mag from rifles.
I have shot a deer at ranges within 75 yards with both. I like the 170 grain WW Silvertip in my Marlin 30/30, and the Speer 270 grain JSP in the Marlin 1894.
Both kill deer with a single bullet. Both are reliable killers, and accurate enough for me.
I say be comfortable hunting with either of them.
The 30/30 Ackley is another story, outclassing both the 30/30 and .44 mag/
I have shot a deer at ranges within 75 yards with both. I like the 170 grain WW Silvertip in my Marlin 30/30, and the Speer 270 grain JSP in the Marlin 1894.
Both kill deer with a single bullet. Both are reliable killers, and accurate enough for me.
I say be comfortable hunting with either of them.
The 30/30 Ackley is another story, outclassing both the 30/30 and .44 mag/
Preacherman
Member
I'd also go with the bigger hole for hard-cast lead bullets. I'd also make sure those bullets had a gas check, otherwise leading at carbine velocities (even with hard-cast bullets) may well be severe...
I was thinking of harcast bullets used vs large big game (Bull Elk, Moose), which to be honest is pushing either cartridge past it's true nich IMHO.
With any kind of softpoint or HP you would have serious problems with underpenetration on big critters. So I thought a 30-30 with hardcast flat tip bullet in the 170 yo 180 grain range or a 44 mag with 300 grain hardcast bullet might work.
With any kind of softpoint or HP you would have serious problems with underpenetration on big critters. So I thought a 30-30 with hardcast flat tip bullet in the 170 yo 180 grain range or a 44 mag with 300 grain hardcast bullet might work.
With hard cast I'd rather have a .44, but if we change that to just cast bullets, I'd take the .30-30. What I would then do is load it as a single shot with 220 gr. gas checked bullets (the Lyman 311284 comes to mind) of medium hardness at 1700-1800 fps. It would both expand and penetrate very well.
The 220 gr. bullets are too long to work through the action but can be used for the round in the chamber.
The 220 gr. bullets are too long to work through the action but can be used for the round in the chamber.
I've shot lead bullets in my Remington 788 and assorted .44 lever actions for about 20+ years. The 170 grain Lead gas checked bullet out performs the .44 magnum at any range over 75 yards. The 30/30 is a joy to shoot and reload and in any action, much more accurate than the .44 magnum especially at 150-200 yards.
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