30-30 or 35 Remington?

Palladan44 · Nov 20, 2020

Have had both of these rifles for many years, and have used them interchangeably for Short to Mid range "woods" deer hunting. Both Marlin model 336s

Ive never given thought to performance advantages of each, just really thought they are "basically the same". Speculated that the 35 remington might be a better if you have to "shoot through sticks and brush" if needed, but i havnt done that stupid stuff since i was a teenager.

I feel like a 30-30 creates a slightly better wound, where the 35 makes a slightly bigger hole, but not as much damage, less mushrooming of bullet and a little deeper penetration.

I think ive answered my own question here, but maybe theres more input out there..... I feel like this is like comparing 40 s&w to 45ACP, could go in circles forever...also, never are these guns fired past 100 yards, nor do i care how they perform past that range.
I have a 300 WSM for open stands, probably more range, power and accuracy there than id ever need for whitetail deer, but its a great round for stopping deer in their tracks (300 WSM). Works every time

Hookeye · Nov 20, 2020

Rimmed cartidges and lever guns aint my thing.

.35 in a pump is.

Trigger hand doesn't move.
Magazine is detach, not tube.

Think the cartridge looks nicer.
Am no history buff or western fan.

Buddy loves his 35 rem Marlin.
Loves his trapper 30--30 Winchester too.

Garandimal · Nov 20, 2020

All things being equal - the .35 will set up and transfer energy better.

GR

351 WINCHESTER · Nov 20, 2020

I much prefer the .30-30 for deer. Less recoil, faster follow up shots if needed, cheaper ammo and more ammo availability. I have shot many deer with a 150 sp or hp and brand does not make a difference. If shot placement is good the deer usually goes down, but hardly ever runs very far.

Palladan44 · Nov 20, 2020

351 WINCHESTER said:
I much prefer the .30-30 for deer. Less recoil, faster follow up shots if needed, cheaper ammo and more ammo availability. I have shot many deer with a 150 sp or hp and brand does not make a difference. If shot placement is good the deer usually goes down, but hardly ever runs very far.

I agree with you. Also I have had similar results with the .35 as well.

Hog huntin Harry · Nov 20, 2020

I prefer 30-30 for the greater B.C, S.D, ammo selection, and ammo availability.

Hokkmike · Nov 20, 2020

I see .30-30 at most every little gun shop I am in. (although not lately)

gotboostvr · Nov 20, 2020

I'll take the 35rem please. They both shoot well at iron sight distance without a big advantage to either or, recoil isn't too much with the 35.

I reload so cost/availability isn't a huge issue and I've got plenty of cheap 35cal pistol bullets to play with on hand already.

JeeperCreeper · Nov 20, 2020

30-30 for lever

35 Rem for pump

But that's just me

BigBlue 94 · Nov 20, 2020

30 Herrett or 357 Herrett? Lol just joshing. But 30-30 and 35 rem are what those were set to duplicate out of a 10" contender barrel.

30-30 is probably more versatile, but i think both are well suited to scrub brush and deer sized quarry.

Hookeye · Nov 20, 2020

In the timber, the .35 hammers deer.
Does not hammer the shooter though.
Ammo is more expensive and harder to find.
Both popular here, my LGS and a couple nearby stock .35 rem.
Of course right now, the silliness and deer season..........they are out of both.
I keep 10 boxes of factory in reserve

Driftertank · Nov 20, 2020

I have a .35 caliber fetish.

Although, sadly, i sold off my .358Win AR parts in the name of pragmatism when things started getting stupid this year.

Good news is, i know it went to a good home; "Thumper" was reassembled into a buddy's receiver set and he's planning to use it to harvest some venison soon.

BigBlue 94 · Nov 20, 2020

35cal is a big 9mm... And we all know that 9mm is the ultimate 2 legged snake caliber since the internet says so. So a 9mm ultra magnum, i.e. 35rem, ought to put down anything on earth right?

d2wing · Nov 20, 2020

I have both and slightly prefer the 30-30 lever action. Pretty much I like carrying the lever action better and the ammo issues above. The 30-30 may shoot a little flatter but I am not sure. My dad prefered the .35 Remington and he made great shots with it. I guess whatever you prefer. Both of them are effective cartridges.

jmr40 · Nov 20, 2020

I have both. The debate over which is best has been raging since at least the 1970's when I started hunting. But today neither are commonly used where I live. I've never observed a bit of difference. In the real world a 35 caliber hole isn't that much bigger than a 30 caliber hole. Especially when you start looking at the diameter of expanded bullets. A 170 gr 30 caliber bullet will penetrate deeper than a 200 gr 35 caliber bullet. But on deer size game, and typical black bear either will easily give complete penetration.

If based on performance alone I like 30-30 a little better. IME they have tended to be a little more accurate, are usable at slightly longer range, a bit less recoil, and ammo is easily available. The 35 Rem is all but dead. If 35 Rem. were truly significantly better than 30-30 it would still be around.

But at the same time I'd not feel the least bit handicapped with a 35 (other than finding ammo). The 35 Rem wins on panache.

earlthegoat2 · Nov 20, 2020

If your going to shoot a lot, 30-30. If your going to hunt a lot, 35 Rem.

.....and they are basically the same as far as ballistics.

I like the 35 Rem because it is not so boring. It gives the average Marlin a little more intrigue. So not a real reason but that is what I’m sticking to.

troy fairweather · Nov 20, 2020

35 Remington any day over the 3030, I like shooting the 3030 but if I want meat on the table I pick the 35 every time. The 35 hits above its weight, and may not look to impressive in paper but the the 35 has a magic sweet spot.

IdaD · Nov 20, 2020

I'd go 30-30. I don't hunt with it but I own two of them and they are nice shooters with limited recoil. Neither caliber is a good choice for the areas I hunt due to the potential for longer shots in the 300 yard and up range. No reason to deal with more recoil and more expensive and harder to find ammo on what to me are plinking guns.

Meeks36 · Nov 20, 2020

This is easy do you reload? If so the 35. Dont reload and have no plans. Then 30-30.

Hookeye · Nov 20, 2020

In Indiana, trimming the .35 rem to 1.8" makes it public land deer legal (no straight wall mandate).

But I hunt mostly private land. So .30-30 or .35.............I choose a cinder block.
Because........they all are gonna end up equally as successful.

Yup, our spot is crap this yr.

troy fairweather · Nov 20, 2020

3030 has been impossible to get here for months, 35 rem in the few shops I go.

JT-AR-MG42 · Nov 20, 2020

My 141 .35 Remington, using 39grs. 4320 with the 200gr. RN interlock, is my number one brush/close country gun.
Never had to follow up with a second shot yet.

troy fairweather said:
The 35 hits above its weight,

Absolutely!

JT

troy fairweather · Nov 20, 2020

JT-AR-MG42 said:
My 141 .35 Remington, using 39grs. 4320 with the 200gr. RN interlock, is my number one brush/close country gun.
Never had to follow up with a second shot yet.

Absolutely!

JT

The 141 in 35 is about perfect in the woods, wish I didn't have to sell mine

MacAR · Nov 20, 2020

Never had a .35, not very popular down here it seems. I do own a 30WCF; no complaints thru the years and don't recall needing a second shot. To me, the 1894 Winchester is the ideal thick brush/ deer driving rifle. For anything else, I'll take my '06.

Mac

Boattale · Nov 20, 2020

I wish I was as good as a .30-30. Or a .35.

30-30 or 35 Remington?

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