30-30 did it again

[Roadkill]

Marlin 336, 30g IMR 4895, 150g soft point, 75 yard shot from 30' up in a pine tree, result is a dead dead deer. Still ran about 100 yds up a hill after a lung shot though. Just finished putting it into the freezer. Went yesterday, nearly got blown out of tree by the wind and rain, went again this morning, stayed out all day, got the shot at 3:30. Patience pays off. Will be going out for number two tomorrow.

rk

 

[22-rimfire]

Congratulations. The 30-30 gets a bad rap for the most part (even by me at times). BUT, it is a great woods rifle for whitetail deer. There is something nostalgic about using a lever action rifle and they work just fine.

 

[countertop]

I love my Marlin 336. Its light, accurate, can pack more than enough firepower (1 in the chamber and 6 in the mag). Sure, its not going to reach out and touch something 500 yards away, but then, when was the last time anyone had a 500 yard shot - or even a 200 yard shot - in the thick woods/brush of the east coast.

Plus, if you hunt in the hils/mountains, its ideal for hiking up and down. Fits just fine and gets a real quick sight picture with a speedy follow up shot it needed.

Not to mention it is gorgeous to look at.

 

[EVIL5LITER]

I believe the .30-30 has to be one of the five most underrated rounds of all time, without a doubt in my mind.

 

[Roadkill]

I started deer hunting two years ago (I'm 54), have shot five with the 30-30,
this one ran the furthest, the rest died within 20 yds of getting hit. Granted, the shots were reatively close (max was 150 yds) but I'm serious about placement. I want the animal to die quickly. I could use a .30-06,8mm,
.303, .223, .308, 12ga, 7.62x54, 7.7, or 7.62x39, but for straight out deer hunting the 30-30 is a solid knock them down round. I smoked the shoulders for ten hours and does my stomach hurt. I plan on getting two more this year.
Will continue to use the 30-30. The marlin 336 is a perfect climbing stand gun.

rk

 

[critter]

I have taken several deer with my TC Contender in 30-30 and handloads. Believe me, the 30-30 is a deer killer indeed! Do your part and it will do its thing!

BTW, congrats!

 

[Matt G]

I believe the .30-30 has to be one of the five most underrated rounds of all time, without a doubt in my mind.

Agreed. In the same breath, I will say that the .30-30 is one of the most overrated rounds of all times. The point is, it's absolutely appropriate for the type of shot that Roadkill made here (Congratulations!). So long as people keep the appropriate limitations of the caliber in mind, the .30-30 is a great deer-killer, in a handy package. While I hear great things about the new rubber-tipped rounds that Hornady is putting out for lever actions, I would have to say that for most of us, 175 to 200 yards is the outside edge of the .30-30 range. That's not such a limitation, when you consider that the vast majority of deer are killed within 100 yards.

I'm a bit ashamed to say that I don't own one, of any variety. Positively un-American!

 

[Nathanael_Greene]

The word is getting out.

I'm an inveterate pawnshop cruiser, and I've noticed that lately, it's harder and harder to find nice, cheap lever actions, especially Marlins.

I've talked to the store managers, and they all say the same thing--they can't keep lever actions on the shelves. They put one out, and someone buys it right away.

Good thing I bought a few dozen while I had the chance! (Slight exaggeration there.)

But Matt, I'll sell you one of mine to fill that hole in your collection.

And Roadkill, if you don't mind my asking, what made you decide to take up deer hunting?

I ask because I'm in my 40's and trying to get started in deer hunting. It's kind of tough here in Texas because leases are so expensive and guided hunts even more so.

I'm trying to get a doe hunt as a learning (and eating) experience; what else would you recommend I try? (In terms of other hunting experience, I've done some dove, duck, pheasant, and hog hunting.)

Thanks....

 

[lawson]

i love my marlin 336. the .30-30 is perfect at 100 yds.

just make sure you have a round chambered before you leave camp. i lost a 30 yard shot because the buck ran off at the sound of my lever. i learned my lesson.

 

[Roadkill]

Nathaniel Greene, I got started when an older gentleman asked me to go down to south Alabama with him on a deer hunting trip, being in his 70s he didn't want to go alone, I went, he shot a deer, gave it to me. Tasted good. I've been hunting coyotes for fifteen or so years, I just kinda switched to deer during season and stay with the coyotes the rest of the time. Another factor is there are great areas nearby where I can hunt for free. There is a huge wildlife refuge and larger tracts of TVA land available within 15 minutes of home. I have a canoe with a 2hp motor so I cruise out to the really inaccessible islands and have fun. I only shoot what I can eat, so two large deer or so is my limit. I got the Marlin 336 and a climbing stand specificallly for deer hunting, everything else I already had for coyotes.


rk