30-30 or 44 mag

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If you look at it, as been mentioned:uhoh:

Maybe for this person the 44 Mag is a better choice:)

Reloading the 44 you do have a lot of choices, also...:what:
 
It's interesting that some folks think the .44Mag is unpleasant in a rifle. I shot and hunted with .30-30's long before I got my first .44Mag. When I did, I was shocked that it was not only pleasant to shoot with less recoil than the old .30WCF but that the muzzle blast was also very mild.

The slow twist Marlins do tend to do well up to 300gr. My "S" model has an unreasonable fondness for 270gr Gold Dots and that is an excellent game bullet for critters up to elk.
 
Hornady .30/30 Win, 170 gr InterLock FP
Test Barrel (24")
Velocity (fps) / Energy (ft-lbs)
Muzzle...............100.............200............300
2200/1827.....1796/1218.....1450/793.....1186/530

Trajectory (inches)
Muzzle.....100........200........300
-1.50.......0.00.....-9.40.....-35.70

Hornady .44 Mag 225 gr FTX LEVERevolution
Rifle (20" Barrel)
Velocity (fps) / Energy (ft-lbs)
Muzzle...............50................100
1870/1747.....1629/1325......1416/1002

Trajectory (inches)
Muzzle.....50........100........200........300
-1.5....... 0.9........0.0......-16.2......-60.0
Click to expand...

How many '94s have you seen with a 24" tube? Figure on loosing 100-120 FPS for a normal 20" .30-30 levergun
 
Actually, quite a few--lever action rifles not carbines.

Rare Winchesters - http://www.rarewinchesters.com/gunroom/1894/model_94.shtml
Winchester Arms Collectors - http://www.winchestercollector.org/guns/1894.shtml

Also try the Savage Model 99 and Marlin 336 in lever; Winchester Model 54, Savage Models 340 and 840 and the Remington 788 all bolt actions; Winchester 1885 HiWall as well as Ballard, Stevens et al in single shots...Oh, I nearly forgot, the Marlin Model 1895 Cowboy (26")...Take a look at some of the rifle and carbine length Italian imports by Cimarron, Taylor, Uberti, Pedersoli that are available.

If you got a problem with the data then complain to the manufacture, Hornady, since all five of the loadings available by them are based on a 24" barrel.

It also seems that the other ammo makers are using similar length barrels since Federal lists their 170 gr SP RN and the Nosler Partition at 2200 fps and 1827 ft/lbs, Remington 170 gr Core Lokt and Fiocchi FSP are also listed the same...Sellier & Bellot list only a 150 gr at 728 mps (2388 fps) from a 60cm (23.62") barrel...Winchester also only offers a 150 gr PowerMax Bonded at with no "at muzzle" velocity just at 100 yds of 2028 fps but the energy is at muzzle 1902 ft/lbs--go figure?
 
The OP mentions a post 64 win 94

That pretty much by default means a 20" barrel which will put you in the 2100fps range with 170's and mid 2200 with 150"s


But what do I know about 30/30's I've only owned 2 savage 340's, 1 rem 788, 2 marlin 336's, a pre 64 winny AND a 10" BFR revolver.

BTW the bolt guns both had very slow 22" bbls one 340 wouldn't break 1950fps with factory rem 170g ammo. So take manufacturers stated velocities for 30/30 with a HUGE grain of salt


Tapatalk post via IPhone.
 
I load my 30-30 with 125 grain HP from 2150 fps to 2550 fps. Let me tell you also that I own a Ruger SBH that shoots MO Cast Bullet Keith 240 grain Lead. I am fimiliar with both calibers. Although one is pistol and the other rifle, but I think that the 125 grain HP from a 30-30 in the velocity range I have mentioned is a deadly deer getter. I know it is. When I stopped using 150-170 fp/rn bullets, and switched to these. The tracking deer stopped.

I am looking for a .44 Stainless 1864 to match my Ruger, but just for looks and fun. If I want to go serious with a lever gun, I choose the 30-30 with my hand loads using Sierra 125 grain HPs, and the party is over for whatever I take aim on.

What I am saying is you can make the 30-30 whatever you want it to be. Lead with pistol powder, lighter rounds at blazing speed with a 110 Speer HP and H335 for a 2650 fps laser beam, a super duper .30 cal using IMR3031/H4895/IMR4895/VVN120 using the 125 grain Sierra HP, or you can shoot the good old 170 grain Winchester Silver Tips to the classic 170 grain Federals which are a great and accurate bullet.
Take a 12 gauge 00 buck shot ball with pistol powder, and you have a plinker on the real cheap.
The 30-30 is a much more versatile rifle than the .44 Mag (Pistol Cartridge) out of a rifle.

From my calculations you can load the 30-30 with bullet weights from 53.8 gr to 190 grains. Kinda like the good old 30-06. You just gotta have the means and know how to do it.
 
I don't know that I'd load it in the magazine tube.:what: Single shot.
 
I own both a Marlin 336 and the 1894. For Ga woods hunting here, either works great, rarely a shot over 75 yards. 240gr JHP XTP makes a big hole and will put them down cleanly. I wouldn't hesitate to use either. Ditto for hogs.

The 44 Mag gets shot about 3-4x as often. I reload, and I can load 150 rounds of 44 Mag in an hour, but that would take me at least 4 hours to reload 30-30. Straight wall pistol are quick to reload and rarely need case prep like bottle neck rifle cartridges.
 
+1 on the reloading time. Knocking out .44 Magnums is a breeze compared to necked down rifle.
Each has its advantage. I think I would enjoy shooting a 1894 or other .44 Mag lever gun a lot. So I am looking to add one in the next 2 to 4 years, but loading down the 30-30 to 2150 fps with a 125 grain HP is recoil free (think .223 from an AR), and is a hoot.
 
Machivshooter said:
Not true. A heavy .44 load (such as offered by Buffalo Bore) out of a carbine will eclipse the .30-30 in energy and penetration, at the cost of a more curved trajectory.
Click to expand...

Which Buffalo Bore .44's have more energy than a .30-30? Most .30-30's are well over 1800 ft-lb, many are over 2000. Most powerful Buffalo Bore .44's I can find are here, at 1650 ft-lb.

http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=9
 
Which Buffalo Bore .44's have more energy than a .30-30? Most .30-30's are well over 1800 ft-lb, many are over 2000. Most powerful Buffalo Bore .44's I can find are here, at 1650 ft-lb.
Click to expand...
Muzzle energy is meaningless. If you believe in energy, you would believe that the original .45Colt load, consisting of a 255gr at 900fps would bounce off a 100lb deer. No, energy does not tell us much and the .44Mag is capable of taking larger game than the .30-30.
 
Sorry, I must have had typing problems. Didn't remember typing that a 44 wouldn't kill a deer. If you don't believe in energy, try not paying your electric bill for a couple of months.

Machivshooter specifically said (please read the quote):

A heavy .44 load (such as offered by Buffalo Bore) out of a carbine will eclipse the .30-30 in energy
Click to expand...

See where he said "energy"?

I was merely asking him for a reference.
 
I am now the owner of an 1894 octagon 44 mag. As it turns out the 30-30 was already gone. And since I 'inherited' it I have absolutely nothing to complain about.
 
OP already has a .270 and a .30-06; he's got the hunting bases covered. If the choice were between the .44 mag and the .30-30 as a primary hunting rifle, I'd opt for the latter.

But since he already has a couple of excellent hunting cartridges, I'd vote .44 mag Marlin all the way ... especially if he also has a .44 mag revolver. The .44 is a great cartridge with all kinds of potential, especially if one reloads. In that case, one can load very mild plinking loads using inexpensive hard cast bullets up to hard-hitting hunting loads. Just a full all-around cartridge!
 
Wow, you posted just as I was typing my reply. Good outcome! And the octagon barrel has real class. Good get!
 
Muzzle energy is meaningless. If you believe in energy, you would believe that the original .45Colt load, consisting of a 255gr at 900fps would bounce off a 100lb deer. No, energy does not tell us much and the .44Mag is capable of taking larger game than the .30-30.
Click to expand...

To further that line of thinking, a 100 grain bullet from a .243 will have approximately 1615 ft/lbs of energy at 100 yards. A 405 grain bullet at 100 yards will only have 1227 ft/lbs of energy.

The scenario: The moose of a lifetime is standing 100 yards away and the only two guns available are a .243 and a 45/70. Which of the two is the better choice for the task at hand?
 
45_auto said:
Which Buffalo Bore .44's have more energy than a .30-30? Most .30-30's are well over 1800 ft-lb, many are over 2000. Most powerful Buffalo Bore .44's I can find are here, at 1650 ft-lb.

http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=9
Click to expand...

I'm on the iPhone right now so I don't have access to EXACT numbers but from a carbine middle of the road 240g loads will do 1850 FPS + and in the process generate 1800+ ft lbs


Tapatalk post via IPhone.
 
I am now the owner of an 1894 octagon 44 mag. As it turns out the 30-30 was already gone. And since I 'inherited' it I have absolutely nothing to complain about.
Click to expand...

Congratulations:)

I'm on the iPhone right now so I don't have access to EXACT numbers but from a carbine middle of the road 240g loads will do 1850 FPS + and in the process generate 1800+ ft lbs
Click to expand...

That is what 440 Corbon puts out in the 240 grain I shoot in my Desert Eagle 10'' barrel...Not sure the 44Mag has that kind of power:uhoh:
SAAMI specs :)
 
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RUGER 96 44 MAG Ruger_96.jpg Winchester 94 30-30 forky4fin.jpg

I own carbines chambered for both cartridges and have taken many animals with them as well. For shots out to about 85 yards or so, the mighty 44 is tough to beat in the performance department. It makes big holes with Hornady XTP hollow tips. Paper figures on ballistic charts do not reveal this massive tissue damage and resulting effect. In many areas of America, 85 yards is a long shot due to thickly forested woodlands. I feel that 44 MAG is quite the smart choice for these conditions.

44 Special is sub-sonic yet is quite accurate at close range. This is an excellent no recoil plinking ammo. Many 44 MAG carbines can shoot this cartridge quite well.

30-30 is my favorite for spot & stalk hunting in the forests and foothills. I've toppled deer well past 150 yards with deadly effect. The newer ammo by Hornady shows great promise of extending the lethal reach to beyond 200 yards. Simply stated, the 30-30 has been an outstanding hunting cartridge for over 100 years and that's because of its performance at typical hunting distances.

Hoping this is helpful.

TR
 
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Like T.R. I own and hunt with both cartridges. When the vegetation is going to be thick and shot oppotunities will be <100yd I take the .44 carbine (marlin 1894SS). The rest of the time I use the .30/30 and it has never let me down.

I reload for my .44 using a full load of H110 behind a 240gr XTP-HP, I figure that this is good for about 1800fps or so. Very few loads will get above 1800fps while the vast majority will get about 1700fps to 1750fps from a 20" barrel.

When the H110 is gone I'm switching over to 2400 so I don't have to keep buying Magnum Primers all the time. Besides 2400 and a 240gr bullet is going to take care of anything I'll ever hunt whether it is deer, pig, or black bear.
 
Harley Quinn said:
Congratulations:)



That is what 440 Corbon puts out in the 240 grain I shoot in my Desert Eagle 10' barrel...Not sure the 44Mag has that kind of power:uhoh:
SAAMI specs :)
Click to expand...
http://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=232

1. 1935 fps -- Marlin 1894 20 inch 1918 ft lbs

2. 1897 fps -- Marlin 1894 18 inch

3. 1871 fps -- Marlin 1894 16.5 inch

4. 1578 fps -- Ruger Super Blackhawk 5.5 inch

5. 1535 fps -- Ruger Redhawk 5.5 inch

6. 1466 fps -- S&W MT Gun 4 inch
Click to expand...

im sure other loads hit 1800ft lbs from a carbine too but the problem is only buffalo bore gives you actual firearm results
 
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