.30-30 Winchester Really That Popular?

[Cosmoline]

I'm looking for a good history of the cartridge. Somebody ought to write one if it hasn't been done yet. IIRC it was the first white powder cartridge to hit the North American market, and it was considered the best thing since sliced toast for many decades as a result. It was the basis for many legends. I can't recall where I heard this but supposedly a number of monster brown bears in Canada who had shrugged off hits from black powder rounds over the years fell overnight to new Winchester '94's with .30/30 white powder rounds in them. The trajectory, too, must have seemed magically flat, even if it's pretty arched by today's standards.

I think part of the continuing popularity goes back to this time in the late 19th and early 20th century. It's hard to imagine any cartridge today making a similar explosive impact on the shooting public's imagination. You'd have to invent a whole new propellant to do it.

 

[444]

"I'm looking for a good history of the cartridge. Somebody ought to write one if it hasn't been done yet. "

Handloader magazine has a column every month where they take one cartridge, give it's history and basically discuss that one cartridge for the whole collumn. I belive they did the .30-30 within the last year.
You might also want to check into the book; Cartridges of the World.
African Game Trails by Teddy Roseveldt also makes mention of it.

 

[seeker_two]

Too bad a .30-30 isn't considered a viable police carbine.

Quite a few of the Texas Rangers would disagree with you, there...

 

[artherd]

I already have a .30-06, and for that matter a bolt-action .338 Lapua Magnum.

I'm lusting after Win 94s in .30-30. Seem like just about the classic 'rifle' to just have around, nearby, all the time.

It's a full blown rifle caliber weapon in a very easy-handling package. Great for vehicle/truck-gun use.

Basically, if you've got a problem you really can't solve with a .30-30 lever-action, then you need close air support.

 

[Cosmoline]

Actually I was thinking of a book-length treatment.

My main problem with the cartridge is the limitation on bullet weight. I prefer the .30-40 Krag because it does well with very heavy bullets and consequently is more viable against larger game than the .30-30. I just wish they made a levergun for the Krag, other than the rare and expensive '95's. Something like a Savage 99.

 

[tex_n_cal]

One thing I have noticed is that when you hunt a stand, muzzle blast does affect the deer in the area. I took a doe one evening with my .300 Savage, then a nice buck in the same spot the next morning. When I shot in the same area with my .270, the deer cleared out for several days. I guess burning 60 grains of powder versus 42 grains in the .300 Savage makes a difference!

I don't own a .30-30 as I like my .300 Savage Model 99(which can take a scope and pointed bullets). The caliber though, is plenty accurate and effective, and the rifles are light and handy. I'll own one someday.