Bolt-Action 30-30

[Dylon Fisher]

My dads friend just gave me a bolt action 30-30. I never heard of one of those before. It was in pretty rough condition but, i got in alright condition know. I was just wondering if anyone ever heard of one of these. Its a savage 325-c

 

[Freedom_fighter_in_IL]

Dylon, If memory serves me correctly (and I my age that can be hit or miss) that is not a Savage but a Stevens. That there rifle was made before the buyout. I had one many moons ago. It was short, light, and very handy little rifle. But overall the LOP was just too small for my size. I just did better with a Lever in that particular cartridge. The bolt action did give us reloaders the advantage of being able to load up spire point which you can't do in lever actions (mag tube type not the box fed). All in all the one I had was a decent little shooter and worked well but it just didn't fit me well enough to keep. Ended up giving it to one of my cousins that was built a hell of a lot smaller than I. If memory serves, I do believe he still has it! He, like I, doesn't get rid of a firearm that he likes.

As far as value is concerned, in good condition it is worth around $200 or so, give or take $50. A picture is worth 1000 words! Post one if you wouldn't mind and I may possibly be able to help you a little more.

 

[mgmorden]

I've got one that I picked up from a small shop a few years ago for $99. Being a bolt action its not really anymore accurate than my Marlin 336, but overall I still like it. I'd rather have a Remington 788 in .30-30, but those cost a good deal more .

 

[Dylon Fisher]

i wasn't planning on selling it. Its just a temporary rifle until i get enough money to buy a .270.

 

[Abel]

They are nice little rifles. It will kill a deer just as dead as a 270 will inside of 150 yards or so.

 

[Ro1911]

I got my first deer with that exact gun.

Decent shooter

 

[BCCL]

Just sold one a few months ago, if it's a "325" it should be a Stevens, they were made from about 1947-1950, then became the Savage "340" model.

Mine was in great condition and went for $250.00.

 

[Dr.Rob]

I have an Uncle that still hunts with one. It's a neat little rifle.

 

[me&my2boys]

I still hunt with a Savage 340 my dad handed down to me. Nice rifle for anything under 150 yards. Mine holds a 1" group at 100 yards with cheap store bought ammo. I have gotten it down to a nickle sized group with some good reloads

 

[me&my2boys]

"i wasn't planning on selling it. Its just a temporary rifle until i get enough money to buy a .270."

I would prefer mine over my son's Remington Model 700 .270 every day. I like the feel of it better than the remington

 

[LoonWulf]

I want one, i handled a friends and i really like it. Im not a big fan of carbine type rifles either, i like long guns, but his (840 i think) handled wonderfully and was accurate, handloaded with 125grn BTs id be comfortable out to 250 with that gun. As much of a wast of money and time as it might be, id like to get one to rebarrel and chamber to 7-30 waters.

 

[dprice3844444]

great beginner gun for the kids.make a nice suppressed rifle

 

[2sigs]

I've had a .30-30 model, it had the Butter knife bolt handle and another 30-30 that did not.
They are not made to handle "super duper" HOT loads so stay within .30-30 Load data but the beauty is that now you can shoot spitzer etc. style bullets. You can get much better performance than you will using flat point bullets required in your ol lever action 30-30's. This will allow a bit further range if skill allows.

Next issue to discuss then with distance is that the 340 325 etc is of a receiver design that does not lend itself handy to scope use. In order to mount scope on these models a Weaver side mount plate needs to be installed. The mount system uses a plate that screws to the left side of receiver and then a special scope ring assembly screws to the mount. I do not think the mount assembly is manufactured any longer but enough were probably made that a setup may be located with a bit of searching online.

Setup with a scope a 340 can be a very handy little rifle/carbine

Also they may have been a economical rifle back when but they are now seen between 175.00-300.00 in my area in the past few yrs.

I happen to have a Savage Arms Springfield model 840 in .222 Rem with said scope system wearing a Redfield Widefield 3x9-40, Very handy indeed.

Don't lose the magazine or you will find out quickly they are cherished

Be Safe
-Mike

 

[T.R.]

Stevens made the 325 and most of them feature a butter knife style bolt handle.

Savage made the 340 well into the 1980's.

These are sturdy and accurate rifles. Value has been climbing along with everything else. An excellent model sells for $300. these days.

Any professional smith can drill and tap the receiver for scope mount.

TR

 

[GooseGestapo]

It may already be drilled and tapped. The only one I've ever seen with a butter-knife bolt handle was drilled and tapped and had a Weaver side mounts for scope.

I had a mod340 about that time. It was decently accurate. However, I found that on-game performace with the .30/30 intended bullets was better than the spitzer's intended for higher velocity guns.

Mine shot the Speer 130gr Hollow Points really well. This will be a good "utility" load. However for deer I'd recommend the Remington 150 Corlokts, Hornady 150 RoundNose, or Sierra 150gr Flat-Nose. The Hornady FTX will be an outstanding choice for your little rifle too.

Like some of the others, for under 150yds I'd rather have the little .30/30 than the .270...

 

[303tom]

I have put down White-tail with this at almost 300 yds. ( Hand Loads)

 

[jimmyraythomason]

Mine is a Western Field Model 842. It came with a scope already mounted and does not have the butter knife bolt. Scope was marked Western Field 4x32. I gave it to my daughter and had to shorten the stock 2'' to fit her. I also installed a Bushnell compact 4x28. She loves it!

 

[VancMike]

It's been a while since I picked one of these up, but I believe they have only one locking lug, therefore the cautions on too-enthusiastic handloads.

I see Ruger makes a 77/30-30 for a couple of specialty vendors, so there's still a demand for a smaller, handy bolt in that caliber. And why not?!!

 

[Sheepdog1968]

I have put down White-tail with this at almost 300 yds. ( Hand Loads)

An older retired friend of mine has one just like this but just uses iron sights. It's his dense woods gun. I like how it is loaded by magazines.

 

[sixgunner455]

My dad had one as his first hunting rifle. the one he had, he didn't like too much. Unlike most, he's regressed and gone to hunting exclusively with a muzzleloader.

 

[Jim Watson]

I see Ruger makes a 77/30-30 for a couple of specialty vendors,

Which ones, where, where, I want!

I have a 788 .30-30.
The .270 connection applies, sort of.
A friend is out hunting with it today.
I loaned it to her after her .270 was stolen.
She has kind of a hangup about .30-06 recoil and was not interested in using that.
Must work, she has shot one deer with it and is now looking for a trophy rack.

 

[steven58]

Not exactly a 30-30 but with a very similar performance envelope. CZ makes a sub 6 lb. 7.62 X 39 bolt action carbine that's very handy, accurate and takes modern optics no problem...

http://www.cz-usa.com/products/view/cz-527-carbine/

 

[Fanky]

My dad still deer hunts with my grandpa's Model 340, and I carried it my first year deer hunting. They are great carbines in thick woods, and it's taken a lot of deer in its lifetime.

 

[snakeman]

I have a western field sb-712. I loves hornady leverevolution! I got it for $200!

 

[atlanticfire]

Cool. My dad has one of those old 30-30 bolts. I never knew of anyone else who had one. He used to it hunt alot untill he got to old to use the iron sights and now uses a rifle with a nice scope. Maybe some day he'll see it in his heart to give it to me.....