MattTheHat
Member
I've said it before and I'll say it again. If I could only own a single rifle, it would be a lever action 30-30. I know, I know...now you can all sleep tonight.
-Matt
-Matt
Why dosen't the .30-30 get any respect?
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Smoovbiscuit
Member
because .308 win puts it to shame.
jk i like 30-30
jk i like 30-30
I guess the difference depends on your definition of accuracy. 1 3/4 inch groups are fine for hunting within the 30-30's range limits, but would be considered mediocre in a bolt action rifle. I've got a 30-06 sporter that will knock an inch of those groups while propelling a 150 grain bullet a whopping 550 fps faster.
Don't get me wrong, I like the 30-30 and have a 336 that I'm very fond of for woods hunting, but I don't go around bragging about either its accuracy or power.
Don't get me wrong, I like the 30-30 and have a 336 that I'm very fond of for woods hunting, but I don't go around bragging about either its accuracy or power.
I suppose the .30-30 is dedicated to the annals of history for it's power at the time of it's creation, and embraced by those romanticized of the spirit of the old west. Truth be told those of us that own a .30-30 understand that it isn't the end all-be all of rifles cartridges. We embrace it for what it is, a predictable and effective round for which it was designed.
My Marlin rifle will always have a place in my safe and by my side as a reliable backup should the need arise. Old West and modern times have melded together with a few weapons and this is one of them. 1911, .30-06, Colt 45, 12 gauge, and .30-30 are a few of the ones that I can think of that have stood the test of time and remain favorites through generations of hunters and shooters.
Take pride in your .30-30 and know that you are carrying on the tradition of hunters and shooters that probably taught your Grandfather how to provide for their family.
My Marlin rifle will always have a place in my safe and by my side as a reliable backup should the need arise. Old West and modern times have melded together with a few weapons and this is one of them. 1911, .30-06, Colt 45, 12 gauge, and .30-30 are a few of the ones that I can think of that have stood the test of time and remain favorites through generations of hunters and shooters.
Take pride in your .30-30 and know that you are carrying on the tradition of hunters and shooters that probably taught your Grandfather how to provide for their family.
35 Whelen
Member
Too bad deer don't read internet hunting forums.
The 30-30 much like the .308 is an accurate cartridge especially when fired from bolt rifles. I helped a friend sight in his Savage 340 in 30-30 then loaded shells for him. I was stunned at the accuracy...well under 1" most of the time.
35W
BluegrassDan
Member
Price of ammo is another reason to look at the .30-30. $12 a box vs. $19 a box for .30-06, .270, .308 type rounds. That's about 2/3 of the price which adds up over years of shooting.
Kachok
Member
I would not be one to badmouth the accuracy of the 30-30, a friend of mine loads poly tip boat tails in his, and he shows up the 308 wannabe sniper guys at the firing range all day long with his marlin 336.
Fullboar1
Member
I have love for the 30-30 (as well as the 260, 308, 222). The 30-30 is very popular here in Australia and I would say at least 95% of pig hunters own a 30-30. All my mates have Winchester 94's and I have an old Marlin 336, they all gave me crap about "it" not being a Winchester but it was alot more accurate then there 94's and IMO the side eject of the 336 is superior to the top eject of the 94. I have always considered to 30-30 a 200 yard gun and since the introduction of the Hornady Leverevolution ammo came out it has breathed new life and sparked intrest into the old 30-30 and turned it into a 300 yard gun (although I like some others here have loaded mine single shot with handloaded 150 grain pointed soft point bullets). I will always own a 30-30 (and I am on the hunt for a good (Marlin) 45-70).
LONG LIVE THE 30-30.
LONG LIVE THE 30-30.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
And all that gains you is range, which is insignificant under 250yds.
Sheepdog1968
Member
Most people I think are over obsessed with rifle accuracy and long range distance. Most people can't shoot 1 moa and yet scoff at anything that isn't sub MOA. The 30-30 isn't a sub MOA rifle and tends to peter out somewhere between 200 & 300 yards from a maximum point blank range perspective so I think folks wrinkle their nose at it.
Of all my rifles, the 30-30 is the one I spend the most time with in the field. Why? I simply like it. I started off my shooting life loving semi autos. It wasn't until three years ago that I finally bout a 30-30. I ignored it for 6 months then took it to the range and fell in love. With a low power scope, I'm a 3 MOA shooter (some days a bit better or worse). For me, my ethical max shooting range is 200 yards which the 30-30 can do just fine. Having said that, I've hit 24x24 inch steel at 400 yards 4 out of 5 times with a 1 or 2 foot holdover so if you wanted to plink at that range you can and could adjust the scope accordingly. It wouldn't be my first choiced for self defense (though its the only long arm I typically travel with when visiting far away friends to go plinking with), but I would feel fine if that is all I had.
Of all my rifles, the 30-30 is the one I spend the most time with in the field. Why? I simply like it. I started off my shooting life loving semi autos. It wasn't until three years ago that I finally bout a 30-30. I ignored it for 6 months then took it to the range and fell in love. With a low power scope, I'm a 3 MOA shooter (some days a bit better or worse). For me, my ethical max shooting range is 200 yards which the 30-30 can do just fine. Having said that, I've hit 24x24 inch steel at 400 yards 4 out of 5 times with a 1 or 2 foot holdover so if you wanted to plink at that range you can and could adjust the scope accordingly. It wouldn't be my first choiced for self defense (though its the only long arm I typically travel with when visiting far away friends to go plinking with), but I would feel fine if that is all I had.
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Justin Holder
Member
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2010
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- 484
I got reacquainted with the 30-30 this past winter hunting varmints after deer season. I had a blast doing it, got to love that old cartridge.
I use Winchester 150gr. Hollow Points exclusively.
177 yards
coyote was 110 yards, hog was about 140 yards
The recovered bullet from the hog
I use Winchester 150gr. Hollow Points exclusively.
177 yards
coyote was 110 yards, hog was about 140 yards
The recovered bullet from the hog
Gunwriters have bad mouthed the 30-30 for decades in order to sell the new wonder cartridges of their era.
I have a collection of American Rifleman magazines back to the 20's. The 30-30 is always put in a negative light in comparison to the 30-06 in these pages. Given that many of the articles in the pre WWII magazine and the Dope Bag were written by US Army Ordnance Officers, it is no wonder they were pumping the service rifle round of the era.
They always portrayed users of the 30-30 as Hayseeds or unsophisticated country rubes, and this smear campaign continues every time Gun writer shills have to sell the latest and greatest cartridge.
You don't even need to buy the next magazine to know they are going to compare the bullet drop at 400 yards with the 30-30 against some 6mm Blaster round and point fingers.
Almost no one should be shooting at things 400 yards away as that is one heck of a long distance and the probability of wounding an animal, who is going to die a horrible death due to infection, is high.
Given that the next generation service rounds are in the 30-30 class, or less powerful, seems to me that the 30-30 is just fine.
I like mine
I have a collection of American Rifleman magazines back to the 20's. The 30-30 is always put in a negative light in comparison to the 30-06 in these pages. Given that many of the articles in the pre WWII magazine and the Dope Bag were written by US Army Ordnance Officers, it is no wonder they were pumping the service rifle round of the era.
They always portrayed users of the 30-30 as Hayseeds or unsophisticated country rubes, and this smear campaign continues every time Gun writer shills have to sell the latest and greatest cartridge.
You don't even need to buy the next magazine to know they are going to compare the bullet drop at 400 yards with the 30-30 against some 6mm Blaster round and point fingers.
Almost no one should be shooting at things 400 yards away as that is one heck of a long distance and the probability of wounding an animal, who is going to die a horrible death due to infection, is high.
Given that the next generation service rounds are in the 30-30 class, or less powerful, seems to me that the 30-30 is just fine.
I like mine
rodregier
Member
re: so-called machine gun primers described by "Marlin 45 Carbine".
Suspect he is talking about the CCI #34 and #41 military rifle primers.
http://www.cci-ammunition.com/products/primers/primers.aspx?id=30
Those CCI primers do have harder cups, but I would be still reluctant to depend on that attribute to avoid a pointed projectile resting against the next primer in a tubular magazine being "fired" by recoil.
There are a few box magazine .30-30 chambered rifles, which is the preferred solution if you want to use pointed projectiles and that cartridge.
Suspect he is talking about the CCI #34 and #41 military rifle primers.
http://www.cci-ammunition.com/products/primers/primers.aspx?id=30
Those CCI primers do have harder cups, but I would be still reluctant to depend on that attribute to avoid a pointed projectile resting against the next primer in a tubular magazine being "fired" by recoil.
There are a few box magazine .30-30 chambered rifles, which is the preferred solution if you want to use pointed projectiles and that cartridge.
BushyGuy
Member
i had a marlin and winchester 30/30 , they are ok for beginner guns but not my kind of all purpose rifle.
i missed alot of deer trying to get them at a distance. i did better with my Model 70 then my model 94
i missed alot of deer trying to get them at a distance. i did better with my Model 70 then my model 94
The 30-30 is a decent caliber that is somewhat limited by the tubular magazine on most rifles which means spitzer bullets cannot be used. Well, you could use it as a two-shot rifle and be OK.
Most people love the 30WCF because of the flat. compact rifles that use it rather than because they love the cartridge, itself. The 30-30 is what it is: a medium range cartridge adequate for medium sized game.
Most people love the 30WCF because of the flat. compact rifles that use it rather than because they love the cartridge, itself. The 30-30 is what it is: a medium range cartridge adequate for medium sized game.
merlinfire
Member
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2010
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- 793
30-30? C'mon man that's a grand-daddy cartridge!
Just kidding. It gets lots of respect. But its got more people who vicariously feel snubbed than any caliber i know.
Just kidding. It gets lots of respect. But its got more people who vicariously feel snubbed than any caliber i know.
Jeff82
Member
@rodregier:
Me Too!
Me Too!
In my opinion, two reasons. One, personally, it does nothing 7,62x39 doesn't, and I prefer that round for being rimless and cheaper.
Secondly, you've got to remember that every Fudd who doesn't practice and misses more than they hit will blame the cartridge, and every skill-buyer with the superdupermagnum needs something to look down on. With three million '94s in the world plus god knows how many 336's and boltactions, you can't even begin to hope they're mostly in the hands of skilled shooters.
Secondly, you've got to remember that every Fudd who doesn't practice and misses more than they hit will blame the cartridge, and every skill-buyer with the superdupermagnum needs something to look down on. With three million '94s in the world plus god knows how many 336's and boltactions, you can't even begin to hope they're mostly in the hands of skilled shooters.
A marlin 336 in 30-30 is one of (if not the) most reliable, quickest handling and most useful guns you are ever likely to own. It doesn't get much press or attention these days, but then again neither does anything else thats been around since 1895.
Some other notable non-press items are:
Rudolf Diesel patents the Diesel engine in Germany.
Wilhelm Röntgen discovers a type of radiation later known as X-rays.
George Washington Vanderbilt II officially opens his "Biltmore House".
George B. Selden is granted the first U.S. patent for an automobile.
Auguste and Louis Lumière display their first moving picture film in Paris.
As with the invention of the 30-30... apparently it was a good year for a lot of folks...
Some other notable non-press items are:
Rudolf Diesel patents the Diesel engine in Germany.
Wilhelm Röntgen discovers a type of radiation later known as X-rays.
George Washington Vanderbilt II officially opens his "Biltmore House".
George B. Selden is granted the first U.S. patent for an automobile.
Auguste and Louis Lumière display their first moving picture film in Paris.
As with the invention of the 30-30... apparently it was a good year for a lot of folks...
WardenWolf
member
Another, more recent reason for the decline of the .30-30 is the rise in 7.62x39 rifles in the US. The 7.62x39 cartridge is slightly more powerful and a lot cheaper compared to the .30-30, and is available in a wide variety of rifles, including a few US-made commercial bolt actions. Commercial versions of the cartridge are also very accurate. The Mini-14 and Mini-30 are common ranch rifles and truck guns, as are SKS's and AK variants. It's hard to beat a cheap, lightweight, reasonably accurate semi-auto in a decent caliber.
Like I said, I like the 30-30 for deer and pig at reasonable range.Too bad deer don't read internet hunting forums.
The 30-30 much like the .308 is an accurate cartridge especially when fired from bolt rifles. I helped a friend sight in his Savage 340 in 30-30 then loaded shells for him. I was stunned at the accuracy...well under 1" most of the time.
35W
I can't think of any reason why the 30-30 shouldn't be quite accurate in a bolt action rifle. But realistically when you talk about the 30-30, you might as well be talking about it in a lever action. There hasn't been a good 30-30 bolt action made in the last 40 years.
Really? Then I guess the only difference between a 38 Special wadcutter and a 357 Magnum is range then.
Even at 200 yards the 30-06 is going 630 fps faster. Energy @200 is 1783 vs 945 ft-lbs, nearly TWICE as much. That's a huge difference and it does make a difference in performance.
In short the 30-30 is a useful cartridge, chambered in light handy rifles that are excellent for hunting given the right conditions. But trying to pretend that a 30-30 lever is anywhere near as accurate or as powerful as a good 30-06 bolt rifle is wishful thinking.
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