natedog
Member
Damn those thuddy-thuddies! They snuck out again and went on a rampage!
.30-30 Winchester Really That Popular?
- Thread starter ChiefPilot
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Damn those thuddy-thuddies! They snuck out again and went on a rampage!
ECVMatt
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Our gunstore stock a large variety...
And I do shoot my a bunch. I hand load and shoot factory. PMC makes some good .30/30 and it goes for about $8 a box. I use my rifle for hunting and as a home protection rifle. It is easy to hit from 15 to 150 yards and is easy on the shoulder. I like the Marlins (I have several) but will alway keep one or two winchester around. They are fun guns and the more I shoot them the better I like them.
Matt
And I do shoot my a bunch. I hand load and shoot factory. PMC makes some good .30/30 and it goes for about $8 a box. I use my rifle for hunting and as a home protection rifle. It is easy to hit from 15 to 150 yards and is easy on the shoulder. I like the Marlins (I have several) but will alway keep one or two winchester around. They are fun guns and the more I shoot them the better I like them.
Matt
Ben Shepherd
Member
Handloaders FYI: After burning almost 3 lbs. of 3031 and never getting under 1 inch center-to-center at 25 yards with my win 94 trapper. I noticed a load listed on the h335(which I had around for 223) label for the 30-30. Thought WTH, 3031 just isn't working with this rifle so I loaded some up.
Instant success!!!! First six shots were a ragged 2 holes touching figure 8 that measured just under 1/2 of an inch edge to edge. I shot three more very similar groups, just to make sure it wasn't a quirk.
Couldn't get center-to-center measurement, as I had a tape measure but no calipers.
What this means is I have a BONE STOCK, OUT OF THE BOX, SUB MOA LEVERGUN!!! I am thrilled with this load.
No misfires anywhere from 10 degrees to around 90 degrees.
Will have chrono data shortly, if the weather cooperates.
One other plus is h335 meters much easier than 3031.
Instant success!!!! First six shots were a ragged 2 holes touching figure 8 that measured just under 1/2 of an inch edge to edge. I shot three more very similar groups, just to make sure it wasn't a quirk.
Couldn't get center-to-center measurement, as I had a tape measure but no calipers.
What this means is I have a BONE STOCK, OUT OF THE BOX, SUB MOA LEVERGUN!!! I am thrilled with this load.
No misfires anywhere from 10 degrees to around 90 degrees.
Will have chrono data shortly, if the weather cooperates.
One other plus is h335 meters much easier than 3031.
In Pennsylvania, a state where deer hunting is HUGE, the lever action 30-30 is extremely popular. For black bear also.
But I've noticed that alot of hunters, especially the younger ones, tend to dismiss the 30-30 as antiquated. They like to hunt with 7mm magnums and such. It's a macho thing in my opinion and the fact is, those types of rifles are big time overkill for the type of hunting done in most of the eastern half of the US.
The 30-30 is more than adequate for any game you'll encounter at up to 200 yards or so. In fact, if I could only own one rifle, I'd give the Marlin 336 some serious consideration.
But I've noticed that alot of hunters, especially the younger ones, tend to dismiss the 30-30 as antiquated. They like to hunt with 7mm magnums and such. It's a macho thing in my opinion and the fact is, those types of rifles are big time overkill for the type of hunting done in most of the eastern half of the US.
The 30-30 is more than adequate for any game you'll encounter at up to 200 yards or so. In fact, if I could only own one rifle, I'd give the Marlin 336 some serious consideration.
30-30
This was my first year of serious deer hunting (I'm 52), with about 40 something milsurps I figured I'd be alright. I missed one deer with a .303 and didn't take a shot with a M1 cause of angle, range, ect. I didn't have anything with a scope. Went to the local shop, left with a Winchester 94 and a 3x9 scope. Put three deer in the freezer with it in three weeks. I'll shoot my milsurps on the range, but when I'm going to hunt deer I'll take the Winchester. Perfect size for stalking and climbing tree stands, used 150g handloads, all shots within 100yds. Knocked the deer flat on the ground every time. Great hunting gun.
rk
This was my first year of serious deer hunting (I'm 52), with about 40 something milsurps I figured I'd be alright. I missed one deer with a .303 and didn't take a shot with a M1 cause of angle, range, ect. I didn't have anything with a scope. Went to the local shop, left with a Winchester 94 and a 3x9 scope. Put three deer in the freezer with it in three weeks. I'll shoot my milsurps on the range, but when I'm going to hunt deer I'll take the Winchester. Perfect size for stalking and climbing tree stands, used 150g handloads, all shots within 100yds. Knocked the deer flat on the ground every time. Great hunting gun.
rk
A lever-action .30-30 should scarcely be considered a firearm. It's more of a tool. While there are plenty of deer hunters with bolt guns, bad glass and worse marksmanship at the range every year before deer season starts, there are plenty of hunters with .30-30s in closets that don't go to the range. They generally that take it to the woods, kill a deer, take it home and put it back in the closet. As much as we vaunt our practice time, it doesn't take tens of thousands of rounds per year to be good enough to get the job done (or better...). "Beware the man with one used-to-be-blued gun" and all that.
Like others' .30-30 lever rifles, mine has been chewing on the same box of shells since what seems like the beginning of time. They have pretty stout little recoil on them, but not bad. Certainly not flinch-inducing. They're not that loud (when compared to the other common deer calibers, especially the magnums). They shoulder quite well for most people and inside their range there isn't a lot of holdover. Take it out of the closet, load it, put the front sight on a deer, pull the trigger, skin the deer, drop it off at the processor's, go home. In that order.
Like others' .30-30 lever rifles, mine has been chewing on the same box of shells since what seems like the beginning of time. They have pretty stout little recoil on them, but not bad. Certainly not flinch-inducing. They're not that loud (when compared to the other common deer calibers, especially the magnums). They shoulder quite well for most people and inside their range there isn't a lot of holdover. Take it out of the closet, load it, put the front sight on a deer, pull the trigger, skin the deer, drop it off at the processor's, go home. In that order.
Vern Humphrey
Member
Quote:
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Lever action 30-30s are so common here in Arkansas that they are almost considered not guns, but instead either fashion or truck accessories.
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Here in Stone County, not having a .30-30 is considered tantamount to being married in San Francisco.
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Lever action 30-30s are so common here in Arkansas that they are almost considered not guns, but instead either fashion or truck accessories.
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Here in Stone County, not having a .30-30 is considered tantamount to being married in San Francisco.
orangeninja
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- Dec 4, 2003
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- 3,117
Too bad a .30-30 isn't considered a viable police carbine. With a 16 inch barrel, a side eject and reliable as a pump action I would think somebody somewhere has one of these in his cruiser.
Funny though I haven't bought ammo for it in a while, a box of 20 rds is usually under ten bucks. I always loaded mine heavy with 180gr bullets.
A 30-30 is the standard by which all deer rifles should be judged. What do you need to do better/faster/longer than a 30-30 to kill a deer?
A 30-30 is the standard by which all deer rifles should be judged. What do you need to do better/faster/longer than a 30-30 to kill a deer?
JNewell
Member
You're joking, right? It is, or at least used to be, considered a good cruiser piece. Quite a few agencies do/used to issue the 1894, including (IIRC) New York City. The Mini-14 may have replaced the NYC 94s.
orangeninja
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JNewell
Interesting. I did not know that. I wonder why they went with the Mini-14? An agency here just did that, when they could have had the Oly Arms 15 for about the same price. I know the guy that sold the 14's to them and he tried to talk them out of them. But I guess for a close to medium range gun it's alright.
Interesting. I did not know that. I wonder why they went with the Mini-14? An agency here just did that, when they could have had the Oly Arms 15 for about the same price. I know the guy that sold the 14's to them and he tried to talk them out of them. But I guess for a close to medium range gun it's alright.
JNewell
Member
Not sure. There was a period in the 80s and early 90s when NYPD was buying a lot of different Rugers, so it might be that simple -- need a patrol rifle, doing business with Ruger already...?
Skofnung
Member
I bought a 336 from a friend who was hard up for cash a few years ago. He had 2 of them and did not need the second. I cleaned it up, went to the store, and bought a box of 150 grain big green.
I cringed at the price. For a few dollars more, I could have bought .30-06, which is, to me, the best of the best. Oh well, I figured, Lets go to the range.
I fire 3 rounds to verify zero. Everything is ok. I fire 7 more rounds at various distances to see what it will do. Seems good. I pack it up and go home.
About a year later, I took it to a gunshow and sold it. I could not justify keeping a gun that I could not afford to shoot much. It is a pity, because it was a pretty rifle, and it shot well, but I have other rifles that shoot better and cheaper.
If the ammo was 8-10 bucks per box, I would still have it. Paying 13 or more dollars per box for a medium powered round just does not make sense for me. YMMV
I cringed at the price. For a few dollars more, I could have bought .30-06, which is, to me, the best of the best. Oh well, I figured, Lets go to the range.
I fire 3 rounds to verify zero. Everything is ok. I fire 7 more rounds at various distances to see what it will do. Seems good. I pack it up and go home.
About a year later, I took it to a gunshow and sold it. I could not justify keeping a gun that I could not afford to shoot much. It is a pity, because it was a pretty rifle, and it shot well, but I have other rifles that shoot better and cheaper.
If the ammo was 8-10 bucks per box, I would still have it. Paying 13 or more dollars per box for a medium powered round just does not make sense for me. YMMV
Chip Dixon
Member
wow, i'm surprised at the variation in 30-30 ammo prices on the east coast alone. it's only ~$8 a box here in MD.
Master Blaster
Member
7.98 a box for remington 150 or 170 grain, at wally world or Dicks Here in Delaware, where you can only hunt deer with a shotgun, no rifles allowed.
I know a couple of folks who reload 30-30 for their thompson contenders for shooting at sillouhettes. Its a fairly popular contender round.
I keep mine loaded with 170 grainers as a home defense rifle.
I know a couple of folks who reload 30-30 for their thompson contenders for shooting at sillouhettes. Its a fairly popular contender round.
I keep mine loaded with 170 grainers as a home defense rifle.
You have to watch for the sale papers, but you can usually get Win or Rem 150/170 Gr Soft-points for $8/20....
Gander Mountain, Dicks, Dunhams, etc Haven't priced .30/30 at Galyan's yet.
Sometimes Wally-World & Kame-Apart have them for $8/20, too.
Gander Mountain, Dicks, Dunhams, etc Haven't priced .30/30 at Galyan's yet.
Sometimes Wally-World & Kame-Apart have them for $8/20, too.
I have a Marlin 336 I bought six years ago and have never shot.
The thing really looks as if it was meant to be a presentation piece, but the factory changed their minds at the last moment. Great wood, great blue, a three pounds no ounces trigger with no creep or overtravel. I paid retail for it, then put a Pachmayr Decelerator to reduce the pull length (now 13.5-inches) and recoil effect for my son - his first rifle.
Unfortunatley, he has no interest in hunting. This is really a painful rifle to keep around the house...
Jaywalker
The thing really looks as if it was meant to be a presentation piece, but the factory changed their minds at the last moment. Great wood, great blue, a three pounds no ounces trigger with no creep or overtravel. I paid retail for it, then put a Pachmayr Decelerator to reduce the pull length (now 13.5-inches) and recoil effect for my son - his first rifle.
Unfortunatley, he has no interest in hunting. This is really a painful rifle to keep around the house...
Jaywalker
alduro I wonder why they went with the Mini-14? An agency here just did that, when they could have had the Oly Arms 15 for about the same price.
A Minni 14 is way more PC. Helps keep the locals from acuseing them of going JBT with the "EVIL " Assault rifles.
A Minni 14 is way more PC. Helps keep the locals from acuseing them of going JBT with the "EVIL " Assault rifles.
Eskimo Jim
Member
I've only been into firearms for about 8 years or so. The last three to five I've been hardcore into firearms.
I do not own a .30-30. I can't hunt with it where I used to live. When I went out of state to hunt, I bought a 30-06 bolt action rifle. My 30-06 can do pretty much anything that the 30-30 can do and it can do more.
Please don't get the impression that I'm knocking the 30-30. Many previous posts show that it is a very useful cartridge and is typically in a very reliable lever action and the cartridge/rifle combination has a long history. I respect its history and usefulness very much.
I'll probably own one some day but it isn't high on my list of priorities right now.
-Jim
I do not own a .30-30. I can't hunt with it where I used to live. When I went out of state to hunt, I bought a 30-06 bolt action rifle. My 30-06 can do pretty much anything that the 30-30 can do and it can do more.
Please don't get the impression that I'm knocking the 30-30. Many previous posts show that it is a very useful cartridge and is typically in a very reliable lever action and the cartridge/rifle combination has a long history. I respect its history and usefulness very much.
I'll probably own one some day but it isn't high on my list of priorities right now.
-Jim
sm
member
Yep. I picked up box of Winchester 170 gr at a Roadside Grocery/Gas station not long ago..."sticker" on the box..."Dry Goods $6.99".
Not only have folks got 'em,they know how to use 'em - Day or night, and they don't need night sights either.
One hears "y'all aint from around here" if they don't have a 30-30 ...or they represent the state as Senators...name ends in L or P...Vern Humphrey
Member
Quote:
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or they represent the state as Senators...name ends in L or P...
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Or serve in the House of Representatives, with the initials Marion Berry. Hopefully, this is his last year in office -- even though I dread going to Washington to replace him.
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or they represent the state as Senators...name ends in L or P...
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Or serve in the House of Representatives, with the initials Marion Berry. Hopefully, this is his last year in office -- even though I dread going to Washington to replace him.
Moparmike
Member
I take offense ta that...
Born and raised here. No 30-30. That dont mean I aint open to the idea, but I just dont have a reason to own one yet.
Born and raised here. No 30-30. That dont mean I aint open to the idea, but I just dont have a reason to own one yet.
sm
member
Vern Humphrey
I actually used to fell Berry's ducks some 15-20 yrs ago. At the time he sounded like a RKBA kinda of fella. Gillette, one still "can't get there from here".
Hate to see you leave an go to DC, got my support. Though not in your district. Feel free to PM me.
Mike:
Buy a 30-30 , be some good used ones coming up soon for sale because "bass boat season" is upon some folks.
Good way to piss off some folks that attend and support the "Brickyard". [UofA Campus nickname]. Westark folks all have thutty thutty's...of course they always did know where to get a cold beer on Sunday too.
Old eating joint I frequented had a 30-30 and 12 ga pump "handy" , old Brothel, great food, cold beer and straight TN or KY sipping whiskey( no blended crap for this fella, back when I did partake ) ...where I ate on Sundays.
Some things a man has "just because". I went to the NW and spent some time. Police Chief and a Deputy Sheriff" you ain't from here are ya" I replied "Nope, from the political center of the state". Drew from concealed my 1911 and hit the target, pulled a J frame as BUG and continued. I sighted in a old Model 94 and then we shot clays.
Sheriff: "You gonna fit in just fine, here is my card, call me anytime". He bought the Steaks at the Red Barn that night.
Part of fitting in is all...
I actually used to fell Berry's ducks some 15-20 yrs ago. At the time he sounded like a RKBA kinda of fella. Gillette, one still "can't get there from here".
Hate to see you leave an go to DC, got my support. Though not in your district. Feel free to PM me.
Mike:
Buy a 30-30 , be some good used ones coming up soon for sale because "bass boat season" is upon some folks.
Good way to piss off some folks that attend and support the "Brickyard". [UofA Campus nickname]. Westark folks all have thutty thutty's...of course they always did know where to get a cold beer on Sunday too.
Old eating joint I frequented had a 30-30 and 12 ga pump "handy" , old Brothel, great food, cold beer and straight TN or KY sipping whiskey( no blended crap for this fella, back when I did partake ) ...where I ate on Sundays.
Some things a man has "just because". I went to the NW and spent some time. Police Chief and a Deputy Sheriff" you ain't from here are ya" I replied "Nope, from the political center of the state". Drew from concealed my 1911 and hit the target, pulled a J frame as BUG and continued. I sighted in a old Model 94 and then we shot clays.
Sheriff: "You gonna fit in just fine, here is my card, call me anytime". He bought the Steaks at the Red Barn that night.
Part of fitting in is all...
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