AR-10 in 308 vs a 30-30 lever action for hog hunting

[Guns and Guitars]

Which one do you think is best for hog hunting in brush?

 

[Slamfire]

The shorter rifle would be my choice, which I assume is the 30-30. And you do not have a magazine to get snagged in vines or branches. Lets say you are hunting where the maximum shot is 50 yards, the extra range and power of a 308 Win is not needed.

My Marlin 336 shoots a 170 grain bullet around 2150 to 2200 fps. That cartridge has been around long enough that 30-30 bullets will reliably expand at those speeds, you won't have the problem of the bullet jacket coming off and the core then squirting loose, which I had with a 7.62 X54 at very close range.

Also, if you hunt with a semi auto, you better have perfect ammunition. Manually operated weapons will tolerate wider ammunition dimensional and pressure curve variations than a semi auto. I do trust my 308 Win M1a because I have shot it enough, that I know what to reload, and how to reload for the thing. Semi's have a greater learning curve.

 

[AJC1]

If I was walking the handyness of an unscoped carbine is unbeatable. Just sitting I'll use anything. Just walking around with a scoped gun sucks.

 

[Guns and Guitars]

If I was walking the handyness of an unscoped carbine is unbeatable. Just sitting I'll use anything. Just walking around with a scoped gun sucks.

You could also just take the scope off of the AR-10.

 

[Guns and Guitars]

The shorter rifle would be my choice, which I assume is the 30-30. And you do not have a magazine to get snagged in vines or branches. Lets say you are hunting where the maximum shot is 50 yards, the extra range and power of a 308 Win is not needed.

My Marlin 336 shoots a 170 grain bullet around 2150 to 2200 fps. That cartridge has been around long enough that 30-30 bullets will reliably expand at those speeds, you won't have the problem of the bullet jacket coming off and the core then squirting loose, which I had with a 7.62 X54 at very close range.

Also, if you hunt with a semi auto, you better have perfect ammunition. Manually operated weapons will tolerate wider ammunition dimensional and pressure curve variations than a semi auto. I do trust my 308 Win M1a because I have shot it enough, that I know what to reload, and how to reload for the thing. Semi's have a greater learning curve.

I believe most AR-10s are around 42”, just like the 336, and about a pound heavier. I agree that the 30-30 is powerful enough for short ranges.

Good point on reliability. I have a Ruger 10/22 and Henry 22. Both are reliable, but the Henry is more fun.

 

[mcb]

Of those two I think I would rather have the AR-10 in 308. Especially if your area might give you an opportunity on a larger number of animals. Having more rounds onboard and a much faster easier reload would be helpful in that situation. If that is an unlikely situation where you are hunting than whichever you like shooting better.

 

[earlthegoat2]

The 30-30 wins for carrying weight and the AR-10 wins for fast follow up shots on the same or multiple animals.

 

[courtgreene]

Carrying it in the thick stuff I would normally answer "lever," because it's lighter with less catchy stuff (mags, grip, rails) most of the time. HOWEVER! The target changes my answer completely. When hogs are the target, sounders are a possibility. This isn't like shooting maybe two or three deer. So, for mag capacity, go with the semi.

 

[Slamfire]

The 30-30 wins for carrying weight and the AR-10 wins for fast follow up shots on the same or multiple animals.

Shoot a lever action enough it becomes second nature to operate the lever during recoil. For bolt guns and lever actions (and pump actions) learn to function the action while the long gun is in your shoulder. With practice. I used to practice bolt gun dry firing from sitting and prone, and the recovery time between action types is inconsequential, if you are aiming. If however, the shooter does not aim, tries to shoot while holding the long gun at their hip, then the semi auto will always put more bullets down range. Anywhere downrange, but they will go downrange.

 

[jmr40]

learn to function the action while the long gun is in your shoulder. With practice. I used to practice bolt gun dry firing from sitting and prone, and the recovery time between action types is inconsequential, if you are aiming.

This is my experience as well. I've videoed myself shooting various rifle types then played the video back and used a stopwatch to time myself. For 3 shots, where all 3 had to hit a paper plate at 50 yards, there is no difference for me between pump, lever, or bolt actions. An AR rifle was a lot faster. But an AR in 223 has virtually no recoil and I suspect a 308 or bigger would be slower. Probably faster than a bolt of lever, but not as fast as a 223. But I don't have a semi-auto 308 so I could be wrong.

If just doing a mag dump and not particularly aiming, yes a pump and lever are faster. But not as much as you'd think. Especially if you practice working a bolt gun.

I have several lever guns, like them and occasionally hunt with them. But it is purely for nostalgic reasons. For serious hunting it's a bolt gun for me. I have short, compact bolt rifles with low powered scopes for the short-range fast shooting.

Strictly between the 2 I'd probably choose the AR10. The pistol grip stock design makes it easy to carry with the buttstock already at, or near the shoulder making it faster for the 1st, and most important, shot.

 

[mavracer]

Depends on the weather and terrain I'm hunting my 30-30 is a Legendary Lawmen commemorative Winchester I'm not interested in getting it wet or beating it up. My 308 AR is an awesome do all 16" is suppressed and has a great 1-8X optic so not a fair comparison for range and accuracy.
My modern take on a '94 30-30 short, light mid range gun is my AR15 350 Legend.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

I'd be comfortable with either a .30-30 lever gun or a .308 ArmaLite. But I have more experience with my Marlin 336W, so I'd prefer my lever gun.

 

[Slamfire]

If the AR10 has a 22 or 24 inch barrel, the velocity advantage is with the AR10. However the AR10's I handled, that had 22 inch barrels were long. There was an additional four inches of flash suppressor attached too, and the receiver of a 308 AR10 is long.

My PTR 91 is long for the barrel length. An eighteen inch barrel reduces the velocity of the 308 round considerably, enough so at close ranges, I consider the cartridge choice a wash.


Marlin M336 30-30 microgroove barrel

150 gr Core-Lokt SP Remington Factory
29 Dec 2011 T = 56 °F

Ave Vel = 2253 fps
Std Dev = 13
ES = 31
High = 2268
Low = 2237
Number rods = 7

PTR91 308 Win18" barrel

150 gr Australian Ball MF83 headstamp (actually 147 grain)
30 April 2008 T = 75 °F

Ave Vel = 2599
Std Dev = 23
ES = 63
High = 2630
Low = 2567
N = 10

poor accuracy

148 gr IMI FMJBT 42.5 grs AA2520 wtd Lot 9595 Czech Mixed LC WLR OAL LT 2.800, set to cannelure
30 April 2008 T = 75 °F

Ave Vel = 2496
Std Dev = 33
ES = 88
High = 2537
Low = 2449
N = 10

very poor accuracy

150 gr Hornady FMJBT 42.5 grs AA2520 wtd Lot 9595 Czech Mixed LC WLR OAL 2.785
30 April 2008 T = 75 °F

Ave Vel = 2499
Std Dev = 29
ES = 94
High = 2539
Low = 2445
N = 10

best accuracy, shot high

 

[marksman13]

If I’m hunting pigs, there’s going to be an AR in my hands.

 

[CapnMac]

In brush, for hogs, I'd lean heavily toward a carbine in 7.62x39 for being handier than the 7.62x51--bt, I'm bbiased by having needed to clear out pig traps, rather than having to go stalk the piggies.

 

[FL-NC]

Either one will easily get it done, The autoloader would be better if you thought you may have the opportunity to engage several at a time, but that is easier told than saddled and rode- 1 shot and the rest will scatter with quickness. I use 223 AR on them.

 

[Ranger99]

Pretty much depends on your goal.
If you're looking for the fastest follow
up shot, any semi automatic is what
you're wanting. I've hunted pork with
bows on up the scale of complexity.
Many like to debate about it, but accuracy
should be first and foremost. Use
whatever you're most accurate with
and your speed will come with trigger
time and familiarity
Good Luck

 

[EIB0879]

I would probably take my Marlin 336 over my PA10 if I was moving alot but flip it if I was in a stand.

 

[d2wing]

Based on my experience in thick brush I would go with my lightweight 94 in 39-30. very light, short, fast pointing and plenty of power. An AR10 is much bulkier and heavier but has more firepower, range and faster follow-up for most depending on how thick the cover is. As usual it depends. How thick is the brush, how much walking and which do you handle best? And do you need optics?

 

[marksman13]

Based on my experience in thick brush I would go with my lightweight 94 in 39-30. very light, short, fast pointing and plenty of power. An AR10 is much bulkier and heavier but has more firepower, range and faster follow-up for most depending on how thick the cover is. As usual it depends. How thick is the brush, how much walking and which do you handle best? And do you need optics?

Depends on the AR-10. My Rogue is 5.9 lbs. Fully loaded and suppressed it’s closer to 8 lbs, still plenty light and not crazy bulky. On a two point sling it hangs across my chest, so I can use both hands to move brush or whatever else may come up in the woods. You’ll save some weight and bulk with the lever gun, but I’d much rather have the versatility and capacity of the AR.

 

[JeeperCreeper]

Depends on each rifle set up.

My 336Y is the size of a toy. Hard to beat that.

But some of those light AR-10, like the Ruger SFAR, are awesome packages.


All things equal, I'd pick a semi AR-10.

Since things aren't equal, I'd likely lean lever 30-30.

 

[Keyfer 55]

I would go with the AR10 right now. 3030 ammo is hard to find here.

 

[trekker73]

The replies on this thread are somewhat refreshing as sometimes with hog threads the animal expands to godzilla like capabilities with nothing less than a 338 mag seen as workable. A lot of good comments above and I think either will work fine, for me it would come to how much you want to lug around or what floats your boat.

 

[Scout21]

I'd probably pick the AR-10, personally. Cheaper and easier to find ammo, better range(if you decide to hunt a more open area) and bullet selection, faster shooting for those scurrying piggies, ammo capacity and easier reloads, threaded for muzzle devices, and you can more easily attach flashlights, NV, or thermal attachments. Plus you can beat the hell out of an AR and not feel too bad.

A lever action would carry better. I can't think of much else that would make it better than an AR other than the cool factor.

Don't discount an AR-15, though.

 

[mavracer]

The replies on this thread are somewhat refreshing as sometimes with hog threads the animal expands to godzilla like capabilities with nothing less than a 338 mag seen as workable.

I agree they aren't that hard to kill, dropping one in it's tracks seems a lot harder to do.