is the 30-30 still relevant ?

[deye243]

At least the rifle won't take ya house

[bigrich]

well after all my debates and discussions on lever guns and cals for them on this forum , i've made a decision and made a online purchase . model 94 30-30 . i figured it's a caliber i can get powder to load for , and besides hunting ,blasting pigs , i can use it in classic caliber class in the "big game" comp at my local range . i did really well with my 303 martini sporter this sunday gone
the rifle i bought is on the big C website . it may have been a dead add and was already sold . i'll find out in a day or two i guess

[deye243]

In my 94 I used to load 34g of 08 with a hornady 150rn for 2388fps and for the speer 170fp 33g for just under 2200fps this load accounted for 3 sambar back in the 90s ...... they must have been softer back then

[Oldbloke]

well after all my debates and discussions on lever guns and cals for them on this forum , i've made a decision and made a online purchase . model 94 30-30 . i figured it's a caliber i can get powder to load for , and besides hunting ,blasting pigs , i can use it in classic caliber class in the "big game" comp at my local range . i did really well with my 303 martini sporter this sunday gone
the rifle i bought is on the big C website . it may have been a dead add and was already sold . i'll find out in a day or two i guess

Jesus's christ. Just had a look. I can't believe what people are asking. I paid $35 for my Marlin back in the day. Them and the m94 ($30) were the cheapest centre fire you could buy at the time.

[bigrich]

In my 94 I used to load 34g of 08 with a hornady 150rn for 2388fps and for the speer 170fp 33g for just under 2200fps this load accounted for 3 sambar back in the 90s ...... they must have been softer back then

speer 170's are what i'm thinking of loading , a few people have told me 170's seem to work better on bigger pigs . and they flew very accurately out of a 64A winchester i had years ago . what projectile did you find effective on porkers ?

[bigrich]

well after all my debates and discussions on lever guns and cals for them on this forum , i've made a decision and made a online purchase . model 94 30-30 . i figured it's a caliber i can get powder to load for , and besides hunting ,blasting pigs , i can use it in classic caliber class in the "big game" comp at my local range . i did really well with my 303 martini sporter this sunday gone
the rifle i bought is on the big C website . it may have been a dead add and was already sold . i'll find out in a day or two i guess

Jesus's christ. Just had a look. I can't believe what people are asking. I paid $35 for my Marlin back in the day. Them and the m94 ($30) were the cheapest centre fire you could buy at the time.

five years ago garden variety 94's were worth $600 for a well used one , to $800-$900 for a really mint example .prices have increased significantly . my local gun shop can't get enough of them. most i'm told get sold to people in north QLD . says something about their effectiveness i think

[straightshooter]

well after all my debates and discussions on lever guns and cals for them on this forum , i've made a decision and made a online purchase . model 94 30-30 . i figured it's a caliber i can get powder to load for , and besides hunting ,blasting pigs , i can use it in classic caliber class in the "big game" comp at my local range . i did really well with my 303 martini sporter this sunday gone
the rifle i bought is on the big C website . it may have been a dead add and was already sold . i'll find out in a day or two i guess

Jesus's christ. Just had a look. I can't believe what people are asking. I paid $35 for my Marlin back in the day. Them and the m94 ($30) were the cheapest centre fire you could buy at the time.

Yeah and a XY Falcon GTHO cost $4000. The world must have gone crazy.

[in2anity]

30-30 at 100m:

https://youtu.be/EGdDyugsOM4

3.6 Roentgen. Not great, not terrible.

[bigrich]

30-30 at 100m:

https://youtu.be/EGdDyugsOM4

3.6 Roentgen. Not great, not terrible.

still, = dead pig

[deye243]

In my 94 I used to load 34g of 08 with a hornady 150rn for 2388fps and for the speer 170fp 33g for just under 2200fps this load accounted for 3 sambar back in the 90s ...... they must have been softer back then

speer 170's are what i'm thinking of loading , a few people have told me 170's seem to work better on bigger pigs . and they flew very accurately out of a 64A winchester i had years ago . what projectile did you find effective on porkers ?

Only did a few trips up nsw in the 90s with my 94 .
I used both loads the hornady seemed to put them down just like the 170g but they were not big pigs .
This is the hornady pill # SKU: 3035 they did more wreckage as they opened up quicker but I would of very muck liked to have found a big sucker to test the speers on .

[bigrich]

In my 94 I used to load 34g of 08 with a hornady 150rn for 2388fps and for the speer 170fp 33g for just under 2200fps this load accounted for 3 sambar back in the 90s ...... they must have been softer back then

speer 170's are what i'm thinking of loading , a few people have told me 170's seem to work better on bigger pigs . and they flew very accurately out of a 64A winchester i had years ago . what projectile did you find effective on porkers ?

Only did a few trips up nsw in the 90s with my 94 .
I used both loads the hornady seemed to put them down just like the 170g but they were not big pigs .
This is the hornady pill # SKU: 3035 they did more wreckage as they opened up quicker but I would of very muck liked to have found a big sucker to test the speers on .

well if your 170 load put down sambar they'd probably be alright for big pigs . most of the pigs i come across aren't that big in my part of the country , the 150's would probably do , but i'd pack 170's . just in case

[deye243]

In my 94 I used to load 34g of 08 with a hornady 150rn for 2388fps and for the speer 170fp 33g for just under 2200fps this load accounted for 3 sambar back in the 90s ...... they must have been softer back then

speer 170's are what i'm thinking of loading , a few people have told me 170's seem to work better on bigger pigs . and they flew very accurately out of a 64A winchester i had years ago . what projectile did you find effective on porkers ?

Only did a few trips up nsw in the 90s with my 94 .
I used both loads the hornady seemed to put them down just like the 170g but they were not big pigs .
This is the hornady pill # SKU: 3035 they did more wreckage as they opened up quicker but I would of very muck liked to have found a big sucker to test the speers on .

well if your 170 load put down sambar they'd probably be alright for big pigs . most of the pigs i come across aren't that big in my part of the country , the 150's would probably do , but i'd pack 170's . just in case

Also shot a full grown Holstein Friesian cow one day the dopey farmer separated it in a paddock on its own you couldn't get within 200 yd of that bloody thing it was that towie only had one eye and the other 1 was full of cancer but I hid behind a tree she went running past at about 70 yd I put one in the shoulder pulled her up real quick followed up with a neck shot dropped her on the spot .
I was very impressed the shoulder was destroyed when all the way into the lungs

[GQshayne]

I had a model 94 in 30/30 when I was about 14. When I was 16 I bought a Tikka .243 to replace the 94.

I found the .243 so much better for hunting pigs on foot. Yes the bolt action was slower to operate, but the ballistics were a lot better. Up to 250m no hold over needed, and the amount of lead needed on running targets was much less. My dad had a Marlin 30/30 that he loved, but in the end he sold it to buy a .243. At closer ranges the 30/30 worked well.

[bigrich]

I had a model 94 in 30/30 when I was about 14. When I was 16 I bought a Tikka .243 to replace the 94.

I found the .243 so much better for hunting pigs on foot. Yes the bolt action was slower to operate, but the ballistics were a lot better. Up to 250m no hold over needed, and the amount of lead needed on running targets was much less. My dad had a Marlin 30/30 that he loved, but in the end he sold it to buy a .243. At closer ranges the 30/30 worked well.

my idea on my 30-30 is fit it with a vortex venom red dot (little square screen, no magnification) and use within 100 yards . i have a 6.5x55 that i handload for longer shots

[deye243]

I had a model 94 in 30/30 when I was about 14. When I was 16 I bought a Tikka .243 to replace the 94.

I found the .243 so much better for hunting pigs on foot. Yes the bolt action was slower to operate, but the ballistics were a lot better. Up to 250m no hold over needed, and the amount of lead needed on running targets was much less. My dad had a Marlin 30/30 that he loved, but in the end he sold it to buy a .243. At closer ranges the 30/30 worked well.

I agree i just sighted in a 30-30 about 2" low at a 150 it's just point shoot from where you stand to a 150 =dead pig I also had a 742 woodsmaster in 3006 at the time but I preferred the 3030 with 7 rounds

[bigrich]

has anyone got any ideas on sighting for a 94 win ? cause i've bought a 94 angle eject ,which is predrilled for scope mounting, i've got options . williams peep , low mag 1.5-5 loopy , vortex venom holograph sight ,mate has one of these on a 92 . doesn't upset weight or balance and is really quick to be on target, but no magnification. and with a 3moa dot it's beer can capable over 100 yards
i also have a lyman "bulls-eye" rear iron sight that works like a ghost ring and is fast focus . in a perfect world any of these would work . but i want to use this rifle in comps out to 100 yards as well as hunting duties in probably low light . not wanting to upset the light weight and balance, which is why i like a 94 in 30-30 , i'm leaning towards the vortex red dot or the williams peep with a fire-dot front blade . any opinions or advice fellas

[straightshooter]

I would go for a fixed compact 2 1/2 power scope if one can still be found.
The advantages of fixed power scopes are under appreciated.

[in2anity]

The sights in that video above are the Williams FP-336-TK. They have the big quick adjust target knobs and locking knob. I've also used the plain Williams FP-336 before, and it's perfectly fine if you just want to "set-n-forget".

The front sight is a lee interchangable front sight, and then i got the Lee Shaver inserts front sight set, which gives you tonnes of options to experiment with. A front globe is a terrible idea on fur, been there, done that. At the very least you need a front post, preferebly a high vis one at that. We all paint our front posts with enamel paint, in white or fluero yellow/orange.

I have also used a red dot for fun - what a great sight picture. If it's any indication of their effectivness, I recall one day very consistently hitting 500m steel with a red dot. Again, they are more a "set-n-forget" option. https://youtu.be/oPnGa9dJSRQ

A scope will be more flexible beyond point blank however. The 1.5-4x Leupolds are a great compact scope for closer ranges; i believe the big fun shop had them on special not so long ago. I had one on my blackout toy, and it was such a perfect short range hunting scope.

1.5-4x Leupold

IMG_9044.jpg (136.81 KiB) Viewed 7353 times

Nonetheless, at 300m, the 4x is a little lacking, so i settled on a 3-9x42 Leupold as the perfect "all-rounder". I even added a custom sticker matching my load onto it so the elevation is now in meters rather than angle. It can beer can at 200m if the wind is well estimated and the shot is placed slowly and carefully.

3-9x Leupold

IMG_3888.jpg (88.08 KiB) Viewed 7353 times

Hope this helps, In2.

[in2anity]

I also have this in the safe, a JM Marlin 30AS with the 3moa Vortex Venom.

IMG_1116.jpeg (101.22 KiB) Viewed 7324 times

IMG_1115.jpeg (102.41 KiB) Viewed 7324 times

For the first three or four, it cloverleafs at 50m

[bigrich]

I also have this in the safe, a JM Marlin 30AS with the 3moa Vortex Venom.

IMG_1116.jpeg

IMG_1115.jpeg

For the first three or four, it cloverleafs at 50m

that's what i'm thinking of . it would be great in the bush . i like the idea off a low power loopy , but the little red dots don't upset the weight and balance of a rifle

[in2anity]

that's what i'm thinking of . it would be great in the bush . i like the idea off a low power loopy , but the little red dots don't upset the weight and balance of a rifle

It just makes sense to me for a 20" (or shorter carbine) lever to wear red dot, because the short sight radius doesn't matter. Marlins are heavier than Winchesters also, so another tick for the red-dot (on a 20" Marlin) is to shed a bit of weight otherwise occupied by the scope...

[bigrich]

I also have this in the safe, a JM Marlin 30AS with the 3moa Vortex Venom.

IMG_1116.jpeg

IMG_1115.jpeg

For the first three or four, it cloverleafs at 50m

that's exactly the red dot i'm thinking of . mate has one on a 92 winchester . lovely set up . hmmm , i'm doing sums in my head again.......

[womble]

Winnny 94 in tirdy tirdy y’all. She’s a beauty. Gon git me some big ol fat melons and pineapple. Gonna shoot ‘em. Den we gonna eat ‘em. Den we gon run that back to y’all in the slow motion about five or six times. Watch that big ol watermelon see.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lMhpEFaTCFc

[bigrich]

Winnny 94 in tirdy tirdy y’all. She’s a beauty. Gon git me some big ol fat melons and pineapple. Gonna shoot ‘em. Den we gonna eat ‘em. Den we gon run that back to y’all in the slow motion about five or six times. Watch that big ol watermelon see.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lMhpEFaTCFc

i like your sense of humor womble .

i've stumbled on quite a few "billy bob" yout tube videos on 30-30 recently

talking to my irish boss a while ago , he called it a "turty-turty" , to be sure

bought some 150gn round nose that deye243 recommended , and some 170 sierras , which according to N foster is supposed to the pick for a good expanding/penetrating projectile in the 30

[bigrich]

Just got back ,picked this up from the big C .
Very happy

[womble]

Very nice find. Do you know what year it is ?

[deye243]

Must be late it's got one of them silly hammer blocks .
But it's a nice looking pice

[bigrich]

Very nice find. Do you know what year it is ?

91-92 production i think . the number search data stops before my rifles numbers come up , so it's a guess . i remember reading that model 94's of this era went back to good qaulity steel receivers that don't go funny and the blueing flakes off . picked up a new/old williams FP sight and a set of new/old hilver steel scope mounts and low 1" rings. at $200 for the lot i grabbed it while i could . these parts are specific for the angle eject and hard to get . i'm still liking the idea of a vortex venom red dot , but i'm saving my pennies ATM cause the rainy days have turned up

shooting this nice old winnie should cheer me up

[bigrich]

Must be late it's got one of them silly hammer blocks .
But it's a nice looking pice

yeah , i was never keen on the angle eject side safety model . "it's not a traditional 94..." i'd tell anybody . but ya know what , it's a really nice well made gun and the receivers are made out of better steel on this model apparently

shoulders really nice with this stock . cheek weld seems to suit a scope or red dot as well as the open sights too . although that might be because of my big square head i'm not called "big rich" for nuthin' i'm half hearted about scoping it , don't want to upset that classic '94 carry and ballance

[deye243]

Must be late it's got one of them silly hammer blocks .
But it's a nice looking pice

yeah , i was never keen on the angle eject side safety model . "it's not a traditional 94..." i'd tell anybody . but ya know what , it's a really nice well made gun and the receivers are made out of better steel on this model apparently

shoulders really nice with this stock . cheek weld seems to suit a scope or red dot as well as the open sights too . although that might be because of my big square head i'm not called "big rich" for nuthin' i'm half hearted about scoping it , don't want to upset that classic '94 carry and ballance

Yeah I still regret selling mine it was an early eighties model and after I tweaked the rifle it was actually quite accurate.
And I hear you on the head I got one like a watermelon.
there is a very slight chance I may be Able to purchase mine back 1 day just waiting for the Phone call