30-30 vs 308 win - Why still shoot the 30-30?

[keen]

Greetings,

Doing a bit of research on different calibres and cartridges for a hunting rifle, obviously cartridges from the 30 cal family are popular and .308 win is high on the list.

30-30 still has a pretty big following though.

I don't think anyone can argue that the 30-30 is a better cartridge, .308 win has it beat all round... Unless I'm missing something?

So... 30-30 vs .308 win? Why would I shoot a 30-30?

[SendIt]

30-30 is a classic which is makes up much of its appeal.

A modern bolt-action doesn't have the same charm as an old Winchester 94 lever action.

[Norton]

I don't think anyone can argue that the 30-30 is a better cartridge, .308 win has it beat all round.

.50 cal is a "better" cartridge than 22lr, doesn't mean you want to go plinking with a Barrett.

It's all about what you need to do any what you like to shoot.

[Hercl]

I don't think anyone can argue that the 30-30 is a better cartridge, .308 win has it beat all round... Unless I'm missing something?

Yes and no.

On paper, .308 is no doubt the superior cartridge. Shoots flatter, higher velocity, more energy, and so on.

If you're hunting big game and shooting hundreds of metres, all of this is important.

If you're hunting goats or regular size pigs in the scrub and never shooting more than 50m, none of these gains have any real practical benefit.

.308 has about 50% more recoil than 30-30, and typically (not always) a .308 will be a few inches longer.

No point subjecting yourself to more recoil and having a long rifle that gets caught all the time just so you can use a "better" cartridge.

[Granting]

A modern bolt-action doesn't have the same charm as an old Winchester 94 lever action.

Those cowboy shoot events would be pretty dull watching everyone cycle their bolt actions

[keen]

On paper, .308 is no doubt the superior cartridge. Shoots flatter, higher velocity, more energy, and so on.

If you're hunting big game and shooting hundreds of metres, all of this is important.

If you're hunting goats or regular size pigs in the scrub and never shooting more than 50m, none of these gains have any real practical benefit.

.308 has about 50% more recoil than 30-30, and typically (not always) a .308 will be a few inches longer.

No point subjecting yourself to more recoil and having a long rifle that gets caught all the time just so you can use a "better" cartridge.

Yeah, I'm with ya. Cheers.

[Blackened]

...doesn't mean you want to go plinking with a Barrett.

I'd give it a go

[ap2727]

HI, I have just joined this forum and found one of my favourite topics. I am guessing ( never kept a tally over time) I have shot thousands of pigs over the last 40 years. I honestly do not think any pig I hit with the Win 94 in 30/30 actually got away. I think can say the same for the .308 Win. Both great cartridges! In the thick stuff or where ranges don't get more that 100 - 150m the 30/30 is ideal.
I am actually thinking of getting a barrel for my T/C Contender rifle in 30/30 Ackley improved. Ballistics should be close to half way between the standard 30/30 and .308. Sounds good to me.

[keen]

Thanks AP,

Tell me, would you take the 30/30 past 150m or is that about the working limit for it do you think?

[ap2727]

Hi, for me range has always been about sights with the 30/30 and opportunity. I did once make a very (assy ) classy one shot kill on a big boar at a measured 180m, neck shot and he dropped like he had been struck by lightning.
When younger, with good eyes my Mod 94 wore a Williams peep sight and I found shots out to about 120m weren't a problem if you had time to take a careful shot. In those days we used to get into the thick stuff and most shots would have been 50m or less. I then went to a 1-3 X Variable on a nice AE Legacy. With time to take a careful shot anything within 150m was in trouble. My rifle for the thick stuff now wears a red dot and I would rarely try at more than 100m. I always found 150gn projectiles superior to the 170s but if my T/C project gets up a 130 gn HP might get a run, they are very effective in my .308.
Does all that make any sense.

[keen]

It does... All this information is slowly sinking in

[butiwanna]

I did once make a very (assy ) classy one shot kill on a big boar at a measured 180m, neck shot and he dropped like he had been struck by lightning.

Code for "a very BS lucky" shot?