.30-30 hunting in Australia

[MeccaOz]

Yeah unless it was a super hot load with a ballistic tip projectile I wouldn't be using it on deer

Hasnt the 30/30 taken more deer in the states than anything else ?

[wrenchman]

Yes in the east part of the country it is still one of the top white tail calibers/ guns

[MeccaOz]

Yes in the east part of the country it is still one of the top white tail calibers/ guns

That would be more forest type areas Wrenchman ? I lov the 30/30 but from where I am you need a bit more range, but I wouldnt hesitate to use them on deer or pigs or whatever at around the 100 meter range myself .

[Combat_Wombat]

Wasn't too clear on that one. I was saying I would use a 44 for deer, the 30-30 would do it no worries.

[wrenchman]

Yeah it is forest. I do agree it is not ideal for longer ranges, Wombat.

I think they would be great in 44 and it would not beat you up, it makes for a fun gun.

The reason it has such a large following here is it was our first commercial smokeless round, some of them old guns show up in deer camp for generations, being handed down.

I have seen a few pre 1900 lever guns that were family heirlooms.

[Zilla]

I wouldn't mind a lever .357mag or .44mag for hunting in the thick bush. Leaned more towards the .44 Remington Magnum. Any of you blokes got any first hand experience with these things?

Not in a lever, but my Ruger .44 Mag is my regular bush gun.

Always inside 100m shots for me, and it's pah-lenty!

[Richard]

Hi dorpel.

If you are after a lever action a better choice may be the Browning BLR in 30-06. I bought one around 15 years ago and it's been a great rifle. You will get accuracy close to that of a Bolt Action, detachable magazine, large variety of bullet weights, longer range and more hitting power than a 30-30. I have mine kitted out with a bipod (for longer shots) and a 4-16 x 50 scope. I've shot everything from Foxes to Sambar Deer with mine.

Just my thoughts.

[dorpel]

Hi Richard,

I've looked at the BLR and it's hard to know what to make of it. Some guys loving them and getting good accuracy and some guys hating them.

Maybe the old ones are the good ones and something's changed since then? Such mixed feedback on the current ones it's hard to be confident in buying one.

[Rohan]

G'day Dorpel,

I have just found your post from 2014 about wanting a 30-30 for Hunting. I hope you found a good one. I just thought I would share my experience doing the same.

I also wanted a classic "scrub gun" and decided to go for the Marlin 336W which was one of very few examples available due to covid over the last 12 months or so. I bought one new from Cowboy Guns and Gear in Cowra, NSW. It came as a rifle and scope package with an unbranded 3-9X40 scope mounted. I had originally set my sights on a Winchester Model 94 although it was impossible to source the newer side ejecting examples during covid and all the second hand ones I could find were top ejectors which foiled my plans for mounting a scope.

I am really pleased with the way it performs. It's not the most accurate rifle that I own but it is more than fit for the purpose for which I bought it. After sighting it in I get a 2.5 inch group at 100 yards which is more than accurate enough for pigs in the scrub.

I did my research on ammunition and have gone with the Hornady FTX Leverevelution rounds. They are a 160 grain ballistic tipped hunting round that performs quite well and carries energy further down range than other available rounds. They are quite expensive at $50/pack of 20 but I have just purchased the reloading dies to suit.

The FTX's leave the barrel at 2400fps and carry 1100 ft/lb out to 200 yards. That gives me leeway to confidently take a larger animal (pig/deer/goat) at that range. Keeping in mind my 2.5 inch group at 100 yards will be 5 inches at 200 yards, discretion needs to be used in confidently placing that longer shot into a kill zone. Mind you, 200 yards is to be considered the absolute maximum range for this rifle and is only, I feel, possible with the Hornady FTX 160 grain rounds.

The 30-30 is a lot louder than I had anticipated so I do keep spare batteries for my electric muffs. I wasn't using any hearing protection when I took the first shot on my range and I did regret it. It is far louder than my old Lee Enfield .303 which did surprise me.

The stock on the 336W is quite a generic, pale looking piece of Beech wood. I think I may purchase an after market stock in Walnut later on. That's only a cosmetic issue though. I rarely bother with the look of a rifle that performs well.

The action from brand new was quite stiff and definitely not smooth. I have found that it "makes metal" after a good oiling and a day in the paddock. I'm hoping it will wear in over time.

Those are my only two negatives with the rifle really. Otherwise I am pleased with the configuration and function of it.

With six rounds in the tube and one in the breech it carries a good number of highly repeatable shots for when you bump a mob of goats, pigs, or deer in the scrub.

I am happy that I decided to buy it. I'll be keeping it for good I think.

Rohan.

[northdude]

they are not a long range gun,,more a scrub gun imho,50 to 75 mtrs would be the average range,the 30-30 has plenty of hitting power close in but loses it pretty quickly when you try and stretch its legs.

I'd give it a bit more credit than that personally.

It's not a long ranger, but still plenty of power at 100m.

I still wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of it at 150-200m

[bigrich]

Owned a few 94 winnies, one, a 64a model was really accurate. But, I don’t have the eyesight to hunt with them. The 94’s carry and point better than a marlin. You can scope a marlin , but marlin weighs more so I might as well own a bolt gun with more range and accuracy.
But a 45-70 marlin is something else again....

[boingk]

Mates got a 30-30 '94 Win, brilliant thing. I've got a Mk1No3 in 30-30, amazing rifle but no lever.

I've had a Marlin in 357 Mag. Not bad but underwhelming. If your local offers cheap 38 Special (Sometimes down to $18/50pk) it would make a good cheap plinker.

Still got a Win 1892 in 32-20. Bright bore, slick action, runs very well. Pretty much a big, lazy 22 magnum the way I load it, haha - 78gn .314" with 1cc Trailboss for 1250fps. Can't go wrong.

Rossi / Citadel '92 in 44 Mag, now we're talking. Load it mild or wild and enjoy the hell outta it. As above factory ammo is reasonably priced, too.

The big bopper is a Marlin 1895GBL - thats a 6 round tube mag, 18.5" blued barrel, laminated stocking and big loop lever. Lovely thing.

FWIW, I've got a mate who took a Chiappa 44 Mag up the Cape and bagged all sorts of things with it. Said he never had an issue with any large game.

[bladeracer]

G'day Dorpel,

I have just found your post from 2014 about wanting a 30-30 for Hunting. I hope you found a good one. I just thought I would share my experience doing the same.

I also wanted a classic "scrub gun" and decided to go for the Marlin 336W which was one of very few examples available due to covid over the last 12 months or so. I bought one new from Cowboy Guns and Gear in Cowra, NSW. It came as a rifle and scope package with an unbranded 3-9X40 scope mounted. I had originally set my sights on a Winchester Model 94 although it was impossible to source the newer side ejecting examples during covid and all the second hand ones I could find were top ejectors which foiled my plans for mounting a scope.

I am really pleased with the way it performs. It's not the most accurate rifle that I own but it is more than fit for the purpose for which I bought it. After sighting it in I get a 2.5 inch group at 100 yards which is more than accurate enough for pigs in the scrub.

I did my research on ammunition and have gone with the Hornady FTX Leverevelution rounds. They are a 160 grain ballistic tipped hunting round that performs quite well and carries energy further down range than other available rounds. They are quite expensive at $50/pack of 20 but I have just purchased the reloading dies to suit.

The FTX's leave the barrel at 2400fps and carry 1100 ft/lb out to 200 yards. That gives me leeway to confidently take a larger animal (pig/deer/goat) at that range. Keeping in mind my 2.5 inch group at 100 yards will be 5 inches at 200 yards, discretion needs to be used in confidently placing that longer shot into a kill zone. Mind you, 200 yards is to be considered the absolute maximum range for this rifle and is only, I feel, possible with the Hornady FTX 160 grain rounds.

The 30-30 is a lot louder than I had anticipated so I do keep spare batteries for my electric muffs. I wasn't using any hearing protection when I took the first shot on my range and I did regret it. It is far louder than my old Lee Enfield .303 which did surprise me.

The stock on the 336W is quite a generic, pale looking piece of Beech wood. I think I may purchase an after market stock in Walnut later on. That's only a cosmetic issue though. I rarely bother with the look of a rifle that performs well.

The action from brand new was quite stiff and definitely not smooth. I have found that it "makes metal" after a good oiling and a day in the paddock. I'm hoping it will wear in over time.

Those are my only two negatives with the rifle really. Otherwise I am pleased with the configuration and function of it.

With six rounds in the tube and one in the breech it carries a good number of highly repeatable shots for when you bump a mob of goats, pigs, or deer in the scrub.

I am happy that I decided to buy it. I'll be keeping it for good I think.

Rohan.

There are two easy ways to scope a top-eject, the simplest being a scout scope mounted on the barrel, forward of the ejection port. The second is an offset mount to move the scope to the left side of the ejection port. Both work very well and have their own pros and cons. The offset mount usually leaves the rear sight in place so you can just install the scope when required - it should retain zero just fine. The scout scope often interferes with or replaces the rear sight.

[Shootermick]

I’ve got a Marlin in 30/30. Grey laminate stock, 20” barrel. I really like it. But if the new Henry X models ever arrive here, which I was told would be early next year, I’ll probably sell it and get one of those in 30/30.

[Blr243]

My view as I sit waiting....The grass paddock I’m hoping pigs will emerge from

[Blr243]

Howa243 for now Hawke scope. Later when approaching too dark my sauer270 with thermal

[Blr243]

My view as I sit waiting....The grass paddock I’m hoping pigs will emerge from

[Blr243]

Damn me accidentally posting on wrong topic. Please somebody send me some $ for a new set of glasses

[Wm.Traynor]

Good luck with the pigs, BLR

[Blr243]

Thanks w m I need it