is the 30-30 still relevant ?

[bigrich]

hey fellas , another topic for discussion . as the topic title says , who still uses a 30-30 , and what game do you use it on ? in this modern era when you can buy a cheap 308 bolt gun off the shelf that shoots less than 1 MOA , does anyone still drag out the old lever gun and crack off some shots in the paddock ? looking forward to your reply's

[bigpete]

Nope. Lol.
I much preferred the 44 mag in an iron sighted lever gun

[Shootermick]

I just sold my Marlin. Have a BLR in 308, so thought that anything the 30-30 lever could do, the 308 could do just as well but probably better.
I do like the look of the Henry X though. But probably don’t need one.

[Oldbloke]

Only if you want a lever

[No1Mk3]

Yes it is, I used a model 94 on all deer species, pigs, goats etc for decades. During that time I purchased a Ruger 77 paddle stock in 308 and used it on 2 hunts before going back to the 30/30. I did use a Mini14 for 1 hunt, but felt it was too much trouble.

[womble]

Only if you want a lever

Who dose’nt .

[womble]

It’s relevant. Victoria is dense terrain.
Effective range 30 30 more than i need. Probably twice what I need.
308 can kill a mile away. Great for target shooters. In Victoria’s state forests nope I don’t need it. Lots of rocky terrain where i go.
Compare 30 30 to similar mid range, 200, 250 yards.
30 30 comes out on top all things considered. You can get some heavy lumps of lead in 30 30. Soft and mushy.
You want armour piercing, buy the 308.
Stood the test of time. Win 94 in 30 30, open sights. Back to basics. It’s f***ing great. I’m a cowboy. Not broke back mountain like, but you know what I mean

[northdude]

Damn was going to see if you wanted to go on a double date with our creedmores

[Oldbloke]

Only if you want a lever

Who dose’nt .

Me.

[wrenchman]

it works well and it is still one of the top hunting rounds here in the states it is a light handy rifle and if you hand load it you can work up some nice loads

[SCJ429]

Manufacturers keep chambering rifles in it and people keep using them. Sure it is relevant.

Are you saying that it should not be used because of its outdated case design? For some people that is part of the attraction.

Had to chuckle at the comment "if you want armour piercing, use a 308". The 308 is an outdated case design but it is popular. No one is asking if the 308 is irrelevant.

[bigrich]

lotta passion on this topic . i'm considering a new toy , and although the 30-30 is a ancient round , a lot of you still seem to consider it something that "gets the job done" . except for bigpete and his love of 44 rossi's which isn't a bad thing either . if i could find a large cache of adi 2205 i'd probably go with a 44

[tim.laher]

Still a fun round that's approachable for newbies and might get them into the sport via the cowboy aesthetic.

[bigpete]

Only if you want a lever

Who dose’nt .

Me.

Me too. Have had 4 lever guns in various calibres and guages and don't want another.

[Blr243]

Never owned one but my father had one for years. For me the appeal is in the light weight and fast handling compared to a bolt action

[Blr243]

Never owned one but my father had one for years. For me the appeal is in the light weight and fast handling compared to a bolt action

[bigrich]

. For me the appeal is in the light weight and fast handling compared to a bolt action

that's my reasoning for wanting one . with a red dot

a 308 tikka makes more sense , but a thurty-thurty 94 is light , is mild to shoot , and while working the lever you don't lose your sight picture . at least that's my opinion

[GQshayne]

. For me the appeal is in the light weight and fast handling compared to a bolt action

that's my reasoning for wanting one . with a red dot

a 308 tikka makes more sense , but a thurty-thurty 94 is light , is mild to shoot , and while working the lever you don't lose your sight picture . at least that's my opinion

A BLR will do that, and with more cailbre options.

[bigrich]

. For me the appeal is in the light weight and fast handling compared to a bolt action

that's my reasoning for wanting one . with a red dot

a 308 tikka makes more sense , but a thurty-thurty 94 is light , is mild to shoot , and while working the lever you don't lose your sight picture . at least that's my opinion

A BLR will do that, and with more cailbre options.

yeah, . but john wayne never used a BLR ........

[bladeracer]

Never owned one but my father had one for years. For me the appeal is in the light weight and fast handling compared to a bolt action

I enjoy shooting them but I wouldn't have faith in their reliability in the field, and most of them I would never recommend stripping in the field. There aren't many situations where the extra speed is worth it to me over the reliability of a box-mag, bolt-action.

[Oldbloke]

. For me the appeal is in the light weight and fast handling compared to a bolt action

that's my reasoning for wanting one . with a red dot

a 308 tikka makes more sense , but a thurty-thurty 94 is light , is mild to shoot , and while working the lever you don't lose your sight picture . at least that's my opinion

A BLR will do that, and with more cailbre options.

yeah, . but john wayne never used a BLR ........

Forget John Wayne. Chuck was the man.

https://youtu.be/b84Zu1RMMzM

[bigrich]

now ya talking OB

blade , i agree with your view that a bolt with box mag is reliable , but i've never really heard of 94 winnies or 92 win/rossi's having issues in the feild .
marlin's i have but they are easy to work on

[Boundry Rider]

Yep. Marlin with a holographic red dot. 6 in the pipe and one chambered on pigs in channels and bracken fern scrub, can’t beat it.

[Oldbloke]

My first centre fire was Marlin 30.30. I loved that rifle. Levers are great, but BA beats lever IMO.

[wrenchman]

i have noticed guys that hunt with them love them and ok with there limitations

[womble]

I’ll just leave this here

[bigrich]

Yep. Marlin with a holographic red dot. 6 in the pipe and one chambered on pigs in channels and bracken fern scrub, can’t beat it.

That’s exactly the situation where levers excell. A 308 bolt gun is definitely more flexible, but close range rapid fire is great in a lever. 44 mag probably hits harder than 30-30 under 50 meters, but with a 30 I could reload for good accuracy, at the moment I’m limited to factory ammo for a 44. Thinking outside the box, a cheap No4 303 carbine with a red dot would probably be a good rapid fire bit of gear. Be fun practicing the “mad minute “ technique at my local range

[womble]

[in2anity]

I shot my Marlin 30-30 on Friday at 500m. I had x7 leftovers of the Hornady FTX projectiles over a full case of LVR powder. Williams rear arpeture sight, off the prone elbows, out of my favorite m1907 service rifle sling. First time stretching her to such a distance. After one sighter, I was on the 500m 1m X 1m metal plate. The next three landed onto that 1m X 1m plate, tweaking toward center. Then I stepped it up a level and went to the smaller 0.5m X 0.5m plate. The next three landed on that smaller 0.5m X 0.5m plate. That was the end of my fancy handloads, and thus my story with the 30-30 at 500m

Good to quit while you are ahead, because beyond around 10 shots, the sporter gets hot and the groups start opening up. The gun weighs 3.5kg.

Tell me the 30-30 is "irrelevant".

[bigrich]

good lord, i think i need to buy a winnie if it comes with , um, accessories