30-30 lever guns, still a viable cartridge/rifle in use?

[Wapiti]

How many of you blokes still use a lever 30-30 rifle for hunting, or at least, from time to time or when the conditions make it a great choice?
The rifle itself, or maybe what ammo does a good job and is accurate enough for thick country work?
Anyone ever stretch it out a bit?
Does anyone have a nice projectile/powder combo that works reliably on say, pigs or deer?
Or even... quiet pop type loads for practice, close-up culling say, pigs in a trap or around settled areas?

With all the latest craze of the cartridge-rifle makers dreaming up game-changers that don't do anything at all different anyway, for example the WSM's, then the WSSM's (all dead) the 6.5 craze that suddenly became essential (everyone forgot the 6.5x55 that did it in the early 1900's better ), the PRC marketing that was going to kill the WinMags and RUMS but isn't, the old 30-30 is still being used.

Do peep sights work best? Reflex sights over red dots? Or even a 1-4x compact scope?
I've suddenly dusted off my '94 16" Trapper, and am going to ditch the red dot that I find pretty marginal for something else. and am unsure.
1-4x scope or reflex? Or just leave the ghost rings as the sights?

[Fester]

My Dirty-30 is just a staino Rossi Reogrande, and I love it, mainly just for fun plinking.
A Skinner peep was fitted, then the longer front post to suit, and the set of different-sized aperture rings to shoot 50 yd groups and stuff.
The semi-buckhorns were good for melons at 25m offhand and lost favour fast.

I always loaded 150gr soft points at average factory ammo type velocity for brush gun hunting.
From memory, about 33gr of 08, as there's no need to develop or find accuracy nodes in a brush gun.

I only blooded it the other year because to carry it in the forest, which would be a pleasure, would also be a guarantee to see some deer at about 200yds, and only the Facebook hunters do that with their 30-30s lol, likely hunting on the screen, rather than in the field.
I was surprised at how effective it was as a brush gun, but it was only a large Eastern Grey Grasshopper, and I likely spined it.
It was only 30m-ish, and through trees and branches where the peep with the tiny target ring wasn't ideal, I should have just screwed it out and used the ghost ring, but that critter just fell on the spot, and I reckon a pig or deer would have done the same.

I loaded light pop loads with 165gr HRBC casties for years, just for cheap plinking and offhand practice.
It was the common 16-17gr of 2207, but the case was only about half full, and could fit a double charge, so checking the tray of filled cases was essential.
A filler would prob be recommended, but I never had an issue.

When Trailboss was eventually found on the shop shelf, back before the shortage, I tried it, but it went subsonic, or near.
It sounded and felt like a .22lr so I may as well have just shot the 22.

I never went back to reduced loads, as better offhand practice was to load up the casties, and Les from HRBC said the blokes were loading up their powder-coated projies way higher than first thought possible.
I actually worked up and shot a couple, charged right up at my full 150gr SP load levels.
It was up near max, and I could feel the recoil.
I found the point where they did lose accuracy and backed off under that.
I had no leading issues in the barrel, but that is likely when they start spraying, as the base of the projy is said to start melting.

I now have 2 cast loads, with the most convenient being a moderate charge of 08 on the std 165gr pill that would still put holes through critters, and surprisingly splashed some decent shots into the 300m mound that surprised both me and the RO, who I asked permission. That load is only a grain or 2 under my full jacketed 150 SP loads, so all I would need.

Being a gluten for punishment, I also do 2 quick cuts on my mini-lathe to fit gas checks and do full loads with cast pills.
Why, reloaders are always experimenting, eh

In conclusion, all my loads shot well enough, and much the same appart from shooting 8" lower and such.
The rifle has conventional grooves rather than micro, like the Marlins, so the Rossi, once sorted of it's shocking factory QC issues was the right choice for me.
The micro-grooved barrels only shoot well with a certain-sized pill, apparently.

[No1Mk3]

No longer hunt, but when I did 90% of it with a Win 94 30/30, bought a paddle stock Ruger in 308 in 1993, went back to the Winnie. 125g SP for goats and wallabies, 150g Silvertips or RN/SP for pigs and deer up to Reds, 180g RN/SP for Rusa (Sambar) & Elk (was going to say Wapiti, but considering who I'm answering to maybe a bit off), I always used irons and stalked up to 100 yards or so. The only time I took the Ruger or the Tikka M55 was high Alpine where cover was at best marginal. If I ever went out again (very unlikely) I would reach for the 94. I have taken the 94 to the range and shot Military 3P (Canadian Rangers, US Army Signal Corps, French Army and the British Navy used Win 94's) and even now scored well at 300m with my well used 1959 rifle, not good enough to hunt comfortably, but a better shooter using Hornady Leverevolution in a newish rifle could do so.

[Fester]

It's funny, but I couldn't get any noticeable benefits from using the Leverlution projectiles.
My research showed that Hrdy uses a special powder that they developed for the purpose and likely get the best velocities, but too much for me to bother with, and 2208 is just so versatile for slower 30 cals.
Also, I don't need more than round-nose type BCs, as I don't really shoot it past 100, as a rule.
2206h is likely the ideal choice to start reducing loads, but I didn't pursue it as I didn't use 06 for anything else.
Not using a scope means I won't see much, apart from the odd fluked 50yd group to write home about.

Throwing bricks at animals is fine at brush country ranges or in the thick stuff but that's where it ends for me.
Same with offhand shooting, really; I won't do it past where I feel confident, and I have been practicing for years.

I think 30 cals do seem to hit hard, and blokes swear by the odd particular 130gr projie with a hollow point, so it's not just the weight.
Blokes shooting lots of pigs could get the real-life data.

The 300 Blackout is a go-to for shooting bigger critters in house paddocks with subsonics.
I don't know if I ever shot one, but I may have, as I vaguely remember the look of the ammo with a small case shoulder.
Yeah, mild shooting, as it comes back to me. He didn't reload, so normal loads, obviously.

[bigrich]

How many of you blokes still use a lever 30-30 rifle for hunting, or at least, from time to time or when the conditions make it a great choice?
The rifle itself, or maybe what ammo does a good job and is accurate enough for thick country work?
Anyone ever stretch it out a bit?
Does anyone have a nice projectile/powder combo that works reliably on say, pigs or deer?
Or even... quiet pop type loads for practice, close-up culling say, pigs in a trap or around settled areas?

With all the latest craze of the cartridge-rifle makers dreaming up game-changers that don't do anything at all different anyway, for example the WSM's, then the WSSM's (all dead) the 6.5 craze that suddenly became essential (everyone forgot the 6.5x55 that did it in the early 1900's better ), the PRC marketing that was going to kill the WinMags and RUMS but isn't, the old 30-30 is still being used.

Do peep sights work best? Reflex sights over red dots? Or even a 1-4x compact scope?
I've suddenly dusted off my '94 16" Trapper, and am going to ditch the red dot that I find pretty marginal for something else. and am unsure.
1-4x scope or reflex? Or just leave the ghost rings as the sights?

from what i hear a lot of fellas still use winnie 94's in FNQ . the range is generally short and the 94's carry brilliantly . 30-30 just works on pigs up there . i've had a few but they're too "niche " in usage for me . as you know mate i prefer the flexibility of my 308 T3 with a 2-7 loopy . but sights on a lever gun , a mate has a vortex venom reflex sight on a '92 in 32-20 and it is a joy to use and very accurate out to 150 with this system . i believe it has a 1.5 MOA dot . my old gun smith mate reckons the round red dots are "like trying to aim through a key hole " . the only other sight i'd consider is a 1-4 power loopy , so long as your winnie is angle eject. ghost rings ? my eyes aren't good enough for any iron sight and fast target acquisition, especially in low light on black pigs . i haven't really narrowed it down for you , but i'd go with a reflex sight . at 30-30 ranges this should work well and sticks with the light carry aspects and point-ability of a winnie '94

[GQshayne]

I had a Model 94 in 30/30 when I was about 14 for pig hunting. Got rid of it for a .243 when I was 16, and I instantly got a lot better. The .243 had a scope, and with much better ballistics, hitting a moving target was much easier. My dad had a Marlin 30/30 which he loved, but eventually he said the .243 was just better once the distance opned up past 100m, so he got one too.

[Wapiti]

Throwing bricks at animals is fine at brush country ranges or in the thick stuff but that's where it ends for me.
Same with offhand shooting, really; I won't do it past where I feel confident, and I have been practicing for years.

I think 30 cals do seem to hit hard, and blokes swear by the odd particular 130gr projie with a hollow point, so it's not just the weight.
Blokes shooting lots of pigs could get the real-life data.

LMFAO

.30 cals are awesome mate, so many different case size choices and that's why I use them for all things.
From the thump of the slowest 2200fps/150gn bullet 30-30 to the screaming 3550fps/105gns of powder/150gn bullet in the 300RUM, they are a friggin' blast, man.
The day I start choosing cartridges for a few grains less powder or some long-range fantasy that is only a matter of clicks on a scope turret anyhow, I'll give the game away.

[NedKelly79]

I still swear by my 94 XTR angle eject with 1.5-5x20 for pigs, with scope wound right down, it is great up close and allows both eyes open, im better using it than open sights on quick departing pigs in reasonably thick stuff.

Many cringe when they see the scope on my lever gun, but mounted low in Leupold mounts, it looks great and like its meant to be there, swings and aims well.

Im a sucker for older less exciting cartridges and the 30/30 is one of those, it always makes me smile flattening pigs with it, in the 94, its a light well balanced nice little rifle that is great on bikes, horses and vehicles. My little 94 Trapper in 44 mag is incredibly compact, Id love to see a trapper in 30/30.

A lot of people s**t can the 30/30 with its modest velocity and trajectory, most have never used one once you press them on their experience, mine is a true 200 metre pig gun, with scope wound up and a good rest, it gets the job done, A few preety impressive rear end raking running away shots on decent boars at moderate ranges has literally seen it penetrate one end to the other front side and roll a pig in a heap that thought he was away free.

Ive only used Winchester 150 grain factory hollows in mine, they work great, its one i dont reload for as most brass is lost in action.

[wrenchman]

I still use one but not as much as I did there was a time before a lot of the guns made now the 3030 was the cheepest thing made you could be deer hunting for under 200 dollars in the 80s cheep light and could kill out to 200 yards well inside of the range most deer are killed.
bolt action gun are have rely come down in price and a good lever could cost better then double up to the late 80s the levers action 3030 held the most fire arm owned

[Damo300]

I got myself a Rossi R95 in the blued timber 20inch.
My eyes are terrible for close up. Anything past 1m I can see clearly, but inside that, lucky to focus on the front site.
So I fitted a Burris fullfield IV 2.5 - 10 x 42.
These are a great scope for the price. Very clear, and illuminated.

Typical 30/30, grouping like buck shot through all powder nodes. I got the 160gr leverevolution projectiles and using 31.2gr of 08, pushing them around 2300.
I wasn't happy with it and considered moving it on.

I got to thinking and wanted to try one more modification.
I had the muzzle threaded in 9/16 x 24, yep odd size but the barrel wasn't thick enough for a 5/8x 24. Ed at HiCal murrarie did the work.
I fitted a Grizley radial break I purchased from the Barn.
Well didn't that change things up.
It now clover leafs at 100m.
1moa at 200m, and yep, I can hit the 6 inch gong at 300m at the Ripley range pretty consistently. The RO was go smacked.
I now have confidence in the rifle to do the job.

Took it hunting last trip and christened it on a fallow doe. She was hit at around 80m, broadside and fell about 10m from where she was shot. When I walked up on her, the shot hit exactly where I was aiming. It was dusk. I had a poke around to try and find the projectile but gave up as I still had to harvest.

I'm working some 175gr hornady sub x down to see how they go in subs, but the noise is still there so no real point untill this country grows up and gives us hearing protection attachments.


It's now a proven deer rifle. Haven't hit the pigs yet as I don't really hunt them, but may have an opportunity to test it out early next year. I wouldn't hesitate to take this rifle now.
It slings nicely over the shoulder, and very quick target acquisition when required, but I do have some zoom for those shots in and around black berry's etc.

Love my 30/30.

[Wapiti]

I still swear by my 94 XTR angle eject with 1.5-5x20 for pigs, with scope wound right down, it is great up close and allows both eyes open, im better using it than open sights on quick departing pigs in reasonably thick stuff.

Many cringe when they see the scope on my lever gun, but mounted low in Leupold mounts, it looks great and like its meant to be there, swings and aims well.

Im a sucker for older less exciting cartridges and the 30/30 is one of those, it always makes me smile flattening pigs with it, in the 94, its a light well balanced nice little rifle that is great on bikes, horses and vehicles. My little 94 Trapper in 44 mag is incredibly compact, Id love to see a trapper in 30/30.

A lot of people s**t can the 30/30 with its modest velocity and trajectory, most have never used one once you press them on their experience, mine is a true 200 metre pig gun, with scope wound up and a good rest, it gets the job done, A few preety impressive rear end raking running away shots on decent boars at moderate ranges has literally seen it penetrate one end to the other front side and roll a pig in a heap that thought he was away free.

Ive only used Winchester 150 grain factory hollows in mine, they work great, its one i dont reload for as most brass is lost in action.

Yes I agree mate, I think that the 30-30 has this magic combination of the projectile speed being just so well matched to old-school projectile construction, they just do the job.
Raking body-length shots are the norm without projies blowing up.
My 30-30 trapper has the tapped receiver, so I got a set of Leupold mounts for it, and a scout rail and replaced the rear sight with that rail. The rail came with a set of Ghost-rings, a taller front tritium blade and a big peep that fitted exactly into the rear reciever scope mount holes. made it so much faster to get onto a pig.
But I had a "marketing moment" and stuck a Sig Sauer red-dot on it, and it never gelled with me. So I'm thinking about putting a small reflex sight on it, that doesn't stick up like a Hills Hoist.
My eyes are becoming intolerant of opens.
I do have a new VX2 1-4x in a box, a lovely bright little 25mm tube scope, I reckon I should stop screwing around and fit that.
I just love the way the short open-sighted '94 fits in the swag with me when I'm off the side of the road in the middle of nowhere.

Yes the Trapper 16" 30-30 is a beauty, I was real lucky to score it coming out of the box with some real nice figured walnut on it and an awesome shiny gloss blue. Drops velocity down 100fps over the 20" standard models but there's no difference the way it hits.
There was a new 44mag Trapper there at the shop at that time, 1996 I think it was, and the walnut on it was incredible, you'd think it was from a custom stockmaker. I should've bought it too, because here in Qld at the time, there was no PTA garbage.

[flashman]

Had one many years ago , win 94 was just a fun gun sold it to a mate who just luv it too death why don't now , I still reload for it after 40 odd years later and still going strong.........

[Fester]

I am not really a traditionalist, but a bit old-school, and just appreciate different rifles for what they are.
The 30-30 sure is fun, and doesn't have to be the most accurate or longest shooter, as that's not its purpose.
I will be spewing if, or when my eyes can't see through the peep, and the front pin is about the only thing that sticks up from the clean neat lines of that rifle. It will never have a scope sticking out on top.

It is a pleasure to carry point and shoot, and I truly would love to shoot a deer with it.
The only practical way is to take it on the next hunt after a successful one, so it doesn't matter if I see them at range.
I do often see deer close, the ones I don't even get a shot off, but who knows; with that lever carried on half-cocked, it's about as quick and safe as it gets.
They are always switched on and flighty, but sometimes a doe will stand there for seconds or more.
If the rifle were in my hands, rather than slung, who knows, I could get the shot, and what a great feeling it would be.

Shooting as many pigs out of a mob would be a hoot, and a bloke was telling me about one of his best shots.
He used the 30-30, shooting 130s as it was better on his shoulder.
He took a running bore, with 1 effective shot, faceplanting the pig with his sons, who also shot, watching in awe.
It was action shooting off the back of a ute, and I reckon he would have kept a cool head and told them, "That's how it's done, boys"

[JGR1949]

Always loved the round, still disappointed with myself in passing up a really nice Savage 340 in 30-30

My wish list would be to find a really nice Remington 788