30-30

[brad dryden]

I was wondering if a 30-30 is a good small caliber rifle for deer? I was kinda looking at a

30-30 marlin 336 lever action with a scope on it. Also what is the farthest you might shoot this rifle at a deer and what rounds would you recomend?

[LifeNRA]

I was wondering if a 30-30 is a good small caliber rifle for deer? I was kinda looking at a

30-30 marlin 336 lever action with a scope on it. Also what is the farthest you might shoot this rifle at a deer and what rounds would you recomend?

There has been thousands of deer killed with a 30-30! I still have the one that my father got me. I use it now as a back-up gun. I have mine sighted in for 100 yards, usually in the mountains, you dont get them kind of shots.

As far as ammo, its just like anything else, you have to try out different ammo to see what it likes. I found that Federal 150 grain softpoints work the best in mine. The Remingtons move around too much.

My father shot his best whitetail deer, a very good ten pointer with his 30-30 several years ago. When he was in the service, out in Colorado he got mule deer with it too! One of them has a 32" inside spread and its a 5x4 too boot!

[okiedog]

I've got a couple of "Dirty-30's" in the safe:D. They are a proven gun for many years.

[bobw]

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If Your Set On A 30-30 Take Your Time And Look At A (35 Marlin) Then Compare For Yourself

[too_pointer]

Didn't Hornady come out a few years ago with a new load for lever actions ? I believe it gained velocity and distance.

too_

[ky_deerhunter_77]

The only caliber that might come close to it on the number of deer taken is the 30-06. They are GRATE deer guns. It has little recoil and a good range. My dad has the Marlin 336 and I like it better than my Remington 7400 in a 30-06.

If you was looking for ballistics.

Winchester 150 grain soft point

. muz. 100 200 300

velocity 2480, 2090, 1747, 1446

energy 2049, 1462, 1017, 697

trajectory -1.5, +3.3, @ , -14.7

note: This was in a magazine i was looking at.

too_pointer;

I thank you might be talking about the "Lever-Evolution"

[brad dryden]

Well im kinda leaning towards a 44mag hand gun for deer hunting but not sure if I wanna go with the rifle or hand gun.

[ky_deerhunter_77]

What kind of shot will you be taking ?

[wtnhunt]

A lot of deer have been killed over the years with a 30-30. Have always heard it makes a great "brush gun". If I was looking for a deer gun for versatility though I would look closer at a 30-06, .308, or a .270.

[brad dryden]

Well I have a remington 30-06 but im kinda wanting somthing with open sites I think if the gun sells cheap enough I might but it.

[RangerClay]

I was wondering if a 30-30 is a good small caliber rifle for deer? I was kinda looking at a

30-30 marlin 336 lever action with a scope on it.

Does this answer your question:D

I have been hunting the heavy timber of the Adirondacks for 15 years and every deer was killed with my trusty Marlin 30-30;)

Also what is the farthest you might shoot this rifle at a deer

What is comfortable for you. You owe that to the deer.

and what rounds would you recomend?

The new LeverRevolution bullets made by Hornady for the Marlin are the best out there right now.

[Ruff]

turdy - turdy's will take other game also

[Shaun_300]

Yup, it makes a great caliber, especially if you're hunting in thick woods. A lot of my relatives and friends have .30-30s and .32 Specials for deer hunting. Dad even has a VERY old .303 Savage. The shells look almost the same, .303 being the smallest and .32 Special being the largest.

[Jeramie]

Have always heard it makes a great "brush gun". If

That is often mis construed. People refer to the Cal as a "brush gun" but the 30-30 isn't any safer to shoot through brush than any other caliber. That was simply intended for the length of the gun and in many cases the open sights. I am a huge fan of scopes but there are a few times where they are hard to use.

Personally I am not a huge fan of the 30-30. I have to give it mad props for its years and years of dedicated kills, however with the different cartridges out there that SMOKE the old standby, I will probably never yield one again, unless it is just another standby.

Mine stays locked in the safe. Id rather carry something with much more velocity and a cal that isn't pushing the limits at 100yds.

Dont get me wrong, Im not knocking the .30-30. Its been around for a very long time but there are a lot of guns in the same price range (including ammo price range) that are far more adequate for hunting IMHO.

[njbowhntr]

I have been using my trusty Marlin 336 .30-30 for several years now. I love the gun. I have the gun topped with a Burris 2-7x. As of late I have been shooting the Hornady ammo. I have yet to shoot an animal with the Hornady yet, but have shot it at the range out to 200 yards. At 200 yards I can put 5 shots in a pie plate using my shooting sticks.

I have taken a few animals at under 50 yards with the Remington 170 grain. None of my deer went more than 50 yards after being hit.

[Jeramie]

I have taken a few animals at under 50 yards with the Remington 170 grain. None of my deer went more than 50 yards after being hit.

That exactly how you should hunt with the cal. Inside 100yds its completley addequate. Anything pushing 100 or over it starts to lack. The only deer ive ever lost was from a 30-30 at 100yds.

I switched to a .30-06 the next year and have NEVER lost a deer since. Infact ive never had a deer run more than 10 yards from the bigger 30cal. Most fold like a card table.

[yooperkenny]

I was wondering if a 30-30 is a good small caliber rifle for deer? I was kinda looking at a

30-30 marlin 336 lever action with a scope on it. Also what is the farthest you might shoot this rifle at a deer and what rounds would you recomend?

Agree with above that 30-30 has killed more deer than any other caliber. I've taken many deer and a bear with mine. Light, well balanced rifle with minimal recoil.

I'm taking the scope off mine and replacing it with a Lyman tang peepsight - this will be my still hunting/tracking rifle.

Also agree with the 100 yard or so limit. Mine likes the Federal 150 grain softpoints mentioned above too. Anything above 150 grain is not necessary for deer and will drop faster also. If you think you may need more range, try those LeverEvolution which will provide more energy further downrange. I believe they're only available in 160 grain for 30-30. Good Luck!

[johnf]

I've got a 336 in 30-30. Despite what you may hear, it's a good gun and can be very accurate. I can keep about a 2" pattern at 100 yards with Winchester super X 150gr. I put a red dot on it last year to get quicker sight aquisition and my pattern grew to about 5" (the size of the dot at 100 yards).

[wtnhunt]

That is often mis construed. People refer to the Cal as a "brush gun" but the 30-30 isn't any safer to shoot through brush than any other caliber. That was simply intended for the length of the gun and in many cases the open sights.

You are right Jeramie. Think some people do believe they can use a "brush gun" to shoot through thick stuff, but I would hope that most know that when calling a gun a "brush gun" that it means it is good for tight areas where you have to be able to take and make quick shots.

[njbowhntr]

That exactly how you should hunt with the cal. Inside 100yds its completley addequate. Anything pushing 100 or over it starts to lack. The only deer ive ever lost was from a 30-30 at 100yds.

With the standard ammo that Federal, Winchester, or Remington sells I would agree 100% that 100yards is max. But if your gun likes the Hornady you have extended your range out to 200yards, as long as you practice at that distance before hitting the woods. According to the Hornady site the LeverEvolution ammo is still carrying over 1200 ft/lbs of energy at 200yards. That is more than adequate energy to provide a lethal hit.

[Jeramie]

Actually William, you would be surprise how many times ive heard people say that a .30-30 bullet moves slower and is less likely to ricochet. I grew up with people that lived in that mentality.

With the standard ammo that Federal, Winchester, or Remington sells I would agree 100% that 100yards is max. But if your gun likes the Hornady you have extended your range out to 200yards, as long as you practice at that distance before hitting the woods. According to the Hornady site the LeverEvolution ammo is still carrying over 1200 ft/lbs of energy at 200yards. That is more than adequate energy to provide a lethal hit.

I agree 100%. I actually didn't consider the new Hornady rounds. The standard cartridges are what I was referring to. Id actually like to see some real numbers (not hornady's) with their new rounds!

Personally Id still be a little hesitant but thats just me. Id probably keep shots inside of 150yds if their data is close to accurate.

[too_pointer]

It is funny that in my 40+ years of hunting, that I still have never shot one Guys are right, no such thing as a brush gun, unless you add in buckshot LOL. I have friends who have them and love them, never feel under gunned.

too_

[Bachflock]

First deer I ever shot (and killed) was with an H&R .30-30, single shot of course. I remember my grandpa showing me how to carry an extra round on the ready between my fingers. Kicked pretty hard but the deer bounded 3 times and dropped. I killed my second deer with a Sears (made by Marlin) .30-30 lever action and iron sights. .30-30 is a GREAT choice. Well rounded choice.

[bobw]

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I Fully Agree Theres No Such Thing As A Brush Gun I Saw Tests In An Old Magazine Which Proved It But I Still Prefer A (35) Marlin To A 30-30...

[ky_deerhunter_77]

That exactly how you should hunt with the cal. Inside 100yds its completley addequate. Anything pushing 100 or over it starts to lack. The only deer ive ever lost was from a 30-30 at 100yds.

I switched to a .30-06 the next year and have NEVER lost a deer since. Infact ive never had a deer run more than 10 yards from the bigger 30cal. Most fold like a card table.

The 30-30 and 30-06 is the SAME caliber a .308. The -06 has more powder behind it.

As far as the only deer you lost was it the 30-30 or a bad shot placement?

brad dryden

If you can stay inside a 6 inch group at 200 yard with a good shot placement the 30-30 it will take down a deer. You just need to stay above 1000 lbs. of energy.