30 30 Has killed more deer than any other.

[hunterbobb]

A recent post brought this up again and I want to try to shed some light on the misconception associated with this statement.

First off the statement is probably true. However, just because it is true doesn't mean the 30-30 is some sort of magic deer killing machine. Ballistically speaking the 30-30, currently is at best a mediocore cartridge. The reason for it's glorious record is it's longevity and the massive number of rifles chambered for it.

The 30-30 was developed in 1895 and at that time was the hottest thing on the market. Thousands of winchester and marlin lever action rifles chamberd in 30-30 were sold in the first 20 years of the century. No other caliber really competed with it until after World War I when returning soilders started using the then new 30-06 in limited numbers. However, the more modern calibers didn't really start to take off until after WW II. Some time around 1950.

Now even though the new cartriges such as the 30-06, 270, 308, 7mm Mag. were out there, tradition has always been a hard thing to over come. Millions of huters believed that the 30-30 was good enough for grand pa so it will be good enough for me. So people continued to buy 30-30's even though there were now much better choices available.

So my point is please stop saying "the 30-30 has killed more deer" like that it makes it some sort of magical deer killer.

It has limited range, is marginally accurate, and falls in the middle when it comes to muzzel energy. Considering all this makes it a marginal deer killer.

If you use this same logic in other areas, should we only eat at McDonalds cause they sell more humburgers than anyone else.

:gun2:

[Dakota]

The .30-30 still rules...:gun1:

Point taken, though. I shoot a .30-06 myself.

Dakota

[hunterbobb]

Thats one for you Dakota, My blood pressure spiked when I saw your reply. Until I scrolled down. Good one you got me.

:pop:

[wtnhunt]

Interesting post Bob. Guess I probably missed something in some recent posts that initiated this, but kind of surprised the 30-30 is still considered as having taken "more deer", kind of figured with the massive numbers of hunters of today in comparison to the days where the 30-30 was so popular and with the liberal limits set in some places, that more modern calibers such as the .30-06 or .270 would have surpassed the 30-30 by now. Wonder if a more valid statement might be that the .30 calibers have taken "more deer", I would tend to believe that one to be true.

[hunterbobb]

I agree, I don't know if the 30-30 has killed more deer than any other even still applies. However, you still hear people saying it all the time. I would agree that 30 calibers have killed more than any others.

[annieoakley]

Great post, Bob. I agree though. Just because it may have killed more deer than any other caliber doesn't make it superior. That is the same argument that my husband uses and I want to strangle him every time he says it.

[Shaun_300]

I agree with ya Bob. I have a lot of older relatives that shoot the .30-30 and .32 Special. They swear by it, always give us heck for having too much gun. I don't argue with them, back in the early days when there wasn't many calibers, and not to mention not a whole lot of money to be spent on rifles back them, that's just what everyone used. And they still use them because they still shoot and kill deer. Personally I'm not a big fan of the cartridge, but yes it does the job. Nice light gun to carry around the bush and can kill pretty much anything under 100 yards with a well placed shot. But I sure as heck wouldn't take a 200-300 yard shot with it at a deer or moose with it. Wouldn't even bat an eye with the .300 WSM in my hands, I know if I make a good shot with that thing, the sucker is going down, no questions asked.

[Dakota]

Thats one for you Dakota, My blood pressure spiked when I saw your reply. Until I scrolled down. Good one you got me.

:pop:

Just yankin' yer chain, bud. I don't tell you how to do your job. I used to own a .30-30 but ended up selling it to help pay for my Monster. Haven't regretted it one bit...well...maybe one bit...

Dakota

[BrotherBadger]

So people continued to buy 30-30's even though there were now much better choices available.

People continue to buy them because they are comfortable with it. Why does it matter what other hunters buy? You don't want a 30-30, fine. I prefer my 7mm Mag myself, but if one of my friends wants to shoot a 30-30, i don't care. A 30-30 will kill a deer under 120 yards, which is what most casual hunter's max range is anyways. By your rationale, nobody should ever muzzle-load, since there are better options. Is the "killed more deer" a stupid argument? Sure, but why let it get under your skin?

[Doc]

I have one of the old model 94 Winchesters, and I bought it just because the thing is a super-cool looking gun with a rather historical appearance to it. If they ever legalize rifles for deer hunting here in my county, I will still feel the need to buy a new rifle for that purpose. My biggest complaint about the Mod-94 as a deer hunting weapon has nothing to do with the caliber. 30-30 is probably quite adequate for the tight brush, short range hunting that we have here. However, that top-eject has been a problem with adding a scope to it and I really don't like being forced into open sights when it comes to my deer hunting. However, I still love the Mod-94 and it will always have a place in my gun rack.

Doc

[redkneck]

A recent post brought this up again and I want to try to shed some light on the misconception associated with this statement.

First off the statement is probably true. However, just because it is true doesn't mean the 30-30 is some sort of magic deer killing machine. Ballistically speaking the 30-30, currently is at best a mediocore cartridge. The reason for it's glorious record is it's longevity and the massive number of rifles chambered for it.

So my point is please stop saying "the 30-30 has killed more deer" like that it makes it some sort of magical deer killer.

I'm really not sure I understand your beef here. You concede the 30-30 probably has taken more deer than any other.... but you get agitated when someone says it?

Personally I think the claims of the 30-30 are highly likely if not overtaken by the '06 but I doubt anyone will ever really know for sure.

I killed my first ten or so deer with a 30-30. They are great little rifles, but they are what they are, no different than a .243 is what it is. I suppose I've missed something in an older post, or just some folks rubbing you the wrong way about the gun.

Edited May 5, 2010 by redkneck

[redkneck]

I have one of the old model 94 Winchesters, and I bought it just because the thing is a super-cool looking gun with a rather historical appearance to it. If they ever legalize rifles for deer hunting here in my county, I will still feel the need to buy a new rifle for that purpose. My biggest complaint about the Mod-94 as a deer hunting weapon has nothing to do with the caliber. 30-30 is probably quite adequate for the tight brush, short range hunting that we have here. However, that top-eject has been a problem with adding a scope to it and I really don't like being forced into open sights when it comes to my deer hunting. However, I still love the Mod-94 and it will always have a place in my gun rack.

Doc

I remember my first deer, a scraggly 3-point and my model 94, trying to get the last sunlight on the sights. After that I borrowed a Marlin from my cousin with a 4 power tasco on it. I've never shot another deer with the 94 since, but its day will come again!!!!

We get so focused on trophies (or I do) that you're scared to take the risk of a big one walking out at last light with open sights and I never hunt with the old gun. But yet I'll take my bow for half of gun season.... go figure.

[m gardner]

I've shot lots of deer with the 30-30 and never had one get away. I grew up in the northeast and distances were short and we used the 170 grain bullet. It worked just fine. And as for it being marginally accurate I think some of the rifles it was chambered in were marginally accurate and some of the factory ammo wasn't the best but I reloaded for it for years and shot several bolt guns chambered in 30-30 (Remington's 788 and Winchester's model 70) and believe me it would shoot as well at 100 yards as any other cartridge. I haven't used it since moving west though. I like the 30-06 and 270 best.

Mark

[gzilla45]

I think a lot of the debate really boils down to personal preference. Do I think the 30-30 is the best choice for deer? No. But you can't really argue with the fact that is taken down deer since the round was invented. I personally shoot a .270 and think it is the best deer round but that is my opinion. Where I hunt up in the swamps of northern WI the 30-30 still has a huge presence. I bet 1 in 4 guns I see hanging off of slings is a lever action 30-30. Where it is hard to get a shot off over 100 yards and the deer drive is used often, I think it is a great gun. Is it the best today, probably not but it sure did have a great run.

[Heavy Metal]

If it's fact that the .30-30 has killed more deer than any other....and it seems pretty likely, then that's that. That fact has nothing to do with it's performance stacked up against other, higher powered, flatter shooting rounds. So why bash the fact that the .30-30 is in fact one of the greatest deer rounds of all time? Seems pretty straight forward.

So you really think the .30-30 round is comparable to the nastiest, most disgusting, most processed burger available to mankind? Strange comparison...and logic.

[hunterbobb]

I'm not bashing the 30-30. I actually own three of them. My whole point is how people make it sound like it is has some sort of magical powers and simply buy having one in your hands every deer will drop stone cold dead at your feet.

My grip is with people that use the argument "the 30-30 has killed more deer than any other gun" as a reason to buy one.

I am just saying there are much better choices available.

So my final question for all of you supporters of the 30-30. The buck of a lifetime is standing 200 yards across an opening in the woods. What would you rather be carrying. An open sighted Winchester 94 in 30-30 or a Remington 700 in 270 with a nice 3 X 9 scope on it.

:gun2:

Edited May 5, 2010 by hunterbobb

[Ethan Givan]

I agree with you on all parts except the marginal accuracy part. Ive witnessed my brother shooting groups that measured less than 1" at 150 yards with a Marlin .30-30. Im pretty sure thats a little more than marginal.

[Heavy Metal]

Unless you're a terrible shot as well as unpracticed at the distance, anything at 200 yards with a .30-30 will be dead.

Winchester 94 w/open sights over bolt action modern cals with a scope? We're back to comparing guns with Big Macs.

A Marlin 1894 with a scope? Heck yes, anytime at 200 yards. You keep your sissy gun.

[redkneck]

Yeah, now we're comparing scoped guns to open sights. I get your point, but by the same token, I'd prefer my 300 WBY over the remington in your example, but I'm not going to knock your gun in the process...

But... let me turn the tables.... Give me a 40 acre block of 3-5 year old pine plantation to walk out, and I'll actually take that model 94 over the 270, it's superior for quick shots at really close range.

I've got a lot of different caliber rifles, and I like to think that each has it's own little niche that it fits. Maybe I'm just sentimental about my old model 94.

Edited May 5, 2010 by redkneck

[m gardner]

A lever gun with a reciever sight is a joy to carry all day in the heavy woods. They point and shoot well too. The only problem I have with some of the opinions about it is that it's a good rifle for a first gun. Most of them are light and kick too much for kids. A bolt gun in 243 is best then.

Mark

[johnf]

I like my 30-30. I can touch holes at 100 yards with it. I do carry my 25-06 when I'm hunting where I may have a 200+yard shot, but the 30-30 gets time in the woods every year.

Of my 4 deer rifles, my 30-30 has killed the most deer.

[Grady269]

I think this is a pretty "silly" argument. There are a lot of people that will say one caliber is better than another. These same people walk out the door during bow season and muzzle loader season with weapons that are infinately inferior to a 30-30. We hunters are pretty spoiled now adays and a lot of us have a safe full of expensive scoped rifles in various calibers. Our Grand Fathers did not have a lot to choose form until bolt actions became prevelant in the 1940's and most of them were at war. Change took time to catch on and time for them ot be able to afford change, and for optics to catch up to the capability of rifles. 30 30's They still work, they still kill deer, they are still better than a muzzle loader or a slug gun, and some people prefer nostalgia to efficiency and modern technology. To each his own, I shoot a .257 Roberts, maybe a 25-06 is better, a .270 is better and I own one that I never shoot.

[Heavy Metal]

I think this is a pretty "silly" argument. There are a lot of people that will say one caliber is better than another. These same people walk out the door during bow season and muzzle loader season with weapons that are infinately inferior to a 30-30. We hunters are pretty spoiled now adays and a lot of us have a safe full of expensive scoped rifles in various calibers. Our Grand Fathers did not have a lot to choose form until bolt actions became prevelant in the 1940's and most of them were at war. Change took time to catch on and time for them ot be able to afford change, and for optics to catch up to the capability of rifles. 30 30's They still work, they still kill deer, they are still better than a muzzle loader or a slug gun, and some people prefer nostalgia to efficiency and modern technology. To each his own, I shoot a .257 Roberts, maybe a 25-06 is better, a .270 is better and I own one that I never shoot.

amen:clap:

[Diamond Archer 01]

I killed my first deer ever this year with my 30-30. I think it is a great gun!!

[riverBottom]

I think this is a pretty "silly" argument. There are a lot of people that will say one caliber is better than another. These same people walk out the door during bow season and muzzle loader season with weapons that are infinately inferior to a 30-30. We hunters are pretty spoiled now adays and a lot of us have a safe full of expensive scoped rifles in various calibers. Our Grand Fathers did not have a lot to choose form until bolt actions became prevelant in the 1940's and most of them were at war. Change took time to catch on and time for them ot be able to afford change, and for optics to catch up to the capability of rifles. 30 30's They still work, they still kill deer, they are still better than a muzzle loader or a slug gun, and some people prefer nostalgia to efficiency and modern technology. To each his own, I shoot a .257 Roberts, maybe a 25-06 is better, a .270 is better and I own one that I never shoot.

agreed