30-30s good or evil?

[maineman]

Hey guys I've hunted with a 30-30 win. since I was almost to small to hold it up right and most of the guys here use 30-30s but I've noticed lately alot of us are losing deer. I'm beginning to think it's just to small. But most of our hunting here is short distance, like under 100 yards. Anything new out there that you've found drops deer quicker but still not a long range rifle? I'm awful tired of following blood trails and footprints all damn night.

[carnivore]

the 30-30 caliber has probably taken more deer in the united states than any other caliber. I'm 43 now and I can remember when it seemed like every one was hunting in the woods environment with a 30-30 for whitetail. I wish I would've had my 30-30 with me on opening day I feel it would have out shot my 243 in the situation I was in.

[jw in va]

There are alot of more powerful cartridges than a 30/30 but under 100 yards I can't think of any which would be better except for the 45/70 or 35 remington.You don't say what brand or bullet weight you use but i can't understand why any well placed shot would be resulting in a long tracking.I personally use 170 grain core lockt.

[quigleysharps4570]

I personally wouldn't part with that ole 30-30, I'd experiment with a bigger bullet maybe. If you do get something else, stay with the old tried and true cartridges like was mentioned. Like the old saying, "big bullets, big holes". Those ole big, slow cartridges are hard to beat in my books.

[ole3030]

Most Important is knowing the correct application of that ole 30-30. - Ive never even had to track a deer shot w/ that fine weapon. - but I never tried to kill one over 125 yards. I've found that the 170 grain drops too much - the 150 has a much flatter trajectory and still packs that needed punch under 150 yards. I love my 3030. --

heres a quick funny story - a few years back - I was on a ranch in south Texas- Long story short- I had carried a .243 AND my "trusty" 3030 to my stand. I shot and missed -- no -- MISSED a deer at about 110 yrds with that .243 THREE times - luckily that stupid cull buck just looked at me like I was crazy. lol Frustrated, I snatched up my ole trusty - aimed an inch high - and dropped him. -- I still havent bothered to get that .243 fixed - resighted in - looked at orwhatever. anybody wanna BUY a .243?

[carnivore]

It wouldn't be left handed by any chance or is it bolt?

[ole3030]

....I feel it would have out shot my 243 in the situation I was in.

lol thought you had one

bolt - right handed

[carnivore]

Yeah I do, right handed bolt ,which is almost as functional mechanically as a single shot when your a southpaw like me. I think I would've given it to anyone on Mo. opening day If they could've changed the course of my hunt and handed me that big buck that had a twig between me and him.

[T-bird]

Maineman, I've shot a ton of deer over the years with a 30.30 and NEVER lost one or had one run more that 50 yards or so. I shoot a Marlin 336, use Winchester 170 gr PowerPoints, and love it out to 150 yards or so. I like the 170's better than the 150's, and if I'm not in the mood to track one, I aim dead center of the shoulder. It'll drop 'em like a hot rock every time. If you're in an open field, a shot just behind the shoulder ruins less meat, hits both lungs and/or heart, and kills 'em within 50 yards, every time.

[GrizzlyGnat]

I never lost one with a double lung shot. Dropped them in their tracks!

[Kelsey]

The 30-30 is plenty of cartridge just as long as the shot is well placed.

[skeeze]

I used a Marlin lever action 30-30 for fifteen years and never had to trail a deer over 20-30 yards. That was using 170 grain bullets any where from 50 to 100 yards. Been shooting a 30-06 the last few years and have had good results. My son now uses the 30-30 with good success. Seems to me unless your shooting over 100-120 yards a 30-30 is a great rifle. And as the man said "Shot placement is everything"

[BigBucks300mag]

yes i must agree that a 30-30 is a great rifle up to 100yds. we have an ol' 303 Savage, which is basically the same as a 30-30, it is in my dad's name now, which makes the gun in its 3rd generation,. also, an elderly man uses a .32 Win Special, again very similar to the 30-30 and he wonders why everyone in the gang is using .308s. And i have a .300 Win Mag, so he is up in arms why we use the "canons" . I personally love the .300 Win Mag... GREAT GUN, and when i get my own rifle in the near future it will be either a .30-06 or 300WSM.

[mountaineer]

I love the 30-30 for close work. My first deer rifle was a marlin 30AS and I still use it. I've never had one go more than 30 or so yards after being shot with it either. I use 170gr flat noses (reloads) and they seem to do the trick every time. Distance is always a consideration of course. I also have a 300wsm for open country.

[passthru]

I have had to track deer shot with a 30.06 up to 100 yds,so the thing is any round you use can leave you tracking...shot placement more than anything is the key.

[DocHolladay]

i have never had any trouble with a 30-30 other than shot placement. i use a 150gr. bullet, nothing smaller nothing bigger. ive also found once you sight it in use the same rounds you sighted with to hunt with, that way you know its going to hit where you put the crosshairs or front sight. i try to keep my shots under 100yds., 125yds. max. hope that helps. happy huntin

[younghunter4life]

I started hunting this year with my 30-30 and I got me an 8pt buck. He was about 125-155 yards away and he only ran about 55 yards. I double lunged him. So maybe it's only the people not the gun. No offense to any1.

[talt]

What kind of ammo are you using? I use Remington CoreLokt. I rarely get a pass-thru and rarely have to track my deer more than 25 yards.
I am hunting Alabama and Kentucky and I see some very large deer.
I brought home a 222 lb 10 point from Kentucky last season and got him with my 30 year old Marlin 30/30.

[carnivore]

I don't know if your ammo question is directed to me or not . The ammo I use for the .243 is 100gr. corelokt rem.

[Hornadykiller139]

This is a good gun for short range shooting or stalking deer in thick brush, other than that its a great fire poker.. Try 7mm-08 remingotn.. Great caliber..

[carnivore]

I'd be willing to bet you havn't poked many hot spots at age 13!!

[DocHolladay]

its one of the best calibers made. IMO it has taken more wild game than any other caliber.

[KwackWacker]

That .30-30 is a fire spitter, not a poker. .7mm 08 is an overated rifle in my book. It's a good rifle for someone uncomfortable with recoil or who is just getting started in hunting or shooting. Bullets a little too light in my opinion for big deer.