Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles The .30-30 Winchester. Love it or hate it?

Nothing unsafe with the design, I've been running one since I was 12 but Dad taught me how to do it. Proper instruction is the key.

pete, I hope you don't take this the wrong way, I certainly don't mean for it to be spiteful or belittling. The contention that the safety (crossbolt or otherwise) on a lever action rifle is superfluous, is correct, in my opinion.

As you know, the only thing required for unloading a lever action, Is the manipulation of the lever, WITHOUT pulling the trigger.

Those who have trouble with the manual of arms, would be well served to seek out training or instruction that would give them the skills and confidence they need to operate the firearm, as intended by the original manufacturer.

The incorporation of additional safety devices are seen by some as further encroachment by a government that is overly protective of its' citizens.

In short, reliance on a mechanical safety rather than proper training and instruction, along with safe gun handling skills, is a manifestation of the "dumbing down" of America. It is akin to a warning label on a cup of coffee telling me that the contents of the cup may be extremely hot. Or, more closely, it reminds me of the ridiculous gimmicky nozzles on simple plastic gas cans that have been mandated by the government.

Tired of it. A great many Americans are tired of it.

+ 2 here.

I <<<HATE>>> the new gas cans TOO.


Jerry

I am a fan of the old 30/30. I carry an older pre-safety marlin when I feel like 30/30'ing one to death. I tend to mash down on the loading gate and feed the rounds out of the tube backwards when unloading, then just rack the lever and it's empty. It's easier with the 45/70 but doable with the 30/30.


Of course sometimes I run the lever to empty mine and I just keep my booger hook of the bang bang activation device.

Love or hate it...neither, I like it. Only one season so need to hunt with it more.

I have a soft spot for it, but will admit I don't use it much any more. I would if I lived back east.

M M -

Having had some time to think about this thread, I prefer a ....

lever 308 to the 30-30. A 99 or a BLR.


Jerry

I am a fan. First deer rifle that was "mine" is a 1980 Vintage Marlin 336, still have it and shot my first deer. I also have a soft spot for Marlin lever guns though about 12 years ago I switched to lightweight bolt guns. I still take a walk on occasion with one.

I've been thinking a lot lately, where I hunt the 30-30 would cover me about 90% of the time and make life very simple. I used to load for it too but when you can find Rem Core lokts or Federals for $15-$17 box, it really simplifies life

... responsive to big $ insurance company lobbyists.

I was taught to unload a lever removing your pinkie finger from the rear of the lever and inserting your trigger finger in the front of the lever that way you wont accidently hit the trigger.

Just like a ADL style bolt there is no need to run the cartridges into the chamber to unload the gun. Pop em out of the mag and into the action and either roll it over to roll the cartridge out or pluck it out with your fingers no big deal and not unsafe at all.

if you hate the 30/30 you must be a muslim

Mine is an heirloom so of course I love it. I hunt with it too. It is darn near perfect for 90+ % of the hunting that I do. My kids will likely take their first deer with it as well. I am becoming a fan of the .35 Remington as well. Maybe I will get lucky and find a .32 Special one of these days.

savage 99 is probably the most unrated lever ever made and is very accurate too. the browning BLR`s seem to be another good lever rifle I just purchased two of them, they seem accurate and I do like the clip system and how they handle very smooth lever rifle.i personally like bigger calibers like magnums that`s why I got a 300 win.mag in a lever,as my old friend says : they call them no tack`em guns ! so if your sold on a 30-30 use it, I am not nor will my adult children or grandkids going to hunt with any 30-30 lever without a safety.yes I started with an old 30-30 Winchester back in 1968 I killed deer with one and I do like that caliber the 30-30.i sell plenty guns in my store but very few levers in 30-30 . I would like to find a good 99 savage 30-30 some day too. MERRY CHRISTMAS

Love it.... and if you use it correctly you will do great.

So if I get a new lever action with a safety does that mean I can carry cocked and locked?

Love it. Wish there was a solid bolt action in 30-30.

Remington 788 and Savage 340.

The Savage 340s suck... I've owned a batch of them....

but I LOVE the 30/30 cartridge...

my small list of Holy Grail desires in the rifle world, has a Model 54 in 30/30 at the top...followed by a Remington 30S in 30 Remington...

Hunting in environments that it is usually "WOODs Ranges" a lot of my hunting ammo, regardless of caliber is loaded to 30/30 velocities....or maybe up to 300 Savage velocities at times...

but at those distances, they are more than adequate...

so for Christmas Santa I want a pristine Model 54 in 30/30...

I like them.

Don't understand why people think they are only a 100 yard cartridge.

They are an excellent hog cartridge.

Had a Pachmayr 1" grind to fit pad put on my 336, installed a Happy Trigger myself, loosened the forend a bit - shoots MOA with 150 grain Corelokts, sometimes a little better. Until a year ago.

Last fall I put a Beartooth comb riser on it and upgraded from a Fullfield II 2-7x35 to a VX-3 1.75-6x32. It now shoots Sub MOA consistently with less felt recoil than my Vanguard S2 Sporter .243. I think it was the comb riser that improved my accuracy not necessarily the scope.

What's not to like about it?