Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Deer Hunting .30-30

I was at the range today having a grand time with a Marlin 336AS complete with a Tasco Golden Antler 4X scope that has a T. V. shaped view. It shoots about like one would expect, no surprises here. I got to thinking that it had been a while since i had taken a deer with a .30-30. When I got home and looked it up I found that it had been even longer than I had thought, 1999. I assume most of have taken a deer with a .30-30 at one point or another. When was the last time you did? If you never did chime-in anyway.

Used one in 2006 and 2007 on sunny days. It was made in 1902. Took a nice 5x5 and a couple baldies with it. I really like that old gun. It was my great-uncles and bought it from his kid.

Sorry, should had added that it is a Winchester Std. rifle.

I have shot a lot of deer and elk with a 30-30 in my youth and I recall the last one I shot was about 5 years ago..but I have shot at least one deer every year for the past 10 years, I guess with my old Win. SRC in 25-35 and 117 gr. factory ammo..I do this because I enjoy doing it, I like to hunt and stalk, get close and pull off a good shot..I limit my shots to 200 yards standing or no further than 100 yards if they are running and only broadside. Guess thats the reason some folks hunt with bows, I know it has been for me, but I don't bow hunt any more.

Apparently ya'll haven't been reading the gun rags. The 30/30 is too weak for any serious hunting. Last pig I shot I had to push the barrel though the wound channel.

.30-30's are okay, I guess, but when I get the urge to hunt with an old levergun it's usually my .303 Savage, much better deer killer, don't you know...

October 2001, doe whitetail at 50 or so yards.

1986 was the last time I shot anything with my Winchester 94. It was also the last time I shot my rifle. I have thought about using it but I never seem to remember when the hunting season starts. Nothing wrong with a 30-30.

That only shows how much some of the gun writer know.

Last deer with a .30WCF?

Forked horn blacktail in October 2006. Hit him tight behind the shoulder at about 30yds and he dropped at the shot. Was dead before I got to him.

I shot my first deer with my first centerfire rifle, a model 1894 Winchester in 30 WCF. That was in 1992. I took it with me as backup in 2001 and shot a coyote that was running by at about 50 yards. Put a small scope on it a couple of years later and took it w/ me for regular deer hunt in '05 but didn't see any deer until I came home and had my muzzle loader with me (in Michigan you can't hunt w/ centerfire rifle north of a certain line, and I live south of it).

This year I took a young man from my church to deer camp with me. He'd shot my 30-30 quite a lot, I now have a wonderful little Weaver 2.5x on it. He didn't shoot a deer but likes the rifle... what isn't to like??

This Thursday I'm going out to the range and will bring that little carbine along. I love it to death. To this day it is the only rifle I "need" but I'm such a rifle crank that I WANT more. Nice thing is that I have settled on one load for this rifle its no muss no fuss... 36 gr RL-15 under 150 gr Win PP in Win brass. I'm never without a hundred or so when I'm at the range. With that litte scope I can hit the ram at 150 yards 100% of the time over sticks. Great activity for when other rifles are cooling between groups.

Last November I got one with my Marlin 336.

I actually bought one of the Davidson's "special edition" trapper-model 30-30's with the 16.25" barrel and straight stock for my "walking around" rifle next season.

1973. The year before I got a 270. I should get it out and warm it up again.

270

Don't own one and have never even shot a 30-30

Last time I took a deer was in 05 the 30-30 is all I've carried for years either a 336W or 336C, daughter took one this fall with a 336C. I will have another in 30-30 soon, the Marlin trapper has my eye this time.

Last time was 1966, with a Winchester 94. I loved that rifle, but when I picked up stakes and moved from Ontario to BC, I gave it to a friend. I still kick myself in the azz every day for that stupid move. I'd love to have it now.

I can still see that last shot. 75 yards and the buck tried to take one step and fell over. He sure tasted good.

1976, Model 94, Blacktail, Tuolumne County, CA. It was what most people in that time and place used.
They don't work so well in NV.

My dad gave me a mdl 94 for a gift when I earned my Eagle Scout award. Years later I killed my largest blacktail with that rifle in Oct 1989. That was the last season I seriously hunted with it. I still shoot it quite a bit. I'll never get ride of it.

Two years ago I shot all my deer (3) for the year with a 30-30. I had bought a Marlin 336W from walmart and it shot so well with lever evolution bullets that I got very interested in it. Darn thing knocks the deer right down and is good out to 200 yards. I'm now looking at that 338 they make.

The boy took his first with an old family pass down, just last yr.