Originally Posted by JMR40
I've had a couple over the years. They used to be pretty popular around here with most guys who had them swearing they were better than 30-30. That has not been my observation. Deer I've seen killed with 35 and 30-30 behaved exactly the same. I still have one, but don't hunt with it. I picked up one of the limited versions made just like the SS guide gun in 45-70, except chambered in 35 Rem It has a straight grip 18" barrel and 1/2 mag tube. They only made 500 in 2005.

Quote
Where do people get the idea that a 30/30 runs
out of soup at 100 yards


It might have something to do with a 308 hitting at 600 yards with about the same energy as a 30-30 at 100 yards. The 308 has more power at 300 yards than a 30-30 at the muzzle, yet most hunters think of a 308 as a 300 yard round. Someone with good shooting skills can HIT a deer with a 30-30 at 200-300 yards, just as a skilled shooter can HIT a deer at 600-700 with a 308. Doesn't mean it is a good idea.

Both 30-30 and 35 kill stuff just as well as they did 100+ years ago. But neither round is magical and both were a step backwards in cartridge development. I still take one of my 30-30's hunting occasionally for nostalgic purposes. But I don't pretend that it offers me any advantages.



The 30-30 was not a "step backwards" in the days of big bore blackpowder rounds. It was quite a step forward. Many hunters who were accustomed to the 45-70 and its ilk were blown away by the flat trajectory and quick kills the .30-30 gave them even on larger game. You're simply not understanding the times.