Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 30-30 vs 7.62x39 Pro's vs Cons

I'm thinking of trading one of my numerous old 94's in 30-30 for one of the new Ruger RAR rifles in 7.62x39.

They seem really close, in comparable ballistics, other than the 30-30 having heavier bullets available in Factory loadings. Trajectory should be very close, with equal bullet weights, with a slight edge to the 7.62x39 because of the ability to use pointed bullets with a little better BC, verses the flat nosed 30-30 bullets.

The biggest advantage of the RAR in 7.62x39 IMO, is the cheaper ammo, that's more readily available in different factory loadings. And the fact that the RUGER RAR will except the 10, 20, & 30 round Mini-30 magazines.

What sayeth the Campfire Braintrust ???

Rubber tipped pointy 30-30 bullets for hunting? No interest here in large capacity mags, but that's just me. I'm all in favor of cheaper ammo, tho!

Thanks, I forgot to mention that there are pointed bullets available for the 30-30 with the Hornady Leverlution Ammo.

I carry a 30-30 a lot but haven't tried the Leverlution ammo for it. Anyone have experience with it? Just curious- the round nose stuff works fine for me.

It shot really high for me. Like 8 inches above 150 gr Rem Corlokt.

Do it.
Do it.

Your an Enabler!

No,just giving you the answer you want.

Yep

I bought a CZ 527 carbine 76239 just for the reason to shoot cheap ammo like 223 but heavier rounds. I love that little rifle. My 30/30 hasn't seen shooting time in good 5+ years

Best use I've witnessed for the wildly popular 7.62x39 is pissing off Air Cav scout pilots who in turn whine to their gunship air cover who will apply vast volumes of whithering minigun fire and devastating rocket fire on the perpetrators. The round can actually drive a bullet thru light aluminum skin, but the AP bullets will shed their core against anything structural and cease further penetration. I am therefore pleased that millions of people I don't know are so armed. A fella wants cheap, he gets what he pays for.

When I want to kill something stone dead, right here and now..........

.30-30 by a mile, but I am biased.

The Leverevolution ammo shoots great in my old Marlin. It is all I with in the .30-30.

Since you seem to have a number of 94s, trading one off, maybe the ugly one, wouldn't hurt, but keep in mind that while the Ruger might be a good rifle, it's not a nice one, so it might not satisfy your inner Loony. If you want a nice rifle for the little Roosky, sell two of the 94s and get one of the CZs. I just got one in 6.5 Grendel and it's very nice.

For deer, I'd say it's a ballistic wash between the two rounds, but I'd give an edge to the .30/30 for bigger stuff (having killed exactly one deer with it, and exactly zero with the 7.62x39).

CZ, by the way, promotes the use of steel-case cheap ammo in its rifles, stating that American-style ammo may not give as good results, whatever the heck that means.

Conceptually, I like the new x39 Ranch Rifle. Consider me an enabler too. Get one!

I've owned quite a few WW Model 94's starting back when I was 15 in 1975. Only killed one deer with one, but I've killed a ton of hogs, coyotes, and other vermin through the years. But they were used mainly as a truck gun at the Ranch, but never as a primary deer rifle.
And I've also killed deer and lots of hogs with other so so calibers like the 7.62x39 and .300 Blackout. They all killed stuff dead.

My main reason for wanting a Ruger American Ranch Rifle in 7.62 x 39 was for a cheap beater rifle I can throw on the 4-wheeler or Ranger at the Ranch, and not have to worry about beating it up or scratches. And the cheap ammo and the 20 round mag is the main appeal for me. And cheap plinking too.
If I'm seriously hunting deer or varmints, I've got several real hunting rifles that I use for that.

I'm still on the fence on this purchase, so any and all opinions are greatly appreciated! Keep em coming please.

Looks like you've got you answer then. The DM would be handy if you're required to unload while on the vehicle, although I'd be more inclined towards a 5-shot, if it fit flush or nearly so. Wouldn't want to bang one of the CZs around much, and they are true CRF, so you have to feed them with the mag as the bolt won't close on a round dropped on the follower or in the chamber.

When I saw the new Ruger, my first thought was: That's 90% of one for the Grendel. My second thought was: I wonder if I could get a .223 and replace the "bottom metal" with the 7.62 unit and use Mini14 magazines instead of the crappy plastic rotary ones. Interesting possibilities in both cases.

If you really want the 7.62 I also think the CZ is a better quality and by far better looking rifle than the RAR.

Buy a RAR,along with a low powered scope.

DD, thats a gorgeous '94!

My .02 worth........30-30