Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting 30-30

No arguemento there at all, it'll do the job if the nut behind the butt does his.

I was merely mentioning that 76 years ago I am sure it was one of the mainstays, but today.....me thinks not.

But, it will still work I've no doubt about it.

Dober

Glad to see this thread. My son asked me a few days ago about a rifle for his daughter to use this year. Thinking about what I own that would do for her, I completely forgot about my old Marlin.
Bonus is most of my rifles are right hand bolts and she shoots lefty.

Leverloution or whatever it is.... is that designed to open up like most plastic tips are, or is it controlled? That might be a big issue.. if its fragile, and ideal for deer, I'd steer away from it for elk... heck we never had any trouble hitting deer at 200 plus yards with standard 170s....

Jeff

I have seen some elk killed with 30-30 rifles and 170 grain factory loads. I also skinned a couple of them. I noted deep penetration and not so wide wound channels. I also noticed that generally they were shot several times. For close range elk shooting I'd rather have something a bit more powerful.

fantastic feedback!

The conventional wisdom says better sectional density penetrates better. So, the 170. A hundred years ago the 30WCF was the new hard hitter. Since then elk have gotten bigger and tougher.

I take a 94 most trips, also a Savage 24 in 30-30 over 20 when there is a chance for grouse too. I like black timber, so long barrel is a nuisance as is a scope set on some magical high number

"do you think a 30-30 is an adequate elk round?"

DO YOU THINK YOU CAN GET IN CLOSE ENOUGHT TO PLACE YOUR SHOT WITH SOMETHING CLOSE TOO,SURGICAL PRECISION?
if so its fully up to the job

I think if you tun the ballistics you'll find the same thing I did - the 170g Speer pushed fast is the way to go. That was my choice last year for bull elk. I also load the 170g Partition and would have no qualms aout using it, either.

Hasn't the old 30 WCF AKA 30/30 killed about everything that has walked in North America? And a lot of things in South America? And a lot of things in Europe?

My buddies dad in Minnesota shot his one and only moose with a 30/30.

I would prefer my 9.3X62 Mauser or my 30-06 or my 308. But I wouldn't hesitate to take the shot with my Winchester Trapper 30/30 and 170 Hornadys.

Just like about any other cartridge, with accurate placement, yes.

Through and through, yes.

It can probably handle 1 shoulder bone and the vitals.

There are lots of folks on this forum that go after elk with smaller calibers and lighter slugs. It should be fine in good hands.

Hit the lungs and all is well. I would be surprised if either bullet exits on such a hit, and certainly not if it hits the shoulders. But the elk would be dead within 100 yds if well hit.

Shot placement is still the most important part of killing power.

I personally killed my two first elk with my 30/30.
neither of them went more than 10 steps. both were close though, I limited myself to 125 yards for a clean kill. saw one of the biggest bulls of my life stand broadside and watch me from 175 after I jumped him. hardest thing to do was pass him up. I was sure tempted. now I use a 7mm or 300wm. although have killed other elk with a 30-06 and 25-06. neither of them took a step
first cow: blew her heart up with corelocts first shot. put another through the back of her head to keep her from getting into the deadfalls shot one 25 yards. two was a little over 30.
First Bull: shot him at 50 yards right through the boiler room, his legs spraddled and he got stiff as a board until he tipped over with my second shot, which turned out to be unnecessary, he was dead on his feet.
I'll try to get some pics scanned and posted, just for the heck of it

Id have ZERO problem with an ACCURATE 30/30 on ELK out to about 200 yards,PROVIDED conditions , like the shot angle, ease of access to the vitals and a good rest for the rifle were ok in MY opinion, while that may be stretching its reach,I doubt Id have any problems, but on the other hand it would hardly be in my first 15 caliber choices either, Id rather have a carbine in 35 rem , or even a 44 mag as caliber and bullet weight do matter, if limited to a comon deer caliber MARLIN/WINCHESTER LEVER ACTION carbine, and ID limit myself to heart/lung shots only at that range with all three calibers

Over the years, Brian Pierce has written some excellent articles on the venerable 30-30: see Rifle #195 May 2001 and Handloader #216 April 2002. These articles are good reads, and the story about Jack Turner killing the largest grizzly on record at the time (1965) is a hair raiser. He doesn't recommend the 30-30 for elk, but if you are going to use it for elk he recommends either the Federal 170 Nosler Partition or PMC 150 grain Starfire if you are using factory ammo. When handloading, he recommends the 170 grain Nosler Partition or the Barnes 150 grain XFN. Nothing wrong with limiting yourself with your equipment if that is what you wish to do on a particular hunt, just don't be too upset if those limitations cause you to pass up on "your elk" due to range/presentation being outside the ethical capability of your setup.

Can't see why at 30-30 velocities ,one needs a partition or premium bullet

In 47 years of elk hunting, my mum has taken over 30 elk with her thurty thurty. 150 gr hornady reloads.

Big Time
I kill elk with a 30/30, I use either a 170 hardcast or Hdy 170, and as others have said at 2200 fps you dont need 1$ bullets. danny

i agree w/ that - what do partitions and x's do at 2300 f/s that cup-n-cores can't?

Simple,they allow the user to gloat about how smugly superior they are over us poor schmucks!

I've never shot an elk with the 30-30, but if I were to, I would consider the 170 Speer. The Speer bullets are much more aerodynamic than the others so they "theoretically" hold their velocity well for better expansion at longer ranges. My model 94 ranger 30-30 will sometimes shoot the 150 Speers in 2" at 200 yards, and they work very well on deer.

As others stated I would not see any advantage in a premium at 30-30 velocities.