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Joined: Dec 2003
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Campfire Tracker
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OP
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,950 |
I have hunted deer 40 years and never killed one with the 30-30, so this year I decided it was about time to try it. News flash: The "little" 30-30 kills deer just as dead as any other caliber. Duh! Maybe that's why folks still use it after all these years, and because of the light recoil and neat little carbines it comes in. Mine is a Marlin 336SC made in 1951. I hit one deer in the ribcage tight to the shoulder and it ran 50 yards and died. I hit two others in the shoulders and they both fell dead on the spot. Go figure! All bullets exited leaving good sized holes. My load consists of 170gr Hornady RNs over a good dose of H322. I still hold the distinction of never having killed a deer with a factory load - not one. All have been my handloads. Some things don't change.
How about you. Have you killed deer with a 30-30? How did it work for you? Let's hear some 30-30 hunting stories, please. Thanks.
Our God reigns. Harrumph!!! I often use quick reply. My posts are not directed toward any specific person unless I mention them by name.
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,284
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,284 |
Killed one with my 30/30 (my brothers now) several years ago (the first year Hornady had the Lever-evolution ammo - wanted to try it). Worked just fine, killed the deer like you would expect.
Last edited by Odessa; 11/20/11.
One of the sanest, surest, and most generous joys of life comes from being happy over the good fortune of others. Archibald Rutledge
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 7,944
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 7,944 |
Kilt a dozen, or so deer with my old Model 94 30-30. Always used 170 grain Remington Core-Lokts. They never failed, though I moved on to rounds that had more range & optics that I could hunt closer to dark with after a few years.
Actually, I had more deer drop at the shot with that rifle than most of the other rifles that I have used since. (.270, 7 Mag., 25-284, .308) Most shots were tight to the shoulder about 1/3 of the way up. I think the round nose at that modest velocity may be a key there.
"The Bigger the Government, the Smaller the Citizen" - Dennis Prager LINK
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 971 Likes: 1
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 971 Likes: 1 |
I killed a nice 170 lb 6pt with a broken left side on his horns useing my T/C Contender in 30-30AI last week. Running shot a 120 yards. He took a nose dive right there and never moved. I have also used the standard 30-30 in the contender successfully many times and I rarely have the bullet fail to exit. I have never used A lever gun in 30-30 but the cartridge has never failed me.
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 6,219 Likes: 12
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 6,219 Likes: 12 |
I don't know why everyone is surprised by 30-30, I wouldn't hesitate to use it on any animal in North America. That's not saying I would want to fend off a charging grizzly with it. But with proper bullet placement it is a hell of a caliber
You've got to hand it to a blind prostitute
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 10,790
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jul 2006
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The only time I have used a 30-30 has been via an Encore handgun. I've never had to reload after the shot...
George
�Out of every one hundred men, ten shouldn't even be there, eighty are just targets, nine are the real fighters, and we are lucky to have them, for they make the battle. Ah, but the one, one is a warrior, and he will bring the others back.�
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Joined: Jan 2010
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Campfire Outfitter
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Joined: Jan 2010
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used to hunt pennsy years ago and always used my 30-30,have a marlin 336,love that gun,easy to get ammo,killed afew with it,loaned it to my buddy,now having trouble getting it back cause he likes it so much,,lol
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 7,539
Campfire Outfitter
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Joined: Jun 2009
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There is not a thing wrong with the 30-30 .In the North it should be use more plenty of power an in the woods or swamps its a hell of a killer
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,304 Likes: 2
Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,304 Likes: 2 |
Shot a pile of deer over the years with a .30-30....it is what was claimed for it, an almost perfect short range ( under 200 yds) deer cartridge....
"...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,532
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,532 |
I have hunted with a bolt action savage 340 in .30-30 for a long time. I love the .30-30 on this platform (small bolt action carbine). It is nice to carry and shoots very well with almost no recoil. I have killed many deer with it over the years.
Enjoy the hunt while it lasts!
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 21,700 Likes: 3
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 21,700 Likes: 3 |
I pulled the same "stunt" this year! I had never hunted with the .30 WCF either. Seemed like a good year to do it, so I picked up a couple boxes of 170 grain Remington Corelokt Hollow Points, mounted an ancient Bushnell Banner in Talley lightweights on my little brother's Marlin 336, and hit the woods.
The first deer I hit at about 125 yards or so, and she looked like someone jerked the rug out from under her. I was amazed by the lack of noise at the shot, and the immediate reaction to the hit by the deer. I was also pleased by the lack of recoil.
The second deer was hit on the run at about 20 yards. Same deal, entrance through the ribcage on the left side, exit through the right shoulder. Deer rolled like a rabbit.
This weekend, I took my son hunting with me, and after he got an 8 point with his .257 Roberts, he wanted to trade rifles and hunt with the old .30-30. He shot a button buck through the neck at about 45 yards or so, and dropped it with no muss or fuss.
Overall, I am completely impressed with the deer killing abilities of the cartridge. It won't be the last year I take one deer hunting with me. (That is if I can pry it out of my son's hands.)
"The number one problem with America is, a whole lot of people need shot, and nobody is shooting them." -Master Chief Hershel Davis
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 625
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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Posts: 625 |
Sorry Guy's.....No pictures, No proof!
I am an N.R.A. Life Member,you should be to.
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,693
Campfire Outfitter
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First deer ever killed with my 94 Winchester, bought new in 1978 and still have that rifle. 10 yd shot, deer ran 50 yds and died. Have killed several deer with this rifle and other 30-30's. It just plain a$$ works....
____________________________________________________________ Dying gets closer every day
Lloyd McCarter and the Honky Tonk Revival
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 13,606
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 13,606 |
the bull elk from my avatar fell to a marlin 336 30-30 at 50 yards, took one step and tipped over dead. I get a kick out of anyone who says they can't kill. same goes for the 243, I've killed more critters with these two rifles than any other, and until the internet, I didn't know I was doing it wrong.
Beware of any old man in a profession where one usually dies young.
Calm seas don't make sailors.
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,156
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,156 |
I killed my first deer (a LONG time ago) with a Winchester Model 94 and a neck shot dropped it in it's tracks. I hunted with that rifle for several years and took several deer with it before switching to a .30-06 for quite a few seasons but it doesn't put the deer down any quicker or harder from what I can tell. Anyway, This year I've switched back to the good old .30-30 in a Marlin lever with a small 1x4.5 scope mounted on it since my eyes sure aren't as sharp as they were back in the the 70's. I'm using the same Federal 150 grain loads I always used and I have complete confidence in the rifle/ammo combination and it's a heck of lot lighter than my old BAR too.
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,435
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,435 |
BR, Great job! I think perhaps next year, I'm going to dig out my M-219 Sav in .30-30 A.I. and try to put it to use... We'll see about this .30-30 thing.... GH
"As you walk thru life, don't be surprised that there are fewer people that you encounter seeking truth than those seeking confirmation of what they already believe!"
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,950
Campfire Tracker
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OP
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Grasshopper, You really don't want to use that old thing - the Savage 219 I mean. It won't work because it doesn't have a magic lever on it. I'll be right over to take that old thing off your hands. It might make a decent tomatoe stake come spring.
Our God reigns. Harrumph!!! I often use quick reply. My posts are not directed toward any specific person unless I mention them by name.
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 20,260 Likes: 17
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 20,260 Likes: 17 |
I've taken a few deer with the good ol 30-30, but all my pics are not digital and I don't have a scanner. Mainly does anyhow. I do however have a pic of last year's buck killed via 303 Sav, which is ballistically identical to a 30-30. In fact, I use 30-30 loading data.
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Joined: Dec 2003
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Campfire Tracker
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OP
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Ooo, that's a sweet 99, Dog Hunter! I've had a few like that one, a couple 30-30s and a 303, and foolishly traded them away. Please keep me in mind if you ever decide to be rid of that one.
Our God reigns. Harrumph!!! I often use quick reply. My posts are not directed toward any specific person unless I mention them by name.
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,680
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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Killed by first deer with one in a Marlin 336 given to me for my 12th Christmas, still have the little gun and used to take it out a couple of days every season. Mounted a 2-1/2 Leupy on it last year in anticipation of using but stuck to the 7mm-08. May have to take it out this year.
They are great little guns that kill quick and easy on the shoulder. Load mine now with the 170 partition though in the past the Rem 170 Corelokts and Winchester 170 RN's have worked just as well.
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