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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 32,044
Campfire 'Bwana
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OP
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 32,044 |
Which do you consider the best deer cal in a Lever Rifle? 30-30 or 44 Mag
A Doe walks out of the woods today and says, that is the last time I'm going to do that for Two Bucks.
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 19,504
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 19,504 |
I used to have a .30-.30 levergun. I STILL have a .44 Magnum levergun. I don't think you can go wrong with either for deer. The 30/30 has the range advantage, but I like carbines in pistol calibers and the .44 makes a big hole.
4 out of 5 Great Lakes prefer Michigan.
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 15,565
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 15,565 |
I have 4 30-30s and don't use them. I do use my 35 Rem, 444, and 348s, though.
For under 100yds in the thick stuff, I'd rather th 44 Mag than the 30-30.
I have 1 rifle in 44 Mag and it may get some use this year, not sure yet.....
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 26,529 Likes: 3
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 26,529 Likes: 3 |
FJB & FJT
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,680
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,680 |
30-30 but I have a soft spot for the cartridge, shot my first deer with one. Both will do the job at levergun ranges though you can stretch a little further imho
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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 love my old .30-30 but I hunt with a Marlin .41 magnum more often than the .30-30 when I'm hunting in thickets.
Never tried the .44 but the .41 does a great job and I would think the .44 would be even a little bit better.
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,523
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,523 |
If you cant hang'em on the wall Hang'em between your teeth!!!
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 95
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 95 |
The .44 is no slouch and I want one, but I have to say the .30-30 is my preferred of the 2. The .35 Rem is better again but I am afraid that magnum mania has finally struck a killing blow, combined with all the quality budget bolt actions on the market and the ever increasing cost of lever guns and Marlin's QC challenges I think the lever gun may be beginning to finally fade away from popularity.
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 19,089 Likes: 2
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 19,089 Likes: 2 |
I have one of each, both 94's, and have killed elk with each. I have seen no difference in killing ability of either.
The 30-30 is an older gun and a tad heavier, and the 44mag is shorter and a tad more easy to handle in the timber. The only reason I prefer teh44 is that I have a small scope on it and my eyes don't see irons any more. I won't muck up a 1936 Winchester 94 just to put a scope on it.
If God wanted you to walk and carry things on your back, He would not have invented stirrups and pack saddles
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 9,533 Likes: 2
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 9,533 Likes: 2 |
I have both, and really can't see a big difference. It's more of a placement thing than headstamp.
The .30-30 does have more reach, but I generally don't use either one if I anticipate shooting past 100 yards. Within that, it's even-stevens.
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 21,699 Likes: 3
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 21,699 Likes: 3 |
Bea, I'm a fan of both, but I'll admit that I have never taken a deer with a 44 caliber carbine.
With that said, I think that there is a common misconception that the 30 WCF is a 100 yard cartridge.
I've spent a few seasons hunting with the 30 WCF and I have shot a 44 Magnum carbine quite a bit at the range. The trajectory of the 30 WCF is significantly flatter beyond 100 yards.
I have been very pleased with the application of the 30 WCF on deer, especially with the plain Jane Remington 170 Grain CoreLokt HP. VAnimrod recommended that factory load to me a few years back and I have to say it was everything he said it was.
On the plus side for the 44 carbine, I like the ability to load ammunition quickly and simply with carbide dies.
My buddy's shop has a Ruger 77/44 on the shelf that has done it's best to follow me home, but so far I have resisted, mostly because I have a good 30-30 in the rack.
"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: Oct 2002
Posts: 96,121 Likes: 1
Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 96,121 Likes: 1 |
30/30 for reach. Also add the fact that 99's don't come in 44.
"Dear Lord, save me from Your followers"
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 9,533 Likes: 2
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 9,533 Likes: 2 |
I think that there is a common misconception that the 30 WCF is a 100 yard cartridge. I agree with you, and I didn't mean to imply that it was limited to that range. I have killed deer past 200 yards with the .30-30, but I guess what I meant to say was that if I'm hunting terrain that has the possibility, and probability, of a shot that far or further, I have better rifles for that. You oughtta try that 77/44. Addictive little rascals, I have one and love it for the thick stuff.
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 22,274
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 22,274 |
.300 Savage in a Model 99, as a pure deer rifle. Can also use a scope more easily, and use pointy bullets A model 94 in .30-30 is no slouch, either, and is a bit trimmer & lighter. A lever action .44 would hold more rounds, and might double as a decent self defense weapon.
"...the designer of the .270 Ingwe cartridge!..."
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 43,768
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 43,768 |
30-30 is so plebian... think outside the box. 303 Savage in a 113 year old rifle, now there's some serious style. Bottom one:
“ The Savage 99 Pocket Reference”. All models and variations of 1895’s, 1899’s and 99’s covered. Also dates, checkering, engraving.. Find at www.savagelevers.com
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,891
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 3,891 |
For me the 30/30 hands down
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 32,044
Campfire 'Bwana
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OP
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 32,044 |
A Doe walks out of the woods today and says, that is the last time I'm going to do that for Two Bucks.
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8,761
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8,761 |
Bob,
A nice bunch of lever guns you got....especially the 1894 .44 sporter model. You don't see many marlin .44 sporters these days.
Doc
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,300 Likes: 1
Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,300 Likes: 1 |
Which do you consider the best deer cal in a Lever Rifle? 30-30 or 44 Mag .30-30 hands down. No contest.
"...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 32,044
Campfire 'Bwana
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OP
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 32,044 |
Marlin only made the 44 Sporter one year and i think it was 1973
A Doe walks out of the woods today and says, that is the last time I'm going to do that for Two Bucks.
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