Winchester 30-30

D

DRM

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I recently inherited a pre-64 model 94. Quite different than the common bolt-action 30.06 rifles that all my relatives and friends use - for everything from javalina to elk.

Any of you have experience with this rifle? Pros and cons?

I haven't shot it yet, but it sure feels great! Given that most of my acquaintances who hunt take their quarry within 100 meters, would any of you feel under-gunned with this rifle? What are the biggest and smallest critters you'd hunt with this caliber?

My Serbian friend said he's even seen them used effectively in combat by militia.
 
The only place I hunt is on my grandad's farm. It's really woody and has rolling hills. I've never had a shot of more than 50 yds. When I was 16 I bought a Marlin 30-30 and it has served me well for whitetail deer, and one time a boar hog. He shoots a .308, but has never had a long shot on his own property either. I like the 30-30. I don't use a scope so I can shoot it pretty fast and its light and easy to carry. Mine is a lever action.
 
DRM, I'm not sure what you would like to know, except some good conversation.:)

I killed my first deer in "62 with a 30/30. You can hunt anything in North America with the rifle except maybe the big bears and moose. But hell, people have killed them too. I guess common sense is the rule, but maybe sense isn't too common.

Game upto 300 lbs, with 170 grn bullits, out to 150 yards is a good rule of thumb. As far as "war" weapon goes, the 30/30 is about a tad over the Russian 7.62mm intermediate. [AK-47 fame]

Good luck shooting.
 
I have a pre 64 '94 as well. With handloads mine will put 5 shots into less than 2" at 100 yds. I grew up hunting deer with one just like it. I would feel comfortable hunting deer and pigs with it out to 150 yards, elk if I had to at 75 or less if I was using premium bullets and a broadside standing shot. I would prefer not to shoot that big of a critter with it, though, unless I didn't have anything else.

They carry easy, cycle fast, and most shoot straight. Ammo is cheap and available everywhere, recoil aint bad, muzzle blast is way less than more potent calibers. What more do most folks need?:D
 
DRM said:
Any of you have experience with this rifle? Pros and cons?
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Not the Winchester, but I have the Marlin 336. Just killed a whitetail with it a couple of weeks ago, in fact.

On the pros and cons, here is a really good link: http://members.1stconnect.com/anozira/SiteTops/weapons/3030faq.htm

And here is a good link about the cartridge: http://www.chuckhawks.com/30-30Win.htm

DRM said:
I haven't shot it yet, but it sure feels great! Given that most of my acquaintances who hunt take their quarry within 100 meters, would any of you feel under-gunned with this rifle? What are the biggest and smallest critters you'd hunt with this caliber?
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150 yards is about as far as I'd feel comfortable taking a shot.

I probably wouldn't go after bear, elk, or moose. And I wouldn't take it on safari. Otherwise, you're pretty safe.
 
30-30s rule . They are no more than a basic rifle and certainly a lever action is not the choice of the rich and shameless . One word (yeah right!) of advice . You might need an offset scope mount for your rifle . Some of them are also brand sensitive as to ammunition . Mine works best with federal . Try it out all it will cost you is a box of ammo and an afternoons enjoyment .
 
You have the quintessentially iconic American deer rifle, and be it Winchester or Marlin, it's a reputation that's justly and completely deserved.

I have my late father's Winchester 94 from just before WWII. He killed all of his deer with it, and I used it for the first three that I killed. IMO, the 30-30 is probably responsible for taking more deer than any other single cartridge, and likely many other cartridges combined.

As for combat, the lever action was the "assault rifle" of the late 19th century. In what's considered a handgun cartridge like the 32-20, 38-40 or 44-40, a lever action full-length mag tube could hold upwards of 10 or more cartridges, depending on barrel and mag tube length. "Load on Sunday and shoot all week" was a popular saying in the day. Look no further than today's Cowboy Action Shooting popularity for confirmation.

Cong Rats on the acquisition!

Noah
 
If it hasn't already been drilled and tapped, DON'T DO IT!!! You'll ruin the value of the gun. Seriously, you can buy a new Marlin or Winchester for the difference in value between an unmodified pre-64 Winchester and one that's been drilled and tapped. Other than that, all I can say is happy shooting, you've got one fine rifle. You may want to try out Hornady's new LeveRevolution ammo. It uses jacketed bullets with rubber tips, and has quite a bit more muzzle velocity than standard 30-30 rounds. Enjoy your rifle.
 
I like my lever action for another reason . It has so many safety features . An actual safety button , hammer down on my model means even if safety is off and trigger is pulled no round can be fired . If the lever is left ajar then again no round can be fired . Of course the only true safety on a rifle is the man in control of the firearm .
 
I'm not a fan of the .30-30 as a cartridge. No real rational reason. Just liked other calibers better. Keep your shots under two hundred yards and it will take just about anything you want it to. It has a solid reputation for being a short to medium range deerslayer that is well deserved.
 
Other rounds have eclipsed it, but there isn't anything "wrong" with it. It was a real hot rod when it first came out, compared to what else was available. It will take deer size game out to 150 yards. Jeff Cooper speaks highly of it as a home defense rifle, as well.

Also, I was reading Shooting Times, and Hornady has just come out with a polymer tipped bullet that can be used in lever actions. I have no experience with it, but the chart showed quite impressive trajectory, accuracy and retained energy improvements out beyond 150 yards.

I also recall seeing a 3030 bolt action at some barn sale. Don't know if this is a real or imagined memory. I should have bought it, if for nothing else than a conversation peice. As I recall, it was really light weight. Anybody know anything about such a rifle?
 
Shann said:
Other rounds have eclipsed it, but there isn't anything "wrong" with it. It was a real hot rod when it first came out, compared to what else was available. It will take deer size game out to 150 yards. Jeff Cooper speaks highly of it as a home defense rifle, as well.

Also, I was reading Shooting Times, and Hornady has just come out with a polymer tipped bullet that can be used in lever actions. I have no experience with it, but the chart showed quite impressive trajectory, accuracy and retained energy improvements out beyond 150 yards.

I also recall seeing a 3030 bolt action at some barn sale. Don't know if this is a real or imagined memory. I should have bought it, if for nothing else than a conversation peice. As I recall, it was really light weight. Anybody know anything about such a rifle?
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It's an old Sears bolt action. Very, very basic plain stock, cheap stamped trigger guard. Reasonably accurate. I know remington has made a few .30-30 bolt actions in some of their 788 series and possibly others. They are prized collectors items and highly accurate.
 
Sutcliffe said:
It's an old Sears bolt action. Very, very basic plain stock, cheap stamped trigger guard. Reasonably accurate. I know remington has made a few .30-30 bolt actions in some of their 788 series and possibly others. They are prized collectors items and highly accurate.
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I think the one I saw must have been a Sears. It had that generic look, and I probably would have remembered if it was a Remington. The thing I remembered was that it was about the lightest centerfire rifle I ever held.
 
Not much I can add. Sams pretty much hit it dead on regarding the bear and moose. I've seen it done on caribou, and know friends who have used it on moose, but....you won't catch me doing it if I have a choice.

I'm currently looking at buying a Windchester 30-30 myself if I can get it for cheap, ($100-$150ish) just to have a moderately powered rifle I can beat the hell out of iin the woods without conscience.

Can't hardly go wrong with 'em in the lower 48

As far as defensive use, I think they're a sound choice, as long as you have a modicum of common sense. Not ideal for the apartment dweller, but not at all a bad choice for us suburbanites. One good thing is that if it ever were used, it'd look alot better in the eyes of a court than an ultra modified CAR-15 with match barrel-flash supressor-90 round drum-tactical flashlight-laser mounted-night sighted-trigger jobbed-ultra modified burglar blaster special.
 
+1 to NOT drilling and tapping the thing.

If it has screws in the side of the reciever for a peep sight, put one of those on.

I also think scopes ruin the lines of a classic lever gun.
 
Isn't it in the Bible or something that "Thou shalt not EVER put a scope onto a perfectly innocent and functional lever action rifle?"

Like maybe the 11th Commandment?
 
Runs With Scissors said:
Isn't it in the Bible or something that "Thou shalt not EVER put a scope onto a perfectly innocent and functional lever action rifle?"

Like maybe the 11th Commandment?
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You got me on that one ! I have to admit my marlin 30-30 came with a scope and I use it . I agree it ruins the classic lines . I can,t use binoculars as my eyes fight for dominance . I will also say that I wouldn,t have got my first deer without a scope . It may not have been yhe greatest shot anyone ever made . It proabably was the greatest shot I will ever make and on my first deer to boot .
Well thats it . I haven,t had my rifles out for over a year and its high time they had a clean up and maybe loosen up the screws on the marlin,s scope mounts . I,ll have to find a place to get to know them again . It,ll proabably only be springtime though . I can hear my longbow creaking in protest right now ! L:O:L
 
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