If I were to hunt wild pig and mule deer, would I be OK with a Marlin 336 30-30? Do I need a scope, or are sights OK to start with? How about if I tried for a big pig (~200 lbs)? Am I holding the right tool with a 30-30?
I was told that a 30-06 would provide more variety down the road. Folks told me if I buy a 30-30 now, I' d probably be back later (around deer season) for a 30-06 and a scope to handle the job more effectively.
Am I missing anything? Advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks for all your help in advance.
A 30-30 is is plenty to kill pigs and deer, but I agree with what you were told that you would be back to buy another rifle, if not this deer season, pretty soon. A 30-30 with open sites I can shoot pretty good out to 100 yards, but after that it' s hard for me to get a good sight on anything (besides a barn side) with open sites. But thats me. A scoped 30.06 will take just about every big game animal in the lower 48 and is very verstile
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That really depends on where you hunt. The 30-30 is about a 200 yard deer rifle max. If you are hunting in the thick stuff then you will need nothing more. If on the other hand you qare able to shoot beyond 200 yards then you will be better served with the 30-06. You want to hunt mule deer and since alot of mule deer country is open I would suggest that you go with the 30-06, 308, 270, 7mm-08, 280. The 30-30 is better suited for the thick Eastern whitetail woods.
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For pigs(hogs) the 30-30 win would be fine.For Mulies and other larger game I would move up to at least a 30-06.Open sights are fine for brush and shots around 75-100 yards.Of course that depends on your eyesite.Over that I would buy a quality made scope.I would personally limit my shots with a 30-30 to 100 yards or less.There has probably been more deer killed with a 30-30 then any other cartridge,but it does have it' s limitations.You owe it to the game to make the most humane kills possible.
Ruger Redhawk
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My buddy shot a 350+ lb. Russian boar last spring with his 30-30. 1 shot @ 75 yds and he dropped in his tracks. His dad dropped a few W.T.' s & Mulies over the past years with the same gun. It' s plenty good enough for you. It' s a lot harder with iron sights but if you practice you can get pretty good with it, I would recommend a scope though.
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JDinAB
" I'm your huckleberry!"
The lever action 30-30 was real popular over here especially in heavy bushy area' s where shooting distances were limited,it would be ok for you provided you limit your shots to 100 yards,it is now largely replaced by bolt action rifles in 243,7mm-08,308,270 & 30-06 are all popular now.
I think you should be looking at a bolt action rifle with suitable scope especially if your shots are going to be longer than 150 yards.
I dont know how big your mule deer are over there so I wont reccomend the 243 to you but i think the 7mm-08 & 308 would be great choices,I have a 7mm-08 & It will take large pigs out to 300 yards or so & I believe it will easially take any deer out to the same distance.
I would only step up to a 30-06 if I intended to hunt larger game,it is considered on the high side for pigs over here.
You might also like to look at the 25-06 & 270.
You have a lot of options so dont rush into anything,look around,think about your hunting situations & future ones too before you make your decisions.
Stogie Boy,
You won' t regret going with the 30-06. Can' t say the same about the 30-30. Look further down the road -- may get a chance at bigger stuff in far away places. You' ll be welcome in most hunting parties (almost said camps) in the lower 48 with a 30-06.
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Some folks are recommending a 30-06 over a 30-30 for deer!
(Never mind elk and other good stuff.)
Perhaps there is hope after all.
Never Go Undergunned,
EKM
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30-30 for pig and mule deer?
