New to hunting am thinking about a 30-06 savage
for my first rifle.Will only be moose hunting with it every
couple of years so i don't want to spend a handfull of money
on a rifle with such limited use. Am planning on spending around 600
dollars , am i making the right choice.Also my inlaw is also wondering
if the 44 rem mag is comparable to the 30-30 or is it more powerfull,
also would this calibre be any good for moose hunting.
At any appreciable range, both the .44mag and the .30-30 will be marginal on moose. That said, if you keep your shots within range (under 100!, if not under 75yrds), either one will kill a moose.
I'm a huge fan of the .44mag, I have both in short lever action carbines, two Marlin 1894 .44mags (one stainless one blued), and a Winchester 94 trapper in .30-30. Here are the pro's and con's as I see them...
The .44mag uses a much heavier (240grn vs 170grn) and larger diameter (.429" vs. .308") bullet than the .30-30. While that means great knock down power at close ranges, it also means that it sheds velocity much quicker.
The .44mag can get essentially the same muzzle energy as the .30-30, and uses less powder to get there. But, to get that much power from a .30-30, you buy ammo off the shelf, to get it out of the .44mag, you special order it from one of 3 companies, or you roll your own.
The .30-30, because of the lighter slug is flatter shooting than the .44mag. Neither is very flat, but the .44mag at long ranges is more like a 3pt shot than a fastball across the plate. (Like I said, for moose, you should be limiting your shots to well under 100yrds for either of them).
So, all things considered, do what you do. The Savage .30-06 will be a good rifle, and either one of the .44mag or .30-30 will be a good choice and a joy to shoot, even for moose (Neither would be my first choice!). Your .30-06 will be a really capable rifle for anything in North America.
You're absolutely on the right track with the .30-06. As far as a versatile gun that will handle almost any game (with the proper ammo), you can hardly do any better.
The 30-30 and 44 are both marginal guns for your need, and IMO, they are relics of the past. The were good--even great--back in their day, but time moves on. The main advantage to the 30-30 was that it's lightweight and easy to carry. With the advent of light bolt action guns, that advantage has been nullified.
The 30-30 and the .44 have to be considered to be 100 yard guns for all practical purposes. Now we'll pause while the 30-30 fans pile on with tales of their great great great grandpappy's 500 yard shot right through the eyeball of a running elk. OK, we're back in reality land.
The .30-06 can place accurate and killing shots cleanly and efficiently even beyond 300 yards. Even at closer ranges, it is going to be superior hunting rifle in almost every situation.
you have all the .30 cal bullets to shoot. the others are limited in use.
you arent going ot make 300 yd shots with a 30-30 or 44. you can load 110 gr to 220 gr bullets, and that doesnt count all the variations of bullet construction within those weights! JMO
The 44 and 30/30 are great deer killers out to 150 yards. You can squeeze a little more from either with good loads and good shooting. Of course, they will both kill a moose, but if I had to choose I'd take the 30/30 with 170 grain bullets. I would not shoot past 100, and I'd probably take well-aimed shots until Mr. Moose was down or out of sight.
The '06 is better suited for moose of course, but you knew that.
My opinion is get the 30-30 over the 44. If you want a rifle get a rifle caliber, if you want a pistol get a 44 mag. I think there is a distinct advantage having a 3030 as you use the new leverlution rounds in a 3030 which make it a 175 yard gun. Can't do that with a 44 mag chamber.
Although it pains me, I'd go with the 30-06. The 44 and 30-30 are both great calibers for 120 yds and in for deer size game and maybe even something larger. You'll get more versitility out of 30-06. The 44 and 30-30 are great brush guns.
Grouse, relics? I mean really?? Aren't some of the best cartridges out there "relics"? 45-70, 44-40, 30-30, 44mag... its seems like I'm forgetting one... oh yeah, the 30-06.
I have all three and any will take a moose out to 150 yards, although between the 30/30 and the 44, the 30/30 will do it easier than the 44 will. The 30.06 will trump both with ease of use and power, but the lever guns are easier to carry and funner to shoot imho. The 44 is a very fun gun to own and shoot and there are lots of off the shelf ammo to choose from, its just intended for pistols but any that I have shot works fine in the lever gun. Out to 100 yards, the 44 is a great little gun, out to 150 the 30/30 is a bit better, and beyond that the 30.06 wins hands down.
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Just a gun enthusiast looking to gain more knowledge.
Although it pains me, I'd go with the 30-06. The 44 and 30-30 are both great calibers for 120 yds and in for deer size game and maybe even something larger. You'll get more versitility out of 30-06. The 44 and 30-30 are great brush guns.
Grouse, relics? I mean really?? Aren't some of the best cartridges out there "relics"? 45-70, 44-40, 30-30, 44mag... its seems like I'm forgetting one... oh yeah, the 30-06.
I'm not using "relics" as a synonym for "old", IH. This has nothing to do with chronological age. There are many cartridges that are newer than the .30-30 that'd I also consider relics. Anyone bought a new rifle chambered in 30-40 Kraig or .303 British lately?
The .30-30 excelled because of it came as part and parcel of an action type that was the dominate repeating action of its day. That action type and the cartridge will probably always have its fans, but now it's simply relegated to a niche market.
Looking at the OP's stated need, the .30-30 just isn't a great choice IMO.
If the .30-30 is such a great cartridge, why isn't it in the lineup of the vast, vast majority of manufacturers today? IMO, it's because when all other options are on the table, the performance of the .30-30 is eclipsed by dozens of other cartridges.
I'm not using "relics" as a synonym for "old", IH. This has nothing to do with chronological age. There are many cartridges that are newer than the .30-30 that'd I also consider relics. Anyone bought a new rifle chambered in 30-40 Kraig or .303 British lately?
The .30-30 excelled because of it came as part and parcel of an action type that was the dominate repeating action of its day. That action type and the cartridge will probably always have its fans, but now it's simply relegated to a niche market.
Looking at the OP's stated need, the .30-30 just isn't a great choice IMO.
If the .30-30 is such a great cartridge, why isn't it in the lineup of the vast, vast majority of manufacturers today? IMO, it's because when all other options are on the table, the performance of the .30-30 is eclipsed by dozens of other cartridges.
Grouse
Fair enough. Personally, I agree with on the fact that there are far better choices than the 44 or 30-30 for moose or any other game for that matter. I just wanted to raz ya a bit because of the use of the word relics. Hope ya didn't take offense to me giving ya a hard time. Personally, and I deer hunt with a 44mag, I don't think the 44 is much good out past 100 yds. 30-30 maybe get ya to 150. Anyone who said they killed an animal at 500 yards with a either is either a lucky/risky as heck hunter or a really bad liar.
30-30 or 44 rem mag
