ORIGINAL: metro
What a fun gun! Hard to believe that thing is only leathal for deer out to 200 yards the way that thing sounded (the smack) and the puff of smoke coming off a granite boulder at about 350 yards. .....Metro
Lethal to 200yds.? No, the 30-30 is lethal to whatever range/distance the bullet travels.
Probably on the order of a mile or more, depending upon the angle of the shot.
However, when it comes to deer or any big game hunting the object is to kill in the
"cleanest"/quickest manner possible. I suggest you take a look at some ballistic tables.
Most folk with experience would recommend a minimum energy level of 1000ft./lbs -
that's terminal ballistics required for a reasonable expectation of a clean kill on deer size game. The 30-30 is just at the level at a range of approx. 200yds. Various factors come into play here including velocity, energy, trajectory of the bullet, and bullet expansion.
Yes, the 30-30 can be lethal out past 200yds., but it's best used within that range for
good results. Personally, I'd limit the range to approx. 150yds with the 30-30. Remember, the object is a clean, quick kill. We don't want gut shot deer around, suffering a slow, painful, death. Nor broken legs, etc., left to starve in the coming winter
months.