more animals have been killed with a 30-30 than any other rifle in history, including elk. one of my hunting buddies has killed every one of his elk with his 30-30 using 170 grn bullets. i think that if you can shoot and know your rifle inside and out then there should be no problem using a 30-30.(HERE WE GO AGAIN) shoot alot and then shoot some more, know your gun and know where the kill zone is and aim for that spot, BECAUSE SHOT PLACEMENT IS EVERYTHING. if you don't have the shot then don't make 3 legged elk or bloated elk from a stomach shot. if i was told that i was not allowed in someones camp because of my rifle i would camp right across the road or as close to you just to prove that you can't keep me out of the WOODS. I THINK THAT THEY CALL IT FREEDOM OF CHOICE. just my .02


[email protected]

IF IT IS TO BE......
IT IS UP TO ME......

Why Hello Dart, haven't seen you for quite a while! I see you haven't lost your fiery style! Breath of fresh air, something different.
Just a question or two or three:

Do you personally use a 30-30 when you rifle hunt elk?
If not then why not?
If so why so?

First hand experience, no third person quotes, no history stories out of the reloading books.

So far we are looking for our first real live "Yep, that 30-30 is what I currently use on elk" elk hunter! Surely they haven't all died off given their supposedly huge population! So far it is "lions" many and "christians" zippo. I'm surprised someone hasn't fibbed just to help out the "christains!"

Yes, No? Are you the first?

EKM

Good judgment comes from bad experience! Half of elk hunting is knowing what NOT to do!

Edited by - ELKampMaster on 01/24/2003 19:39:33

Well, my buddy's grandpa knew a guy who bought a car from this person that said he read about this dude that back in 1857 always got consitant elk kills with a 223. So a 30-30 must be fine...

I think most people who would hunt elk with the old 30-30 don't get on computers much. I'm sure someone does it somewhere. But I wouldn't.

"Hey ya'll, watch this"

my computer went down for 2 weeks but i'm back now with DSL.<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle> actually this guy is good and i would put him up against any of ya'll. granted he used to unload on it but it always went down, the last one was shot once and it stood there for 4-5 seconds before it just dropped.

now myself i shoot a smith and wesson 30-06 and i reload myself. but i got my 30-30 for my son to use when and if we get drawn again <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

IF IT IS TO BE......
IT IS UP TO ME......

I can neither equal your lawyer speak nor have any desire to. It is quite obvious that we will not have a meeting of the minds on this subject. But of course, I have one more post before putting this to bed, at least for myself.
Yes, I have killed elk with a 30/30. The only reason I no longer do so is because in the state of Idaho we have to choose our weapon. I have chosen to archery hunt only because I enjoy the thrill of calling elk in close. Hearing a bull charging towards me, seeing the steam rising off of him and feeling the hair on the back of my neck rise as a bull bugles right in front of me is the only way to hunt. Where's the sport in a 200 to 400 yard shot for a seasoned elk hunter? Just my opinion of course!
But, with my past experience I see no problem with taking a 30/30 into the woods if that is ones desire. A 30/30 will without a doubt kill an elk. It boils down to choice, everybody can choose what caliber they are confident with and want to shoot.
The responsibility lies in taking an ethical shot, regardless of the caliber. If a hunter doesn't have the self control to wait for the right shot, no matter what the distance, then choice of caliber makes no difference. Without the right shot it doesn't matter if your shooting a 30/30 or a 375h&h mag.
As stated above this is my opinion which is also based on years of success. I appreciate your opinion as well as everybody elses on this topic. Isn't it great that we have freedom of opinion and the freedom to express them, keeps life interesting! I think we've given Crobide more input than he ever anticipated!
elknut1


www.elknut.com
Bugling Bulls & Beyond!

Elknut1,
Well written.
You are a gentleman and a scholar.
Truce.

EKM

Good judgment comes from bad experience! Half of elk hunting is knowing what NOT to do!

Dart,
Would you say the 30-30 makes a good gun for your son, how old is he?
EKM

Good judgment comes from bad experience! Half of elk hunting is knowing what NOT to do!

If anyone thinks the .30-30 has taken more game than a 7x57 Mauser, they're nuts! Don't be so provincial!

Good Dogwork and Good Hunting

Well said elknut1. You should unnerline the part 'bout self-control. 90% of people git so riled up when they see elk, they totally fergit 'bout ethical ranges an' what their limits are. Thet's the differnce in bow hunting an' puny rifle hunting. The feller too inexperienced an' cheap to buy a proper elk rifle is the one most apt to go poppin' off at critters thet are outta range an' not within' his skill to hit in a shrunk kill zone. Sure you can kill a elk with a slingshot if you're good enuff to hit it hard ahind the ear. I find it disgustin' thet these pink-arsed mama's boys would talk of totin' such a crappy excuse fer an huntin' iron in MY elk country. Lots of folks worked real hard to bring back these critters from the brink after 30-30 hunters and 44-40 hunters got done with 'em years back. To pi$$ away a resource cause yer cheap is a good excuse to bar a person from steppin' foot in the mountings. Yeah, I found the wounded game yall thort you missed clean afor. Saw 'em with shot-off faces, busted paunches and missin' hind legs. Hills are full of 'em. 243s an' 30-30s outta be outlawed from the whole rocky mouning area.

BJ

I would just like to say that it's not the gun it's the person like elknut1 said. It depends on the shot placement. I have killed elk with both a 30-30 and a 300 savage at up to two hundred yards. This was because I felt comfortable with the shot and knew that I could hit the mark. My brother-in-law shoots a 243 and is very acurate with it. I have seen him take a nice six point down at 250 yards with two shots. One was right behind the front shoulder and one in the neck. The elk didn't go 3 steps. It's the person and the confidence they have in there gun. If someone can take a bow and arrow out there and take the same elk I think a high power rifle should be able to do the trick. Practice and more practice with whatever you are going to take out in the woods and know that you are going to take an ethical shot.
BowElkDwn