In praise of the 30-30 (proof of accuracy)!
 

Hey there,

In regards to the .243 vs 30-30 thread (God, I thought that long winded thread died a long time ago...) I wanted to offer up proof of the accuracy of the ageless and legendary classic Marlin 30-30.

I got back from the outdoor range shortly after lunchtime. It was great.... It's summertime and relatively hot outside. On a Sunday morning, there was nobody around! I had the 7 station shooting range to myself! [8D]

So, I went out and stuck the re-bar target holder thing into the 75 yard marker (railroad tie)and clipped on a target. Instead of the 50 yard range or the full length 100 yard range, I figured I'd see what 75 yards looks like with my 30-30.

Anyway, here is my Marlin 30AS 30-30 with an old Glenfield 4x32 scope on a low weaver base.


And here is the target proof.... Yes, people, I only shot 6 shots. I was so impressed with the accuracy, I said to myself, "wow, that's good enough to me. I'm done and will save the rest of the ammo!"

RE: In praise of the 30-30 (proof of accuracy)!
 

maybe I'm just a better shot , I dont know, but my first deer rifle was a win 94 30-30 and it would shoot tighter groups than that at a 100 yds. I dont think anyones critisised it's accuracy, just its range. It drops rather quickly after 150yds.

RE: In praise of the 30-30 (proof of accuracy)!
 

True... true.... I wasfree-holding the 30-30 on the bench too and didn't use a bench rest or sandbag or pillow or anything. The rounds I shot were Federal Power-Shok 150gr. Normally, my 30-30 loves 170gr Remington Core-Lokt.

RE: In praise of the 30-30 (proof of accuracy)!
 

I bet that black square was scared something fierce and glad to see you put the gun up!:D[8D];)j/k

Looks good to me for just holding it. Where are your 170 grainers at?

RE: In praise of the 30-30 (proof of accuracy)!
 

The 170's? Er, uh, I left them home... [:-]:eek: See, I bought a box of Federal 150's on a whim 'cause I never shot Federal in a 30-30 before. So, I figured I go out andtry them. The rounds were okay and I liked them, but then they are no Remington Core-Lokt. Now if I had a bench rest, then yes, the results would be a lot more different!

RE: In praise of the 30-30 (proof of accuracy)!
 

Many of us started out with the 30-30 as our first deer rifle. I didn't start with one but most of my friends did. I had one early on. Now the 30-30 and the model 94 and 336 make up the majority of 30-30's used buy deer hunters. The fact that it is a classic and that it remains popular are many. They don't cost to much in comparing with other firearms, Most deer are taken at ranges from 50-150 yards with many closer than that, There isn't an easier rifle to carry either afoot or horseback, It didn't get to be a favorite by wounding and loosing deer. Its very effective at ranges most deer are shot. No rifle be it a speed demon or a bone crusher with heavy fast bullet can kill a deer any faster or any deader than a 30-30.

The 30-30 gets a lot of bad press comparing it to more modern calibers but if those bad raps were true, The 30-30 would have died a long time ago. Sentimental value which is often named as the main reason for people using the old rifleis BUNK!! All of us would have quit on it long ago if it were not effective on big game within its range. People who misuse it or try to sretch its effective range will always blame the gun but its not the gun that fails to use good judgement and the 30-30 is not the dumb one here. Good shooting.:D

RE: In praise of the 30-30 (proof of accuracy)!
 

Darned now, if I ain't missing my old Marlin :(
Might just have to go get another one

RE: In praise of the 30-30 (proof of accuracy)!
 

well then I would have to say thats some good shooting.

RE: In praise of the 30-30 (proof of accuracy)!
 

Thanks...

I have seen guys at the range with their bigger rifles with monster sized scopes mounted in a bench rest. I think to myself, "hey buddy,you gonna be shooting from that rest out in the field?". ;)

I know my 30-30 is short range and I wouldn't dream of taking a 200 yard shot with it - heck not even a 150 yard shot. I have shot from the bench with the rifle resting on my jacket, which is on top of the rifle case, and got about 1/2" groups at 100 yards. But with the 30-30 being a quick, snappy, rifle, most of the time I just hand hold it and shoot it like that.

One of these days I ought to look into a bigger rifle for longer shots, but for now, I prefer to hunt the heavy woods and thickets during rifle season. That's just how I like to hunt.

RE: In praise of the 30-30 (proof of accuracy)!
 

ButchA
I also like to hunt the same way you do. I to use a 30-30. Mine is Winchester 94 Buffalo Bill Commemoritve with a long 26 inch barrel. I was using my daughters Marlin 336but she told me to get my own 30-30. My best friend solved the problem by giving me the rifle as a gift. I put ona Williams FP sight. It shoots 1 1/4 inch groups with a rest. Not bad. I reload for it also.

Hornet Man

RE: In praise of the 30-30 (proof of accuracy)!
 

Oh yeah.... Greatrifle! ;)

The best conditions I like with my 30-30 is when it's cold (for Virginia, I mean 24 degrees with an inch or two of snow and a chilly breeze blowing). For the long range rifle hunters: You all can freeze in a tree stand with your .270 or 7mm Mag or whatever, overlooking a field. At 24 degrees with a chilly wind, I'm headed straight for the cedars and the gnarly thickets! Heheheee, maybe I'll flush one out for ya!

[Deleted]
 

[Deleted by Admins]

RE: In praise of the 30-30 (proof of accuracy)!
 

It is! :D

See, it was a "closet classic" (thinking way back to my original post about it).I bought it offa co-worker buddy of mine who no longer hunted and his wife talked him into selling it. {you know how it can go sometimes... you get married.... then you no longer have time to hunt.... then you put the rifle in the closet and leave it for a few years untouched....then you have a kid.... etc...etc...} When my co-worker offered to sell it to me, I jumped on it without even thinking twice. It is a real sweet shooter and just naturally comes right up to your shoulder. It's definitely a keeper!

RE: In praise of the 30-30 (proof of accuracy)!
 

A lever action rifle with iron sights or a low power scope, chambered in .30/30 has a place in deer hunting.

I would say it is like a 9 iron in your golf bag. There is a place for a 9 iron, I would not be without one. I wouldn't use it off the tee on a par 4 hole and I wouldn't use it on the green to put with.

I wouldn't take a m 94 in 30/30 on a hunt for sheep and goat in the Yukon. I wouldn't take one for Big Brown bear in Alaska. I wouldn't take one to eastern Alberta for big white-tails at long range. I have hunted deer with a bow and a muzzleloader and had opportunities that I could not take the shot, where if I'd had a 30/30 it would have been venison on the meat pole.

I have a savage 99 in 300 savage that I think is just enough better than a lever 30/30 that it is my choice for a short to med. range bush gun.

Robin

RE: In praise of the 30-30 (proof of accuracy)!
 

ButchA,
You hunt exactly the way I like to hunt. It is funny too, because on our land I am the one who seems to have the best "luck", and I am one of the few who usually don't sit on a pipeline. There aint nothing like sittin up in a tree close to a trail, or finding a strategic spot in the hardwoods along the edge of a cut out seeing the rubs on the saplings glistening in the morning sun.

The 30-30is the primo tool in those situations, and hitting a deer in the boiler room with my Marlin is about as easy as hitting a canwith my pellet gun waswhen I was a kid.

C. Davis

RE: In praise of the 30-30 (proof of accuracy)!
 

Wow....that statementmakes me want to go out in the woods right now!! :D Man, I can't wait for the season to get here!

RE: In praise of the 30-30 (proof of accuracy)!
 

Butch I hunt the same way you do although I usually carry a 270. Opening day is the only stand day..and its in a briar patch as well. Love that thick stuff. I think my average shot is bout 20-60 yards...some closer..some farther. Nothing like getting close enough to see the hair stand up on em as they figure out they are in trouble :DI have an old Model 94 in 32 Win Special..may have to give it a try for some of my brush busting.