ScottFisher

Listen to Skeeter, he knows exactly what hes talking about.

Scott

e-mail me [email protected]

BeltedMag

Although the 30-30 has probably killed every north american big animal around, it still would be wise to take the model 700. I have killed at 130+ yards with mine but ive used it for years and really know my gun. I would totally hate myself if i took my old lever up to canada and had to empty a tube into a huge whitetail cause he wouldnt go down. The hunters in the late 1800's had to use the little 30-30 cause there werent alot of choices in smokeless powder rounds, but i bet if they were around today going after northern big game they'd be packing magnums. I love my 30-30 but have witnessed to many whitetails in my area take several rounds to drop em, so i can imagine the monster bucks in canada.

kodiakhuntmaster

I've used my 30-30 for 200 yard shots before, but with handloads and on whitetails. One of my friends got one at 185 yards with the 30-30 starfire bullets. Up untill this year the 30-30 was my deer gun of choice because it doesn't kick any, and if you know the drop on your gun it's easy enough to just aim as high as you need. To expell any doubt that you need to unload your gun on a deer to kill it, all my deer that I've ever shot with my 30-30 dropped on the spot except one doe that jumped twice and then fell dead. It's all in shot placement with a 30-30.

But having that said, unless you can make a 30-30 sing like I can, stick to the 30-06 for anything over 150 yards.

"Hey ya'll, watch this"

nulle

I would say the 30 30 would be pretty weak for the type hunt you plan on

February 2003 = tired and Re-tired cop

BeltedMag

Sorry maybe i should have been more clear about my post above. When i was talking about having to unload into a deer with my 30-30. I hunt with a club and all we do is drives, so the majority of the time the deer are running and really fired up. When they have there adrenaline pumping even big magnums have trouble bringing them down. So to be a little more to the point, i have had to shoot deer that are running and excited several times with my 30-30, most of which are good hits. Dont want people to think im just blasting away and putting bullets everywhere. The first buck i ever killed on the drive ran within 20 yards of me, i shot three times and it ran off. I found it 40 yards away with 2 holes behind the front shoulder about an inch apart and one just below the spine, i still had to put one in the neck to finish it off. I have also had them drop in their tracks, but 90 percent of the time they run at least 40-50 yards with my 30-30, when they are pushed and excited.

bandgod

I'm with propmahn. The .30-.30 is a way under-rated gun. I think a lot of people go with the bigger guns because they have to make up for their inadaquaicies in shot placement. I feel very comfortable shooting my .30-.30 out to 150 yards and would even shoot out to 200 if I had the opportunity. I've dropped a few northern WI whitetails(close to 200 lb. animals) with one shot at over 100 yards. I even took a running doe at right around 200 yards. Even in drives I've dropped deer right where they were running with one shot and didn't have to follow up with a "kill" shot. I've never had a wounded deer with my rifle. It's shot placement. If you feel comfortable with your .30-.30 use it and be effective, but if you prefer the .06 use that. I have a .280 as well as my .30-.30 and when I'm out in the field looking at shots over 200 yards I'll carry the .280. Do a little more research and wait to see what gun to bring until you decide on where you're going for sure. Then bring both guns because as Duffy sadi you may want that back-up gun.

BigEd

Yeah I'd take along both rifles too.
No matter what caliber your toting; between hunting seasons practice, pratcice, practice.
And, if you aren't, get into reloading gives you more, less expensive but quality ammo, for more practice.<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>
That will let you develop the skill to use both guns/calibers to their maximum effective range.

&quot;Lord, make me fast and accurate.&quot;

.270Shooter

Okay, .30-30 is great in it's proper place, but what about sights? I don't care if a round will kill a deer at 200 yards or not, if your front sight bead covers half the animal, you've got problems. I can see using a .30-30 out to 200 yards if you're a good shot AND have a scope. With iron sights, it's a hail Mary.

Huge Buck Hunter

im sick and tired of hearing people slam on 30-30's i havea marlin 30-30 and its the best gun i've ever gotten but long range i have to admit it isnt the greatest because there isnt a whole lot of powder for the size of bullet

Blake - Go get'em