.30.30 lever action
 

Anybody know if this would be a good gun for killing white tail and any pics. from somebody that has shot them with one I would be glad to see pictures of them.

RE: .30.30 lever action
 

If you do a search under the deer hunting thread type in 30-30 in your search and there is a 3-4 page response. I was debating if the 30-30 would be a good enough gun and I got and overwhelming response of yes. There are pics in the response of guys who used their 30-30 to kill big deer.

However, if you are going to be taking shots past 200 yards I would go for something like 7mm. With that being said the 30-30 is one of the best deer rifles ever!!!

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The 30-30 has probably killed more deer than any other caliber ever. For close range shooting there is no better gun made.

RE: .30.30 lever action
 

Surely you jest! What!! Is this a trick question? The .30/30, in whatever action it ismade in, has been killing whitetail deer, mule deer, elk, moose, grizzly bears, and even a few dangerous animals, including an elephant or two in Africa, since 1895!

It certainly is not recommended for big bears or the African Big Five, or even elk or moose. And there are even better choices for whitetails and mulies. BUT it is certainly capable enough up to maybe 200 yards. All you have to do is put your bullet in the right spot, and that is true, REGARDLESS of what cartridge you choose! And some lever-action .30/30's can be quite accurate, too!

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150-170gr bullets in the 30-30 will kill any deer alive if you hit the vitals at a reasonable range. :D

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The 30/30 might be the best brush gun that's ever been made! Would not be my choice if shots were over 150 yards. JMO:)

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I really hope you aren't talking about that mythical cartridge that will cut through brush like a knife and still reach and kill the target animal behind it.

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If you choose to shoot through brush thats up to you. The 30/30 lever action is very short and very quick to get on your target. If you have ever hunted in the brush are thick woods you would understand the need to be able to get on your target quickly! I don't have any idea what made you think I would think any caliber would "cut through brush like a knife".:eek::eek::eek::eek:

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I agree you need a short light gun to be able to swing it up and around in the thick brush. A long bolt action rifle get s in the way when you are trying to make a quick shot.

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The farthest shot I would get is 50 yards and most would be around 15-30 yards. I hunt in Southeast Oklahoma and the woods are pretty thick, so my 30-30 is the best gun IMHO to have out there.

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When I was very young I had two options for rifles for hunting thickets, etc.. a 30-30 Winchesteror a Remington Woodsmaster Carbine 30-06. I selected the 30-06. Not because I had any doubt in the ability of the 30-30, but simply because I felt the 30-06 was "the better cartridge."

I have since those early days purchased a Winchester Model 94 that was built in 1939 (if memory serves me). The rifle's original ownerhad fired seven shotsthrough it (seven years, seven deer as he claimed)before he purchased a 45/70. The rifle was hung up on a wall and only handled twice a year to be cleaned. This old fellow sold me this pre-64 Winchester for $100.00 one evening and I could not pass it up. I hunted a couple years with the 30-30 just for the nostalgia of it all. I then sold that rifle to a family member for much more then I paid for it. (He just had to have that rifle)

If your shots are 150 yards and under, and your a good shot and can place that bullet, the 30-30 will do the job. I hunt with people who have carried the Winchesters and Marlin models, for years and they take a lot of deer with them. The couple deer I shot with it, I used Winchester 170 grain Silver Tip (I believe they were called) and the two deer I shot, never took a step after being hit. A nice rifle, easy to carry, easy to point and shoot, and is a meat and potatoes rifle.

Although I have seen some of the newer model Winchester model 94's that felt nothing at all like the one I sold my brother. Their actions were not as smooth, and I shot one, my friend bought for his son. It was accurate enough, but not like the one I had. I have no reason why my old one felt and shot so much better, but it did.

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I would agree with you! Also, if a longer shot presents itself a 100 or 150 yards you can make that shot with iron sights if you've put in a little practice!:)

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The .30-30 has killed a lot of deer and is fine for "short-range action", however, if you have a choice between it and, something else but want a quick handling short action gun, then I'd recomend the 6mm,7mm-08 or .308. If you don't really need a "brush gun", then maybe consider a nice bolt inthe above mentioned calibers or .270, 25-06, or 30-06., especially if you ever plan on hunting with it where shots over 100 yds will be frequent.

No matter what gun you get and how close you anticipate the shots, you should always think about a scope for it as opposed to "iron sights". Iron sights are great for shooting at tin cans, squirrels, and varmintsand for the occasional day in the woods when you want to feel nostalgic or give yourself a little more challenge, but as a "newbie", generally, the quicker you get used to aquiring a target thru a scope (which is extremely easy at any distance once you get used to it) the better it's going to be in the long run when you chase something else but deer around the local brush pile.:D;) good luck

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Hillbilly, I think you're right, I would want a scope in most deer hunting scenarios. Somehow, I/we turned this thread into a brush hunting thread. In the thick brush where your shots are short and quick, I would prefer open sights anyday! I would prefer a scope under almost all other scenarios.:D

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Here is a pic of my first buck I ever shot with a 30-30. I actually bought the gun for me and my 12 year old daughter to use. It's a Marlin model 336 and is still my favorite gun

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For many years I used the Winchester 94and then the Marlin 336. Used the .270 for power line hunting and now the 6.5mmSwede

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Those are some pretty good lookin guns thinks for the picture and good luck this year. I am 13 and my dad is debating whether to get one this year so your pictures will help rebel hog.

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great buck I hope to get one this year thinks for the picture danny d and good luck to you this year.

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Only natural when someone mentions 30-30:D. Take care

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I started out my first son (at 12) with a 30-30 Marlin. Great gun to learn with. Shoulders well and the lever action is easy to use.One benefit of the 30-30 is that it is inexpensice to shoot. I load all of our rounds so he has been able to do a lot of practise at very little cost (and as we know how important it is to practise). The cost of reloading the30-30 is about one third the cost of loading a .270 and even less of the 7mm mag. Buying rounds is also a lot less expensive. The 30-30 also performs as well as any cal. 150 yards and in with a well placed shot.

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I love my 30-30 Marlin and wouldn't trade if for anything. Its a quick action and a great shot. Hardly need the scope, the iron sights are great at 100yds. The gun is also fairly inexpensive to buy, and as was said, inexpensive to shoot compared to the .270. Its a shorter gun and easier to get through the thick brush. All around great weapon.

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The 30-30 is a fun gun to shoot (aren't they all?). I once read that the 30-30 is refered to as a leg-breaker cartridge. Out at and beyond 150 yards people mis-judge the bullet drop and instead of hitting the deer in the shoulder they hit the leg. Or so the story goes.

You can also consider a peep sight. Williams makes some nice ones. Saves the expense ofa scope but better than iron sights.

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+1 [8D]

I love my Marlin 30-30 and will never part with it. I use it with plain open sights, and keep it in close, in deep brush and heavy woods. For longer ranges, I have my new/used Savage .308 with a scope.

Butch A.

RE: .30.30 lever action
 

I started my deer hunting "career" 25 years ago with a 1960's model Marlin 336 30-30 and couldn't wait to get a "real" deer rifle, but after many years of being infected with Magnumitis, I have come back to a 30-30 as my primary deer caliber. I used to consider a 125 yard shot with a 30-30 a real "Hail Mary", but with the ballistics of the Hornady LeverEvolution ammo, a 200 yard shot should be easily do-able if the hunter does his part.

Here is a buck that I killed in 2006, and a hog that my son killed about a month ago.

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Nice kills I hope to get some myself and thats cool your son hunts to thinks for the pic.

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I love these opportunities to show pics of my 1st buck (there are lots of them):D Heres a big Canadian buck (I'm about 180lbs, but don't come close to filling out the pumpkin suit;)) Iron sited win94 30-30 on a still hunt in thick bush.

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tschaef
That is a heck of a first buck! What did that big boy weigh? I killed a 265# buck in Oklahoma in 2004, but yours looks much bigger. I also love the mass of the rack. Congrats!

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Wow!! Great buck there tschaef. Now, is that the hole in the neckleft by your 30-30? I figure it is but also thought it might be a neck cut to drain the blood or something. If that's the 30-30 hole, it's freakin huge.
take care

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My advice on the 30/30 Win.

1. Buy a MARLIN 336 CS; Marlin's are the very best. They even have stainless models available!
2. Buy a quality 3-9x40 scope (Nikon Monarch or Bushnell Elite)
3. Buy a quality scope mount (Leupold, Burris or Weaver)
4. AVOID see through scope rings; they sit the scope WAY TOO high and are NOT needed!
5. Buy some Winchester,Federal and Remington 150-170 grain bullets
6. Shoot the ammo "your" rifle shoots best
7. Sight-in to hit approximately 2" high @ 100 yards
8. Enjoy your new Marlin 336; it won't let you down, but it WILL put deer down!
9. Buya camera
10. Show us the deer you kill with your new rifle!!!!!!!!!

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Here is a picture of mine. It was born in 1958(same year I was born). Boy the stories this rifle could tell. IMO scopes and lever's do not mix. Get a good peep site if you are concerned about better accuracy(like the one on my 9422). IMO young hunter's should learn how to shoot open sight's before they graduate to a scope. I see way too many hunter's who do not know how to shoot. They see the scope as a quick fix for their inabilty to shoot. Tom.

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One of my favorite hunting rifles is my Win 94 AE in 30/30 Ackley Improved. Got it topped with Leupold Euro 1.5-4x20mm.

It shoots far better than any lever gun should.

Took two deer in rapid sequence with it last year at 190 and 180 yards respecitively. Longest shots on deer I have ever made or attempted. No hold over... just a wet smack sound and a pile of doe. Handloads go out at about 2400 fps with 150gr bullets. Great great deer load.

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Retrieverman,
Awesome pics. Cowboy hat, lever 30-30 and a dead deer. Priceless. Great pic of the boy with his too. Thanks for sharing

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I have learned that it may be the best brush gun out there. If you are shooting 50-100 yards coupled with the right ammo it can be very accurate. If I ever get the chance to do a hunt in the open I would choose something like a 270 or maybe a 7mm with a scope.

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My grandfather gave me his old 30-30 after he passed away. He claims it took over 300 deer in the 50-years he owned it between himself and our family!!!!!!!!! It just killed a cow elk for my little brother last season. We spend thousands on new callibers, yet the 30-30 isthe most proven by far.