bolt action 30-30
bolt action 30-30
08-06-2009, 07:25 AM
#2
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Clermont Florida U.S.
Posts: 4,970
I'm a little confused...please forgive me. If you want a "long range" bolt action why select the .30-.30? If you want reliability, lever actions are fine. What are you hunting (and at what ranges)? 
08-06-2009, 07:57 AM
#3
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,445
There were some bolts made in 30/30 quite a few years ago (Savage/Stevens and or Mossberg?) Their selling point was that they were safer than lever actions of the day with only a half-**** safety. These guns were more utilitarian than works of art and were fairly cheap. I'm not sure if there are any bolts chambered in 30/30 today.
Loaded properly, the 30/30 is a 200 yd cartridge, but 150-175 is probably more realistic. I really like the 30/30 in a lever with a peep sight. My range is limited by my eyesight and the sight system, and that's about 100 yds for me, which is great with the 30/30. If you don't mind the looks of a scope on a lever, you can get longer range out of the 30/30, but as stated above, it's not really a long range cartridge.
Loaded properly, the 30/30 is a 200 yd cartridge, but 150-175 is probably more realistic. I really like the 30/30 in a lever with a peep sight. My range is limited by my eyesight and the sight system, and that's about 100 yds for me, which is great with the 30/30. If you don't mind the looks of a scope on a lever, you can get longer range out of the 30/30, but as stated above, it's not really a long range cartridge.
08-06-2009, 10:19 AM
#5
Fork Horn
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location:
Posts: 122
At 200 yards, energy for the .30/30 is about 1,000 ft/lbs. At 300 yards it is about 700 ft/lbs.
It is therefore arguable that the .30/30 is a marginal deer round at 200 yards, and inadequate at 300 yards (using the theory that you need 1,000 ft/lbs minimum for a whitetail kill). Now I understand that this can be argued all day..... but just trying to apply some logic to my thinking....
I use a .30/30 every year to hunt in Michigan, but my shots are 100 yards max... usually 35-70 yards. I do not use it in areas where 200 yard shots are a possibility -- I use my '06 or .270. So if I were to purchase a bolt gun for that purpose, a .30-30 would not be my choice...
It is therefore arguable that the .30/30 is a marginal deer round at 200 yards, and inadequate at 300 yards (using the theory that you need 1,000 ft/lbs minimum for a whitetail kill). Now I understand that this can be argued all day..... but just trying to apply some logic to my thinking....
I use a .30/30 every year to hunt in Michigan, but my shots are 100 yards max... usually 35-70 yards. I do not use it in areas where 200 yard shots are a possibility -- I use my '06 or .270. So if I were to purchase a bolt gun for that purpose, a .30-30 would not be my choice...
Last edited by wolverine72; 08-06-2009 at 07:25 PM.
08-06-2009, 11:20 AM
#6
Fork Horn
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Rockingham Co, VA
Posts: 156
Although energy is a factor in killing deer, it's not the only one. The trajectory of shooting a 30-30 at 250 yards is more of a rainbow effect. You would have to aim at air over the spine to drop one on target.
08-06-2009, 12:13 PM
#8
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,679
Just because it is a bolt action rifle does not mean it is a long range gun. The type of rifle makes no difference what so ever in the velocity of the cartridge. A 30-30 is still a 30-30 whether it is in a lever gun, bolt bun, single shot, or what ever.
Take the advice here and get yourself a bolt action 308.
Take the advice here and get yourself a bolt action 308.
08-06-2009, 12:57 PM
#9
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Michigan
Posts: 3,329
If you want something that doesn't kick that hard and really fits your bill consider the .243 Win. It's an excellent cartridge for what your doing.
As far as the .30-30. I would give it a big thumbs down.
Tom
As far as the .30-30. I would give it a big thumbs down.
Tom