kittitascountyhunter

I am leaving to hunt a friend’s property in Cook County MN. The rifle I generally use is a scoped Ruger Hawkeye in 30/06; however the scope has been knocked around and the dials have been fiddled with so... let’s just say that I would have a hard time hitting the side of a barn at 10 yards with it. Unfortunately I will not have the time to sight in the rifle, so my father has offered to loan me one of his rifles. The two rifles are: a 30-30 Marlin and a .308 BLR. They both have iron sights and are quite accurate. What rifle would you prefer for a whitetail hunt?

Backwoods7

Both are great deer calibors it comes down to two things range and feel. If there's a chance at shots over 125 yards take the 308. The 3030 is a 100 yard gun. Now if it's under 100 yard shots either would be great. Pick wich one feels the best. The 308 has real similar balistics to your 06. There almost identicle they based the 308 off the 30-06. So when you make your choice think of what I said me I'd go 308 for added range but I've killed a ton of deer with both cals. Good luck

Wingbone

Good advise

Centaur 1

I guarantee that the 30-30 will kill a deer much farther than you can hit with open sights. It amuses me how people don't give it enough credit, it's much more than a 100 yard gun. The bullets that manufacturers put in .308's are the same bullets that they load in all the super-duper magnums. They have to work at close range and magnum velocities, as well as long range from the .308. The round nose soft point bullets that are loaded in the 30-30 are designed to expand properly and kill deer at slower velocity. This is an awesome caliber that too many people overlook because they get all hung up on ballistic charts. I bet that most hunters couldn't even hit a deer at the 30-30's maximum range, which is over 250 yards with leverevolution ammo.

VAhuntr

For me it would be the 308.

semi

for me if its just iron sites, i may opt for the 30-30. With iron sites i don't know how much past 125 yrds you are going to shoot anyways. Both are perfectly fine for deer.

it also depends on where you are hunting. are you hunting in the thick? overlooking a field? all of that comes into play depending on how willing you are to take a long range shot. There is absolutely nothing better than a marlin 336 30-30 when you are stalking in the thick.. Load it with the leverlution bullets and you have a 200 yrd gun. And with iron sights, i can't see shooting much farther than that in almost any situation.

Bocajnala

I'd take the .30-30 in that situation. I use one on rainy days, it's a comfort gun. I love carrying it, I shoot well with it, and I've shot alot of deer with it. Including a few well beyond 100 yards. But either gun will work well. Take whatever feels best in your hands
-Jake

rjhans53

I would take the 308 but would confirm the poi using your eyes and not his

Sheridan

Pick out a target about 100 yards away, close both eyes, shoulder both guns as if to take a shot, open your eyes and then you'll know !

Both will dispatch a deer, no problem.

Keep in mind you WILL BE shooting iron sights (100 yards or closer).


Go get'em and good luck !

Backwoods7

Ron sights can be used past 100 yards but it takes practice my grandad killed a muledeet at 300 yards with a iron sighted mausar