footballplaya

well.. i shot the savage today, not really much i can say.. i don' t like the way the stock fits when it kicks, kinda " digs" into my shoulder.. what about a .30-30 for deer? if not a .30-30.. what is a good, cheap, quick handling rifle for deer... all shots will be under 150 yards for sure, otherwise i' ll carry the 7mm rem mag.. thanks in advance

Vapodog

.30-30 in any configuration is fine for deer all the way out to 150 yards. I personally recommend the 170 grain bullet.

broey1

yeah, a 30-30 will kill effectively out to 150 yards. Other quick handling calibers that are great out to 150 yards in a lever action would be 35 remington, 444 marlin, and 45-70. You can find any in a lever action configuration fairly cheap on the used gun racks.

Also, you can find some quick shooters in the remington pump gun in 35 remington, 35 whelen, 308, 30-06, and 270 on the used racks that are pretty reasonable.

All are great inside 150 yards.

adkfreeridex

i like my marlin 336 30/30. its a great gun

TScottW99

I' ve taken around a dozen or so deer with a Winchester 94 30-30. My gun prefers the 150 grain winchester power point. Never had a problem with her, she does a darn fine job.

ELKampMaster

Fast is fine; however, powerful and accurate is deadly -- just how lightening fast are these deer anyway?

If you already own a 7mmRemMag, then why would you want to go out of your way to demote yourself to a 30-30? [>:]

FYI, regarding your " savage" -- it sounds like it may be a case of poor " fit" -- be aware that " stock" rifles don' t fit everyone; consider taking it to a gunsmith and ask him what he would recommend to " fit" the savage to you.

Never Go Undergunned,
EKM

James B

I have taken a lot of deer with the 30-30. Some out to two hundred yards. My son has taken even more since I gave him the gun. He is a crack shot and I have yet to ever see him miss anything duck, rabbit or deer. For him or someone who shoots like he can, the 30-30 is all the gun you would ever need. Its killed every type of game in North America including lots of Polar Bears. Grizzlys too. It would not be my first choice for those big critters but it would do the job when used my a skilled hunter.

adkfreeridex

i agree.

frizzellr

You can bet it has wounded every type of game in North America too. The 30-30 is an anemic round that hangs on to exisitence not by its ballistic merits, but simply due to nostalgia and the fact it is chambered in inexpensive rifles. The best place for a 30-30 is leaning in the corner.

ELKampMaster

Sounds like the boy is darn near a prodigy -- great talent.

Consider that such talent may develop even further with access to a personal " tool box" that has some breadth to it. If that comes to pass, then it will be interesting see which cartridge he chooses to settle into. Young men are kinda known for wanting to try new things.

See a lot of posts where there was a 30-30 in the childhood/young adulthood but once different offerings were to be had, it went into nostalgic retirement -- or got handed down to another youngster.

EKM