Originally Posted by Canepazzo

Sportsman, are you referring to my post? I was asking a serious question as a new hunter. You made several very good remarks about the bolt actions and I was unaware of the safety issues with the lever actions, thank you for that information. I was originally looking at the 308 round but other hunters I was talking to steered me away. I may have to reconsider now.

Originally Posted by SportsmanNH

Sorry Jake , but I am going to side with OT on this one for a few reasons not mentioned . here is the list .

1) Bolt actions are well know to be very accurate rifles . Actually the most accurate out of any action. The Browning Xbolt is definitely one of them .

This is a hunting question. Sub moa isn't that important in the whitetail woods. Just isn't. Most marlins will easily shoot 1.5 moa.

2) Bolt actions are also generally lighter than lever actions . Especially the Henry rifles and the new Marlins. Nice guns , but heavy for what they are.

You've got a point. My Marlin 45-70 is a bear to carry. Anytime you have to have a .45cal hole through 22" of steel it's gonna have some weight to it. I've successfully managed to carry it all over the PA hills and survived.

3) Yes there have been millions of deer killed with a 30-30 , but the 270 and 308 calibers are far more deadlier and more accurate than a 30-30 , and ammo is just as easily available .
There are many 150 - 165gr cartridges in those 2 calibers that far outperform any and all 30-30 choices .in speed , accuracy , and wound channels.

How far out to do we take this? The same thing could be said comparing any cartridge. We'll all be using .378wbys soon.


4) Lever action 30-30's are known to be a short range gun .Maybe 150 yards on the long end . Bolts in the 270 and 308 can easily be sighted in for 300 yards .

He didn't really specify a range. For (I'm guessing here) 75% of whitetail hunters 150 yards is plenty. And 50 yards is probably closer to the average.

5) The cost of a Henry and the new Marlins are way more expensive than many of the new bolt actions.
the rifle he posted is more pricey than the marlins.

6) Only my opinion from experience . I believe the bolt action is a much safer firearm . I know of at least 3 times the lever action went off accidently . Once was a person I know shooting at a deer . While working the action ejecting the shell to fire again , his finger hit the trigger the second he worked the action back. The other 2 times happened unloading . One of those times was with a few of us standing near the guy . Luckily he is a safe hunter and had the barrel pointed away and at the ground . That shook the guy up so much that he sold that gun . I think it was a Winchester in 35 remington caliber.

User error. Levers are perfectly safe. Anything can be dangerous if used improperly.

Now to clear things up .I dont use either one. I dont like bolts or lever action guns to hunt with. I had a few of each and sold them all . Im a semi auto guy . Love my Browning Bar Carbines !
But some communist states dont allow a semi auto . So Im forced to keep a couple pump action firearms should I ever decide to hunt those states. If I was to buy a rifle just for those states it would be a reasonably priced new Ruger American. I think they run 450 to 600 new last time I checked , but its been awhile . The Xbolt is more , but its also higher quality. firearm .

Pump guns are something i really enjoy!

But we do agree on one thing . That post looks fishy . Probably another poster we wont see again . LOL

He's back!
.

Originally Posted by Canepazzo

Thank you for any advice. I just finished my hunter education and have received my license and tags. I am starting my outfitting and am starting with the most important thing, which is the rifle. I have been going back and forth on lever versus bolt action. I will be using a blind for some hunting, which belongs to a friend on his property. I will also be doing some stalking. I was looking at bolt action, specifically the Henry X in 30-30. I was looking at the Browning X Bolt speed bolt in the bolt action. What are your thoughts on the lever versus bolt issue? Also what about used versus new? I have thought about a used rifle to save on costs but I know it is a buyer beware market. Thank you again for the use of your expertise and advice.

Originally Posted by Oldtimr

My reasoning for the advice is because I have tracked I can't tell you how many over the years in the field for inexperienced hunters using 30-30 rifles who did not know how to track a wounded deer. When I found the deer for them it usually was a hit that would have killed the deer but another caliber would have left a much better blood trail. There is little that is more disheartening to a new hunter than to shoot a deer and not find the animal dead. I did not recommend a caliber to the op because it would have been one of my favorite calibers which is what most people do. I just think there are better calibers than the 30-30 for new hunters. there are so many superior calibers out there to choose from. That is my advice, he can take it or not, it is his choice if he doesn't it won't hurt my feelings.

Originally Posted by excalibur43

The 30-30 has killed more deer than any other rifle in North America. There's nothing wrong with a 30-30. The problem you are describing is poor shot placement or tried to shoot too far away. The 30-30 is designed to be an effective round within it's range, 150-200 yards tops. I personally would not shoot at a deer at 200 yards with a 30-30, but it can be effective in the right hands. It is a brush caliber designed for hunting in the woods. Most shots inside the woods are usually 80 yards or less. At that range, a 30-30 would drop any deer or Black Bear soundly with a well placed shot. There would be little need for tracking. There are many faster and longer range guns out there, but if you will be hunting in the woods, you don't need them, besides a fast round from a high power rifle at 80 yards, if no bones are hit is going to expend all of it's energy into ground after it passes through the deer, leaving only a small hole. A slower moving round tip bullet will mushroom out and deliver it's energy into the animal, where it needs to be. Just my .02 though.