30 30?
 

Next year Im goning down to west virgina with a friend and i have found a lever action30 30 for $255 would this be a good deer gun??

RE: 30 30?
 

I's probably the best deer gun for shots out to 200 yds. Light, quick, Just enough power for deer at these ranges. There are scads of them in use, possibly the most popular deer gun over the years.

RE: 30 30?
 

It is a fine short range deer rifle. Shots to 150 yards are well within its range. A hunter with a little practice can stretch that to 200 yards. Past that the trajectory becomes pretty poor. Find out what ranges you will be shooting at. A good option would be a model Seven in 308 or 7mm-08 This would also be a light easy to handle rifle with better ballistics. There are some other light wieght rifles around the Remington Model Seven just came to mind first. Ruger and several other companies make good light weight rifles.

RE: 30 30?
 

It would work fine. I would suggest a pump 30-06 if you want a light, fast gun with more power. I hunt in Virginia and haven't taken a deer over 90 yards with mine. I haven't had a shot at one since I hunt in the brush rather than fields. 30-30 will get in done too though. I started with one.

RE: 30 30?
 

I just got one of those a few days ago. Pump 30-06. I shot the first group through it yesterday. 3 shot were 1 3/4 inch. with factory Win PP. This will get a lot better. I only had a few sand bags and a 25 mph cross wind and only 30 degrees. I just had to try it.:D

RE: 30 30?
 

Prices on those things keep going up. In 1971 I bought a new Marlin 336C for $74.

RE: 30 30?
 

I used a 30-30 for the past 3 years (its a marlin 336w) and i love it. Its short, accurate and has enough power to knock down a deer. I sited in at 100 yards and its perfect. The farthest shot i ever got at a deer was only about 35 yards, for some reason all of my deer have been at 30 to 35 yards away when i bagged them and every time except for one time it knock them right down in thier tracks. I would strongly recomend a 30-30 to anyone who for deer and doesn't need to shoot over 150yds.

RE: 30 30?
 

thats true but its not to much and i would look if their is a better deal out their

RE: 30 30?
 

The pumps are highly accurate,, no matter what bolt hunters say! I have 2-760's in .308,, any deer within 350 yards better be running, because if its standing still,,,, its an open invitation to the dinner table! and a moose will get it to 500!

RE: 30 30?
 

30-30 is a great gun to around 100yds.used to shoot a marlin,but never been a big fan of the winchesters-just a personal preference.plan to get my daughter one-enough gun without stamping ya shoulder.

RE: 30 30?
 

Swap thing. Yea I had one in 270 that I took in on trade when I sold guns. I will never know why the guy traded that rifle in. It would shoot better groups at 200 yards than most guns including bolts would shoot at 100. Since I was in the business of selling guns I let it go when I got a good offer. Darn.

RE: 30 30?
 

30/30 . .Yeah . .I have 3. I guess I'm afraid of running out of them.

RE: 30 30?
 

If shots are not going to be over 100-150 yards the 30-30 is a good gun. If I were going to buy a deer gun, I would not limit myself to a short range gun. Any caliber, .243 to the 30-06, will do everything the 30-30 can do, and do it better and at longer ranges too! I'd be looking for a .260 or 7MM-08 if I were you!

RE: 30 30?
 

thanks for all of your help. since I am only gonna use a rifle I time a year for deer I think I might buy a 30-30 or I might go to a pro shop and look at used ones and if I find a good deal with one there I'll buy it.

RE: 30 30?
 

yes i think it would

RE: 30 30?
 

Anyone know where I might find a 30-30 in a pump? I know a guy who knows a guy that has a cousin that has one thats several years old. I do know they are not in production anymore.

RE: 30 30?
 

Hi m11792,

Savage use to make a pump chambered for both the .30-30 and .35 Remington. It has been out of production for many years but they will show up used occasionally in shops or gun shows.

There are many used Remingon pumps available.....but none have been factory chambered for the .30-30 Winchester. You can however find old Remington Model 141's, or Model 14's available. Nearly always in .35 Remington. (Though I believe at least the 14's were made in fewer numbers in both .30 Remington and .32 Remington. These cartridges were essentially ballistically identical to the .30-30 Winchester and the .32 Winchester Special. But they were a rimless case. I do not know if there ever was a .25 Remington?!?)

Good luck on finding what you are looking for!

Dave

RE: 30 30?
 

I've used a Marlin 30-30 for years now. I love it and I use it mainly in thick areas where shots are no more than about 80-100 yds. It has great knock down power too. If your making more long range shots-just like everyone else said-use a gun capable of long distance shots. Good luck!

RE: 30 30?
 

Killed 3 bucks with my Marlin 30-30 this past year! (All less than 100 yd's). If you hunt thick wooded area's this is a great gun. I have had my Marlin for over 30 yrs. and it still shoots like a champ. I did purchase a 7 mag for open area hunting I did this year, but I would never let go of my 30-30.

RE: 30 30?
 

Is a 30-30 a good deer gun ? In my eyes I would say its at the bottom of the ladder, theres just to many calibers that out perform the 30-30. Will it kill deer ? Of course it will. I wouldnt suggest the 30-30 is a 200 yd gun though. 100 yds yes maybe 150. The 30-30 is excellent for horse back or chasing hogs through the brush, it's small and light and quick to draw, that is what the little gun was designed for. Just depends on what you want to do with it. If your shots are relatively close and you like that style of gun, go for it. Just remember the Winchesters are usually worth more than the Marlins. The winchester ejects the shell from the top causing a different type of scope mount while the Marlin eject through the side and doesnt need the different scope mount.

RE: 30 30?
 

i have not read everthing that everone has said but i do know that i love my 30 30 leveraction i have a wichester it is relly nice i love it it is only good to about 200yds you can shoot farther but with not alot of knockdown power.

RE: 30 30?
 

Great gun....perfect for shots out to 200 yds....very short and easy to handle in thick brush.

RE: 30 30?
 

My first rifle was a marlin 30-30. I sold it many years ago and wish I never had. So today I traded a NEF 30-06 for an old marlin 30-30.

That little 30-30 I had never failed me on a deer. Except for the time I forgot to take the safety off when the deer walked out:).

RE: 30 30?
 

Win Mod 94 30-30 bare sights. Great weapon for quick shots, accurate as you can be. Light weight.

Win Mod 70 30-06, Weaver 3x9 scope. Great weapon, accurate as you can be. Good for longer set up shots.

Win Mod 74 22 pump octagon barrel, Great weapon, bare sights as fun a gun as a guy could want.

Are you pickin up a theme here?

Couldn't help myself. I am a Winchester fan.;)