30-30??
 

Is a 30-30 big enough to hunt whitetail, and mule deer with?

RE: 30-30??
 

Reference the thread on 8/28 called "Firearm Retarded...gun question"

Alot of discussion about the 30-30 there :)

Hope this helps!

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RE: 30-30??
 

Its a good choice for whitetail out to about 150, not much longer. As far as mulies, I dont know. I have never hunted mulies but from what i have heard and seen on tv it seems like they are usually very long shots. Which limits the capabliities of the old round nose 30-30. I mean if you could get in range and place a good shot on a muley it would do the the job. Its basically a short range deer rifle.

RE: 30-30??
 

Great gun out to 150 yards Probably killed for deer or all big game for that matter than most any other caliber. Someone who uses it all the time can kill deer to 200 yards without much trouble. I like the 170 grain bullet best unless the range is close. Like tree stand close maybe to 50 yards. Either bullet will work at close range. While its not a big bear gun, many grizzlies have been taken with the 30-30 and its smaller cousin the 44-40. Like I said though its not intended for that use anymore.

RE: 30-30??
 

Great gun if you want the tracking experience..........touch up on the blood trailing.........

Other than that, I still own one. Just don't hunt next to thick cover or swamps, you will never find them, cause they will usually run a ways.

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RE: 30-30??
 

As those above posted, the 30-30 is a good gun and is plenty big enough for what you're hunting. Keep those shots under 100 yds and you'll do fine.

If you want more info on ballistics and such, go to the Gun Forum. They'll fix you up.

RE: 30-30??
 

my dad ha sbeen using a 30-30 for 15 years and has takin 15 decent bucks some a little bigger than others.
I think hes lucky because he also gets a close shot.
within 150 yards

RE: 30-30??
 

A 30-30 is plenty for a mule deer I know folks out here who hunt elk with a 30-30, I personally use a 30-30 occassionally for whitetails mainly when in thick woods and shots are under 75 yards. I use a handload in mine pushing a 150 grain Barnes X bullet every deer I ve hit with that barnes bullet usually didnt get very far before folding up an falling over the furthest I had one run was roughly 40 yards. I'v had deer run further after being hit with a .308, A fews years back I double lunged a buck at 25 yards hit him square in the shoulder with my 308 he ran 200 yards on 3 legs down the logging road from where I shot him. earlier that morning I shot a doe with my 30-30 hit her square in the shoulder at about 50 yards she took 2 steps and fell over like like somebody pulled the battery out. The only times I have ever dropped a deer in their track was with a CNS shot, killed 2 like that with a .223 rem at roughly 100 yards.

RE: 30-30??
 

The 30-30 is a great cal. I just dont care for the rainbow trajectory. It will do the job as long as you can hit where your aiming.

RE: 30-30??
 

the 30-30 has killed more deer than cwd, but if your buying a gun there are better choices. need more info, is this a family gun, are you buying a new gun, are you just wanting to try something new. by the way i killed my first with a 30-30 so did many of my other family members & friends..


good luck, mt

RE: 30-30??
 

In my honest opinion, a 30-30 is a great little brush gun and shots under 150 yards. shot placement is everything, but to be honest, if you plan on huntin big muleys get a 300mag,7mm or even a 30-06. most shots on mule deer are long shots, 200-300-400 yards ,and if you see one of them big boys out 400 yards, you can make your shot with alot more confidence.

RE: 30-30??
 

I like to use mine here in Florida where the woods are very thick and the shots are usually less than 75 yards. I have killed alot of deer with this gun and havent lost one yet.
Farthest they run is usually no more than 30 or 40 yards. Most drop alot quicker. I wouldnt use it in areas where you'll be shooting consitantly over 100 yards.

RE: 30-30??
 

Up to 150 yds. there excellant rifles.If your a realy good shot up to 200 yds.Anything beyond that I`d consider useing anything from a .243 up to a .300 magnum.

RE: 30-30??
 

limited range, but my uncle killed a lot of moose with a 30-30, it's weight makes it great for carrying, which makes a difference holding it up for a shot at the end of a day. great gun for snap shots in heavy cover. also great for lighter weight hunter.

RE: 30-30??
 

I would love to have a dollar for every animal the 30-30 has killed. Anything thats been around that long and made in the numbers it has been made in has done a lot of hunting. In its day it was a powerful and versitile hunting arm.