30-30

[Ben Nicholson]

I'm strongly considering getting a 30-30. Any recommendations? The Henry's look pretty nice, but the Winchester 94 looks good too. I've never shot either one so any suggestions would be appreciated.

-Ben

[husky390]

I have an older 94 that my Dad gave me. I don't shoot it much but it's fun when I do. Top ejectors are hard to scope so if you want to scope one you're better off with a JM stamped Marlin.

[jmez]

I've got a 94. I can't really compare/contrast with anything as I've never had it out of the box. It is just one of those guns that everyone should own.

[Lefty]

My 2nd whitetail I shot with a 94 when I was 13. My dad gave me silver-tips (hard lead) I emptied the gun in that deer and it kept going. Reality was I thought it walked over a hill when it had gone to its knees then belly and lay where I took the last shot.
When My dad passed he gave that gun to me, and a few boxes of brush busters. That gun with those loads hurt to shoot.

[Indian Summer]

What's the purpose of the gun? I have a bolt action Revelation Model 30-30. If you are buying a rifle that will be used for elk you can certainly pick a better caliber. That's a really light gun.

[Ben Nicholson]

Thanks guys! I don't plan on scoping it, but it might be nice to keep that option open. Definetly not an elk gun, mainly target shooting and deer in MN.

Thanks,
Ben

[saddlesore]

Every once in awhile I take my fathers 1936 era Model 94, 30-30 elk hunting. Can't say I was under gunned as the elk were one shot kills. Ditto with a Marlin 94 in 44 mag. As long as q person knows and follows the limitations of a gun in different chamberings,they work well. As they say, it's not what you hit them with,but where.

[swmoelk]

The 94 AE are easy to scope and have the cross bolt safety which I think is easier if you have young or inexperienced shooters around.

[Elkduds]

IMO, the 2 best US-made lever guns were/are Savage 99 and Marlin 336, John Wayne notwithstanding. Both chambered in 30 WCF (30-30). The 99 is very different; hammerless, rotary magazine, discontinued, collectible, comparatively expensive. I suggest handling and shooting the 94 and 336 head to head. Most find the Marlin far ahead in quality, ergonomics, handling, accuracy. 308 is a far more versatile short-case caliber than 30-30. For deer and smaller, thutty-thutty will do the job @ shorter ranges in the woods.

[wawhitey]

Why a 30-30? Why not a lever action .308 or .270 if its for deer hunting?

[VT Sasquatch]

I have a Winchester 94 .30-30 that was my father's. It is at least 50 years old. I like the rifle and I still carry it for deer when tracking in the snow. It is short and easy to carry and is good for follow up shots. When I backpack hunt for deer I bring it because it fits in my pack and I don't have a scope to worry about. It would work well on close range stand hunting too but wouldn't be my choice if shots were beyond 75 or 100 yards.

I think the power of a .30-30 is plenty on most game if you shoot are reasonable ranges. I use a .30-06 for most of my rifle hunting nowadays but I still enjoy the old 30-30. It will probably be my son's first deer rifle.

[husky390]

Why a 30-30? Why not a lever action .308 or .270 if its for deer hunting?

ooooooo, now we're talking. A BLR Lightweight takedown in .308 is on my wish list.

[VT Sasquatch]

Why a 30-30? Why not a lever action .308 or .270 if its for deer hunting?

Why not a pump?

I like how short the 30-30 is but there are endless rifles rhat will do the job. I would love to pick up a Remington pump action .30-06. That is probably the fastest reload of a manual rifle.