Thread: Hunting reds with a 30-30

I used them a lot and they are pure hunting rifles, they fit the best, are easiest to carry are perfectly accurate with modern ammo, and the half cock is perfect for silent stalking. They are the best offhand shooting rifle you could have, and for a bush hunter or one who generally shoots most of his deer standing up, they are purpose built tools.
People say they are not as accurate as bolt actions and no doubt that is essentially true, but I have had three now and all of them could shoot into 1.5 inches at 100 metres with their factory open sights and the same 150 grain handload. I used to favour the receiver peep sights by Lyman or Williams, but nowadays I wouldn't bother and just use the factory bead and rear sight, which are very good open sights.
The fast follow up shot is welcome too, although you rarely have to employ it. But in bush shooting you can always hit a tree or a branch you didn't see and need another shot quick. I once fired three shots in .00079 of second when I ran into four deer at 25 yards and got all excited. I only hit one of them, but that's not the rifles fault. People that heard it thought I had a semi-auto.

I would shoot out to 200 metres with the .30/30, which is about as far as you can comfortably shoot with open sights anyway, but all of my .30/30 kills have been around the 50 - 90 metres mark, and all offhand shots. No problem with killing, they died and they died right there too. 150 grain or 170 grain probably doesn't matter, but I prefer the 170 grain Hornady flat nose now, although most of the .30/30 deer have been shot with 150 grains Winchester power points, and they worked fine.

I am speaking here of the Winchester 94. And without a scope of course. The Marlin .30/30 is a pound heavier, and the lever throw is a longer arc. I have used a Marlin for one trip only, but I would rather have the Winchester probably because that's how I was brought up. The last one I had I gave to my father as a retirement present, so now I am left only with my .44/40 in a lever action. I will get another Winchester .30/30.

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