Thread: Change my mind...

Originally Posted by Hiawatha

From my experience....

Know of four people now who have tried 300Blk with supers and given it the thumbs down on deer and now use a x39 and love it. Before the 'experts' and chart readers fire up, it is what it is and I know I know they look the same on paper

@Hiawatha... why is this? What is the explanation? Velocity, bullet or shot placement?

I’m curious because the .300 BLK loaded with 110gr hollow points at ~2,300 ft/sec dropped red deer at short range like they’d been hit by lightning.

bush gun, short range, suppressed - maybe subsonic

heart says 45/70 lever gun 16" barrel - maybe that just because I want one though

The new kids might be worth a thought: 350 legend / 450 bush master - hurdle would be the hinged floor plate though, Ruger Ranch do these but wont be flush

Originally Posted by Shadowsol

bush gun, short range, suppressed - maybe subsonic

heart says 45/70 lever gun 16" barrel - maybe that just because I want one though

I've been looking at the Marlin Dark in 45/70. Don't know how important overall gun length is to you, but obviously you can't put an over-barrel suppressor on this rifle. Other thought was using this rifle unsuppressed with subs. I wonder how noise would compare to a suppressed .30 with supersonics.

Originally Posted by MB

I've been looking at the Marlin Dark in 45/70. Don't know how important overall gun length is to you, but obviously you can't put an over-barrel suppressor on this rifle. Other thought was using this rifle unsuppressed with subs. I wonder how noise would compare to a suppressed .30 with supersonics.

Well I carry a ruger american predator 22" barrel plus DPT which is roughly 2/3 forward of the muzzle hunting at the moment (I'm more than happy with this rifle and dont intend to replace it or shorten it) so would be fine with the Marlin 1895 trapper or Dark with a muzzle forward suppressor

@Preacher

Getting into .30 cal subsonics has been the most exciting addition to our shooting that we’ve done for years.

I also use a .44 Mag. No avoiding it, the bigger the calibre, the bigger the whole, and the bigger the noise. The .44 is used for pig hunting.

On recent trips in the last couple of years, at least one hunt has been dedicated to close up subsonic bush action, using cast lead 151gr. Lots get said about the energy of this and the energy of that, simple fact is that if you put one of these 30 cal bullets in the right place the animal will go down on the spot. It’s forced us to really focus on sneaky sneaky stealthy hunting, and with the lever action, it’s very rewarding to clean up four or five goats. It also helps that the carcasses are so clean. Properly suppressed it is incredibly quiet and the dog doesn’t take any notice of it whatsoever, just stays fully focussed on the task at hand.

So my vote would be for the .300 BLK because that is hands down the best way to go if you want to try subs. Load it supersonic and there isn’t that much in it between the .300 BLK and the .30-30. Perfectly adequate for well placed to close range shots on the with a soft bullet.

So now that I’ve sold you the dream I’m going to tell you that your priority is to find someone that can load up some subsonic rounds with cast lead boolits for you. There’s gotta be a mate that can do this for you, it’s the easiest and safest reloading possible with Trail Boss.

Not on point but what about a 16 " 30 30? Not hugely loud, can be suppressed, levers are great off hand, effective, efficient and a pleasure to carry and shoot.

Thanks for the input folks, seems lots more to consider.

No interest in the levers, I can see the appeal but not my style.

Am leaning towards the .300blk just for something new. But mind is far from made up.

Have you thought of cutting the 308 down to 16 inch and run a trail boss load for subs and 2206h for supers a good 2-10 dial scope will do everything a 300blk can do

Originally Posted by country cuts

Have you thought of cutting the 308 down to 16 inch and run a trail boss load for subs and 2206h for supers a good 2-10 dial scope will do everything a 300blk can do

If you dont want to reload the winchester subs dont do a bad job and the world is your oyster in factory 308 loads

I would consider a couple options, if always sub 100 metres I would probably get a 300blk, however if I wanted the option for those longer shots of they arose then I would probably go for a 6.5 grendel, then for optics I would be torn between a red dot or like a 1-6 Lpvo

Originally Posted by Howa1500

I would consider a couple options, if always sub 100 metres I would probably get a 300blk, however if I wanted the option for those longer shots of they arose then I would probably go for a 6.5 grendel, then for optics I would be torn between a red dot or like a 1-6 Lpvo

I would say Grendel but I just like the round as I think it's more versatile then the 39.
Had anyone mucked around with sub Sonic in the Grendel. I imagine the small case size would be beneficial and it would really come down to suitable projectiles

Originally Posted by Remmodel7

I would say Grendel but I just like the round as I think it's more versatile then the 39.
Had anyone mucked around with sub Sonic in the Grendel. I imagine the small case size would be beneficial and it would really come down to suitable projectiles

I have used x39, 300 and 6.5G and suggest the 6.5 will work subsonic but you will be restricted to light/hard bullets that may not work well at subsonic velocities.

There are so many great bullets to load in .30 cal which will work on x39 and 300. Unfortunately barrel twist will limit the weight which is where 300 usually wins with a 1-8 or 1-7 twist. Wish I could find a fast twist x39! oh and left hand also...

.308 is 17" ATM. Wood stock Parker Hale.

Would like to play with something lighter and more compact

Maybe I'm gun snob, but I didn't like the Ruger Ranch. Went in to a store to buy one, as soon as I got hold of it, I thought no. Bolt was far from smooth and the LOP was short. Generally didn't feel nice to hold. Not saying don't buy one, just try before you buy.

Originally Posted by MB

Maybe I'm gun snob, but I didn't like the Ruger Ranch. Went in to a store to buy one, as soon as I got hold of it, I thought no. Bolt was far from smooth and the LOP was short. Generally didn't feel nice to hold. Not saying don't buy one, just try before you buy.

There is nothing snobby about it mate. Some of the Rugers are just rough as.

I’ve been using a 77/44 and it is the most agricultural rifle I’ve ever had. The action and trigger are next level rough/heavy. Even after a mega clean, lubrication, polish and all the good stuff it’s still crap. But the environment and manner in which it’s used (bailed pigs) means none of this really matters... it certainly shoots straight.