cayugad

When I was very young I had two options for rifles for hunting thickets, etc.. a 30-30 Winchesteror a Remington Woodsmaster Carbine 30-06. I selected the 30-06. Not because I had any doubt in the ability of the 30-30, but simply because I felt the 30-06 was "the better cartridge."

I have since those early days purchased a Winchester Model 94 that was built in 1939 (if memory serves me). The rifle's original ownerhad fired seven shotsthrough it (seven years, seven deer as he claimed)before he purchased a 45/70. The rifle was hung up on a wall and only handled twice a year to be cleaned. This old fellow sold me this pre-64 Winchester for $100.00 one evening and I could not pass it up. I hunted a couple years with the 30-30 just for the nostalgia of it all. I then sold that rifle to a family member for much more then I paid for it. (He just had to have that rifle)

If your shots are 150 yards and under, and your a good shot and can place that bullet, the 30-30 will do the job. I hunt with people who have carried the Winchesters and Marlin models, for years and they take a lot of deer with them. The couple deer I shot with it, I used Winchester 170 grain Silver Tip (I believe they were called) and the two deer I shot, never took a step after being hit. A nice rifle, easy to carry, easy to point and shoot, and is a meat and potatoes rifle.

Although I have seen some of the newer model Winchester model 94's that felt nothing at all like the one I sold my brother. Their actions were not as smooth, and I shot one, my friend bought for his son. It was accurate enough, but not like the one I had. I have no reason why my old one felt and shot so much better, but it did.

Colorado Luckydog

I would agree with you! Also, if a longer shot presents itself a 100 or 150 yards you can make that shot with iron sights if you've put in a little practice!

hillbillyhunter1

The .30-30 has killed a lot of deer and is fine for "short-range action", however, if you have a choice between it and, something else but want a quick handling short action gun, then I'd recomend the 6mm,7mm-08 or .308. If you don't really need a "brush gun", then maybe consider a nice bolt inthe above mentioned calibers or .270, 25-06, or 30-06., especially if you ever plan on hunting with it where shots over 100 yds will be frequent.

No matter what gun you get and how close you anticipate the shots, you should always think about a scope for it as opposed to "iron sights". Iron sights are great for shooting at tin cans, squirrels, and varmintsand for the occasional day in the woods when you want to feel nostalgic or give yourself a little more challenge, but as a "newbie", generally, the quicker you get used to aquiring a target thru a scope (which is extremely easy at any distance once you get used to it) the better it's going to be in the long run when you chase something else but deer around the local brush pile. good luck

Colorado Luckydog

Hillbilly, I think you're right, I would want a scope in most deer hunting scenarios. Somehow, I/we turned this thread into a brush hunting thread. In the thick brush where your shots are short and quick, I would prefer open sights anyday! I would prefer a scope under almost all other scenarios.

DannyD

Here is a pic of my first buck I ever shot with a 30-30. I actually bought the gun for me and my 12 year old daughter to use. It's a Marlin model 336 and is still my favorite gun

Rebel Hog

For many years I used the Winchester 94and then the Marlin 336. Used the .270 for power line hunting and now the 6.5mmSwede

bghunter7

Those are some pretty good lookin guns thinks for the picture and good luck this year. I am 13 and my dad is debating whether to get one this year so your pictures will help rebel hog.

bghunter7

great buck I hope to get one this year thinks for the picture danny d and good luck to you this year.

hillbillyhunter1

Only natural when someone mentions 30-30. Take care

whitetaildreamer

I started out my first son (at 12) with a 30-30 Marlin. Great gun to learn with. Shoulders well and the lever action is easy to use.One benefit of the 30-30 is that it is inexpensice to shoot. I load all of our rounds so he has been able to do a lot of practise at very little cost (and as we know how important it is to practise). The cost of reloading the30-30 is about one third the cost of loading a .270 and even less of the 7mm mag. Buying rounds is also a lot less expensive. The 30-30 also performs as well as any cal. 150 yards and in with a well placed shot.