wanting a 30-30 rifle...which brand to get?

[AndysHomestead]

^part of me looks at it exactly like that....

but the other part of me tells me i can get a different brand 30-30 and also buy a shotgun for the same price as buying a henry....

 

[ScottSD]

Honestly, I've always been a Savage fan. Incredibly inexpensive and wonderful guns. Very accurate guns, and seem to hold up pretty well.

I have to agree.

I have a 270 and bought a 308 for my son for Christmas.

I especially like the removable magazine. I feel it is much safer knowing the rounds are out of the gun when the chamber is emptied and the magazine is removed.

 

[hqueen13]

^thanks, i may take u up on that.....

Sure, any time.

 

[Flytyer24]

Andy,

Before buying a rifle consider a few things. Is this only for whitetails? Or will you be hunting other species (Elk, Moose, Gator, Giraffe, Dugong) That would change from a 30-30 real quick. But if it is only for deer than a 30-30 has killed more deer than any other caliber.

Are you in very thick growth? or do you ever take shots past 80 yrds? I grew up in ME and hunted with a 30-30. great gun if you are in the thick stuff get a carbine version lever action winchester.... there is a reason this was the gun that won the west. I suggest a model 94. can be a great investment. I have one valued at $3000. Can get later used models for under $500.

I would buy used and get a gun with 95% or higher rating. This means it has maybe a few blemishes but almost new working condition. All this being said I swithed over to a .270 rifle that shoots very flat and is a bolt action.

My breakdown,

still-hunting thick stuff: get the 30-30 open sights and paint the front sit bright white. Or remington pump model carbine in 30-06 or 270.

tree-stand hunting: I like my browning A-bolt.

A 30-30 is a great caliber but doesn't shoot very flat...

Here is some ranges the bullets will travel if shot from shoulder height directly straight.

.270 - 305 yrds

.308 - 275

.30-06 - 287

30-30 - 205 yrds You will have to aim 3" high at 150 yrds to be an inch low at 200. SO at a hundred yards you would have to be like 8.5 inches high to hit at 200. T

That being said you very rarely shoot a deer over 100yrds...

happy hunting

 

[AndysHomestead]

^im only gonna be doing deer hunting with it (and maybe an occasional hawk). i have access to a .270 rifle, but im just wanting to get a good brush rifle...

too, i have a thing for 30-30's. it was "the gun" when i was a kid and id like to buy a nice rifle to "pass down" to my kid/family.

 

[Nrubua]

The best 30-30 rifle to purchase, hands down, is the Marlin brand. My grandfather used one, passed it on to my dad who passed it on to me. Many a deer have fell victim.

 

[Flytyer24]

I really dislike the term brush gun. Growing up in some of the thickest woods people had 'brush guns.' This pretty much perpetuates the idea you can take a crappy shot and by some miracle it will bust through trees without narry a problem. I have taken my fair share of quick shots at moving deer while tracking, but that being said NO CALIBER WILL FLY TRUE IF IT HITS A BRANCH.

I agree there is something nostalgic about 30-30s.. And just another thought as far as the brands go any of those mentioned will do. So go find the best condition one and find a good deal.

 

[shaner]

one i have owned for years is the NEF handi rifle, in 30/30 very accurate and what i found is a pleasure is if you reload? you can use pointy booollets in them, mine has been a joy to hunt with ive scoped it and used it with out . like it so well i got into the whole handi collection, 45/70 243 22mag, 223 17hmr, priced right and used ones are real inexpensive, usa made! i really like them, ive owned marlins , winchesters also but these work for me?

 

[Dirty Harry]

I think the Marlin 336 is the best gun for the money in the 30-30. If you aren't concerned about the price, Browning makes a nice one or at least they used to. With that said, I would not recommend buying the 30-30. The 30-06 can do anything the 30-30 will and ten times better. The 30-06 is probably the most versatile gun ever made. You can get bullets for the 30-06 ranging from 55gr to 220gr. It will kill anything in North America and will penetrate brush better than the 30-30. I have been toying with the idea of building a sniper rifle in 30-06 since it has much less recoil than the 300 WinMag.

 

[Whatugawkinat]

Possibly outdated topic...but nonetheless, I have a 30-30 Winchester with a side mount scope. Beautiful gun and worth the money. That's my recommendation. Wouldn't sell the gun anytime soon though.