@@Michaelmackdonald I thought it was just me! The ol' algorithm either thinks gun guys need help finding companionship, or more likely, they wish to sew dissension within the ranks at home when the lady of the house passes by, looking over your shoulder. It's even worse when I watch any Field & Stream recommended video on facebook... Suddenly, I am reminded of how loyal and faithful a mail order bride from the Slavic or Oriental regions of the globe are!
When I wanna learn something gun related I am so happy when I see paul doing the lesson..even more so now, he is immortalized through youtube I hope they keep his videos forever
A fellow who was "An Expert White Tail Deer Hunter" from Alabama stated this. The 125 gr is good for coyotes, and self defense against criminals. The 150 gr is the best for deer. The 170 is what you use if the store is out of 125 and 150. The man filled his ticket every season, what can I say?
Love that Federal 125 gr JHP! Have not seen a box for sale for since before Covid-19. Seems to do all we need doing here in the flatwoods of Central Florida.
I am sure many of us Paul Harrell fans are going back in time watching his (and his teams) videos again since his passing. I know the list of “old timers” at the shooting range is getting smaller and smaller… it’s nice to watch a man shoot a classic round and rifle like this… instead of held sideways, non practical Weapon. God bless you Paul
@@GeekyGarden good luck hunting with your grandfathers rifle. I like the old cartridges and the skill it takes to get in close. I have already passed on most of my “pass it down” rifles and handguns to kids and grandkids… 30-30’s, 30-06’s, 270’s among others will serve them well… I just can’t get into all the 6.5 Manbun hype…
Your reply is sadly true. It’s the same with sportfishing. There average age is getting older and older and there is no younger folks coming into the shooting or sport fishing sports. They’d rather sit at home (their parents home) and F off on video games and not much else.
@@BackyardBeeKeepingNuevo I am blessed with 4 children and 8 grandchildren… all of my kids grew up chasing critters in Wyoming and about half of my grandkids are hunters and shooter… but my newest grandson who turns 1 this 9/11/24 already has a good start when he gets older.
Aye with 'wide open' spaces gettin smaller and leisure time gettin' less and rules& regs multiplying along with disdain and protestations for old ways and past times I wonder if I will,be able to make up for all that lost time when I finally retire. Will I be able to live out my fantasy to pursue what Saxton Pope called the Eternal Chase? "Little bit walk too much look...!
Anybody else absolutely love it when Paul does a video that concerns a 30-30? I love my 30-30. I have _many_ rifles. My Marlin 30-30 is still in my top 3 favorites after 50 years.
Our 30-30 is our heaviest artillery...I don't hunt anymore, but the kids won't get the rifle 'til I cross that river Jordan...we shoot a few rounds through the gun every couple years, clean, and put back up...lots of folks get down on the caliber, and I don't know why...it works...
Really wish Ruger would put out new 336's already. There's a few things I don't like about the traditional Marlins, and Ruger would fix that. Microgrooving is one of those.
I'm on the 30-30 train too, have been since the Earth began to cool. Deer, bear, coyote and rabbit have never been killed deader by anything, ever. DOUGout
@@exothermal.sprocket I never thought I would need another 336 my 1976 manufactured is doing just fine however If ruger was to put one out that is made right I would jump on it.
Back in the 1980’s I bought a Marlin 336 30-30. Went to the range with a box of 150 grain and the rifle shot so bad I was having trouble sighting it in. A gunsmith told me to try the 170 grain. He assured me that would take care of the problem. He was right and the rifle still shoots under 2 inches at 100 yards. Morale of the story is use the bullet your rifle likes the best. A deer will never be able to tell the difference.
I 100% agree man, but I had the opposite experience. I’m 23 and my old man handed me down his marlin model 30AW from the early 90s he received as a gift. I’m still new to hunting but laid a fat doe down this past season with the dirty thirty. Anyway when I was sighting it in I had 150 and 170 grain. The 150 was a tack driver and the 170 wasn’t terrible but definitely less accurate every gun shoots a little differently.
Yep always find out what your gun likes, different bullets affect accuracy. Find out what shoots best in your gun and stick with it, it's not so bad as it use to be with premium cartridges coming out now they won't fire well in every firearm but they seem to fire well in most firearms.
ive watched all videos and lost track how many times Paul said exactly what you said: his S&W dont work properly with "this and that" brand/model of ammo but his Colt hits death center with the same ammo also lost track of how many times , not talking about his guns, but saying "you must find the brand/model of ammo that works better with YOUR gun because 2 same brand/model guns may behave completely different using ammo from the same box" so, no surprises about your experience.. thats how guns are!
IKR. I don't even currently own a firearm; but, I watch his channel because it's straight forward, slightly funny, and legit educational. PopTarts and Paul Harrell, where men belong.
In my younger days, I was an "autoloader" guy. For a while now, with everything going on and realizing what worked for 100+ years on a prairie where there was NO SURVIVAL except the wheel gun on your side and the lever gun in your scabbard, I've become a "wheel and lever gun" zealot. While I'm a .357 lever gun guy because "feeding from the same trough" resonates with me, I'm just glad to see videos on the topic. I walk into the range w/my lever on my shoulder and everyone lifts their eyebrows thinking "look at this redneck with his grandfather's rifle." After the range time, they can't stop talking to me after they see how quickly I put 100 rounds downrange, constantly topping off after each "double tap." Let the keyboard commandos and the faux hunters continue to think 1000 yard shots are the norm and NOTHING can be accomplished without a picatinny rail. But those who truly understand the real world and civilian firearms, and need to put meat in the freezer and protect their family, realize the lever action rifle just can't be beat.
Back in the 90's, before AR-15's became so popular, I did a project investigating the then-common .30-30 lever action for use as a defense rifle. This was made easy by the fact that my local gun shop had so many used lever guns that they didn't know what to do with them. They were stacked up like cord wood. You could rummage through them, and find a clean Marlin or Winchester, offer $150-200 and the rifle was yours. Common .30-30 hunting ammunition was about $7 a box. I'd love to have a time machine to go back to those days with money in hand. Back then the AR-15, as today, was stigmatized in some circles, but the lever guns were not, so some folks looked for a rifle that did not look quite so military. I decide to pick up a rifle (mine turned out to be an unnoticed Pre-64 Winchester 94, that someone had installed a Williams peep sight on. $200 later, it was mine. It had a superb trigger. I also purchased a supply of 150 and 170 grain ammunition to see which I thought would work best, using the .30-30 as a general purpose defense rifle out to 200 yards, which was the limit of my firing range at the time. After considerable experimentation, my findings turned out to be the same as Paul's. I found the 150 grain bullets to shoot flatter, and have lower felt recoil. Since I was living in Virginia where the largest game we shoot at are medium sized whitetail deer and the occasional smallish black bear, it seemed to me that for deer hunting, the 150's were perfect, saving the 170's for the bruins. But my real interest was the .30-30 as a rifle for defense against humans. Here I found the 150's to have a real advantage. People typically sight their .30-30 in at 100 yards, which I found wastes some of its potential. I discovered that if sighted dead on at 150 yards, you were about 3.5 inches high at 100, which I find insignificant for anything I would do with a .30-30 and easily accounted for. This signting allowed me to be dead on at 200 yards if I simply held at the junction of the head and neck on a B-27 target. I also shot meat at 200 yards and even the most common 150 grain loads were devastating. With my Winchester with its great trigger and peep sight, I had no problem holding six inch groups at 200 yards. I know this is less interesting today because unlike back in the 90's, you can buy a serviceable AR-15 for significantly less than a good lever action, and 5.56 ammo is cheaper than .30-30. But the lever action, provided it is side loading, has a real advantage in that you can "shoot one, load one" and top off your tubular magazine as you move from place to place. If you own a .30-30 lever action, it is good to know that you need not necessarily buy another rifle if your situation calls for a defense long gun.
I have an old 94 and took the peep off so I could mount a weaver side mount and a duplex scope so I could rotate the scope 90 degrees so the windage knob is out of the way and is not the elevation knob. I wish I could put the peep on and a fine blade for close up but the only option is have the tops of the sides of the receiver drilled and tapped and put a peep that’s more that $100 on so being another $200-$250 in to have a peep and scope. But putting a scope on allowed me to shrink my groups from 4” to 1” and less at 100 Meters
Had a Winchester 94 trapper with a Lyman 66 receiver sight loaded with Federal 125gr HP's. Back on the farm in Minnesota it was a Marlin 336T Lyman 66 and Remington 150gr SPCL. My neighbor(WWII vet 3rd Armor) used a Savage 170 pump in 30/30.
What I am most surprised by is that you can in fact find 30-30 ammo. I haven’t seen any available in a store for a couple of years…. Thanks for this comparison and focus on the American legend cartridge!
Glad you discussed distance and also drop. Many channels would just give the crony numbers, and leave it at that. You've told the whole story though. Thank you.
Still looking for a channel that does gelatin (or even improvised deer targets) at 100 yards. All channels discuss 100 yards, but all of them seem to be too afraid to aim at instructive targets (gelatin blocks, etc) at 100 yards. So much so that I question the actual performance of bullet expansions at that range and beyond as the angle the bullets are passing through the intended targets, coupled with the velocities, are so different than at close ranges.
CoreLokt, the deadliest mushroom in the woods. LOL. Back in the Jack O'Conner days the 150 grain was recommended for deer, and the 170 for black bear or moose. The theory was that the 150s had thinner jackets and expanded quicker. The slower 170s with sturdier construction would penetrate better on the bigger critters. Old Jack knew his stuff.
Thanks Paul for another great comparison video. The 30-30 round is great for what it was designed to do. People are quick to discount the meager round but in reality the 30-30 at 125 yards or less makes a great round for hunting and fighting. I have several 30-30 rifles and a few ar15 rifle chambered in different calibers but I tend to grab one of my 30-30 rifles if I am just walking my property.
7.62x39 is also a far east/Com Bloc analog for .30-30. Very similar ballistics and you can find all kinds of rifles chambered for it now that are not an SKS or Kalash.
It's got the "meager" reputation because most people don't care about momentum numbers, only compare energy numbers, are addicted to "flat shooting" velocity, and feel their real hunting range exists beyond 400 yards. And while everyone is distracted with all those issues, the .30-30 continues to do everything it has already done for 120+ years even before powders were highly optimized and bullets were highly developed and before bullet radar was developed and before sub-MOA rifles were available for 300 dollars.
I once heard a story from a gunsmith that someone brought him a 30-30 rifle to fix because "his son broke it by shooting at targets that were over 100 yards away"
😂 The answer is brilliant! If your gun shop only.has 30-30 in 170 use it. If only 150 use it! Both bullet weights will kill game animals just fine! Enjoy this outstanding post!
I have an old model 94 .30-30 (60 years) that works just fine here in the Eastern piney woods. Safe shots (sight line wise) rarely exceed 75-80 yards. this has been a perfect demo for my purposes, capped off by the holiday festive new and improved high tech fleece backstop. Merry Christmas!
Exactly right...on our side of the country 80 yards is a long shot, heck, 40 yards much more common...if i was allowed to shoot the deer in the front yard it would be under 10 yards...but, i have travelled extensively out west, and can understand those folks wanting something that can reach further...luckily, there are guns/calibers suitable for both sides of the country...
Agreed. I shot a Marlin 336cs 150gr Remington corelock ammo. At the short distances shots were taken in Northeast Connecticut, this rifle/ammo combination was awesome.
Thanks for your video. I handloaded my 06 to 2300 with a 150 soft point. Shot about a 180 lb buck at 150 yds. Double lung shoulder did not exit. Lead separated. Everything was under the hide far side. He took two jumps and was down. Very light recoil in my kimber. I wouldn’t use that load again, but a 180 gr.I would NEVER USE A 30-30 on elk. I started elk with a270, and was not impressed. Went to the 338, and never looked back. Killed super effectively.
I have hunted with a 30-30 since 1966 and almost always used 170 grainers. They have always done what I wanted them to, but after seeing this I would go with the 150's if I ever buy any more, which is doubtful. Years ago I bought several boxes of Winchester 170 grain power points; I've still got a few boxes left and I am an old man so I ain't likely to use up all those and I don't see a reason to get something else when what I have works just fine. I really enjoy watching these video's so keep i up Paul.
last week my 91 year old dad took both of his doe during regular gun season with one shot from his marlin 336 using 150 gr hornady soft points. the doe were standing side by side at 105 yds and he thought there was only one in his scope. Thank goodness we can take two doe on the area I hunt. He shot just a tad high of his mark which knocked the first deer down in body slam fashion. the projo exited and hit the deer standing behind it just an inch below the spine but in the same aiming point area of the first which dropped it like a stone. Had never seen that happen with a "thudy-thudy" before!
I always used the 170 grain Remington loads because here in the NC Mountains that was usually what was on the shelves. Around here, I would have to try really hard to get a 100 yard shot. Great work once again. Keep em coming and I'll keep watching. You're the best 👌
We have my dads 94 Winchester. Off sandbags it would have put all the shots in the X circle of his target at 100 yards. My eyes aren’t what they used to be with iron sights, so I can’t repeat it now. I hope yours will do as well.
@@Ron52G Buckhorn rear and dot front sights are really poor. Replace with a fine, vertical blade front and a quality peep sight at rear, you'll be amazed how improved it will be.
Very good presentation. I have generally used 150 grains in my 30-30 for deer. But, I never thought there was much difference. You showed there is more difference than I thought. The big take away for me was how good the Remington Green box was in terms of consistant velocity. It shot accurately in your rifle. Thank you.
I've always preferred the 150s in my 20" 336. Another great thing about this combo is that it's easy on the ears when hunting. The blast is far greater from even a 308 Winchester to say nothing of any of the 300 magnums. Perfect for deer out to 100 yards with nothing but irons. Best $180 I ever spent at Kmart.
In Pennsylvania a lot of people use 170 grain 30-30 for black bear. The Remington 170 grain version is very popular here in PA. As I said in my other comment I like 150 grain 30-30 for my rifles and use Remington, and Winchester factory ammo. I also use my 150 grain handloads with hornaday 150 grain round nose bullets. Great video paul
I have been using a video camera at the range, on the target so I can review after I get home. It is one thing to see the holes afterwards, but it is another to see how they get placed there and in which order.
Very interesting. Many old timers, some quite knowledgeable, have told me the 170gr bullets for .30/30 are the best…I’ve also been told .30/30 was actually designed around the 170gr projectiles…Hmmmm…170 gr does look effective at 100 yards, which is typically the distance I would be hunting with my Marlin 30AW, give or take a few yards. I will add that I have taken deer with both 150gr and 170gr projectiles, mostly Core Lokt, and both have been effective, from 25-125 yards. Thanks for the comparison. Your efforts and thorough testing are greatly appreciated.
The original 30-30, at the time called 30 WCF, was a 160gr fmj (called metal patched back then) round nose. I imagine those rounds must have penetrated like hell but didn't do much in the way of expansion.
Hornady gave us another 100 effective yards with the LeverEvolution 160gr FTX. The energy of the bullet at 300 yards is the same as the energy from a 170 at 200 yards, by comparison. It's just that much less wind drag. If you handload, you can load standard spitzer type bullets in a .30-30 casing and fire them no problem, so long as you never put more than a single round in the magazine. It's an effective 2-shot. Would do about the same as Hornady did with their FTX.
The truth is I have always shot the 150 grain. Why? Because that was the most common, 50 years ago, and yes a sixteen year old could buy ammo back then with just money. I am glad someone did this test. Thank you Paul.
Thank you Paul for the information on the venerable 30-30. I don't know how you managed to time it, but this video is the most realistic demonstration of hunting conditions in Eastern Oregon I have seen since experiencing it myself. Take care, stay well and Happy Holidays to you and the family and the team.
I feel like he is a kindred soul or my spirit animal. Former Marine who later joined the Army and retired from that service (as did I am not insulting him). The H harness and web belt, the creased BDU pants bloused over the boots, the ear plug case. My wife is the only person who keeps me from dressing like this on a regular basis. Thank you for leading the way Mr Harrell.
He uses the old army green ALICE style equipment too, pistol belt, pouches, suspenders and not the newer "tacticool" stuff and of course the old 21st century hunting jacket. His wardrobe is tops, a well-dressed man, no stupid logo T-shirts, no profanity and no tattoos! No B.S. sums it all up. 😀
@@Hjerte_Verke I have been issued all that equipment and wish I hadn’t taken it to the surplus store when I retired. You can see the progression from the LBE to the LBV.
Always gratifying to see these tests confirm what any number of earlier generations would tell us: .30-30 is amply adequate for deer in ordinary US woods ranges.
Back in the day 30-30 lever action was the assault rifle, in every police department arsenal and you could buy ammo in any hardware store in any small town. The goto deer rifle, the standard for the past hundred years. I’m surprised that the new tacti-cool lever guns don’t have box type magazines. I know the rimmed cartridge, but Mosin has box mag.
With a sectional density in the .250s with the 170gr, you can reliably take most game in Canada/north america. Many native hunters here in Saskatchewan still take their bull moose with them each year, although the SKS is now becoming the new “poor man’s deer gun”. Thanks again for the video bossman
Gotta love the SKS. Not quite a 30-30 in power but close. I’ve often referred to them as semi-auto Win94/Marlin336 comparable rifles (accuracy & energy). I’ve got some and I’ve had them a long time😂 (I know from another video, but still appropriate)
Excellent video as usual, I’ve never actually hunted with a 30-30 before. However, I just recently took a buck with my AK-103 in 7.62x39 using 124 grain Sellier and Bellot soft points. I’d love to see you test those along with any other 7.62x39 soft points you can find and compare them. The S&B 124 grains did the job well by the way, both lungs pooled with blood, ribs were shattered, and the exit wound was the size of an orange. Just thought it was relevant since people always compare these 2 cartridges, even though they’re really not as similar as some would think.
I hand load my 30-30 with 125 grain bullets. Hunting in the Ochanagan ranges are longer. I also hunt with 7mm mag but most of my deer taken has been with the 94, 30-30 and 125 grain bullets. Thanks for the comparison.
Practical experience has proven to me that both weight bullets will take deer and hogs. I am in South Texas. On my place I cannot shoot far due to vegetation and terrain. A long shot for me is about 100yds. I use the 150gr Hornady RN in my handloads. This load has proven accurate in my gun, so I bought a bunch of these years ago. (Only do this when you know you are going to keep the gun, like it, and it is really accurate). It has done well for decades. Key to a clean kill is ALWAYS shot placement and passing on a shot when you cannot get the angle you need on the animal. These days I use a 2-7 Vortex scope because I am older, and the eyes are no longer what they used to be.
The perfect application for a peep sight. You'll likely need a higher front sight as well. If you are in Texas, check out your neighbor's channel, Target Suite, a lot of lever gun and pistol fun. George will thank you for the subscribe.
Paul I bought a 30AS Marlin 30-30 for $100 new and still in its cardboard box, it was 1986. I still have it and enjoy burning rounds through it when I get time. I personally use 150gr jacketed hollow point Winchester amo for deer hunting here in Missouri. Thanks for another great video.
Federal made a 125gr hollow point I was never able to find so I hand loaded it the Sierra 125gr .307 diameter. I liked it better than 150s on Oklahoma white tails. Great presentation your dedication is appreciated considering the weather on the last two.
Most all of the 170 grain 30-30 bullets I've used and tested have expanded perfectly for 30-30 velocity. The 150 grain 30-30 bullets are all over the place in the way they act. Many are very fragile, like 125 grain varmint bullets. Some are made so strong, for higher velocity, that they don't expand much if at all. A few 150 grain 30-30 do work well at 30-30 velocity. Sierra 150gr = too fragile for deer. Hornady 150gr = no expansion. Speer 150gr = perfect expansion. Nosler Partition = to expensive for 30-30. Winchester made two different 150 grain bullet loads. One is fragile, like Sierra and one has perfect expansion, like Speer. There have been newer bullets, but they are expensive compared to the standard 170 grain bullets. The Sierra 170 grain seems best, but the Speer 170 grain has similar expansion. The Hornady 170 grain bullet has slightly less expansion, but works well and still expands enough. I tried the 170 grain Nosler, before Nosler had a 150 grain version. It worked well, but no more than the cheaper 170 grain bullets. If you need penetration for elk and bear, the Hornady 150 grain round nose is the toughest, least expanding bullet.
I have been watching your videos for a few years, as usual well done. As an Aussie, not all you do is relatable to what i have to put up with, but love your work. Keep it up.
My own on game observations on deer with 150s vs 170s. I used 170s for YEARS, decades really. I then switched to 150s. What I IMMEDIATELY noticed was I was getting deer that dropped on the spot or died within 20-30 yards of POI. When I used 170s I always had to track. Shot placement was generally the same. I sighted in with 150 grain Federal flat nose rounds this year and hope to tag a deer with it.
Another great video and you always do good comparison...I prefer the 150 grain average distance a deer shoot in northeast Georgia is about 40 yards I have shoot a couple at about 75 yards with 30-30 and never no issue done a good job with the 150 grain plenty of damage...I prefer a lighter faster bullet for my purpose...
Last few years I have used Winchester 30-30 150 grain "Deer Season XP" rounds, in my Thompson Center Contender with a 10" bbl. I found 1 bullet with a metal detector after the bullet exited the deer into the dirt (sitting on the side of a ridge about 15' above the trail. The bullet expanded extremely well. This year I shattered the shoulder, where the bullet entered, went thru the ribs and I found the copper jacket in the opposite leg. Both were shot about 25 yards. Thank you for another informative video.
I love the .30-30. I bought my first gun with my own money in 1974, a Winchester 94. I have been a huge fan of that cartridge ever since. I have shot nothing but Remington 170 grain Core Lokt this whole time.
I remember when I was younger and 30-30 was out of vogue due to 30-06, 308, 7mm mag, etc. But for moderate range, you just can’t dismiss it for any purpose. Respect.👍
I ❤ the Remington core lokt bullets in 30-30. But I like the 150 for deer and 170 for wild boar. I also took a black bear with the 170 and it dropped it.
I liked the older Remington Corelokt from the 80’s and 90’s. The newer manufactured 2021 wasn’t as consistent in the chronograph. I still wouldn’t hesitate to use them on deer.
I always felt the same although I was told if I'm going to hunt elk with a 30-30 (my only rifle at the time) I better use the 170gr, but I didn't like its bullet drop at 150 yards and 200 yards. So I just stayed with my 150 grain bullets and said to the guy taking me I was using 170s. My elk ran about 50 yards with a low heart shot at150 paces. Seems 150gr kills as good as 170gr. if you aim right. If I had sighted in with the 170gr. at 100 yards I may have missed the heart at 150 paces.
Thank you, Paul. Another great video. Could you please consider doing a deep dive video on your deer rifle caliber- the .444 Marlin? Maybe go over load ballistics, trajectory, maximum point blank range.
I love the 30-30. I've pretty much quit using any other rifle for deer. Since moving to northern Florida I've never taken a shot over 150 yds. And even those are rare. And I love the fact that Hornady has breathed new life in to this old cartridge with its lever evolution line of ammo. I'd love to see a comparison between it and my old trusty 150 grn. Remington core-lokt. I bought a box to try out and it hit about 8 inches high and 2 inches left of my core-lokt. I zeroed my rifle with the Remington and it's never failed me so I figured if it's not broke don't fix it. So I'm reluctant to rezero my rifle for something more expensive and harder to find in my area. But seeing if it would be adequate medicine for something larger like elk would be very interesting
I have bought and traded away every 30-30 I came across, usually, too my closer friends. I'd fiddle with them until I found the ammunition they liked, and then my buddies wanted them. I had a longer barreled one that was made in 1929, that I used 170 gr ammo for a deer hunt. It penetrated completely through with out any expansion at about 30 yards. I hit a little high and a little far back. A sneakly BIL bought it off of me when I was out of work. As you mentioned on your rifle, it shot high and to the left as well and I couldn't tame that out of it.
I've hand reloaded 3030 with the Hornady using the cheap lee hand press. It turns out a 30-30 round just great, so you can absolutely have a good supply of the Hornady rounds around without too much fuss.
Rain, sleet or snow. Paul still goes outside and gets it done You're an awesome information. provider about. firearms and such I watch all your videos. I'm an older man. 57 and good. and it's good to see a man like you ....ing about one of my favorite subjects
My old Marlin with it's 18.5 inch barrel loves Winchester white box 150 grain Power Point and it has never failed to harvest deer. Put in a 170 grain and it doesn't group well at all. Amazing to think that the 30-30 is the oldest center fire cartridge designed from the beginning for smokeless powder. I think it was originally called the 30 WCF. Great presentation of a fine cartridge. Cheers.
Keep making .30-30 videos I love them and it’s great to see new content about a true classic that people love to dog on now for some reason. I’m 23 and use my old man’s marlin 30AW and I love it, killed my first deer with it last December. I used Winchester super X 150 grain and she only ran 5 yards and it was a 70 yard shot.
Great, relevant video Paul! One of the classic and probably most-used cartridge of woods deer hunters. Great comparison of the two common bullet weights, and how they compare in performance. I prefer to have an exit, and the 170’s will do that from nearly any angle, pretty reliably. On our smaller Fla. deer, the 150’s would probably work just as well, with maybe a little more expansion. Thanks for your unwavering attention to detail and factoring in different variables which you discuss and explain regarding their affects on performance. There are a lot of us that like to hunt with old classic cartridges, like the .35 Rem., 30/30, .32 Win. Spl., .444 Marlin and good old .45/70. How about a .35 Rem. review, maybe VS old and new loads, like the 200 gr. Cor-Loct VS the 200 gr. LeveRevolution? Top props for all you do Paul! 😉👍
@PaulHarrell. Please do more on the 30-30 or even lever actions. Not sure exactly on what topic. Apologies for zero help there. But it's one of my favorites and 30-30 lever actions are just cool. Thank you for all your vids! Been a fan for a long time. :)
170 is the way to go if your using one all around bullet for deer elk and bear. I watched a 500lb black bear get shot 7 times with 150gr Remington core lock at 50yards. The next Hunter down the hill shot it with 165gr .308 at similar range. When cutting it became clear that only the 1 bullet from the .308 had entered the chest. All the 150gr 30/30 were stopped by bone fat and hide. All with less then 6” penetration. Another factor could be age of the bullet, as I’ve heard that the lead can soften with age in some storage conditions. Ymmv
Always used the 150’s. Grew up hunting the Everglades and the 150’s did a great job on the smaller deer there as well as wild hogs. Moved to Colorado for college in 1981 and took my trusty 30-30 with me. Took several mule deer antelope and two elk with the 30-30 all with 150’s. Never saw the need for the 170’s. Interesting demo. Enjoy watching your content. After shooting, reloading and hunting for 50 plus years I still learn new things from your videos. Thanks for putting them out.
As usual, you have not won a prize, those are scams.
So are you also saying there are no sexy singles in my area either!?
I left my firstborn child in the agreed-upon location. Just waiting on that autographed box of Pop Tarts I was promised... 🤞
Everytime you drop a video, we all HAVE won a prize. Thanks, Paul.
You're wrong Paul. Just being able to watch this video is a prize in itself. Thanks man. 🇺🇲👍
@@Michaelmackdonald I thought it was just me! The ol' algorithm either thinks gun guys need help finding companionship, or more likely, they wish to sew dissension within the ranks at home when the lady of the house passes by, looking over your shoulder. It's even worse when I watch any Field & Stream recommended video on facebook... Suddenly, I am reminded of how loyal and faithful a mail order bride from the Slavic or Oriental regions of the globe are!
I WILL ALWAYS REWATCH HIS VIDIOES AS LONG AS U-TUBE CONTINUES TO SHOW THEM. REST IN PEACE MY U-TUBE FREIND. YOU WILL BE MISSED
When I wanna learn something gun related I am so happy when I see paul doing the lesson..even more so now, he is immortalized through youtube I hope they keep his videos forever
Respect to Paul.. AND.. His Brother carrying on the tradition ...
Me too!
Neither sleet nor rain nor snow nor hail can stop Paul
Man was an absolute unit. Rest in Peace.
@@paulkersey8865 I'm going back and re-watching his older video's I can see it's not just me..
A fellow who was "An Expert White Tail Deer Hunter" from Alabama stated this.
The 125 gr is good for coyotes, and self defense against criminals.
The 150 gr is the best for deer.
The 170 is what you use if the store is out of 125 and 150.
The man filled his ticket every season, what can I say?
That sounds like a good way to go.
Love that Federal 125 gr JHP! Have not seen a box for sale for since before Covid-19. Seems to do all we need doing here in the flatwoods of Central Florida.
I am sure many of us Paul Harrell fans are going back in time watching his (and his teams) videos again since his passing. I know the list of “old timers” at the shooting range is getting smaller and smaller… it’s nice to watch a man shoot a classic round and rifle like this… instead of held sideways, non practical
Weapon. God bless you Paul
I'm prepping my grandpa's 30-30 model 94 for hunting this year. I'm trying to decide on what ammo to purchase and this pops up. 😭
@@GeekyGarden good luck hunting with your grandfathers rifle. I like the old cartridges and the skill it takes to get in close. I have already passed on most of my “pass it down” rifles and handguns to kids and grandkids… 30-30’s, 30-06’s, 270’s among others will serve them well… I just can’t get into all the 6.5 Manbun hype…
Your reply is sadly true. It’s the same with sportfishing. There average age is getting older and older and there is no younger folks coming into the shooting or sport fishing sports. They’d rather sit at home (their parents home) and F off on video games and not much else.
@@BackyardBeeKeepingNuevo I am blessed with 4 children and 8 grandchildren… all of my kids grew up chasing critters in Wyoming and about half of my grandkids are hunters and shooter… but my newest grandson who turns 1 this 9/11/24 already has a good start when he gets older.
Aye with 'wide open' spaces gettin smaller and leisure time gettin' less and rules& regs multiplying along with disdain and protestations for old ways and past times I wonder if I will,be able to make up for all that lost time when I finally retire. Will I be able to live out my fantasy to pursue what Saxton Pope called the Eternal Chase? "Little bit walk too much look...!
Anybody else absolutely love it when Paul does a video that concerns a 30-30?
I love my 30-30. I have _many_ rifles. My Marlin 30-30 is still in my top 3 favorites after 50 years.
Our 30-30 is our heaviest artillery...I don't hunt anymore, but the kids won't get the rifle 'til I cross that river Jordan...we shoot a few rounds through the gun every couple years, clean, and put back up...lots of folks get down on the caliber, and I don't know why...it works...
Really wish Ruger would put out new 336's already. There's a few things I don't like about the traditional Marlins, and Ruger would fix that. Microgrooving is one of those.
I'm on the 30-30 train too, have been since the Earth began to cool. Deer, bear, coyote and rabbit have never been killed deader by anything, ever.
DOUGout
What are the other two?
@@exothermal.sprocket I never thought I would need another 336 my 1976 manufactured is doing just fine however If ruger was to put one out that is made right I would jump on it.
Back in the 1980’s I bought a Marlin 336 30-30. Went to the range with a box of 150 grain and the rifle shot so bad I was having trouble sighting it in. A gunsmith told me to try the 170 grain. He assured me that would take care of the problem. He was right and the rifle still shoots under 2 inches at 100 yards. Morale of the story is use the bullet your rifle likes the best. A deer will never be able to tell the difference.
I 100% agree man, but I had the opposite experience. I’m 23 and my old man handed me down his marlin model 30AW from the early 90s he received as a gift. I’m still new to hunting but laid a fat doe down this past season with the dirty thirty. Anyway when I was sighting it in I had 150 and 170 grain. The 150 was a tack driver and the 170 wasn’t terrible but definitely less accurate every gun shoots a little differently.
Yep always find out what your gun likes, different bullets affect accuracy. Find out what shoots best in your gun and stick with it, it's not so bad as it use to be with premium cartridges coming out now they won't fire well in every firearm but they seem to fire well in most firearms.
Exactly
ive watched all videos and lost track how many times Paul said exactly what you said: his S&W dont work properly with "this and that" brand/model of ammo but his Colt hits death center with the same ammo
also lost track of how many times , not talking about his guns, but saying "you must find the brand/model of ammo that works better with YOUR gun because 2 same brand/model guns may behave completely different using ammo from the same box"
so, no surprises about your experience.. thats how guns are!
Paul you do the best no nonsense ammo tests on TH-cam ! Appreciate all the effort !
IKR. I don't even currently own a firearm; but, I watch his channel because it's straight forward, slightly funny, and legit educational. PopTarts and Paul Harrell, where men belong.
I watch Paul for real factual tests. I watch Kentucky Ballistics for purely entertainment purposes.
In my younger days, I was an "autoloader" guy. For a while now, with everything going on and realizing what worked for 100+ years on a prairie where there was NO SURVIVAL except the wheel gun on your side and the lever gun in your scabbard, I've become a "wheel and lever gun" zealot. While I'm a .357 lever gun guy because "feeding from the same trough" resonates with me, I'm just glad to see videos on the topic. I walk into the range w/my lever on my shoulder and everyone lifts their eyebrows thinking "look at this redneck with his grandfather's rifle." After the range time, they can't stop talking to me after they see how quickly I put 100 rounds downrange, constantly topping off after each "double tap." Let the keyboard commandos and the faux hunters continue to think 1000 yard shots are the norm and NOTHING can be accomplished without a picatinny rail. But those who truly understand the real world and civilian firearms, and need to put meat in the freezer and protect their family, realize the lever action rifle just can't be beat.
Back in the 90's, before AR-15's became so popular, I did a project investigating the then-common .30-30 lever action for use as a defense rifle. This was made easy by the fact that my local gun shop had so many used lever guns that they didn't know what to do with them. They were stacked up like cord wood. You could rummage through them, and find a clean Marlin or Winchester, offer $150-200 and the rifle was yours. Common .30-30 hunting ammunition was about $7 a box. I'd love to have a time machine to go back to those days with money in hand.
Back then the AR-15, as today, was stigmatized in some circles, but the lever guns were not, so some folks looked for a rifle that did not look quite so military. I decide to pick up a rifle (mine turned out to be an unnoticed Pre-64 Winchester 94, that someone had installed a Williams peep sight on. $200 later, it was mine. It had a superb trigger. I also purchased a supply of 150 and 170 grain ammunition to see which I thought would work best, using the .30-30 as a general purpose defense rifle out to 200 yards, which was the limit of my firing range at the time.
After considerable experimentation, my findings turned out to be the same as Paul's. I found the 150 grain bullets to shoot flatter, and have lower felt recoil. Since I was living in Virginia where the largest game we shoot at are medium sized whitetail deer and the occasional smallish black bear, it seemed to me that for deer hunting, the 150's were perfect, saving the 170's for the bruins. But my real interest was the .30-30 as a rifle for defense against humans. Here I found the 150's to have a real advantage. People typically sight their .30-30 in at 100 yards, which I found wastes some of its potential. I discovered that if sighted dead on at 150 yards, you were about 3.5 inches high at 100, which I find insignificant for anything I would do with a .30-30 and easily accounted for. This signting allowed me to be dead on at 200 yards if I simply held at the junction of the head and neck on a B-27 target. I also shot meat at 200 yards and even the most common 150 grain loads were devastating. With my Winchester with its great trigger and peep sight, I had no problem holding six inch groups at 200 yards.
I know this is less interesting today because unlike back in the 90's, you can buy a serviceable AR-15 for significantly less than a good lever action, and 5.56 ammo is cheaper than .30-30. But the lever action, provided it is side loading, has a real advantage in that you can "shoot one, load one" and top off your tubular magazine as you move from place to place. If you own a .30-30 lever action, it is good to know that you need not necessarily buy another rifle if your situation calls for a defense long gun.
I have an old 94 and took the peep off so I could mount a weaver side mount and a duplex scope so I could rotate the scope 90 degrees so the windage knob is out of the way and is not the elevation knob. I wish I could put the peep on and a fine blade for close up but the only option is have the tops of the sides of the receiver drilled and tapped and put a peep that’s more that $100 on so being another $200-$250 in to have a peep and scope. But putting a scope on allowed me to shrink my groups from 4” to 1” and less at 100 Meters
Had a Winchester 94 trapper with a Lyman 66 receiver sight loaded with Federal 125gr HP's.
Back on the farm in Minnesota it was a Marlin 336T Lyman 66 and Remington 150gr SPCL.
My neighbor(WWII vet 3rd Armor) used a Savage 170 pump in 30/30.
Paul Harrel and the 30-30, two American classics. God bless.
Paul always brought me great joy with all of his videos, rewatching all of them, miss him! RIP my brother!!
What I am most surprised by is that you can in fact find 30-30 ammo. I haven’t seen any available in a store for a couple of years…. Thanks for this comparison and focus on the American legend cartridge!
It's making a come back in some areas. I saw a box of Remington green/yellow in a pawn shop last week for $35/20 rounds.
I find it at Walmart for 24.99. They only get three boxes at a time, so you've got to hit it at the right time.
A viewer sent him some .
They cant take the gvns so they make ammo scarce.
Effectively gvn control.
I have enough on hand to last the rest of my life. When I stocked I stocked :)
Glad you discussed distance and also drop. Many channels would just give the crony numbers, and leave it at that. You've told the whole story though. Thank you.
You must be new here. Complete (where possible and where valid) and concise info is a hallmark.
Still looking for a channel that does gelatin (or even improvised deer targets) at 100 yards. All channels discuss 100 yards, but all of them seem to be too afraid to aim at instructive targets (gelatin blocks, etc) at 100 yards. So much so that I question the actual performance of bullet expansions at that range and beyond as the angle the bullets are passing through the intended targets, coupled with the velocities, are so different than at close ranges.
@@workingguy-OU812 dude same
CoreLokt, the deadliest mushroom in the woods. LOL. Back in the Jack O'Conner days the 150 grain was recommended for deer, and the 170 for black bear or moose. The theory was that the 150s had thinner jackets and expanded quicker. The slower 170s with sturdier construction would penetrate better on the bigger critters. Old Jack knew his stuff.
In a survey sample of several thousand deer killed by 30-30, 100% of dead deer could not tell the difference.
Truth...
And more importantly, tasted the same. 😅
Thank you for putting so much time, energy & thought in your videos. It's not unnoticed or unappreciated regardless of what the trolls like to say.
@@rogerwilco99 Thank you sir. Definately healing. Thank you. Not as fast as I like, but absolutely going on the right direction. Merry Christmas.
Thanks Paul for another great comparison video. The 30-30 round is great for what it was designed to do. People are quick to discount the meager round but in reality the 30-30 at 125 yards or less makes a great round for hunting and fighting. I have several 30-30 rifles and a few ar15 rifle chambered in different calibers but I tend to grab one of my 30-30 rifles if I am just walking my property.
7.62x39 is also a far east/Com Bloc analog for .30-30. Very similar ballistics and you can find all kinds of rifles chambered for it now that are not an SKS or Kalash.
It's got the "meager" reputation because most people don't care about momentum numbers, only compare energy numbers, are addicted to "flat shooting" velocity, and feel their real hunting range exists beyond 400 yards. And while everyone is distracted with all those issues, the .30-30 continues to do everything it has already done for 120+ years even before powders were highly optimized and bullets were highly developed and before bullet radar was developed and before sub-MOA rifles were available for 300 dollars.
I once heard a story from a gunsmith that someone brought him a 30-30 rifle to fix because "his son broke it by shooting at targets that were over 100 yards away"
@@deathskrieg5525 Silly him. He should have been shooting 300 yards with Hornady FTX.
😂 The answer is brilliant! If your gun shop only.has 30-30 in 170 use it. If only 150 use it!
Both bullet weights will kill game animals just fine! Enjoy this outstanding post!
I have an old model 94 .30-30 (60 years) that works just fine here in the Eastern piney woods. Safe shots (sight line wise) rarely exceed 75-80 yards. this has been a perfect demo for my purposes, capped off by the holiday festive new and improved high tech fleece backstop. Merry Christmas!
Exactly right...on our side of the country 80 yards is a long shot, heck, 40 yards much more common...if i was allowed to shoot the deer in the front yard it would be under 10 yards...but, i have travelled extensively out west, and can understand those folks wanting something that can reach further...luckily, there are guns/calibers suitable for both sides of the country...
Agreed. I shot a Marlin 336cs 150gr Remington corelock ammo. At the short distances shots were taken in Northeast Connecticut, this rifle/ammo combination was awesome.
When I have used a 30-30 I don't think I have taken a shot over 40yd with it.
Fl swamps.
But I really like 44mag and 45-70 for swamp hunting.
Those old model 94's are beautiful in my opinion.
Thanks for showing what the old 30-30 is capable of. Used for its interned purpose, it is still a killer.
Getting ready to sight in my 30-30 for deer season and watched this again a year later. I really miss Paul.
I love it, everyone else tests on a nice sunny day, but your real world, a little rain or snow don't slow you down, alright.
Thanks for your video. I handloaded my 06 to 2300 with a 150 soft point. Shot about a 180 lb buck at 150 yds. Double lung shoulder did not exit. Lead separated. Everything was under the hide far side. He took two jumps and was down. Very light recoil in my kimber. I wouldn’t use that load again, but a 180 gr.I would NEVER USE A 30-30 on elk. I started elk with a270, and was not impressed. Went to the 338, and never looked back. Killed super effectively.
I have hunted with a 30-30 since 1966 and almost always used 170 grainers. They have always done what I wanted them to, but after seeing this I would go with the 150's if I ever buy any more, which is doubtful. Years ago I bought several boxes of Winchester 170 grain power points; I've still got a few boxes left and I am an old man so I ain't likely to use up all those and I don't see a reason to get something else when what I have works just fine. I really enjoy watching these video's so keep i up Paul.
last week my 91 year old dad took both of his doe during regular gun season with one shot from his marlin 336 using 150 gr hornady soft points. the doe were standing side by side at 105 yds and he thought there was only one in his scope. Thank goodness we can take two doe on the area I hunt. He shot just a tad high of his mark which knocked the first deer down in body slam fashion. the projo exited and hit the deer standing behind it just an inch below the spine but in the same aiming point area of the first which dropped it like a stone. Had never seen that happen with a "thudy-thudy" before!
Not the recommended way of harvesting deer. But he did save ammunition.
That’s a sniper’s shot, bragging rights, hope you had your camera.
@@sixoffive He got a Quigley!
RIP Paul, thank you for all you did for us
Thank you for this one!
Thanks for answering a question that I have had for years.
I really miss this man and it's only been a few weeks since he passed away. RIP Paul
Thank you, this test answered many questions regarding the two bullet weights. I'm a 30-30 fan. Excellent video!!!
I always used the 170 grain Remington loads because here in the NC Mountains that was usually what was on the shelves. Around here, I would have to try really hard to get a 100 yard shot. Great work once again. Keep em coming and I'll keep watching. You're the best 👌
Same here Gary. What's on the shelf. WNC Mountains here too
Tons of 150s available if you will order online.. 170s are definitely not needed for these tiny deer.
Paul has impeccable timing; I just picked up my first .30-30 yesterday. I’ll be watching this while I play with my new Winchester 1894.
We have my dads 94 Winchester.
Off sandbags it would have put all the shots in the X circle of his target at 100 yards. My eyes aren’t what they used to be with iron sights, so I can’t repeat it now.
I hope yours will do as well.
His older videos on .30-30 are good to watch, as well as lever actions and the .30-30 vs .44 lever action video.
@@Ron52G Buckhorn rear and dot front sights are really poor. Replace with a fine, vertical blade front and a quality peep sight at rear, you'll be amazed how improved it will be.
Very good presentation. I have generally used 150 grains in my 30-30 for deer. But, I never thought there was much difference. You showed there is more difference than I thought. The big take away for me was how good the Remington Green box was in terms of consistant velocity. It shot accurately in your rifle. Thank you.
30-30's are good guns to have. Thanks for the video, Paul.
Godspeed Mr. Paul. Your videos never failed to inspire me.
Thank you for doing this video Paul. I'm a lifelong 30-30 user and found it very helpful
As usual, Paul you are a professional and trooper sticking it out during an Ice Storm!
I've always preferred the 150s in my 20" 336. Another great thing about this combo is that it's easy on the ears when hunting. The blast is far greater from even a 308 Winchester to say nothing of any of the 300 magnums. Perfect for deer out to 100 yards with nothing but irons. Best $180 I ever spent at Kmart.
We love you Paul. Godspeed sir.
In Pennsylvania a lot of people use 170 grain 30-30 for black bear. The Remington 170 grain version is very popular here in PA. As I said in my other comment I like 150 grain 30-30 for my rifles and use Remington, and Winchester factory ammo. I also use my 150 grain handloads with hornaday 150 grain round nose bullets. Great video paul
Thank you for this. Something about that old 30-30 I just can't let go of... Thank you for service and influence on the world🇺🇸💪🏻
5:22 & 5:51 *dies a little inside*, with all due respect Paul, you know that's part of why we love your channel soo much!
I have been using a video camera at the range, on the target so I can review after I get home. It is one thing to see the holes afterwards, but it is another to see how they get placed there and in which order.
Very interesting. Many old timers, some quite knowledgeable, have told me the 170gr bullets for .30/30 are the best…I’ve also been told .30/30 was actually designed around the 170gr projectiles…Hmmmm…170 gr does look effective at 100 yards, which is typically the distance I would be hunting with my Marlin 30AW, give or take a few yards. I will add that I have taken deer with both 150gr and 170gr projectiles, mostly Core Lokt, and both have been effective, from 25-125 yards. Thanks for the comparison. Your efforts and thorough testing are greatly appreciated.
The original 30-30, at the time called 30 WCF, was a 160gr fmj (called metal patched back then) round nose. I imagine those rounds must have penetrated like hell but didn't do much in the way of expansion.
30-30 was designed around a 160 grain bullet in 1895
Hornady gave us another 100 effective yards with the LeverEvolution 160gr FTX. The energy of the bullet at 300 yards is the same as the energy from a 170 at 200 yards, by comparison. It's just that much less wind drag.
If you handload, you can load standard spitzer type bullets in a .30-30 casing and fire them no problem, so long as you never put more than a single round in the magazine. It's an effective 2-shot. Would do about the same as Hornady did with their FTX.
Paul has a real postal workers mentality
Rain 🌧 sleet and snow ❄ won’t stop him And he’s armed . LoL 😂
The truth is I have always shot the 150 grain. Why? Because that was the most common, 50 years ago, and yes a sixteen year old could buy ammo back then with just money. I am glad someone did this test. Thank you Paul.
You deserve many more subscribers Mr Harrell. Thanks to you and your crew for the always excellent content.
Yeah I guess everybody likes that trendy Gomer Demolition Ranch.
Thank you Paul for the information on the venerable 30-30. I don't know how you managed to time it, but this video is the most realistic demonstration of hunting conditions in Eastern Oregon I have seen since experiencing it myself. Take care, stay well and Happy Holidays to you and the family and the team.
Best channel on youtube for no nonsense results !
_I appreciate this, thank you!_
I feel like he is a kindred soul or my spirit animal. Former Marine who later joined the Army and retired from that service (as did I am not insulting him). The H harness and web belt, the creased BDU pants bloused over the boots, the ear plug case. My wife is the only person who keeps me from dressing like this on a regular basis. Thank you for leading the way Mr Harrell.
He uses the old army green ALICE style equipment too, pistol belt, pouches, suspenders and not the newer "tacticool" stuff and of course the old 21st century hunting jacket. His wardrobe is tops, a well-dressed man, no stupid logo T-shirts, no profanity and no tattoos! No B.S. sums it all up. 😀
@@Hjerte_Verke I have been issued all that equipment and wish I hadn’t taken it to the surplus store when I retired. You can see the progression from the LBE to the LBV.
I found the 150's to be very effective on the 5 moose that I have used them on some a 100 yards or so.
Appreciate you taking the hit weather wise for your work to help many learn.
Kudos sir
"If it ain't rainin' we ain't trainin'."
Always gratifying to see these tests confirm what any number of earlier generations would tell us: .30-30 is amply adequate for deer in ordinary US woods ranges.
Paul, you are a true firearms guy. On the range in any weather testing rounds. Spent many many weeks at Camp Rilea training. Thanks for the video.
Great video. My Win94 loves the Core-Lokt 150gr and I think it is a great weight for deer in the mountains of Montana in the sub 100yard range.
Good point, it really comes back to what your rifle likes. Either will get the job with a well placed shot.
Back in the day 30-30 lever action was the assault rifle, in every police department arsenal and you could buy ammo in any hardware store in any small town. The goto deer rifle, the standard for the past hundred years. I’m surprised that the new tacti-cool lever guns don’t have box type magazines. I know the rimmed cartridge, but Mosin has box mag.
With a sectional density in the .250s with the 170gr, you can reliably take most game in Canada/north america. Many native hunters here in Saskatchewan still take their bull moose with them each year, although the SKS is now becoming the new “poor man’s deer gun”. Thanks again for the video bossman
Gotta love the SKS. Not quite a 30-30 in power but close. I’ve often referred to them as semi-auto Win94/Marlin336 comparable rifles (accuracy & energy). I’ve got some and I’ve had them a long time😂 (I know from another video, but still appropriate)
What actually expands from a SKS ?
PDX ?
@@hotrodray6802PPU 123gr works great!
Well until C-21 hets rammed through anyway… buh bye SKS
@@whoshotashleybabbitt4924they ain’t Gettin mine! 😉
Excellent video as usual, I’ve never actually hunted with a 30-30 before. However, I just recently took a buck with my AK-103 in 7.62x39 using 124 grain Sellier and Bellot soft points. I’d love to see you test those along with any other 7.62x39 soft points you can find and compare them. The S&B 124 grains did the job well by the way, both lungs pooled with blood, ribs were shattered, and the exit wound was the size of an orange. Just thought it was relevant since people always compare these 2 cartridges, even though they’re really not as similar as some would think.
STILL to this day finding new vids (to me) of the Legend. Thank you Paul. R and IP
I hand load my 30-30 with 125 grain bullets. Hunting in the Ochanagan ranges are longer. I also hunt with 7mm mag but most of my deer taken has been with the 94, 30-30 and 125 grain bullets. Thanks for the comparison.
You stood in the snow and your video had good information. I’m subscribing. Keep up the good work Paul.
Practical experience has proven to me that both weight bullets will take deer and hogs. I am in South Texas. On my place I cannot shoot far due to vegetation and terrain. A long shot for me is about 100yds. I use the 150gr Hornady RN in my handloads. This load has proven accurate in my gun, so I bought a bunch of these years ago. (Only do this when you know you are going to keep the gun, like it, and it is really accurate). It has done well for decades. Key to a clean kill is ALWAYS shot placement and passing on a shot when you cannot get the angle you need on the animal. These days I use a 2-7 Vortex scope because I am older, and the eyes are no longer what they used to be.
The perfect application for a peep sight. You'll likely need a higher front sight as well. If you are in Texas, check out your neighbor's channel, Target Suite, a lot of lever gun and pistol fun. George will thank you for the subscribe.
That is a perfect scope for the 30-30, I have the same with the one piece DNZ GAME REAPER mount. (Medium height). Love it.
Paul Harrell FOREVER!
Thanks for another great video. And thanks for (once again) braving the elements.
Paul I bought a 30AS Marlin 30-30 for $100 new and still in its cardboard box, it was 1986. I still have it and enjoy burning rounds through it when I get time. I personally use 150gr jacketed hollow point Winchester amo for deer hunting here in Missouri. Thanks for another great video.
Federal made a 125gr hollow point I was never able to find so I hand loaded it the Sierra 125gr .307 diameter. I liked it better than 150s on Oklahoma white tails. Great presentation your dedication is appreciated considering the weather on the last two.
Excellent job!
Great review, Ty. I use these 170s or 150s based on cost and availability. My 336 likes Remingtin ammo best.
thank you
Most all of the 170 grain 30-30 bullets I've used and tested have expanded perfectly for 30-30 velocity. The 150 grain 30-30 bullets are all over the place in the way they act. Many are very fragile, like 125 grain varmint bullets. Some are made so strong, for higher velocity, that they don't expand much if at all. A few 150 grain 30-30 do work well at 30-30 velocity. Sierra 150gr = too fragile for deer. Hornady 150gr = no expansion. Speer 150gr = perfect expansion. Nosler Partition = to expensive for 30-30. Winchester made two different 150 grain bullet loads. One is fragile, like Sierra and one has perfect expansion, like Speer. There have been newer bullets, but they are expensive compared to the standard 170 grain bullets. The Sierra 170 grain seems best, but the Speer 170 grain has similar expansion. The Hornady 170 grain bullet has slightly less expansion, but works well and still expands enough. I tried the 170 grain Nosler, before Nosler had a 150 grain version. It worked well, but no more than the cheaper 170 grain bullets. If you need penetration for elk and bear, the Hornady 150 grain round nose is the toughest, least expanding bullet.
I have been watching your videos for a few years, as usual well done. As an Aussie, not all you do is relatable to what i have to put up with, but love your work. Keep it up.
I still hunt deer on our property with my BPS 10ga, 1.75oz slugs. Deer go down and stay down, buckshot is illegal in PA 😥.
It ain't illegal if ya don't get caught. I live in PA as well. I use a .30-06.
@@travischapin886 I hunt the thickets, buckshot would be perfect. Even though the property gates are locked, I play by the rules.
Was a time that in the 3 counties around Philly, buckshot was all that WAS legal.
@@michaelharris1455 I'm in the sticks, far from Philadelphia.
I believe it's still that way, was when I lived there anyway.
My own on game observations on deer with 150s vs 170s. I used 170s for YEARS, decades really. I then switched to 150s. What I IMMEDIATELY noticed was I was getting deer that dropped on the spot or died within 20-30 yards of POI. When I used 170s I always had to track. Shot placement was generally the same.
I sighted in with 150 grain Federal flat nose rounds this year and hope to tag a deer with it.
Another great video and you always do good comparison...I prefer the 150 grain average distance a deer shoot in northeast Georgia is about 40 yards I have shoot a couple at about 75 yards with 30-30 and never no issue done a good job with the 150 grain plenty of damage...I prefer a lighter faster bullet for my purpose...
Last few years I have used Winchester 30-30 150 grain "Deer Season XP" rounds, in my Thompson Center Contender with a 10" bbl. I found 1 bullet with a metal detector after the bullet exited the deer into the dirt (sitting on the side of a ridge about 15' above the trail. The bullet expanded extremely well. This year I shattered the shoulder, where the bullet entered, went thru the ribs and I found the copper jacket in the opposite leg. Both were shot about 25 yards. Thank you for another informative video.
I love the .30-30. I bought my first gun with my own money in 1974, a Winchester 94. I have been a huge fan of that cartridge ever since. I have shot nothing but Remington 170 grain Core Lokt this whole time.
Thanks for another great video Paul.
I remember when I was younger and 30-30 was out of vogue due to 30-06, 308, 7mm mag, etc. But for moderate range, you just can’t dismiss it for any purpose. Respect.👍
Thank you
I ❤ the Remington core lokt bullets in 30-30. But I like the 150 for deer and 170 for wild boar. I also took a black bear with the 170 and it dropped it.
I liked the older Remington Corelokt from the 80’s and 90’s. The newer manufactured 2021 wasn’t as consistent in the chronograph. I still wouldn’t hesitate to use them on deer.
I always felt the same although I was told if I'm going to hunt elk with a 30-30 (my only rifle at the time) I better use the 170gr, but I didn't like its bullet drop at 150 yards and 200 yards. So I just stayed with my 150 grain bullets and said to the guy taking me I was using 170s. My elk ran about 50 yards with a low heart shot at150 paces. Seems 150gr kills as good as 170gr. if you aim right. If I had sighted in with the 170gr. at 100 yards I may have missed the heart at 150 paces.
Thank you, Paul. Another great video. Could you please consider doing a deep dive video on your deer rifle caliber- the .444 Marlin? Maybe go over load ballistics, trajectory, maximum point blank range.
Thank you for excellent material in your video.
Thanks for these types of videos, Paul.
I love the 30-30. I've pretty much quit using any other rifle for deer. Since moving to northern Florida I've never taken a shot over 150 yds. And even those are rare. And I love the fact that Hornady has breathed new life in to this old cartridge with its lever evolution line of ammo. I'd love to see a comparison between it and my old trusty 150 grn. Remington core-lokt. I bought a box to try out and it hit about 8 inches high and 2 inches left of my core-lokt. I zeroed my rifle with the Remington and it's never failed me so I figured if it's not broke don't fix it. So I'm reluctant to rezero my rifle for something more expensive and harder to find in my area. But seeing if it would be adequate medicine for something larger like elk would be very interesting
I have bought and traded away every 30-30 I came across, usually, too my closer friends. I'd fiddle with them until I found the ammunition they liked, and then my buddies wanted them. I had a longer barreled one that was made in 1929, that I used 170 gr ammo for a deer hunt. It penetrated completely through with out any expansion at about 30 yards. I hit a little high and a little far back. A sneakly BIL bought it off of me when I was out of work. As you mentioned on your rifle, it shot high and to the left as well and I couldn't tame that out of it.
I've hand reloaded 3030 with the Hornady using the cheap lee hand press. It turns out a 30-30 round just great, so you can absolutely have a good supply of the Hornady rounds around without too much fuss.
Rain, sleet or snow. Paul still goes outside and gets it done You're an awesome information. provider about. firearms and such I watch all your videos. I'm an older man. 57 and good. and it's good to see a man like you ....ing about one of my favorite subjects
A Paul Harrell double header. Outstanding.
My old Marlin with it's 18.5 inch barrel loves Winchester white box 150 grain Power Point and it has never failed to harvest deer. Put in a 170 grain and it doesn't group well at all. Amazing to think that the 30-30 is the oldest center fire cartridge designed from the beginning for smokeless powder. I think it was originally called the 30 WCF. Great presentation of a fine cartridge. Cheers.
It wouldn't be a Paul Harrell video without rain or snow
Keep making .30-30 videos I love them and it’s great to see new content about a true classic that people love to dog on now for some reason. I’m 23 and use my old man’s marlin 30AW and I love it, killed my first deer with it last December. I used Winchester super X 150 grain and she only ran 5 yards and it was a 70 yard shot.
Just wanted to say thanks again for the Thanksgiving Special, I've watched it twice. It was awesome, you're a true treasure of Americana... 💥🔫🤠Yee Haw
Great, relevant video Paul! One of the classic and probably most-used cartridge of woods deer hunters. Great comparison of the two common bullet weights, and how they compare in performance. I prefer to have an exit, and the 170’s will do that from nearly any angle, pretty reliably. On our smaller Fla. deer, the 150’s would probably work just as well, with maybe a little more expansion. Thanks for your unwavering attention to detail and factoring in different variables which you discuss and explain regarding their affects on performance. There are a lot of us that like to hunt with old classic cartridges, like the .35 Rem., 30/30, .32 Win. Spl., .444 Marlin and good old .45/70.
How about a .35 Rem. review, maybe VS old and new loads, like the 200 gr. Cor-Loct VS the 200 gr. LeveRevolution? Top props for all you do Paul! 😉👍
@PaulHarrell. Please do more on the 30-30 or even lever actions. Not sure exactly on what topic. Apologies for zero help there. But it's one of my favorites and 30-30 lever actions are just cool. Thank you for all your vids! Been a fan for a long time. :)
Having usually hunted in dense cover I have always had a soft spot for the 30-30.
I was literally just looking for a video comparing these two bullet weights last week. Thank you Paul for all of your videos!
170 is the way to go if your using one all around bullet for deer elk and bear. I watched a 500lb black bear get shot 7 times with 150gr Remington core lock at 50yards. The next Hunter down the hill shot it with 165gr .308 at similar range. When cutting it became clear that only the 1 bullet from the .308 had entered the chest. All the 150gr 30/30 were stopped by bone fat and hide. All with less then 6” penetration. Another factor could be age of the bullet, as I’ve heard that the lead can soften with age in some storage conditions. Ymmv
Gone but never forgotten! Rest easy Paul 💪🇺🇲
I'm going to really miss the meat target. Rest in peace Paul, you're truly missed.
Always used the 150’s. Grew up hunting the Everglades and the 150’s did a great job on the smaller deer there as well as wild hogs. Moved to Colorado for college in 1981 and took my trusty 30-30 with me. Took several mule deer antelope and two elk with the 30-30 all with 150’s. Never saw the need for the 170’s. Interesting demo. Enjoy watching your content. After shooting, reloading and hunting for 50 plus years I still learn new things from your videos. Thanks for putting them out.