This was the first Paul Harrell video I ever watched. Just came back to rewatch after his passing. Thank you Mr Harrell for the years of informative entertainment!!!
fordrac1ng81 not everyone has to share the same beliefs or even to the same extent. He loves guns and exercises his right often. Probably does more for the purchase and use of guns than most people. Maybe even more than you? Not sure on that though, I’ll have to watch your 100’s of gun related videos 🤔🤔
I know this might piss off a lot of people (and don't care) but I can't stand to watch Hickok's 20+min. videos of him just showing off shooting. It's boring. Paul's videos can actually capture and hold my attention no matter how long his videos are.
@@mrpotatoheadracing No but I have used Hornady 160gr leverevolution, shot a nice 8 point buck, he only ran about 40yds, found the lead core under the skin in the off side, weighed 100grs. While some may consider shedding the core a failure, I dont, it was a quartering to shot, on the point of his shoulder, that bullet went through a lot of dense muscle. The leverevolution is a game changer for the 30-30, turns it into a 300yd cartridge, although I would never have an opportunity at that range where I hunt.it's accurate and powerful in my marlin 336BL.
@@jimenagulla9081 My next lever gun will be a 336, or maybe the Glenfield at the pawn shop, (same as Marlin 336, but old, probably 1960's.) My Winchester 94, (old also, serial number ID's it a 1901,) will need some drilling and threading in the side of the receiver to mount a side scope, and that old receiver isn't going to get touched with any machining.
I remember watching this video when it came out and thinking to myself, I get excited when every video hits and I'm looking forward to years of videos. Little did I know how few years Paul had left. It just deeply saddens me every day. A tremendous teacher and a kind man, one that could never be imitated or replaced.
Be honest. Who else watches the whole video before leaving a comment? I do myself, just wondering. :D I felt relieved when the rain and hail started to fall. It lets me know this is a genuine Paul Harrell video. He is such a great teacher in these videos. I can't stress enough how refreshing his presentations are. No over the top tacticool BS, no "My opinion is a true fact" type crap. Just an awesome channel. Thanks for the vids Paul.
I typically watch a gun video right up until it brings my brain to a screeching halt before commenting. Suffice it to say that I have only ever posted on Paul's after watching completely. This is my second time viewing as I type because I had to see the splash on the .44 Mag hitting low at 200 yards. Pretty consistent and just slipping under the target.
I Applaud his his videos, he uses a very common way of presenting things, like a scientific paper almost. Introduction, methodology, experiments, data analysis and conclusion. Simple efficient and no frills. *edit: It's a common way of presenting things, but you dont see it very often in videos. video reviews tend to be very subjective.
D G yes. Paul just proved it. And a lot of experienced hu terms seem to feel that a lot more deer have been taken with 30-30 than any other round. At typical tree stand distances 50-150 yards plenty effective
Not just is it still viable, its better now than it ever was! Fact, the deer have not changed. They don't hear or see better than they did 100 years ago. They don't run faster, jump higher, or have stronger bodies. Bullet and propellant powder technology however, has advanced by leaps and bounds. Modern "premium" loadings in the 30WCF shoot flatter, faster, and penetrate deeper. Lets all thank Hornady for the fantastic FTX and GMX flex tip bullets for bringing the 30WCF back to the new generation of hunters.
30-30 is not any worse than it ever was, but why would your average hunter buy one these days? There are a lot of high quality bolt action options that shoot a more capable round for longer distance in the same package.
And notice that I said "your average hunter" not all of us just go climb up in a stand looking over a cutover. I bear hunt in some areas where a 30-30 is very handy because of the rough terrain, and the thick cover.
Im really happy with the quality of content you've been putting out lately, Paul! You've always had clear, concise (when necessary), and educational videos. Now that you seriously upgraded your camera quality the content REALLY shines. Keep up the great work!
I've had the 30-30, 44 & 357 lever action rifles for several years. All are great fun, especially the 357. But, for deer in the eastern US, 30-30 is hard to beat. Fast, maneuverable, quick follow up shots and perfect amount of power without excessive recoil or noise.
I would like to see him remove the 44 mag and replace it with a 454 Casull. I think the outcome on the power on paper would look very different. Further more, the 454 can shoot 45 long colt as well, which is about 1/3 the price of 30-30 ammo. Even 454 ammo is about the same price as the 30-30 ammo. Now the real magic here though is due to the shorter nature of the 454, you get increased ammo capacity. Also when you don't need all that power, you can shoot the significantly cheaper 45 LC. Also the 45 LC rounds are always naturally subsonic which will be significantly quieter on your ears. The reduced recoil allows for a more fun day at the range and is friendly to beginner shooters. Lastly if you buy a threaded barrel variant (there are quite a few now) of a lever action, you will pay big money for specialty 30-30 subsonic ammo, versus 45 LC being naturally subsonic. Plus you can get stupid heavy subsonic 45 LC loads like 405 grain bullets that even at subsonic levels will absolutely decimate any deer or hog. However if you were headed to Alaska, you can just load up a hot load of 454 from Buffalo Bore or Underwood and have a round that can put down a brown bear.
@@Steven-gv1ke Big Horn Armory's Model 90 in .460 S&W can chamber .454 Casull if you want a little less power, and if you want even less it can chamber .45 LC.
Yeah, 30-30 win will get the job done, but I handload my own ammo and straight walled calibers like 44 mag are much easier to handload than any bottle neck calibers like 30-30 because you don't need to trim the brass or lube the brass before resizing it. Plus the 44 mag is a more efficient use of gun powder where I can get between 75 and 100 ft lbs muzzle energy for each grain of gun powder used. With 30-30 win I can only get between 45 and 55 ft lbs muzzle energy per grain of gun powder. That means 44 mag is more than 50% more efficient in terms of gun powder usage. Muzzle energies are still comparable for both calibers around 1700-2100 ft lbs depending on the projectile and gun powder used, but 44 magnum is achieving it's energy more efficiently and like I already mentioned 44 mag requires less work to handload.
@Prepare2Survive the gains at the muzzle with a 44 rapidly recede after just a few yards down range. I truly love the 44, hunted all last season with my Marlin, but overall the 30-30 is superior in many ways.
@@jerryreynolds8151 Okay, well lets see what the online hornady ballistics calculator says. With the 240 grain hornady XTP bullet you have a G1 BC of .205 loaded with 25.5 grains of lilgun powder from a 20" barrel that gives you 1917 fps velocity. With a zero range at 50yds that means at the muzzle you have 1958 ft lbs energy (fpe) and at 25 yds it's 1779 fpe, at 50yds it's 1615 fpe, at 75 yds it's 1464 fpe, at 100 yds it's 1326 fpe, at 125 yds it's 1201 fpe and at 150 yds it's 1088 fpe. So that means you lose 10% energy every 25yds. With 30-30 win using the 160 grain hornady FTX bullet that has a G1 BC of .330 and loaded with 30.5 grains win 748 powder from a 20" barrel you get 2157 fps velocity. That's 1653 fpe at the muzzle, 1562 fpe at 25yds, 1475 fpe at 50yds, 1392 fpe at 75yds, 1313 fpe at 100yds, 1238 fpe at 125 yds and 1166 fpe at 150 yds. That means 30-30 win using the very aerodynamic hornady FTX bullets loses 6% energy every 25 yds. You mean to tell me that mere 4% difference every 25yds actually matters when 44 magnum gives you 42% more energy per grain of gun powder used compared to 30-30 win and 44 magnum requires 3 times less work to handload?
Great video, especially considering the weather! It might be a small thing to consider, but since .30-30 is considered rifle ammunition, and .44 Magnum is considered handgun ammunition by retailers, .30-30 might be a better choice for shooters under the age of 21. Thanks for the content.
Or in states like Illinois where you can't used a cartridge with a necked case for deer hunting because they wanna limit the overshoot distance. (Moderate population density+moderate flatness+farmland broken up by thin lines of trees, obscuring sight more than they obscure bullets=random 30-06 rounds crossing the street and punching holes in people's walls all the time during deer season, apparently.) I use a .50 cal muzzle loader. 12 guage slugs are also popular. I'm pretty sure we're too lazy to track thing around here. Lol.
@@nomad155 you still got 45 70 and other straight necked rifle cartridges, new ones were made to align with the new laws and stuff. Rather have to sneak closer to deer than damage someone or their property just to shoot deer with normal rifle ammo
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@@dougmayberry9998 Thank you for thanking me for not thanking me earlier because you couldn't thank me for not commenting earlier than you very much i am thankful for your response
I was impressed with the quality of your test. It gave me a better understanding of both the 30-30 and the .44 performance in a variety of test conditions.
Strong chance of hail and mini tornadoes with random sharknadoes. Awesome. Good day for the range. Please excuse the sharks falling out of the sky. Bear with me😁
@Corpsealot, the weather is not natural... It's just a manifestation of Super Saiyan Paul's physical presence. And btw, Paul MIGHT be a Sith Lord on top of that... I watched one of his vids and I swear I saw force lightning jump from his fingertips in one frame :-/
This video is so well done. I have both a 30/30 and a mag and love them both. The .44 has all the stopping power in the world up close. I’ve yet to have a deer hop back up after the first shot. The 30/30 is similar but can reach out a little bit more.
Paul said it several times: the Miami shootout was special for him, and he had something to say about it. It is not the case for other high profile incidents, and he is not planning to make another video like that.
I keep coming back to this video, because I have both of these rifles and I always debate which one I should take on different deer hunts that I go on. I decided that for me, I'll hunt with my .30-30 and use the .44 Mag. for close range 2 and 4 legged purposes if needed. Thanks for all the work , time, and money you put into your videos brother Marine.
Both are great calibers. I have always liked the 44. It is tremendously versatile, with bullet weights from 165 to 340 Grains. Also, extremely different power levels are available, including the ability to use 44 special. So, I love the 44. The 30-30 was my first deer rifle, and to me, they are great too. They are better for anything over 125 yards or so, and have brought home the deer for decade after decade. I hope people understand that both of these calibers can do the job, and they can do it with style with the quick handling lever action rifle. Thanks for making this video.
Both underestimated lever action rounds, yet both have their individual uses. Thanks for the presentation and the dedication to finish the video, despite the rain and hail! Despite the bias I have for my Marlin 1895 (45-70) my first rifle was a Winchester 30-30 and I know well how effective it can be!
Paul, this is by far one of the very best comparison videos I have ever reviewed regarding the lever actions + ammo. I own four (4) Marlins, two (2) Winchesters and a Big Boy. All caliber-ed from 357 to 45-70. Obviously the other two are on full display here. Love the lever actions. Finally, I can recommend to friends and associates alike to take a look at your work and appreciate Americana lever actions at their best. FYI: My favorite, all around fun long arm is still, the 357. Speed, accuracy, stopping power. Ultra fast rechambering. Who can't appreciate Chuck Connors "The Rifleman" Right? Blast Away! (smile) Great work Paul. Thank you.
I had 3 levers - 2 Winchesters (30/30 and 44-40) and a Marlin (.35 whelan). I loved using them while walking in the bush. Also had a Lee Enfield no.4 mk1 (.303) and a BSA Monarch (30-06) for posting
In Michigan where I live, there is a line drawn horizontally thru the center of our State. South of that line only Shotguns and Straight Walled Rifle Cartridges are allowed due to population density. The .450 Bushmaster, .44 Magnum and .357 Magnum are examples of legal and accepted bullet types. North of that line is where 7mm-08, 30-06, 30-30 and the .243 Winchester can come into play. Being that most, if not all shots I would personally take in my preferred hunting spots either north or south of that line are 100 yards or less.... it only makes sense to have the universally accepted .44 Magnum. Thank You for this informative video.
As a Michigan hunter that lives below the line that is an excellent point. Not to mention I believe there are better quality chances of getting one in the below line area. I typically hunt the thumb on a friends private land, never come home with an unfilled tag. Another point I have observed. The Walmart Warriors seem to always head north, West Branch, Gaylord, etc. The further away I am from those fella's the better I feel.
@@marcfalsetti9381 Oh yeah, that is why I hunt private land. You couldn't get on state land. Already have heard about 3 instances this season of people getting shot, by relatives! I could never understand how one can take a shot at something if they cannot even for sure know it is a deer!
Great video man, I have both calibers and I love them both for different reasons. I would love to see a meat target hit with a 50bmg some day, no reason I just want to see it.
There's a guy who calls himself "Kentucky Ballistics" Who has a 50 BMG and I think he takes requests for video ideas. I'd like to see a meat target (a really big one) shot with a 50 cal. In the near future I'll do a video with meat targets vs. 12 ga slugs
50 bmg on a meat target? Holy schmoly, It would have to be in slow motion because 2 milliseconds after impact there were be nothing to see.................LOL
At this point other than running out of a burning building or tending to my children, Paul’s videos has extreme priority! Thanks again for an awesome video as always
I've owned both I like my 44 for close stuff and the extra capacity is great. I love reloading the 44 as well, there's just something great about it. I do like the 30/30 but if I want to shoot longer range I usually grab my bolt action in 308 instead of the 30/30. Great vid mate!
I'm a big fan of the 30-30 but a 44 magnum lever gun would work just as well where I hunt in the mountains. Plus my woods carry handgun is a 44 mag. Great video Paul.
What 6.5 rounds are you looking at? Creedmoor is a faster round with similar bullet weights. They're not really that close. Both excellent deer rounds though!
The only thing the 30-30 has going against it is people really not knowing what they are talking about. I don't guess there's anything on earth the 30-30 hasn't taken. But something gets said then repeated and to the novice believed and repeated. Anything under a 24x scope and 4000fps just won't kill a deer everyone should know this lol.
How difficult is it to own a firearm over there in Sweden? I know some places in Europe are pretty bad like the UK and I heard Poland also but some places like Switzerland are fairly easy
@@Legitpenguins99 UK is worse than Sweden for sure. But i dont know of any other European country that is. But i dobt know about all of them. Here in Sweden its best being a hunter. If your like me practice target shooting and wanna own some handguns you are in alot of headaches. To start your handgun license will only last 5 years and you have to be super active with it. They keep making it harder and harder. The police had everyone with old safes (better than most new ones) to change them out based upon their own thinking they had no law to back it up but the acted as if was. Costing people aloy of money gor nothing. Its a constant battle against authoritys. Im quite fed up with it. I just wanna own a few handguns and go to the range every now and then.
Good video Paul! I watched the whole thing. I have a Henry 44 Magnum, and a Henry 357 Magnum Lever Action Rifles. I enjoy them tremendously. Thanks again Paul, keep up the great work. 🤗🥳😎👍🇺🇸. Beretta Sr.
Very nice. Those longer barrels give them the FPE of a high-powered rifle. Neither one would be half bad for a fighting gun in SHTF. Even without a handgun of the same caliber, a .357 or .44 rifle would be an excellent choice. I know Paul did a video on the 30-30, which would make a superb fighting gun. As with many full power rifle calibers, you can count on it for penetration. Plus, the flat nose (or hollow point) has a sectional density gives it a short neck and massive cavitation.
I have hunted with both and to me, clearly the .44 Magnum is way better for 90% of hunting I practice...that is shots under 100 yards. Had a 250 Pounds Big male Wild Boar drop in its track charging me at 10 yards from a top of a small hill...the .44 Remington 240 gr SP hit middle of the torso under its chin...exited the far left side of its hip loin...small pieces of bones sticking out from that exit wound. 30-30 is decent also but for Deer only if you ask me...Lol
Great video, especially the meat target as always. Some other points to consider. The .30-39 being longer and slimmer is much easier to top off through the loading gate than the short stubby .44. At least on my Marlin. OTOH, the .44 has a wider selection of bullets and weights (180-265gr for most rifle twists) and the option for .44 Specials. And if you reload the .44 takes 23 gr versus .30 gr of powder (304 loads per pound versus 233). Either cartridge is effective and fun! Don’t forget the .357 as well.
Great Video Paul, There is one thing I would like to point out here. The 30-30 will produce Hydro-static shock on living tissue that the .44 cant really do because of the velocity difference. I know this cant be tested without shooting live animals. In my experience anything over 2k velocity is just devastating on live tissue.
That’s exactly what the bullet design people (Johann Boden & Chris Laack) at Federal & Speer say. In the 2.2K range the damage is exponentially more devastating. So being limited by velocity they’re devoting time & resources to bettering pistol caliber bullet design. th-cam.com/video/T6kUvi72s0Y/w-d-xo.html
Paul, I know this is an older video, but I just have gotten the opportunity to purchase a new hunting rifle and am looking at the Henrys. I have always wanted one and my previous hunting rifle was a lever action Savage Arms, so I wanted to stay with what I was comfortable with. I could not decide between the 44Rem, the 45 LC or the 30-30. This video was super enlightening and I have now made the decision to go with the 30-30. Thanks for your dedication to the firearms world and the work you do!!!
For where I am, in hilly country with heavy brush cover, with maximum range shots of 75 yards, the .44 mag is great. I’ve hunted with both, love both, and love lever actions.
If you want to be technical about the actual caliber vs. what the cartridge is named, a .44 Magnum bullet is .429" diameter, which rounds to .43 caliber. The .30-30 bullet is .308" diameter, which rounds to .31 caliber. The bullet doesn't get resized to ~.42 caliber when passing through the bore, at least not fully. Groove diameter of a .44 Magnum firearm is typically .429" and bore diameter (land-to-land measurement) is typically .417", according to SAAMI. This means a .429" diameter bullet is still .429" after passing through the bore, albeit with .006" deep grooves pressed into it. Also, caliber is determined by the diameter of the bullet before it's fired, not after.
Love the 444. Very tough to find. I've seen the 45-70 a lot, but not the 444 in quite a while. Hornady's 265FP and Sierra's 300FP give new life to the 44mag and 444 in a rifle.
If I had to pick one or the other, i'd go with the .44 magnum. The ease of figuring out how to load your own rounds with the .44's straight walls, low powder charge, easy use of cast bullets and brass longevity make it ideal for a hand loader. The only drawback is that if you do not cast your own bullets and all you can find are jacketed .429" bullets, you will obviously have to pay more for them than .30 caliber bullets.
Gun Sam _Revolver Aficionado_ well whichever caliber in whichever rifle you definitely well-armed just one is slightly better for the distance. you would not go wrong with either one
I'm wondering why not 7.62 x 39? Inexpensive ammunition ...and probably falls between the two rounds tested here in power. Firearms in this caliber probably have been manufactured in greater numbers than any other modern firearm. Seems like an ideal all purpose rifle caliber.
Gun Sam _Revolver Aficionado_ that's good because I'm not interested in lever action rifles. Bolt action is more reliable and semi-auto is faster. Basically the only thing I see in lever action is tradition. I understand you're having to deal with various laws in various States regarding hunting, but I'm looking at more general use.
I can agree to some degree. Lever action rifles are pretty fast to repeat fire in the right hands and they are usually shorter than most rifles making them one of the few "deer" rifles that are good for home defense, also you do tend to get more big bore options in lever action rifles. But for me personally, I am more accurate with a bolt action rifle, so a lever action rifle is often more of a traditional statement.
I watched this with great interest as I own a .44mag and have always considered the 30-30 as THE classic deer rifle for the vast majority of deer hunters. Also, I have a single action and double action Ruger .44 mag pistols to partner with the lever action for personal defense. I would like to propose one additional option with .44 caliber: if you were to use .44 SPL you would gain capacity while reducing over penetration. This while giving up next to nothing at home/personal defense ranges in terms of power.
44spl is not going to save you anything in the way of overpenetration. Its can still pass through layers of drywall and be deadly. a 556/223 rifle would be better if over-penetration is a concern... once that little bullet rips up your target, its not going have much left to give after a couple layers of drywall
Paul, this is a great video (one of your best) and had relevance to me personally. I like my Marlin 30-30 for PA mountain hunting...seldom even see a deer clearly over 60 yards....so open sights for me. Oh and I especially appreciate you ignoring the damp cold weather to complete this project...not just anyone could do that. Best - Terry
I have a .44 Magnum Lever action that I use for mule deer here in Oregon. Where I hunt the forest is so thick you can’t see 200 yards let alone shoot something lol. Almost every shot you get is definitely well below 100 yards. Typically shots are 40-60 yards and there isn’t time to use a scope so it’s iron sights only. Now elk is completely different as those shots are almost never closer than 300 yards. For that I use a .308 Bolt Action with a scope. Out here we hunt for food not trophies which is reflected in our choice of rifles. Very plain and simple with off the shelf ammunition, nuttin fancy lol.
VERY informative. I would not have considered the 44 in the same class as the 30-30...until now. Also thanks for your dedication in braving what looked like very uncomfortable weather!
@@exothermal.sprocket Only before it's compressed by the barrel to .42 caliber, thus causing it to become .42 prior to utilization upon target - so sayeth "Professor Paul" - lol
I needed a deer rifle for my 13 year old to use at less than 50 yards here in Michigan. I got a CVA Hunter .44 Mag with Federal AE 240GR JHP. It worked great. The very large doe ran (stumbled) about 30 feet. I think they are both great for deer, but for what I needed, the 44 was best. Less recoil, inexpensive firearm, and great results at short range. But I did just place an order for a Henry 30-30 lever action because they are just awesome! :) -Ed
This guy is so comprehensive and detailed in his delivery of info. I love how he has clearly put effort in his delivery by knowing where his aids are, AND remembering the minute detail such as numbers. No cuff here, just good old fashioned knwo how and delivery. Makes it so much better to watch than someone bumbling through their info.
There's a saying I picked up in the Army..."If it ain't raining, we ain't training!" Good stuff, Paul. Takes me back to qualifying on my M-16 at Grafenwoehr in the middle of winter, 3rd ID.
I love my Winchester Model 94, .30-30. It is so much fun to shoot! Although I knew from the start that it was quite powerful, learning how it compares to .44 mag was quite satisfying. Thank you for this excellent video Paul!
This was excellent! I am really surprised by how well the 44mag performed. That makes the 44mag a viable deer gun and an excellent home defense option , over penetration not withstanding
Thank you for the comparison of the two as a fellow professional I believe these videos not only help people understand the difference in rounds but also help people to be more aware when making a purchase. You wouldn't believe how many times I seen someone return a firearm stating that it didn't work for what they needed now if they had bought a similar firearm in a different caliber they would have been very happy.
Great video, thanks Paul. My old Mossberg 30-30 zeroed at 100 yards dropped eight inches at the 200 yard mark using federal flat nose ammo. The same rifle shooting Leverevolution, hit 1 inch high at the 100 yard mark and was dead center at 200 yards. It appears that round was still climbing at 150 yards and may have been 1.5 - 2 inch high. It is hard to believe that tiny little bit of plastic adds that much to the trajectory. OH, I was using a scope and aimed dead center of the bullseye at all times once it was zeroed in.
A point about the .44 levergun: for those limited to factory ammo, the lower-recoil .44 Spl can be used for practice, training, or introducing new shooters. As to side-gate leverguns in a defensive role, they allow you to top off the magazine during a lull without removing/replacing a box magazine. They also are a "non-scary" choice for those living in a restrictive jurisdiction that disallows autoloading rifles.
Ive fired both.. Lever action old school open sight. For me its a 30.30 hands down. A lot of weight but very stable. And it may not have the range but it'll drop what it hits. 45 is great but as heavy of a hit.
@@norseman5041 well assuming that you are referring to WWII, let's see.... France lost about 400,000 in combat through the European theater, and fought a resistance throughout. They lost about 1.4% of their population to fighting the Nazis. The USA came late, but hard, and lost a whopping 550,000 lives in the European front, accounting for 0.4% of the population. The US sent 2 million troops to Europe, but total enlistment was around 11%. Let's compare that to France.... Oh ya, as an occupied nation, with an active resistance EVERY SINGLE French citizen was directly effected by the war. It was in their god damn house. If you want a good war rifle, get an American one, it probably never saw the front.
@Fred Rumsch Eisenhower, the then General and later President, estimated the French resistance force to be between 10 and 15 divisions at the landings of D-Day. The great US committed...... wait for it...... 5. Why do Americans need guns? They don't really use them. The French fighters, who fought throughout the war, were invaluable and highly regarded by both Churchill and Ike. Oh and France has also had our back in EVERY major combat action, or has preceded us in it until 2003.
Great videos, Paul! You make your tests and comparisons as fair and as simple as possible. Even an amateur shooter with little or no knowledge of guns will learn a lot from watching your explanations and demonstrations.
It's called conditioning. Military, deep sea fishermen, firemen, hikers, bikers, if they are dedicated they get conditioned to the point this stuff doesn't bother them like the average Joe.
Setting aside all the ballistic stuff I think the Winchester/Henry style lever action rifle is one of the most timeless designs mankind has ever come up with. It has changed very little in 160 years and still looks great!
@@Poleson Marlin 1893 is imho a simpler , better design as well and it came out a year before the Win 94. Not arguing with you , just saying.. yes the Wins and Henrys are cool and timeless.
@@guaporeturns9472yeah marlins are better... that's why there's no marlin chambered in anything past 45 000 psi, like the 1892 454 casull,(63 k psi, rossi Taurus) or 1895 in 30-06 (62k psi... A 336 has 2/3rd the locking surface of a browning 1892/4/5... Saying Marlin has better construction than a Winchester/browning is like saying that an enfield is stronger than a mauser... It's delusional.
Pretty interesting that the 30-30 was a through and through. Seems to reason that the 44, while having less energy, was able to expend a higher percentage of the energy into the meat target. Might be that they're both pretty similar when it comes to hunting on impact. But as you pointed out both here and in other videos, it doesn't matter what a round would do to the target if you can't get the round on target in the first place. Thanks for a very insightful video!
Every video you make is full of caveats, exceptions, warnings, disclaimers, etc. I think that's one reason I keep watching: keeping it real, man! I have to say I was surprised at the results. I was sure there'd be a more significant difference!
Great video Paul. I have always had alot of practical respect for the 30-30. Honestly for my applications I will almost always choose the 44mag over the 30-30 though, it's easier for me to handload and the cases last longer. 44 fills more roles for my needs, it fits into both my lever gun and my wheel gun. Aside from all those concerns though, the simple fact that it holds alot more in the tube then the 30-30 (smaller/shorter action as well) and the difference in price at the retail level will always be a large factor when I go to purchase a new or used firearm. That's just how i think about it and what works for me. Many thanks form Southern Oregon :)
Jason Wooten 357 pretty flexible a lever action full of 125 grain jacketed hollow-points and that's an ass kicker right there. and filled with 158 grain or a hundred 80 grain soft points it'll do a number on animals to
Would prefer to see 357 Mag Lever compared to AR-15 223. I think they have about the same energy levels. 357 is more around intermediate cartridge levels and is ideal for a 16 inch barrel. Pretty handy gun. I love mine.
I have been kicking around the idea of getting a decent lever in 357. Of course, getting the rifle would give me an excuse to pair with a future 357 revolver.
My excuse for buying was versatility of the 357 caliber. AR-15 level power from the rifle version, very usable in pistol form, both can shoot 38 for comfortable/cheaper plinking, can camp with either in ban heavy states like California, and on the pistol side you have options for things like snake shot. Down side is the cost per round is about 30 cents, 10 cents more than 9mm. But if you reload that cost comes down to nearly the same as 9mm reloading. So it kind of gives you an excuse to get into reloading :)
Hi Paul. I really appreciate the time you spend making all your videos. You really go the extra mile regarding detail. You are very thorough. More people should be as detailed as you. Thanks again !!!!
This was the first Paul Harrell video I ever watched. Just came back to rewatch after his passing. Thank you Mr Harrell for the years of informative entertainment!!!
I'm watching this Video again.
Legendary man and lifelong instructor. 😢 miss him already.
Hickok45 shows me.
Paul Harrell teaches me.
Hickok45 thinks every gun is a good gun.
Paul proves why some guns are better then others in certain circumstances.
hickock is a fudd
fordrac1ng81 not everyone has to share the same beliefs or even to the same extent. He loves guns and exercises his right often. Probably does more for the purchase and use of guns than most people. Maybe even more than you? Not sure on that though, I’ll have to watch your 100’s of gun related videos 🤔🤔
I know this might piss off a lot of people (and don't care) but I can't stand to watch Hickok's 20+min. videos of him just showing off shooting. It's boring. Paul's videos can actually capture and hold my attention no matter how long his videos are.
@Rolie O'Leary You got that right, and I'm subscribed to Gun Jesus too😄
Easy.. The 30-30 is clearly better because I have one of those and I don't have a .44 magnum.
I have both 30 30 is better
I own both, overall 30-30 is better, if I was hunting in really thick cover, and didn't want the deer or black bear to go far I would use my 44mag.
@@jimenagulla9081 You ever try Barnes ammo in your 30-30?
@@mrpotatoheadracing No but I have used Hornady 160gr leverevolution, shot a nice 8 point buck, he only ran about 40yds, found the lead core under the skin in the off side, weighed 100grs. While some may consider shedding the core a failure, I dont, it was a quartering to shot, on the point of his shoulder, that bullet went through a lot of dense muscle. The leverevolution is a game changer for the 30-30, turns it into a 300yd cartridge, although I would never have an opportunity at that range where I hunt.it's accurate and powerful in my marlin 336BL.
@@jimenagulla9081 My next lever gun will be a 336, or maybe the Glenfield at the pawn shop, (same as Marlin 336, but old, probably 1960's.) My Winchester 94, (old also, serial number ID's it a 1901,) will need some drilling and threading in the side of the receiver to mount a side scope, and that old receiver isn't going to get touched with any machining.
I remember watching this video when it came out and thinking to myself, I get excited when every video hits and I'm looking forward to years of videos. Little did I know how few years Paul had left. It just deeply saddens me every day. A tremendous teacher and a kind man, one that could never be imitated or replaced.
This video confirmed my suspicion that I need a 30-30 and a 44 magnum. Thanks Paul 👍🏻
only logical conclusion lol
Lol yea but I’d rather have a revolver and a lever w long barrel
@@dunpit3925 That doesn't solve the dilemma, because Magnum Research's BFR is available in .30-30
I agree. I just ordered both.
Be honest. Who else watches the whole video before leaving a comment? I do myself, just wondering. :D
I felt relieved when the rain and hail started to fall. It lets me know this is a genuine Paul Harrell video. He is such a great teacher in these videos. I can't stress enough how refreshing his presentations are. No over the top tacticool BS, no "My opinion is a true fact" type crap. Just an awesome channel. Thanks for the vids Paul.
It is usually me. I also wait with my like/dislike verdict until the end.
Yeah i wait till the end
I typically watch a gun video right up until it brings my brain to a screeching halt before commenting. Suffice it to say that I have only ever posted on Paul's after watching completely. This is my second time viewing as I type because I had to see the splash on the .44 Mag hitting low at 200 yards. Pretty consistent and just slipping under the target.
I agree, but it's getting to the point where I want to know where he films - just so i will never move there. Holy % of rainy days batman ...
I Applaud his his videos, he uses a very common way of presenting things, like a scientific paper almost.
Introduction, methodology, experiments, data analysis and conclusion. Simple efficient and no frills.
*edit: It's a common way of presenting things, but you dont see it very often in videos. video reviews tend to be very subjective.
One of my favorite Paul Harrell videos. We'll miss you, Paul. #SemperFi
Paul has the right kind of voice, disposition, educator personality, as well as the knowledge, for making excellent presentations
Sucks when people start hating on the 30-30 saying it is a dead round. It is still viable and lever action feels great.
D G yes. Paul just proved it. And a lot of experienced hu terms seem to feel that a lot more deer have been taken with 30-30 than any other round. At typical tree stand distances 50-150 yards plenty effective
Not just is it still viable, its better now than it ever was! Fact, the deer have not changed. They don't hear or see better than they did 100 years ago. They don't run faster, jump higher, or have stronger bodies. Bullet and propellant powder technology however, has advanced by leaps and bounds. Modern "premium" loadings in the 30WCF shoot flatter, faster, and penetrate deeper. Lets all thank Hornady for the fantastic FTX and GMX flex tip bullets for bringing the 30WCF back to the new generation of hunters.
30-30 is not any worse than it ever was, but why would your average hunter buy one these days? There are a lot of high quality bolt action options that shoot a more capable round for longer distance in the same package.
And notice that I said "your average hunter" not all of us just go climb up in a stand looking over a cutover. I bear hunt in some areas where a 30-30 is very handy because of the rough terrain, and the thick cover.
Ballistically, .30-30 performs about the same as 7.62x39...only you can load it in tubular magazines and it's AMERICAN :)
Paul, you put out some of the best unbiased information out there, and I for one appreciate that in our modern climate!
Paul, your dedication is admirable. "Neither rain, nor hail, nor gloom of night . . . "
Im really happy with the quality of content you've been putting out lately, Paul! You've always had clear, concise (when necessary), and educational videos. Now that you seriously upgraded your camera quality the content REALLY shines. Keep up the great work!
I've had the 30-30, 44 & 357 lever action rifles for several years. All are great fun, especially the 357. But, for deer in the eastern US, 30-30 is hard to beat. Fast, maneuverable, quick follow up shots and perfect amount of power without excessive recoil or noise.
I would like to see him remove the 44 mag and replace it with a 454 Casull. I think the outcome on the power on paper would look very different. Further more, the 454 can shoot 45 long colt as well, which is about 1/3 the price of 30-30 ammo. Even 454 ammo is about the same price as the 30-30 ammo. Now the real magic here though is due to the shorter nature of the 454, you get increased ammo capacity. Also when you don't need all that power, you can shoot the significantly cheaper 45 LC. Also the 45 LC rounds are always naturally subsonic which will be significantly quieter on your ears. The reduced recoil allows for a more fun day at the range and is friendly to beginner shooters. Lastly if you buy a threaded barrel variant (there are quite a few now) of a lever action, you will pay big money for specialty 30-30 subsonic ammo, versus 45 LC being naturally subsonic. Plus you can get stupid heavy subsonic 45 LC loads like 405 grain bullets that even at subsonic levels will absolutely decimate any deer or hog. However if you were headed to Alaska, you can just load up a hot load of 454 from Buffalo Bore or Underwood and have a round that can put down a brown bear.
@@Steven-gv1ke Big Horn Armory's Model 90 in .460 S&W can chamber .454 Casull if you want a little less power, and if you want even less it can chamber .45 LC.
Yeah, 30-30 win will get the job done, but I handload my own ammo and straight walled calibers like 44 mag are much easier to handload than any bottle neck calibers like 30-30 because you don't need to trim the brass or lube the brass before resizing it. Plus the 44 mag is a more efficient use of gun powder where I can get between 75 and 100 ft lbs muzzle energy for each grain of gun powder used. With 30-30 win I can only get between 45 and 55 ft lbs muzzle energy per grain of gun powder. That means 44 mag is more than 50% more efficient in terms of gun powder usage. Muzzle energies are still comparable for both calibers around 1700-2100 ft lbs depending on the projectile and gun powder used, but 44 magnum is achieving it's energy more efficiently and like I already mentioned 44 mag requires less work to handload.
@Prepare2Survive the gains at the muzzle with a 44 rapidly recede after just a few yards down range. I truly love the 44, hunted all last season with my Marlin, but overall the 30-30 is superior in many ways.
@@jerryreynolds8151 Okay, well lets see what the online hornady ballistics calculator says. With the 240 grain hornady XTP bullet you have a G1 BC of .205 loaded with 25.5 grains of lilgun powder from a 20" barrel that gives you 1917 fps velocity. With a zero range at 50yds that means at the muzzle you have 1958 ft lbs energy (fpe) and at 25 yds it's 1779 fpe, at 50yds it's 1615 fpe, at 75 yds it's 1464 fpe, at 100 yds it's 1326 fpe, at 125 yds it's 1201 fpe and at 150 yds it's 1088 fpe. So that means you lose 10% energy every 25yds. With 30-30 win using the 160 grain hornady FTX bullet that has a G1 BC of .330 and loaded with 30.5 grains win 748 powder from a 20" barrel you get 2157 fps velocity. That's 1653 fpe at the muzzle, 1562 fpe at 25yds, 1475 fpe at 50yds, 1392 fpe at 75yds, 1313 fpe at 100yds, 1238 fpe at 125 yds and 1166 fpe at 150 yds. That means 30-30 win using the very aerodynamic hornady FTX bullets loses 6% energy every 25 yds. You mean to tell me that mere 4% difference every 25yds actually matters when 44 magnum gives you 42% more energy per grain of gun powder used compared to 30-30 win and 44 magnum requires 3 times less work to handload?
Great video, especially considering the weather! It might be a small thing to consider, but since .30-30 is considered rifle ammunition, and .44 Magnum is considered handgun ammunition by retailers, .30-30 might be a better choice for shooters under the age of 21. Thanks for the content.
Also in states like NY where you need a pistol permit to buy pistol ammo. Its ridiculous for pistol caliber carbine owners.
@@joshp2542 "Living on New Jersey or New York" would fall under one of those "circumstances under which you plan to use it" he mentioned. :-)
Or in states like Illinois where you can't used a cartridge with a necked case for deer hunting because they wanna limit the overshoot distance. (Moderate population density+moderate flatness+farmland broken up by thin lines of trees, obscuring sight more than they obscure bullets=random 30-06 rounds crossing the street and punching holes in people's walls all the time during deer season, apparently.)
I use a .50 cal muzzle loader. 12 guage slugs are also popular. I'm pretty sure we're too lazy to track thing around here. Lol.
@@trentrubenacker9718 wish we could hunt em with rifles
@@nomad155 you still got 45 70 and other straight necked rifle cartridges, new ones were made to align with the new laws and stuff. Rather have to sneak closer to deer than damage someone or their property just to shoot deer with normal rifle ammo
I think Paul's coat pockets open into an extra denominational space full of shooting gadgetry.
I want a coat like Paul's
His coat is better than Batman's utility belt
Check out Scottevest. They have an assortment of vests, coats, jackets and other clothes for men and women. Their specialty is huge numbers of pockets.
I have a coat from them that has 27 pockets! One is made to carry my iPad!
I’m not affiliated with them in any way other than I own and really like their clothing. Definitely worth every dollar I spent on the items I own.
Oh and by the way it’s an inter-dimensional space just sayin
Thanks for making the 30-30 versus 44 Magnum video.
Thanks for thanking the making of the .30-30 versus .44 Magnum video.
@@dougmayberry9998 thanks for making the 30-30 versus 44 magnum video
@@dougmayberry9998 Thanks for not thanking me while thanking him thanks
@@dougmayberry9998 Thank you for thanking me for not thanking me earlier because you couldn't thank me for not commenting earlier than you very much i am thankful for your response
@@LightTackleEthusiast Thank God they're done!
- lol
I was impressed with the quality of your test. It gave me a better understanding of both the 30-30 and the .44 performance in a variety of test conditions.
It's not a Paul Harrell video without inclement weather.
Corpsealot That's Oregon for you..
@Corpsealot, "If it ain't rainin', it ain't trainin'."
I think he waits for bad weather forecasts to go to the range cause it will be less crowded🤣
Strong chance of hail and mini tornadoes with random sharknadoes. Awesome. Good day for the range.
Please excuse the sharks falling out of the sky. Bear with me😁
@Corpsealot, the weather is not natural... It's just a manifestation of Super Saiyan Paul's physical presence. And btw, Paul MIGHT be a Sith Lord on top of that... I watched one of his vids and I swear I saw force lightning jump from his fingertips in one frame :-/
“In typical deer fashion”... awesome Paul!
Please tell me they buried Paul Harrell in his hunters jacket.
Awesome, 30-30 holds a soft spot in my heart since I have my grandfather's Winchester 94 in 30-30.
I have the same in .44 Magnum Lever action lol. Love that gun
Gilbert i have myn as well also m94 30-30 from 1973 great Rifle
have my grandfathers 1976 marlin 30-30 great hunting rifle.
I"m a Grandfather and look forward to passing my over.
I have a Winchester 94 that i inherited from my great grandfather. It an awesome rifle.
RIP Paul you taught us some much
What a man, sure gonna miss his videos
This video is so well done. I have both a 30/30 and a mag and love them both. The .44 has all the stopping power in the world up close. I’ve yet to have a deer hop back up after the first shot. The 30/30 is similar but can reach out a little bit more.
What kind of loads in your experience are the best for .44 mag on deer and is that out of a rifle
Depends on your definition of a little bit more.
Especially with the 160 Grain FTX bullets , Or Hornaday LeverRevolution factory loads .
Can we see some more of you explaining famous police shootings like you did the Miami. Date shootout? I really enjoy those videos and your insight.
LIke the North Hollywood Shootout?
Paul said it several times: the Miami shootout was special for him, and he had something to say about it. It is not the case for other high profile incidents, and he is not planning to make another video like that.
Disappointed to hear Paul isn't planning to make more police shoot out videos. The Miami shooting video was very informative.
No doubt, it was.
georgejohnsmith yah i know but hopefully we can get him to change his plans because i want his insight.
I keep coming back to this video, because I have both of these rifles and I always debate which one I should take on different deer hunts that I go on. I decided that for me, I'll hunt with my .30-30 and use the .44 Mag. for close range 2 and 4 legged purposes if needed. Thanks for all the work , time, and money you put into your videos brother Marine.
Both are great calibers. I have always liked the 44. It is tremendously versatile, with bullet weights from 165 to 340 Grains. Also, extremely different power levels are available, including the ability to use 44 special. So, I love the 44. The 30-30 was my first deer rifle, and to me, they are great too. They are better for anything over 125 yards or so, and have brought home the deer for decade after decade. I hope people understand that both of these calibers can do the job, and they can do it with style with the quick handling lever action rifle. Thanks for making this video.
If you have the funds a BLR in 358Winchester is awesome
Suffice it to say that getting hit with either round will ruin your afternoon.
Yeah, you're getting your ticket punched either way.
Especially with Leverevolutions. Those are just gnarly for the 30-30
One of the most unbiased and informative reviews I’ve ever seen. Amazing job, thank you!
Both underestimated lever action rounds, yet both have their individual uses. Thanks for the presentation and the dedication to finish the video, despite the rain and hail! Despite the bias I have for my Marlin 1895 (45-70) my first rifle was a Winchester 30-30 and I know well how effective it can be!
As a competent user of many calibers, I would like to say that you did a fantastic job on this on every viewpoint!
Paul, this is by far one of the very best comparison videos I have ever reviewed regarding the lever actions + ammo.
I own four (4) Marlins, two (2) Winchesters and a Big Boy. All caliber-ed from 357 to 45-70. Obviously the other two are
on full display here. Love the lever actions. Finally, I can recommend to friends and associates alike to take a look at your
work and appreciate Americana lever actions at their best.
FYI: My favorite, all around fun long arm is still, the 357. Speed, accuracy, stopping power. Ultra fast rechambering.
Who can't appreciate Chuck Connors "The Rifleman" Right? Blast Away! (smile)
Great work Paul. Thank you.
Hey mate im really considering getting a henry big boy, any advice?
The Rifleman's gun was a 44-40.
I had 3 levers - 2 Winchesters (30/30 and 44-40) and a Marlin (.35 whelan). I loved using them while walking in the bush. Also had a Lee Enfield no.4 mk1 (.303) and a BSA Monarch (30-06) for posting
@@mechghost5742 A lever gun in .35 Whelan? Woow! Tell us about that.
My Grandfather was a huge Henry rifle fan. He had one chambered in .44mag and one in 30-30. Both great choices in my opinion for whitetail deer! :-D
"In typical deer fashion he's naked" that cracked me up
CowIsHere except for the deer that runs around in a ghillie suit or a hunter orange vest
I love this guy
Huh . My usual saying is that he is always wearing a fur ( aka leather) coat .
In Michigan where I live, there is a line drawn horizontally thru the center of our State. South of that line only Shotguns and Straight Walled Rifle Cartridges are allowed due to population density. The .450 Bushmaster, .44 Magnum and .357 Magnum are examples of legal and accepted bullet types. North of that line is where 7mm-08, 30-06, 30-30 and the .243 Winchester can come into play. Being that most, if not all shots I would personally take in my preferred hunting spots either north or south of that line are 100 yards or less.... it only makes sense to have the universally accepted .44 Magnum.
Thank You for this informative video.
I hear you. I live about six miles south of the line. Dang it.
As a Michigan hunter that lives below the line that is an excellent point. Not to mention I believe there are better quality chances of getting one in the below line area. I typically hunt the thumb on a friends private land, never come home with an unfilled tag. Another point I have observed. The Walmart Warriors seem to always head north, West Branch, Gaylord, etc. The further away I am from those fella's the better I feel.
@@charliedee9276
Come across some rare Yahoo's in the Southern Lower also.
@@marcfalsetti9381 Oh yeah, that is why I hunt private land. You couldn't get on state land. Already have heard about 3 instances this season of people getting shot, by relatives! I could never understand how one can take a shot at something if they cannot even for sure know it is a deer!
.44 Magnum all the way for me:)
Great video man, I have both calibers and I love them both for different reasons. I would love to see a meat target hit with a 50bmg some day, no reason I just want to see it.
There's a guy who calls himself "Kentucky Ballistics" Who has a 50 BMG and I think he takes requests for video ideas. I'd like to see a meat target (a really big one) shot with a 50 cal. In the near future I'll do a video with meat targets vs. 12 ga slugs
Paul Harrell YES!!!!
@@PaulHarrell Both Foster slugs as well as Sabot slugs, please !!
50 bmg on a meat target?
Holy schmoly, It would have to be in slow motion because 2 milliseconds after impact there were be nothing to see.................LOL
A friend of mine was in Iraq as an army ranger, he was a scout. He brought back video of insurgents getting hit with .50 bmg, it was not pretty.
I will say one thing for Paul , Once he starts a video he doesn't stop for weather .
Not a pussy 4 sure
I appreciate you making these videos despite bad weather and rain. It really speaks to the character of this channel. Thank you Paul.
its best to own both guns
Yeah bro one rifle one pistol
Lol, best comment here! Concise, to the point, and most assuredly true!
I'm supposed to be up in 6 hours for work, but this video takes priority, I think.
That explains the amorphous mass that is your face.
well if you got to get up in the middle of night to go pee in a few minutes good video out of the deal and learn something that you want to know about
At this point other than running out of a burning building or tending to my children, Paul’s videos has extreme priority! Thanks again for an awesome video as always
PivotXX Jeez! What time do you go to work?
D. Jones
Start at 11pm, finish at 7:30am
I've owned both I like my 44 for close stuff and the extra capacity is great. I love reloading the 44 as well, there's just something great about it. I do like the 30/30 but if I want to shoot longer range I usually grab my bolt action in 308 instead of the 30/30. Great vid mate!
I'm a big fan of the 30-30 but a 44 magnum lever gun would work just as well where I hunt in the mountains. Plus my woods carry handgun is a 44 mag. Great video Paul.
Paul, the Chamber of Commerce is concerned your videos give the impression the weather there is always crappy!
I was almost expecting him to say, "What's the final result of this test? Well... I'm wet and I'm cold." ;)
This guy could teach about most anything. Just thorough and awesome. Detailed and interesting.
3030 is nearly double the power of a .223. Only about 100lb/ft less than a 6.5 Creedmoor. Hardly a dead caliber.
Plus Lever actions are awesome fun.
6.5 creedmor whole other animal 1000yrd target round great long range hunting round 30 30 cant compare
What 6.5 rounds are you looking at? Creedmoor is a faster round with similar bullet weights. They're not really that close. Both excellent deer rounds though!
.30-30 is pretty close to the heavy loads of 7.62x39, like the 154gr softpoints.
I still prefer my sweet little Howa mini in 6.5 Grendel, thou.
according to pauls chrono results here. nowhere near double 223 you mentalist.
The only thing the 30-30 has going against it is people really not knowing what they are talking about. I don't guess there's anything on earth the 30-30 hasn't taken. But something gets said then repeated and to the novice believed and repeated. Anything under a 24x scope and 4000fps just won't kill a deer everyone should know this lol.
Nothing beats a Paul Harrel upload, with salty peanuts and beer on a friday afternoon coming home from work (Sweden)
Your snacks may vary, but your enjoyment will not. :-)
Jag kan inget annat än att hålla med!
How difficult is it to own a firearm over there in Sweden? I know some places in Europe are pretty bad like the UK and I heard Poland also but some places like Switzerland are fairly easy
@@Legitpenguins99 UK is worse than Sweden for sure. But i dont know of any other European country that is. But i dobt know about all of them. Here in Sweden its best being a hunter. If your like me practice target shooting and wanna own some handguns you are in alot of headaches. To start your handgun license will only last 5 years and you have to be super active with it. They keep making it harder and harder. The police had everyone with old safes (better than most new ones) to change them out based upon their own thinking they had no law to back it up but the acted as if was. Costing people aloy of money gor nothing.
Its a constant battle against authoritys. Im quite fed up with it. I just wanna own a few handguns and go to the range every now and then.
Good video Paul! I watched the whole thing. I have a Henry 44 Magnum, and a Henry 357 Magnum Lever Action Rifles. I enjoy them tremendously. Thanks again Paul, keep up the great work. 🤗🥳😎👍🇺🇸. Beretta Sr.
im a fan ,Paul is a good ell spoken commentator and instructor
Very nice. Those longer barrels give them the FPE of a high-powered rifle. Neither one would be half bad for a fighting gun in SHTF. Even without a handgun of the same caliber, a .357 or .44 rifle would be an excellent choice.
I know Paul did a video on the 30-30, which would make a superb fighting gun. As with many full power rifle calibers, you can count on it for penetration. Plus, the flat nose (or hollow point) has a sectional density gives it a short neck and massive cavitation.
I have hunted with both and to me, clearly the .44 Magnum is way better for 90% of hunting I practice...that is shots under 100 yards. Had a 250 Pounds Big male Wild Boar drop in its track charging me at 10 yards from a top of a small hill...the .44 Remington 240 gr SP hit middle of the torso under its chin...exited the far left side of its hip loin...small pieces of bones sticking out from that exit wound. 30-30 is decent also but for Deer only if you ask me...Lol
"Typical deer fashion, he's going to be naked..." I almost died laughing!
He missed the perfect chance to say “Buck Naked”! :D
That's why I don't let my kids hike alone in our nearby national park: naked deer everywhere.
I laughed, but they do have buckskin.
That's a little unfair to deer. For instance, under all those feathers, ducks are also naked.
The one's I seen had fur coats.
I love Paul’s dedication to his craft. Who else would go out in the rain and do what he does, post wonderful content.
It does look somewhat fun. If I had the space available to me I might do it whether I filmed it or not 😅
Great video, especially the meat target as always. Some other points to consider. The .30-39 being longer and slimmer is much easier to top off through the loading gate than the short stubby .44. At least on my Marlin. OTOH, the .44 has a wider selection of bullets and weights (180-265gr for most rifle twists) and the option for .44 Specials. And if you reload the .44 takes 23 gr versus .30 gr of powder (304 loads per pound versus 233).
Either cartridge is effective and fun! Don’t forget the .357 as well.
Excellent presentation as always.
Buffalo's Outdoors , great vids yourself buffalo.
Great Video Paul, There is one thing I would like to point out here. The 30-30 will produce Hydro-static shock on living tissue that the .44 cant really do because of the velocity difference. I know this cant be tested without shooting live animals. In my experience anything over 2k velocity is just devastating on live tissue.
That’s exactly what the bullet design people (Johann Boden & Chris Laack) at Federal & Speer say. In the 2.2K range the damage is exponentially more devastating. So being limited by velocity they’re devoting time & resources to bettering pistol caliber bullet design.
th-cam.com/video/T6kUvi72s0Y/w-d-xo.html
Paul, I know this is an older video, but I just have gotten the opportunity to purchase a new hunting rifle and am looking at the Henrys. I have always wanted one and my previous hunting rifle was a lever action Savage Arms, so I wanted to stay with what I was comfortable with. I could not decide between the 44Rem, the 45 LC or the 30-30. This video was super enlightening and I have now made the decision to go with the 30-30. Thanks for your dedication to the firearms world and the work you do!!!
For where I am, in hilly country with heavy brush cover, with maximum range shots of 75 yards, the .44 mag is great. I’ve hunted with both, love both, and love lever actions.
.44 mag can’t do anything a .30-30 can’t. The reverse can’t be said unless you already own a .44 mag handgun.
Nothing fits in a saddle scabbard like a lever gun.
You got that right!!! A lever action is flatter and more comfortable under your leg!!
What about my trapdoor Springfield
@@sawyernorthrop4078 I'm sure they fit great. But it's hard to beat an 1894 assault rifle. LOL
@@wyominghorseman9172 an InRange fan?
I will take a lever gun in the truck also. It
If you want to be technical about the actual caliber vs. what the cartridge is named, a .44 Magnum bullet is .429" diameter, which rounds to .43 caliber. The .30-30 bullet is .308" diameter, which rounds to .31 caliber. The bullet doesn't get resized to ~.42 caliber when passing through the bore, at least not fully. Groove diameter of a .44 Magnum firearm is typically .429" and bore diameter (land-to-land measurement) is typically .417", according to SAAMI. This means a .429" diameter bullet is still .429" after passing through the bore, albeit with .006" deep grooves pressed into it. Also, caliber is determined by the diameter of the bullet before it's fired, not after.
Paul, this is my first video and I am seriously impressed. Well done.
The block and multi layer test were excellent. Thank you.
You should do a comparison video on a lever action .45-70 vs .444 Marlin.
Love the 444. Very tough to find. I've seen the 45-70 a lot, but not the 444 in quite a while. Hornady's 265FP and Sierra's 300FP give new life to the 44mag and 444 in a rifle.
North Idaho guy just get a 45/70 and call it good...
Id get the 44. More rounds, plus Id think it stop an angry bear better then a 30/30. IMO
I'll keep my Thompson center encore pro hunter in 460 s&w I'm pushing 45 cal bullets 3,000fps and I can shoot 454 casull also
North Idaho guy
That song, "It Never Rains in Southern California..." I know why they didn't write it about Oregon.
Even if I have no interest in the topic of the video, I still am entertained by your comparisons. Fantastic as always
If I had to pick one or the other, i'd go with the .44 magnum. The ease of figuring out how to load your own rounds with the .44's straight walls, low powder charge, easy use of cast bullets and brass longevity make it ideal for a hand loader. The only drawback is that if you do not cast your own bullets and all you can find are jacketed .429" bullets, you will obviously have to pay more for them than .30 caliber bullets.
Gun Sam _Revolver Aficionado_ well whichever caliber in whichever rifle you definitely well-armed just one is slightly better for the distance. you would not go wrong with either one
I'm wondering why not 7.62 x 39? Inexpensive ammunition ...and probably falls between the two rounds tested here in power. Firearms in this caliber probably have been manufactured in greater numbers than any other modern firearm. Seems like an ideal all purpose rifle caliber.
Steven Sevieria that caliber is typically not compatible with lever action rifles.
Gun Sam _Revolver Aficionado_ that's good because I'm not interested in lever action rifles. Bolt action is more reliable and semi-auto is faster. Basically the only thing I see in lever action is tradition. I understand you're having to deal with various laws in various States regarding hunting, but I'm looking at more general use.
I can agree to some degree. Lever action rifles are pretty fast to repeat fire in the right hands and they are usually shorter than most rifles making them one of the few "deer" rifles that are good for home defense, also you do tend to get more big bore options in lever action rifles. But for me personally, I am more accurate with a bolt action rifle, so a lever action rifle is often more of a traditional statement.
This video is honestly one of the best no bs, straight facts only videos I’ve seen so far. Thanks for this.
That leisure suit and wide crouching stance with the snubby .38SPL gets me going. Now I have to find the original video.
I hope you've seen the one with the Spongebob pajama bottoms
I watched this with great interest as I own a .44mag and have always considered the 30-30 as THE classic deer rifle for the vast majority of deer hunters. Also, I have a single action and double action Ruger .44 mag pistols to partner with the lever action for personal defense. I would like to propose one additional option with .44 caliber: if you were to use .44 SPL you would gain capacity while reducing over penetration. This while giving up next to nothing at home/personal defense ranges in terms of power.
44spl is not going to save you anything in the way of overpenetration. Its can still pass through layers of drywall and be deadly.
a 556/223 rifle would be better if over-penetration is a concern... once that little bullet rips up your target, its not going have much left to give after a couple layers of drywall
This was the most informative comparison I have ever seen. Subscribed
Paul, this is a great video (one of your best) and had relevance to me personally. I like my Marlin 30-30 for PA mountain hunting...seldom even see a deer clearly over 60 yards....so open sights for me. Oh and I especially appreciate you ignoring the damp cold weather to complete this project...not just anyone could do that. Best - Terry
Terry Bruce I love my Marlin 336 .30-30 for the same reason. I do my hunting in mostly heavy timber here in north Idaho.
I have a .44 Magnum Lever action that I use for mule deer here in Oregon. Where I hunt the forest is so thick you can’t see 200 yards let alone shoot something lol. Almost every shot you get is definitely well below 100 yards. Typically shots are 40-60 yards and there isn’t time to use a scope so it’s iron sights only. Now elk is completely different as those shots are almost never closer than 300 yards. For that I use a .308 Bolt Action with a scope.
Out here we hunt for food not trophies which is reflected in our choice of rifles.
Very plain and simple with off the shelf ammunition, nuttin fancy lol.
Paul shooting with the sound rain falling is my kind of ambience mood music
VERY informative. I would not have considered the 44 in the same class as the 30-30...until now. Also thanks for your dedication in braving what looked like very uncomfortable weather!
I love it when you turn to your imaginary friend with something like "Yes, I said 42 caliber."
It cracks me up. Keep up the good work.
Well, its impolite to not talk to Harvey when he's standing right next to you. LOL
Actually it's just a whisker short of .43 caliber.
@@WastelandSeven Well played!
🤔 Imaginary, just when I thought I was talking to the same person on my left😳
@@exothermal.sprocket Only before it's compressed by the barrel to .42 caliber, thus causing it to become .42 prior to utilization upon target - so sayeth "Professor Paul" - lol
I needed a deer rifle for my 13 year old to use at less than 50 yards here in Michigan. I got a CVA Hunter .44 Mag with Federal AE 240GR JHP. It worked great. The very large doe ran (stumbled) about 30 feet. I think they are both great for deer, but for what I needed, the 44 was best. Less recoil, inexpensive firearm, and great results at short range. But I did just place an order for a Henry 30-30 lever action because they are just awesome! :)
-Ed
I absolutely love my 3030 Marlin. Passed down by my grandpa. I’ve shot all types of rifles and it’s still my favorite
I like the scoreboards behind you, its a nice touch 👍
i really appreciate your dedication to providing people with education not caring rain or shine you inform people thank you
This guy is so comprehensive and detailed in his delivery of info.
I love how he has clearly put effort in his delivery by knowing where his aids are, AND remembering the minute detail such as numbers.
No cuff here, just good old fashioned knwo how and delivery.
Makes it so much better to watch than someone bumbling through their info.
There's a saying I picked up in the Army..."If it ain't raining, we ain't training!" Good stuff, Paul. Takes me back to qualifying on my M-16 at Grafenwoehr in the middle of winter, 3rd ID.
*Eats Schnitzel*
*Accuracy +5*
I love my Winchester Model 94, .30-30. It is so much fun to shoot! Although I knew from the start that it was quite powerful, learning how it compares to .44 mag was quite satisfying. Thank you for this excellent video Paul!
I have the same model 30-30, that my dad gave to me as my first deer rifle. I've always used it with a scope.
I always click the Like button before watching a Paul Harrell video. I know for a fact that I will like it!
Same here
Ditto!
Yep. Same.
I do as well, If I click on a video and it's not liked, I know I haven't seen it yet and need to watch it !!! LOL
This was excellent! I am really surprised by how well the 44mag performed. That makes the 44mag a viable deer gun and an excellent home defense option , over penetration not withstanding
Not surprisingly, Paul also has a video about over penetration th-cam.com/video/Qw8IiRgSMFQ/w-d-xo.html
Thanks. I can see a lot of effort went into that test.
Thanks Paul for another great video..Best presenter on TH-cam? You be the judge..
Rod Scrivner news presenter fits the way I think better
Judged the best presenter on TH-cam without question.
Thank you for the comparison of the two as a fellow professional I believe these videos not only help people understand the difference in rounds but also help people to be more aware when making a purchase. You wouldn't believe how many times I seen someone return a firearm stating that it didn't work for what they needed now if they had bought a similar firearm in a different caliber they would have been very happy.
Great video, thanks Paul.
My old Mossberg 30-30 zeroed at 100 yards dropped eight inches at the 200 yard mark using federal flat nose ammo.
The same rifle shooting Leverevolution, hit 1 inch high at the 100 yard mark and was dead center at 200 yards. It appears that round was still climbing at 150 yards and may have been 1.5 - 2 inch high.
It is hard to believe that tiny little bit of plastic adds that much to the trajectory.
OH, I was using a scope and aimed dead center of the bullseye at all times once it was zeroed in.
Paul Harrell doesn't get pneumonia, pneumonia gets Paul Harrell
I don't know... It does not sound that funny in English.
Kinda sounds like a Paul Harrell vs Chuck Norris joke is in there somewhere.
Paul Harrell once went to The Virgin Islands. Now they are just called The Islands.
A point about the .44 levergun: for those limited to factory ammo, the lower-recoil .44 Spl can be used for practice, training, or introducing new shooters.
As to side-gate leverguns in a defensive role, they allow you to top off the magazine during a lull without removing/replacing a box magazine. They also are a "non-scary" choice for those living in a restrictive jurisdiction that disallows autoloading rifles.
Ive fired both.. Lever action old school open sight. For me its a 30.30 hands down. A lot of weight but very stable. And it may not have the range but it'll drop what it hits.
45 is great but as heavy of a hit.
As a French Shooter, my choice will be the 30/30.
Means no paper work and no brainer here. The 44 mag is another story to get here...
🖖🏻🇫🇷😎🇫🇷🤪🇫🇷🖖🏻
Philippe FRATER interesting; what’s the deal with that?
So in France, do you guys have to jump through hoops based on caliber rather than on whether it's a rifle/handgun/etc.?
You want to have a unused military rifle, get a French one, never fired dropped only twice.
@@norseman5041 well assuming that you are referring to WWII, let's see....
France lost about 400,000 in combat through the European theater, and fought a resistance throughout. They lost about 1.4% of their population to fighting the Nazis.
The USA came late, but hard, and lost a whopping 550,000 lives in the European front, accounting for 0.4% of the population.
The US sent 2 million troops to Europe, but total enlistment was around 11%. Let's compare that to France....
Oh ya, as an occupied nation, with an active resistance EVERY SINGLE French citizen was directly effected by the war. It was in their god damn house.
If you want a good war rifle, get an American one, it probably never saw the front.
@Fred Rumsch Eisenhower, the then General and later President, estimated the French resistance force to be between 10 and 15 divisions at the landings of D-Day. The great US committed......
wait for it......
5.
Why do Americans need guns? They don't really use them.
The French fighters, who fought throughout the war, were invaluable and highly regarded by both Churchill and Ike.
Oh and France has also had our back in EVERY major combat action, or has preceded us in it until 2003.
Great videos, Paul! You make your tests and comparisons as fair and as simple as possible. Even an amateur shooter with little or no knowledge of guns will learn a lot from watching your explanations and demonstrations.
You are one tough SOB to stick it out and complete the video in the rain and sleet. Thanks.
It's called conditioning.
Military, deep sea fishermen, firemen, hikers, bikers, if they are dedicated they get conditioned to the point this stuff doesn't bother them like the average Joe.
Pfft, that's nothing. I stand completely naked in simulated rain every single morning.
Ross Galbraith nice 😉
its fucking rain you pussy. what the fuck is wrong with you
Setting aside all the ballistic stuff I think the Winchester/Henry style lever action rifle is one of the most timeless designs mankind has ever come up with. It has changed very little in 160 years and still looks great!
Marlin 336-1895 is a much better design.. but the Browning/Winchester isn’t bad.
@@guaporeturns9472 I'm talking about the aesthetic design, how, it looks. The Marlin cake out in 1948 so of course it should be better mechanically.
@@Poleson Marlin 1893 is imho a simpler , better design as well and it came out a year before the Win 94. Not arguing with you , just saying.. yes the Wins and Henrys are cool and timeless.
Don't wast your money on a Henry.
Buy the original.
@@guaporeturns9472yeah marlins are better... that's why there's no marlin chambered in anything past 45 000 psi, like the 1892 454 casull,(63 k psi, rossi Taurus) or 1895 in 30-06 (62k psi...
A 336 has 2/3rd the locking surface of a browning 1892/4/5... Saying Marlin has better construction than a Winchester/browning is like saying that an enfield is stronger than a mauser... It's delusional.
Pretty interesting that the 30-30 was a through and through. Seems to reason that the 44, while having less energy, was able to expend a higher percentage of the energy into the meat target. Might be that they're both pretty similar when it comes to hunting on impact. But as you pointed out both here and in other videos, it doesn't matter what a round would do to the target if you can't get the round on target in the first place. Thanks for a very insightful video!
Every video you make is full of caveats, exceptions, warnings, disclaimers, etc. I think that's one reason I keep watching: keeping it real, man!
I have to say I was surprised at the results. I was sure there'd be a more significant difference!
Harrel gives specifics and gets down into the weeds
Great video Paul. I have always had alot of practical respect for the 30-30. Honestly for my applications I will almost always choose the 44mag over the 30-30 though, it's easier for me to handload and the cases last longer. 44 fills more roles for my needs, it fits into both my lever gun and my wheel gun. Aside from all those concerns though, the simple fact that it holds alot more in the tube then the 30-30 (smaller/shorter action as well) and the difference in price at the retail level will always be a large factor when I go to purchase a new or used firearm. That's just how i think about it and what works for me. Many thanks form Southern Oregon :)
Got to love how the man put everything in perspective, what a wealth of information Paul gave us over the years.
Would like to see this with a 357 Mag Lever Action included for comparison.
Would like to see the .357 lever action compared to the .327 Federal Magnum lever action.
Jason Wooten 357 pretty flexible a lever action full of 125 grain jacketed hollow-points and that's an ass kicker right there. and filled with 158 grain or a hundred 80 grain soft points it'll do a number on animals to
Would prefer to see 357 Mag Lever compared to AR-15 223. I think they have about the same energy levels. 357 is more around intermediate cartridge levels and is ideal for a 16 inch barrel. Pretty handy gun. I love mine.
I have been kicking around the idea of getting a decent lever in 357. Of course, getting the rifle would give me an excuse to pair with a future 357 revolver.
My excuse for buying was versatility of the 357 caliber. AR-15 level power from the rifle version, very usable in pistol form, both can shoot 38 for comfortable/cheaper plinking, can camp with either in ban heavy states like California, and on the pistol side you have options for things like snake shot. Down side is the cost per round is about 30 cents, 10 cents more than 9mm. But if you reload that cost comes down to nearly the same as 9mm reloading.
So it kind of gives you an excuse to get into reloading :)
.44 Magnum is more powerful because 30-30 = 0.
LOL
no u
take that back u normie
Class, now that we've all had our Snowflake math lesson, we'll turn to other forms of indoctrination.
normie
Hi Paul. I really appreciate the time you spend making all your videos. You really go the extra mile regarding detail. You are very thorough. More people should be as detailed as you. Thanks again !!!!
Outstanding as always. Thorough and very informative. Please keep the vids coming.
133 K, Paul is loading up the subs. Hope many are also patronizing.
chuck miller oh, I'm incredibly patronizing, don't you worry.
....and this video was monitzed on my device.
And condescending as well...
+Ellison Rodgers. Nay, I should have added "Chucky boy"... but it is too late now.