I took a good number of Colorado Elk with my trusty Model 94 back in the 90s, before I started reading gun magazines that said 30/30 was woefully inadequate for that task. LOL.
exactly; yes there are more powerful, faster rounds, but the 30-30 has taken more big game in North America that any other round. They shoot soft and work well in shorter barrels as a brush gun to boot.
It's more the range limitation than anything. Especially with the Winchester and it's top ejection. Much past 200 yards, and the front sight covers the animal, making shot placement a guestimation. I took my very first Spike in heavy timber at about 75 paces with a Model 1894 in 74' near Saguache, CO, but soon bought a .300 Win Mag. Only time I can recall getting close enough to attempt it. Always seemed to be 300-400 yards after that one year. Only time I can recall catching one in timber too for that matter.
It’s funny how people with very little to no experience with said task will try to tell you something that many experienced elk hunters have used with great success for decades will not work….
@@jimsworthow531 I don't know if I'd say that. I think 30-06 has taken more. Think about all the surplus rifles after the wars chambered in 30-06 that were used for hunting, not to mention that it is still one of, if not the, most common cartridge for big game today.
I worked for a rancher near Granby. He waited until the last season when there was snow in the hills and the elk came down out of the mountains into his hay piles. He got out before the sun came up and shot elk from his covered tractor then put the elk into the bucket and drove it to the shed to hang. He had under fifty yards every shot. Just waited until they walked to the hay pile Later on the government paid for a fence to get put up in his two hay fields to keep the elk out. .I helped.build them. For the second fence on top of the first I used a large stack bed truck to get the woven wire high.enough.
norwegian hunter here! my "grandpa's gun" is not a 30-30win but a 1912 Krag Jørgensen Carbine in cal 6.5x55. my grndpa have bagged many foxes, roe deers and even a couple of moose. i dont have the heart to get rid of it
Niiiice. This is the content we’re here for. I predict all the tested loads will be blatantly adequate for taking deer. After 120+ years of field experience, there isn’t much excuse for ammo companies not to have their .30-30 offerings dialed in.
exactly; yes there are more powerful, faster rounds, but the 30-30 has taken more big game in North America that any other round. They shoot soft and work well in shorter barrels as a brush gun to boot.
Designed in 1891 and introduced into military service in 1894 by the United Kingdoms of Sweden and Norway, the 6.5x55 is debatably the single most successful of all the very early cartridges designed for smokeless gunpowder.
My first rifle was a Savage Model 340 in .30-30 (I still have it). This is a bolt-action, magazine fed rifle (paid about $99 at Montgomery Wards) when I was in high school
I've got the 325c (stevens version, essentially same model) loading 155 or 168gr eld match with some extra brass prep really extends the effective range of the little old cartridge.
I had an opportunity to purchase one from my local pawn shop about 15 years ago. I didn't even know 30 30 was available in a bolt action. It had a $200 price tag on it. I knew, not buying it that day, I would regret it. When I went back to purchase it, it was gone. I don't know how rare they are but it's the only one I've seen for sale, in any shop, in the area where I purchase firearms. Which is a good size area and several stores 😅. I've been buying and losing money on firearms for over 20 years 😂.
30-30 is like most say. ULTIMATE brush gun. short quick easy cycling. cant loose. have a 94 that was passed down thru years in my family. love it. may nostalgia but fills and has filled freezers in sw wi for decades
Love the old lever guns! And the 30-30 has probably taken more deer sized game than any other cartridge. Often wonder why until you look at the rifle(s) it’s paired with, a light handy accurate rifle capable of quick follow up shots and the pieces all come together. Great one to watch guys
My father 94 Winchester 3030 has taken two grizzly bears two black bears huge amount of white tail so I would say yes. The 3030 Winchester is definitely a viable cartridge and I know of several people that have taken elk and moose reliably with the 30-30 Winchester
@@bcb5696 It was very common for people to take Grizzlies with 30-30. The problem is that they were better hunters in the past than todays.... It's FACT.
I have been hunting. My go to with a 30-30 since 1958, My go to round is Remmington 170gr. I have never lost a lost a deer using the round or had to look very far for a runner. I do not remember how many deer i have taken using a 30-30, 2 black bear, 1 moose and 1 elk over the years, I have look at the modern rounds never used them. I always thought they cost to much for so little paper benefit that young folks love so much. (Dead is Dead) It's not often i have taken a shot over 150 yards, when I did, I was using my other hunting rifle. My scoped 30-06 loaded with a 165gr bullet. I enjoy the video
I know a lady who owns a Marlin 336 in 30-30 and my dad has a 336 in 35 Remington. Either one will get the job done in the deer woods. The 35 Remington has taken elk at 150 yards. I’d love to see an episode of similar superior quality as this one showcasing the available options for the 35 Remington. Yes it’s old but revivals are possible with sufficient press!
@@bertpulaski2492they are nearly identical. The Buckhammer is maybe a tad hotter by less than 100fps. The 35 Rem is slightly bottlenecked so it doesn't qualify for straight wall states as I understand it. I have one in a Remington Mdl 14 pump. It's one of my favorite rifles.
With the vast cartridge history, it’s hard to imagine anyone doubting its ability or field performance. It’s also a fabulous cartridge for a new reloader. Excellent results are easily obtained with basic techniques & equipment, thus quickly building confidence in one’s own hand loads. It was Americas favorite rifle for a good many years & still one of mine.
I think Ryan came up to visit us deer trackers at Huntstock this past summer? At any rate, 170gr round nose is still pretty popular in the thick woods up here. You still see a good amount of 336 and 94s out in the wild. Thanks for the video.
I'm glad that you included the FTX bullets. The 160, in particular, really increases the capability 30-30 by making it into a reliable 300 yard gun. I knew an Old-Timer who loved to brag that he once took a deer with his 30-30 at almost 250 yards. Everyone was impressed. He was aiming over the deer's back to account for the roughly 18" of drop.
_Old timer who bragged that he took a deer at 250 yards..._ Just a completely unethical shot back in those days lol. Could have ruined the kneecap of the deer, and then he'd have been much too far away to try and track it and put it down. I just don't get it. Most guys are gonna bring a 30 30 for distance out to about a hundred or just a touch over. If the rifle is zeroed for that distance and you haven't practiced at anything beyond, you absolutely should not attempt to kill anything besides a paper target at 200+. Maybe if you were using a scope and had a pre-made dope card handy, but even then it's just too much of a crapshoot
Such a good episode. I’ve harvested 2 bull elk with my 30-30. The 160 grain ftx is amazing. I’ve watched this little cartridge do some amazing work. It’s so relevant even in today’s high speed high bc world. This cartridge just has everything anyone really needs in the woods of North America.
Grew in Alberta. Our family killed all game with 30-30s for decades. All the city boys think it's a weak choice. They no little about bullets or carrying a 6lb levergun in the woods 5 miles. Nothing better. It is the hunting rifle one needs. Moose Elk Deer Bear etc. Just keep it under 200yds. My 788 30-30 I picked up this year will get plenty of airtime this Fall.
@@rudygeorgiamulesandcountry1594 To be honest this 788 shoots so great with factory bullets and weights I won't bother. It even does .5MOA with the Leverevolution 160gr. I will use the 170gr Federals for hunting as they are outstanding hunting rounds in 30-30. Big heavy bullet and the 788 nail drives them. I'm shocked at how this thing shoots all ammo MOA or better. These things are darn accurate rifles. I have one in 44 AMgnum as well. It shoots Winchester and Magtech 240gr soft points sub-Moa. Just great hunting rifles. It won;t be a stalking rifle due to its weight compared to my leverguns. It'll be a tree stand rifle.
Great video! That 1886 is a sweet looking rifle! I do think everyone should learn the benefits of a lever gun and own one in 30-30. I work with a lady who has killed cow elk with a model ‘94 in 30-30. The rifle has a Leupold fixed 4X scope, all of her shots were inside 150 yards and she only takes broadside shots from a good rest. She shoots hand loaded 170 Partitions and gets at little better than 1.50” groups at 100 yards. She admits it does limit opportunities but really enjoys the nostalgia of using a lever gun. EDIT: It’s also an awesome mountain lion cartridge.
all I know is I went deer hunting in the mountains of Western PA with my friend Kenny (circa 1978). Kenny used his Dad's 30-30 Winchester and dropped a perfect 18-pt buck with one shot. if memory serves it was a record for that year and longer. and if I remember correctly, the carcass weighed 150 lbs field-dressed.
I had a Winchester Model 64 on my “wish list” for a while and one finally came up for auction. A week or 2 before the auction, you guys did a podcast featuring that rifle. Argh! Bidding went over my max fairly quickly. Fortunately, another one from 1949 became available a few months later. Even better condition and it has the original Medallion grade sling swivels. I got it for just under the max I’d set for the first auction. 😃 P.S. handloading the .30-30 is EZ. There’s a Barnes 190 grain bullet I want to try. Two modern powders - LeveRevolution and CFE-223 both add as much as 200 fps to maximum velocity for some bullets. That is significant! Just remember to add a roll crimp to prevent setback in the magazine tube.
If you really want to goof around with it, I use to load one as a single shot using a 150gr Sierra ProHunter SP. Super accurate but the bullet design essentially makes the rifle a single shot. I probably could have gotten away with throwing 1 in the mag tube but I never wanted to take the risk of the bullet seating depth possibility of changing.
@@bertpulaski2492I've known a several lever gun guys that handload pointed bullets and use their rifles as 2 shots (1 chamber and 1 in the tube). They do always roll crimp though.
About 6mo ago a friend let me shoot his 30-30 '94 because I'd never shot a lever gun and wanted to try it, pistols and ARs are what I was use to. Shot 10rnds to get acquainted out to 50yds, then offhand connected on 7 out of 10 on a 12in gong at 350 even though my old eyes could barely make out the sights, took me 3 to get on and the rest were hits, totally impressed to say the least!
Out of all of my hunting rifles to choose from, I almost always grab my Marlin 336 30-30. Just something about it that draws me to it everytime. And those 160gr FTX rounds are DEVASTATING on deer sized game. Last doe I took with it was quartered away, the round entered in the 2nd & 3rd rib, and exited out of the front left jugular. 30cal entry hole, baseball sized exit hole. She ran and expired in less than 15 yards. Might just hunt with my 30-30 exclusively this year for deer and elk again!
Looking forward to seeing the scale when you cut the round nose out of the gel block. My dad's friend showed me how well they put whitetails on the ground my first few years in the woods, when I knew everything at 12. Made a believer out of me w/ his 336 Marlin.
I own a old 1969 model Marlin 30-30 my dad gave it to me great rifle! really light trigger pull also. My dad bought it from a neighbor in the early 70's and its been in the family since i don't think i will ever sell it!
The performance of the new ammo is fantastic . But here in the northeast, the old core-lokt is still more than enough for the whitetail here with most shots. Shots are most likely at 100 or less, and the old cup and core ammo cost less. Thanks for delivering awesome content!!
I love my grandpa's Model 94, which I inherited from him. He harvested many elk and deer with it in western Washington from 1949 until having a stroke in 1971. Works great with 150 gr round nose ammo, but I might just have to try that FTX. Thanks!
As a quick note the rifle they were using is the MDL 64 with a 24 inch barrel. I own several 30-30 rifles and have always been able to hit deer/man size targets with buckhorn sights out to 300 yds. It's quite common up in Canada to take elk and larger deer with the 30-30 rifle as Canada restricts ammo and the number of rifles you can own.
Love the cartridge talks from you lads would love to hear a 7.62x39 and maybe a little about how the sks went from a military firearm to cheap Canadian hunting rifle
Thanks for great video. My brother and I inherited a 1952 production Model 1894 from our Dad. Classic piece of kit. The sights are not great for our mid and late 50s eyes, but we aren't ever gonna change this rifle from stock. So fun to shoot a lever gun. On my Bucket List remains to take a wilely southeastern Arizona coues deer with (our dad grew up in Tombstone, AZ and deer hunted with it as a high schooler). He took several Coues bucks.
I've had a myriad of 30/30s over the years, and the Marlin 336 is my favorite go to rifle. It's lightweight, and shorter than most rifles, so I don't get tired of slugging it through the woods. I hunt in the Pacific NW and you're seldom going to get a shot over 100 yards so it's perfect for my brushy woods. Plus ammo is cheap and readily available. Grandpa had the right idea.
I still remember that dope on open sights after 30+ years I guarantee you that at 125-150 I will have a rabbit with the old ammo and I still have my old 64 & my really old 94 that I would not hesitate for a split second to grab and go get a couple for stew, now to get the old woman out there and help me with the preparation of it with my arthritis you might have to wait until 6 PM to eat because it will take a little longer at my age to skin, gut , carve up and debone most of it to cook. She complained about it last time I brought three of them home.
The 16" Trapper is the best bush gun ever designed. I don't know how much thick brush and steeply sloped terrain you have to navigate outside of Central and Northern Ontario, but those two elements require a smaller profile and quick repeating action to account for the land you have to traverse and the time window's you have in which to fire. Center fire's are great on a range when you have time, from a distance...but when you have moments to bring it to bare through bush as the quarry dissects a slope...it requires a different stroke and the practice to get it right with the right tool.
I love my Henry 30-30. I get a 2" group at 200 yards no problem. And yes I like the 170g Core Lokt. Vortex Optics Crossfire II Second Focal Plane scope
I have a model 94 Klondike went from shooting old C-I-L shells my grandpa had to Hornady leverevolution 160 grains, not only was the drop in bullet weight (CIL 240 grain round nose) substantial but down range performance was incredible, not afraid to take a poke past 100 yards anymore and very comfortable to 2-300 yards easily
Loving the focus on a single cartridge with more bullet options! Time to circle back through a lot of the other cartridges you've covered and give them this same treatment lol
I was stoked to watch this video when I saw the thumbnail. Not to be negative Nancy but with a 24 or 26 inch barrel obviously the performance is going to shine more. I have a Marlin 336 made in 1969. I'd consider that vintage. It has a 20" barrel. The new lever gun craze is a carbine not a Musket!
@@robertpetersson5655 @nmelkhunter1 thanks for the reply's, I've seen the overview video they did on the podcast. I'd like to see a ballistic gel test for the 25-06.
Not just relevant... but also very versatile for hand loaders. A 165gr or 170gr lead round nose loaded over a small charge of pistol/shotshell powder (ie. Unique, 2400, or 700X) is capable of MOC accuracy (Moment of Critter) at 50 yards, and has the recoil of a .22 Magnum. This is a perfect plinker load for young or new shooters who want to use a classic lever action rifle, and varmints are living on borrowed time! A cursory search will reveal plenty of published data for these reduced loads.
If there’s going to be more older cartridge talks I’d love to see them do the 30US/Krag. I was playing around with 30-40 and 150gr Barnes TTSX. On paper I think I can get performance somewhere between a 300 Savage and 308. I was going to go with Varget then saw 6.5 staBall load data with lower pressures and higher speeds. Unfortunately with the longer TTSX projectile taking up more space inside the casing I now have a compressed load. Was going to pull them and reload with Varget as I originally intended, but sent an email to the powder manufacturer asking if it was safe to compress. A month later and still waiting for a response.
It's been working and working well, in a wide range of environments. Both the firearm and the cartridge, since 1894. John Browning. It's like the .38special covers a lot of territory, and ammo can be had just about anywhere.
I had this idea that the flex-tips were more for competition or bench-rest shooting. I was a little surprised to hear you talking about large game hunting with these rounds. I guess I'll get my Model 94 out for some deer hunting!
It's all most people need for hunting cartridge. Can take deer, elk, moose, bear...within its range limitations. If it's all you had, you would not starve or be eaten if you knew how to use it.
I have a savage bolt action 30-30 that is an amazing rifle. Light, nimble and accurate. Unlike most of the guys here exclaiming that it’s the best ever made, I’ll say it’s definitely taken two elk and three deer at my hands. One elk and one deer at my wife’s hand and only because it was the best rifle we had at the time. It’s accurate, it’s handy but we’ve upgraded since.
Great tests. The model 64 with the 24 inch barrel gives the 30-30 ideal ballistics with the best potential. It ought to be in production all the time. The williams peep site also makes the 30-30 a tad more accurate in my experience. Although an angle eject with a low power (and light weighted) scope would be good too.
Still my go to tight woods gun , just feels right (and I have two safes full of modern rifles), 1936 barrel stamped 30WCF . But I prefer 170 gr flat tips , the #s are impressive on the alternative , gotta admit gave out aloud Hmmm when I saw the gel test
I live in California and since we can only hunt with lead free ammo, I’ve found that the nosler 150gr e-tip works wonders out of my marlin 336. Taken deer, bear and boar with it. My nephew took his first deer with my rifle and wants it from me when he’s older. The 30-30 evolved and remains strong.
@@MontanaDirtRoads yeah we’ve been not allowed to hunt with lead ammo since 2013 basically. It was put in effect to protect the condors , vultures and other scavengers. We can’t even use lead ammo for pest control anymore, no lead for taking of animals. Only can use it for self defense reasons basically
It was good to see Mr Muckenhirn acknowledge his sense of shame in that shot that exited the gel. No excuses needed Mr Boardman, let him experience the shame cause look at what his shame led to; an excellent second shot, no doubt brought on by his increased focus due to not wanting to feel the shame again. Just kidding guys, this was a great video and I enjoyed it immensely. The question in the title doesn’t really need to be asked but there’s no better way to dive into examining the performance of this classic round.
Another nice thing is that the recoil is soft enough for a new or young or recoil-sensitive hunter to use well in the woods - and importantly in practice!
I used a 125 grain sierra hp years ago to get a big doe. 125 yards. Found it under the skin on the offside shoulder expanded almost like a nickle. I think it did a good job.
Hi vortex! I recently bought one of your scopes, a diamond back 3.5-10x40 I believe. It’s very clear and very nice. Great that the old 30-30 still holds up well.
Loved the vid! Can't help but wonder how long those soft rubber tips will stay soft for.. if there's ever a concern of igniting a primer in the tube. I bought a bunch years ago and some are starting to feel kinda stiff 😬
I use the Hornady Leverevolution in all my rifles now and average about two inches higher at 100.yards so the bullet seemed to hit about right in the gel. I have my bullets centered at an inch high at 100 yards so at 200 yards my bullets still hit close to center.
I had gotten rid of my AR and my DSA FAL to get myself an assortment of handguns that I felt were practical as im primarily a concealed carrier. Finding myself without a rifle i found a top eject 94 winchester 30-30 trapper for a good price. Kept it loaded with 110gr JHP. This was my only long gun for over a year and i was quite comfortable with it. I eventually sold it to a friend who still has it to this day to buy myself a Fulton Armory m14. Of course i eventually got myself another AR after the AWB ended. But that was a good self defense long gun considering i live in a rural area where a shotgun isnt that good of a choice for that.
There is a fellow that has a channel here on YT that has videoed himself taking a Moose and an Elk with a 30-30. The Moose was taken at 75 meters and the Elk was taken at 310 meters, both being one shot jobs.
Dam, thanks fellas. We still have the same model 64 that was given to me at age 12 in the year 1969 when I got my hunter safety card. It will become our Grandsons rifle in 6 years. I harvested my first 4 point Whitetail buck, Idaho 4 points on both sides with that rifle. It was given to my dad when he was a young boy from his father, my grandfather. After dragging it through the brush and over the mud and dangling from my shoulder banging on the old yellow first ever two wheel drive trail breaker, I took the stock parts into high school wood shop and the metal parts into high school metal shop for a refinish and re bluing. We will be purchasing some modern ammo for it.
A nice classic Winchester, if you only own one lever gun.. It's gotta be a Winchester! The 30-30 is still vary relevant, it's continuously being proven in the field. However now in days you can get a smattering of cartridges in the AR15 that will surpass it (6ARC, 300 HAM'R, 6.5 Grendel).
Of course it still works great! A staple in the thick deer woods for decades, as well as hogs and black bear. Especially popular with ladies and younger hunters because of the light weight and low recoil and with plenty of power inside of 150 yds to get the job done. The same applies to the .35 REM.
I thought they look back at 350. Legend was an interesting point, but did you look back at 308 and 6.5 creedmoor? That is an interesting look the 3030 actually out penetrated in some instances
It’s because they’re testing at 100 yards and the 30-30 has a lower velocity. Pretty much what 30-30 does at 100 yards, .308 will do at 250-300 yards. At closer ranges, depending the bullet, the .308 might over expand and penetrate less.
When people think of the 1894 Winchester their thoughts gravitate to the 30 WCF or 30-30. However, it was not the first M-94 chambering. The 30-30 wasn't introduced until 1895 with the advent of the improved "smokeless" steel and smokeless powder. It was created by necking down the case of one of the original two chamberings. The 38-55 WCF. I'd like you to compare that progression of performance since new M-94's are offered in both chamberings. Thanks guys
Nice presentation ,.and interesting thank you.. Curious though ,. looking at the rifle ,. might that gun have a 24 inch barrel.? And were the ballistic data numbers from a Chrono test or manufactures published figures . Best Regards
I passed on a reasonably priced used lever gun in field worn, but not abused condition two years ago, because I didn't think much of the 30-30 round. Had it been in .357 Mag, I would have bought it. If I had known then what this video demonstrates with the Hornady offerings, I would have picked it up. I'm not kicking myself, because they are pretty common, and I think I might get another chance on a decent used lever gun in 30-30 one day.
I hunt in north west Pennsylvania most shots on deer in my area are taken at distances under a hundred yards and most are at bow hunting distance. At short distance hunting negates the disadvantage of the 30 -30 cartridge, that being said most of the time I use my Remington model 7 in 308 Winchester. I love my father's model 94 it's only drawback is the open sigrhts and at my age I do better with optical sights . I could change the rear sight to a peep or ghost ring or maybe even a red dot but I'm hesitant to alter a 70 year old model 94 ❤
When I lived in Alaska some of the Inuits I worked with, used their 3030s for everything, seals, moose, ptarmigan, griz, polar bears you name it.
I can see Grizzlies but Polar bears?!! In Canada and parts of Alaska Grizzlies were taken down with 30-30... Polar bears though?!
I took a good number of Colorado Elk with my trusty Model 94 back in the 90s, before I started reading gun magazines that said 30/30 was woefully inadequate for that task. LOL.
exactly; yes there are more powerful, faster rounds, but the 30-30 has taken more big game in North America that any other round. They shoot soft and work well in shorter barrels as a brush gun to boot.
It's more the range limitation than anything. Especially with the Winchester and it's top ejection. Much past 200 yards, and the front sight covers the animal, making shot placement a guestimation. I took my very first Spike in heavy timber at about 75 paces with a Model 1894 in 74' near Saguache, CO, but soon bought a .300 Win Mag. Only time I can recall getting close enough to attempt it. Always seemed to be 300-400 yards after that one year. Only time I can recall catching one in timber too for that matter.
It’s funny how people with very little to no experience with said task will try to tell you something that many experienced elk hunters have used with great success for decades will not work….
@@jimsworthow531 I don't know if I'd say that. I think 30-06 has taken more. Think about all the surplus rifles after the wars chambered in 30-06 that were used for hunting, not to mention that it is still one of, if not the, most common cartridge for big game today.
I worked for a rancher near Granby. He waited until the last season when there was snow in the hills and the elk came down out of the mountains into his hay piles. He got out before the sun came up and shot elk from his covered tractor then put the elk into the bucket and drove it to the shed to hang. He had under fifty yards every shot. Just waited until they walked to the hay pile
Later on the government paid for a fence to get put up in his two hay fields to keep the elk out. .I helped.build them. For the second fence on top of the first I used a large stack bed truck to get the woven wire high.enough.
norwegian hunter here! my "grandpa's gun" is not a 30-30win but a 1912 Krag Jørgensen Carbine in cal 6.5x55. my grndpa have bagged many foxes, roe deers and even a couple of moose. i dont have the heart to get rid of it
I wouldn't.
@@newbievonnewberson7390 6.5x55 is about the most "ballistically perfect" rounds ever created.
That's right about the same thing as .270? Give or take
@@adamallison3685 .264 but yeah...
Keep it!
Niiiice. This is the content we’re here for. I predict all the tested loads will be blatantly adequate for taking deer. After 120+ years of field experience, there isn’t much excuse for ammo companies not to have their .30-30 offerings dialed in.
Didn't stop Nosler from dropping the ball with the cartridge 🤣
exactly; yes there are more powerful, faster rounds, but the 30-30 has taken more big game in North America that any other round. They shoot soft and work well in shorter barrels as a brush gun to boot.
Designed in 1891 and introduced into military service in 1894 by the United Kingdoms of Sweden and Norway, the 6.5x55 is debatably the single most successful of all the very early cartridges designed for smokeless gunpowder.
@@nmende00just not as popular of a cartridge in the states.
@@bertpulaski2492 We Americans definitively scratched that itch in the present century with the brilliant 6.5 Creedmoor.
My first rifle was a Savage Model 340 in .30-30 (I still have it). This is a bolt-action, magazine fed rifle (paid about $99 at Montgomery Wards) when I was in high school
I've got the 325c (stevens version, essentially same model) loading 155 or 168gr eld match with some extra brass prep really extends the effective range of the little old cartridge.
I found a Savage 340 at a pawn shop a few years ago and paid
I had an opportunity to purchase one from my local pawn shop about 15 years ago. I didn't even know 30 30 was available in a bolt action. It had a $200 price tag on it. I knew, not buying it that day, I would regret it. When I went back to purchase it, it was gone. I don't know how rare they are but it's the only one I've seen for sale, in any shop, in the area where I purchase firearms. Which is a good size area and several stores 😅. I've been buying and losing money on firearms for over 20 years 😂.
30-30 is like most say. ULTIMATE brush gun. short quick easy cycling. cant loose. have a 94 that was passed down thru years in my family. love it. may nostalgia but fills and has filled freezers in sw wi for decades
Love the old lever guns! And the 30-30 has probably taken more deer sized game than any other cartridge. Often wonder why until you look at the rifle(s) it’s paired with, a light handy accurate rifle capable of quick follow up shots and the pieces all come together. Great one to watch guys
I've hunted Deer and Elk for 36 years with my grandfather's pre 64 Winchester 94 30-30. Many Many Deer and Elk ended up in my freezer.
My father 94 Winchester 3030 has taken two grizzly bears two black bears huge amount of white tail so I would say yes. The 3030 Winchester is definitely a viable cartridge and I know of several people that have taken elk and moose reliably with the 30-30 Winchester
I’d be nervous using it for grizzly what kind of loading/ammo did he use for the grizzly if you know? Id assume a pretty heavy 190ish grain round?
I'm curious too. I have a 30-30 but on a Grizzly?? hmmm? What distances and which bullet?@@bcb5696
@@bcb5696 It was very common for people to take Grizzlies with 30-30. The problem is that they were better hunters in the past than todays.... It's FACT.
@@heydaddy5326 Good point - good shooting and good hunting are two different things
When I was growing up in northern Maine the two most common deer rifles(by a lot)were the Winchester 94 30-30 and the Remington 742 in 30-06
I have been hunting. My go to with a 30-30 since 1958, My go to round is Remmington 170gr. I have never lost a lost a deer using the round or had to look very far for a runner. I do not remember how many deer i have taken using a 30-30, 2 black bear, 1 moose and 1 elk over the years, I have look at the modern rounds never used them. I always thought they cost to much for so little paper benefit that young folks love so much. (Dead is Dead) It's not often i have taken a shot over 150 yards, when I did, I was using my other hunting rifle. My scoped 30-06 loaded with a 165gr bullet. I enjoy the video
I know a lady who owns a Marlin 336 in 30-30 and my dad has a 336 in 35 Remington. Either one will get the job done in the deer woods. The 35 Remington has taken elk at 150 yards. I’d love to see an episode of similar superior quality as this one showcasing the available options for the 35 Remington. Yes it’s old but revivals are possible with sufficient press!
I’d love to see a legit comparison between the 35Rem and the new 360Buckmaster
@@bertpulaski2492they are nearly identical. The Buckhammer is maybe a tad hotter by less than 100fps. The 35 Rem is slightly bottlenecked so it doesn't qualify for straight wall states as I understand it. I have one in a Remington Mdl 14 pump. It's one of my favorite rifles.
With the vast cartridge history, it’s hard to imagine anyone doubting its ability or field performance.
It’s also a fabulous cartridge for a new reloader. Excellent results are easily obtained with basic techniques & equipment, thus quickly building confidence in one’s own hand loads.
It was Americas favorite rifle for a good many years & still one of mine.
Shows that matching bullet construction to bullet velocity equals a very good rifle cartridge. Bullets don't have to be a rocket to be very effective.
This is a phenomenal deer round. The rifle is accurate and light to carry up to your stand or through the woods. So yes.
I think Ryan came up to visit us deer trackers at Huntstock this past summer? At any rate, 170gr round nose is still pretty popular in the thick woods up here. You still see a good amount of 336 and 94s out in the wild. Thanks for the video.
I'm glad that you included the FTX bullets. The 160, in particular, really increases the capability 30-30 by making it into a reliable 300 yard gun. I knew an Old-Timer who loved to brag that he once took a deer with his 30-30 at almost 250 yards. Everyone was impressed. He was aiming over the deer's back to account for the roughly 18" of drop.
_Old timer who bragged that he took a deer at 250 yards..._
Just a completely unethical shot back in those days lol. Could have ruined the kneecap of the deer, and then he'd have been much too far away to try and track it and put it down.
I just don't get it. Most guys are gonna bring a 30 30 for distance out to about a hundred or just a touch over. If the rifle is zeroed for that distance and you haven't practiced at anything beyond, you absolutely should not attempt to kill anything besides a paper target at 200+. Maybe if you were using a scope and had a pre-made dope card handy, but even then it's just too much of a crapshoot
Took a Model 94 as partial payment for a dirt bike in 1985. Still a sweet rifle.
Ah, a simpler time.
@@brenttesterman3171 Many fond memories!
Such a good episode. I’ve harvested 2 bull elk with my 30-30. The 160 grain ftx is amazing. I’ve watched this little cartridge do some amazing work. It’s so relevant even in today’s high speed high bc world. This cartridge just has everything anyone really needs in the woods of North America.
You guys have some of the best guntube videos. Keep it up!
It will always be hard to beat the handling of a lever action in the woods.
Grew in Alberta. Our family killed all game with 30-30s for decades. All the city boys think it's a weak choice. They no little about bullets or carrying a 6lb levergun in the woods 5 miles. Nothing better. It is the hunting rifle one needs. Moose Elk Deer Bear etc. Just keep it under 200yds. My 788 30-30 I picked up this year will get plenty of airtime this Fall.
A Remington Model 788 is a classic !
Can shoot more heavily constructed pointed bullets if you reload
@@rudygeorgiamulesandcountry1594
To be honest this 788 shoots so great with factory bullets and weights I won't bother. It even does .5MOA with the Leverevolution 160gr. I will use the 170gr Federals for hunting as they are outstanding hunting rounds in 30-30. Big heavy bullet and the 788 nail drives them. I'm shocked at how this thing shoots all ammo MOA or better. These things are darn accurate rifles. I have one in 44 AMgnum as well. It shoots Winchester and Magtech 240gr soft points sub-Moa.
Just great hunting rifles. It won;t be a stalking rifle due to its weight compared to my leverguns. It'll be a tree stand rifle.
Great video! That 1886 is a sweet looking rifle! I do think everyone should learn the benefits of a lever gun and own one in 30-30. I work with a lady who has killed cow elk with a model ‘94 in 30-30. The rifle has a Leupold fixed 4X scope, all of her shots were inside 150 yards and she only takes broadside shots from a good rest. She shoots hand loaded 170 Partitions and gets at little better than 1.50” groups at 100 yards. She admits it does limit opportunities but really enjoys the nostalgia of using a lever gun.
EDIT: It’s also an awesome mountain lion cartridge.
all I know is I went deer hunting in the mountains of Western PA with my friend Kenny (circa 1978). Kenny used his Dad's 30-30 Winchester and dropped a perfect 18-pt buck with one shot. if memory serves it was a record for that year and longer. and if I remember correctly, the carcass weighed 150 lbs field-dressed.
I had a Winchester Model 64 on my “wish list” for a while and one finally came up for auction. A week or 2 before the auction, you guys did a podcast featuring that rifle. Argh! Bidding went over my max fairly quickly. Fortunately, another one from 1949 became available a few months later. Even better condition and it has the original Medallion grade sling swivels. I got it for just under the max I’d set for the first auction. 😃
P.S. handloading the .30-30 is EZ. There’s a Barnes 190 grain bullet I want to try. Two modern powders - LeveRevolution and CFE-223 both add as much as 200 fps to maximum velocity for some bullets. That is significant! Just remember to add a roll crimp to prevent setback in the magazine tube.
If you really want to goof around with it, I use to load one as a single shot using a 150gr Sierra ProHunter SP. Super accurate but the bullet design essentially makes the rifle a single shot. I probably could have gotten away with throwing 1 in the mag tube but I never wanted to take the risk of the bullet seating depth possibility of changing.
@@bertpulaski2492I've known a several lever gun guys that handload pointed bullets and use their rifles as 2 shots (1 chamber and 1 in the tube). They do always roll crimp though.
I think a breakdown on 44mag or 357mag revolver vs rifle performance would make for a fantastic video!
Great video. Love the 30-30!
Love the pod cast and my 30-30.
Love it. I was excited for this video. Over the last year, I've added 2 30-30's to my safe. Currently working with the Barnes 150 TSX.
About 6mo ago a friend let me shoot his 30-30 '94 because I'd never shot a lever gun and wanted to try it, pistols and ARs are what I was use to. Shot 10rnds to get acquainted out to 50yds, then offhand connected on 7 out of 10 on a 12in gong at 350 even though my old eyes could barely make out the sights, took me 3 to get on and the rest were hits, totally impressed to say the least!
Out of all of my hunting rifles to choose from, I almost always grab my Marlin 336 30-30. Just something about it that draws me to it everytime.
And those 160gr FTX rounds are DEVASTATING on deer sized game. Last doe I took with it was quartered away, the round entered in the 2nd & 3rd rib, and exited out of the front left jugular. 30cal entry hole, baseball sized exit hole. She ran and expired in less than 15 yards. Might just hunt with my 30-30 exclusively this year for deer and elk again!
OMG thank you forwarded this on the the non believers in my group ... thank you guys
Dude, I need more vortex content cause I can't get enough! 🙌🏼
Keep it up!
Looking forward to seeing the scale when you cut the round nose out of the gel block. My dad's friend showed me how well they put whitetails on the ground my first few years in the woods, when I knew everything at 12. Made a believer out of me w/ his 336 Marlin.
solid info
I own a old 1969 model Marlin 30-30 my dad gave it to me great rifle! really light trigger pull also. My dad bought it from a neighbor in the early 70's and its been in the family since i don't think i will ever sell it!
The performance of the new ammo is fantastic . But here in the northeast, the old core-lokt is still more than enough for the whitetail here with most shots. Shots are most likely at 100 or less, and the old cup and core ammo cost less. Thanks for delivering awesome content!!
Please do a 6 arc vs. 6.5 grendel cartridge talk gel test.
I'd be interested in this too, along with 30-30 content
We needed to see and hear this.
I love my grandpa's Model 94, which I inherited from him. He harvested many elk and deer with it in western Washington from 1949 until having a stroke in 1971. Works great with 150 gr round nose ammo, but I might just have to try that FTX. Thanks!
As a quick note the rifle they were using is the MDL 64 with a 24 inch barrel. I own several 30-30 rifles and have always been able to hit deer/man size targets with buckhorn sights out to 300 yds. It's quite common up in Canada to take elk and larger deer with the 30-30 rifle as Canada restricts ammo and the number of rifles you can own.
Love the cartridge talks from you lads would love to hear a 7.62x39 and maybe a little about how the sks went from a military firearm to cheap Canadian hunting rifle
The Model 64 is my favorite flavor for 30-30, I was happy to see it featured.
Thanks for great video. My brother and I inherited a 1952 production Model 1894 from our Dad. Classic piece of kit. The sights are not great for our mid and late 50s eyes, but we aren't ever gonna change this rifle from stock. So fun to shoot a lever gun. On my Bucket List remains to take a wilely southeastern Arizona coues deer with (our dad grew up in Tombstone, AZ and deer hunted with it as a high schooler). He took several Coues bucks.
I've had a myriad of 30/30s over the years, and the Marlin 336 is my favorite go to rifle. It's lightweight, and shorter than most rifles, so I don't get tired of slugging it through the woods. I hunt in the Pacific NW and you're seldom going to get a shot over 100 yards so it's perfect for my brushy woods. Plus ammo is cheap and readily available. Grandpa had the right idea.
I still remember that dope on open sights after 30+ years I guarantee you that at 125-150 I will have a rabbit with the old ammo and I still have my old 64 & my really old 94 that I would not hesitate for a split second to grab and go get a couple for stew, now to get the old woman out there and help me with the preparation of it with my arthritis you might have to wait until 6 PM to eat because it will take a little longer at my age to skin, gut , carve up and debone most of it to cook. She complained about it last time I brought three of them home.
The 16" Trapper is the best bush gun ever designed. I don't know how much thick brush and steeply sloped terrain you have to navigate outside of Central and Northern Ontario, but those two elements require a smaller profile and quick repeating action to account for the land you have to traverse and the time window's you have in which to fire. Center fire's are great on a range when you have time, from a distance...but when you have moments to bring it to bare through bush as the quarry dissects a slope...it requires a different stroke and the practice to get it right with the right tool.
My best friend has one :). He's in his late 60s. It still works fine!
I love my Henry 30-30. I get a 2" group at 200 yards no problem. And yes I like the 170g Core Lokt. Vortex Optics Crossfire II Second Focal Plane scope
I have a model 94 Klondike went from shooting old C-I-L shells my grandpa had to Hornady leverevolution 160 grains, not only was the drop in bullet weight (CIL 240 grain round nose) substantial but down range performance was incredible, not afraid to take a poke past 100 yards anymore and very comfortable to 2-300 yards easily
Excellent video fellas !
STILL waiting on the .358...
.321 b.c. Raptor ER 150gr @ 3200 fps 26 inch.
Loving the focus on a single cartridge with more bullet options! Time to circle back through a lot of the other cartridges you've covered and give them this same treatment lol
I was stoked to watch this video when I saw the thumbnail. Not to be negative Nancy but with a 24 or 26 inch barrel obviously the performance is going to shine more. I have a Marlin 336 made in 1969. I'd consider that vintage. It has a 20" barrel. The new lever gun craze is a carbine not a Musket!
I'd love to see a 25-06 video!
Already done.
They did a great video on this awesome cartridge. You should look for it.
@@robertpetersson5655 @nmelkhunter1 thanks for the reply's, I've seen the overview video they did on the podcast. I'd like to see a ballistic gel test for the 25-06.
Not just relevant... but also very versatile for hand loaders. A 165gr or 170gr lead round nose loaded over a small charge of pistol/shotshell powder (ie. Unique, 2400, or 700X) is capable of MOC accuracy (Moment of Critter) at 50 yards, and has the recoil of a .22 Magnum. This is a perfect plinker load for young or new shooters who want to use a classic lever action rifle, and varmints are living on borrowed time! A cursory search will reveal plenty of published data for these reduced loads.
Nice! Model 64 in 30-30. SEND IT! 😎
If there’s going to be more older cartridge talks I’d love to see them do the 30US/Krag. I was playing around with 30-40 and 150gr Barnes TTSX. On paper I think I can get performance somewhere between a 300 Savage and 308. I was going to go with Varget then saw 6.5 staBall load data with lower pressures and higher speeds. Unfortunately with the longer TTSX projectile taking up more space inside the casing I now have a compressed load. Was going to pull them and reload with Varget as I originally intended, but sent an email to the powder manufacturer asking if it was safe to compress. A month later and still waiting for a response.
It's been working and working well, in a wide range of environments. Both the firearm and the cartridge, since 1894. John Browning. It's like the .38special covers a lot of territory, and ammo can be had just about anywhere.
I had this idea that the flex-tips were more for competition or bench-rest shooting. I was a little surprised to hear you talking about large game hunting with these rounds. I guess I'll get my Model 94 out for some deer hunting!
It's all most people need for hunting cartridge. Can take deer, elk, moose, bear...within its range limitations. If it's all you had, you would not starve or be eaten if you knew how to use it.
I have a savage bolt action 30-30 that is an amazing rifle. Light, nimble and accurate. Unlike most of the guys here exclaiming that it’s the best ever made, I’ll say it’s definitely taken two elk and three deer at my hands. One elk and one deer at my wife’s hand and only because it was the best rifle we had at the time. It’s accurate, it’s handy but we’ve upgraded since.
Well done, good detail.
Great Grandpas and in a lot of cases Great Grandpas cartridge. Still one of my cartridges used today.
Would love to see a 35 rem episode
Great tests. The model 64 with the 24 inch barrel gives the 30-30 ideal ballistics with the best potential. It ought to be in production all the time. The williams peep site also makes the 30-30 a tad more accurate in my experience. Although an angle eject with a low power (and light weighted) scope would be good too.
Excellent video, guys.
Thanks for covering the 30-30. Still very relevant. 👍
Trigger is superb 👌 great for accuracy, double and triple tapping. Wall to the break is excellent for straight out the box. Top one on my go to guns.
Still my go to tight woods gun , just feels right (and I have two safes full of modern rifles), 1936 barrel stamped 30WCF . But I prefer 170 gr flat tips , the #s are impressive on the alternative , gotta admit gave out aloud Hmmm when I saw the gel test
I live in California and since we can only hunt with lead free ammo, I’ve found that the nosler 150gr e-tip works wonders out of my marlin 336. Taken deer, bear and boar with it. My nephew took his first deer with my rifle and wants it from me when he’s older. The 30-30 evolved and remains strong.
Wow, that's a new one, lead free ammo? For what b.s reason did California do that?
@@MontanaDirtRoads yeah we’ve been not allowed to hunt with lead ammo since 2013 basically. It was put in effect to protect the condors , vultures and other scavengers. We can’t even use lead ammo for pest control anymore, no lead for taking of animals. Only can use it for self defense reasons basically
Green ‘eco-BS’….. supposedly to save the condors that eat gutpiles from ingesting lead.
Barnes. 100%
It was good to see Mr Muckenhirn acknowledge his sense of shame in that shot that exited the gel. No excuses needed Mr Boardman, let him experience the shame cause look at what his shame led to; an excellent second shot, no doubt brought on by his increased focus due to not wanting to feel the shame again. Just kidding guys, this was a great video and I enjoyed it immensely. The question in the title doesn’t really need to be asked but there’s no better way to dive into examining the performance of this classic round.
Another nice thing is that the recoil is soft enough for a new or young or recoil-sensitive hunter to use well in the woods - and importantly in practice!
I like all the old B&W photos of successful hunts…speaks for themselves.
A few manufacturers make 125 gr 30-30 ammo. Would like to see how they compare. Great show though, as always.
I used a 125 grain sierra hp years ago to get a big doe. 125 yards. Found it under the skin on the offside shoulder expanded almost like a nickle. I think it did a good job.
Hi vortex! I recently bought one of your scopes, a diamond back 3.5-10x40 I believe. It’s very clear and very nice.
Great that the old 30-30 still holds up well.
Loved the vid! Can't help but wonder how long those soft rubber tips will stay soft for.. if there's ever a concern of igniting a primer in the tube. I bought a bunch years ago and some are starting to feel kinda stiff 😬
Awesome series!
Cool content, and put together well! Keep it up guys!
The 30\30s history is more than enough to prove its relevance, its been used successfully on every Game animal in America and more
Love the one you're with.
Beautiful rifle you guys used for this.
I use the Hornady Leverevolution in all my rifles now and average about two inches higher at 100.yards so the bullet seemed to hit about right in the gel.
I have my bullets centered at an inch high at 100 yards so at 200 yards my bullets still hit close to center.
I had gotten rid of my AR and my DSA FAL to get myself an assortment of handguns that I felt were practical as im primarily a concealed carrier. Finding myself without a rifle i found a top eject 94 winchester 30-30 trapper for a good price. Kept it loaded with 110gr JHP. This was my only long gun for over a year and i was quite comfortable with it. I eventually sold it to a friend who still has it to this day to buy myself a Fulton Armory m14. Of course i eventually got myself another AR after the AWB ended. But that was a good self defense long gun considering i live in a rural area where a shotgun isnt that good of a choice for that.
Great video!
There is a fellow that has a channel here on YT that has videoed himself taking a Moose and an Elk with a 30-30.
The Moose was taken at 75 meters and the Elk was taken at 310 meters, both being one shot jobs.
Love it, thanks guys.
Dam, thanks fellas. We still have the same model 64 that was given to me at age 12 in the year 1969 when I got my hunter safety card. It will become our Grandsons rifle in 6 years. I harvested my first 4 point Whitetail buck, Idaho 4 points on both sides with that rifle. It was given to my dad when he was a young boy from his father, my grandfather. After dragging it through the brush and over the mud and dangling from my shoulder banging on the old yellow first ever two wheel drive trail breaker, I took the stock parts into high school wood shop and the metal parts into high school metal shop for a refinish and re bluing. We will be purchasing some modern ammo for it.
Great video, thanks
Yes I am just curious as to why the 130gr 308 semi flat tipped bullets made by Speer have never been used in the 30-30.
They are a great bullet if you reload. In my 14 inch contender I'm getting 2400 fps with leverevolution powder, and good accuracy.
A nice classic Winchester, if you only own one lever gun.. It's gotta be a Winchester! The 30-30 is still vary relevant, it's continuously being proven in the field. However now in days you can get a smattering of cartridges in the AR15 that will surpass it (6ARC, 300 HAM'R, 6.5 Grendel).
Do they surpass it in terms of actual effect on game at general hunting ranges?
Of course it still works great! A staple in the thick deer woods for decades, as well as hogs and black bear. Especially popular with ladies and younger hunters because of the light weight and low recoil and with plenty of power inside of 150 yds to get the job done. The same applies to the .35 REM.
Are the flex tips accurate?
I thought they look back at 350. Legend was an interesting point, but did you look back at 308 and 6.5 creedmoor? That is an interesting look the 3030 actually out penetrated in some instances
It’s because they’re testing at 100 yards and the 30-30 has a lower velocity. Pretty much what 30-30 does at 100 yards, .308 will do at 250-300 yards. At closer ranges, depending the bullet, the .308 might over expand and penetrate less.
Good job, gentlemen. What was the barrel length on that rifle?
When people think of the 1894 Winchester their thoughts gravitate to the 30 WCF or 30-30. However, it was not the first M-94 chambering. The 30-30 wasn't introduced until 1895 with the advent of the improved "smokeless" steel and smokeless powder. It was created by necking down the case of one of the original two chamberings. The 38-55 WCF. I'd like you to compare that progression of performance since new M-94's are offered in both chamberings. Thanks guys
Great video
Would love to see something about the 308 Marlin and 338 Marlin
Nice presentation ,.and interesting thank you.. Curious though ,. looking at the rifle ,. might that gun have a 24 inch barrel.? And were the ballistic data numbers from a Chrono test or manufactures published figures . Best Regards
I passed on a reasonably priced used lever gun in field worn, but not abused condition two years ago, because I didn't think much of the 30-30 round. Had it been in .357 Mag, I would have bought it. If I had known then what this video demonstrates with the Hornady offerings, I would have picked it up. I'm not kicking myself, because they are pretty common, and I think I might get another chance on a decent used lever gun in 30-30 one day.
I hunt in north west Pennsylvania most shots on deer in my area are taken at distances under a hundred yards and most are at bow hunting distance. At short distance hunting negates the disadvantage of the 30 -30 cartridge, that being said most of the time I use my Remington model 7 in 308 Winchester. I love my father's model 94 it's only drawback is the open sigrhts and at my age I do better with optical sights . I could change the rear sight to a peep or ghost ring or maybe even a red dot but I'm hesitant to alter a 70 year old model 94 ❤