30/30 White Tail Deer
When I first went to the Marlin 30/30 some time ago, the advice I was getting at the time was to use the remington 150 gr core-lokt soft point. It seems that most folks here use that. This year my 06 let me down so I picked up the old Marlin. (whitetail deer hunting) I have always went for the shoulder shot, when possible, and the 06 always knocked both front tires out. The 30/30 howevert did'nt give me the same results and I ended up both losing one and trailing one to the next state after making the same placement on two deer. Maybe the 30/30 is'nt for the shoulder shot. Maybe I should change my load. Maybe I'm just not hitting what I'm shooting at.
leafrivermac
leafrivermac
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There's probably been more deer taken with the 30/30 than anything else and I'm surprised that it's not working well for you. First make sure the bullets are going where you want them to, secondly try the 180 grainers. I've never lost one that I've hit with 30/30 or with 308. Used 180 in the 30/30 and 150 in the 308. 0 -
The three common sizes for 30/30 bullets are 125 gr, 150 and 170 grain. If you hit those deer where you said with a 150 grain bullet they should go right down. I hate to say it but check to see that you are shooting good on paper. I cannot picture any deer taking a 150 grain bullet to the shoulders and running off, unless of course we're talking about 300 yards or something outrageous for the 30/30. The 30/30 is an excellent deer gun and if shot correctly should not fail you. It's no '06 but it's no slouch either. Tons of game larger than whitetails have been taken reliably with 30/30's. Don't give up on it. 0 -
I have killed a Load of large body NY deer with the 30-30 winchester
170 grainers. Dont take a shoulder shot with that round most of the time it wont have enough punch to penetrate the heavy bone in the shoulder and come out the other side to make a good blood trail. Aim BEHIND the shoulder along the crease of the leg for a Lung shot, a lung shot deer is a dead deer it will bleed out perfectly from both sides making a nice trail to follow.The 30-30 is one of my true favorites[:D]
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To follow-up on the above replys, I too have a Marlin 30/30 and use the 170 grain Remington corelock. They have always seemed to do their job. If I can, I will head shoot, that way no meat is lost. This of course cannot be done if their doing alot of moving. 0 -
I like the head shooter,must not mind trophies looking like horror movie props as well as being a Marine expert shot! 0 -
I see a lot of folks use the 170 gr. I have never tried it in the 30. Seems that I was advised against it for the Marlin 30 . . .I think I was told it wasn't as accurate or something. I guess I should at least try it. As for the head shot . .maybe on a doe. I have used Remington 150 gr forever. Well . .If I want next yr to be different I'm going to have to spend some time down at the sand pit getting re-aquainted with Marlin.
leafrivermac0 -
To add someting, Federal premium makes a 170 grain Nostler partition
in a factory load,Its a nice round I dont know if it makes that much of a differnce but a club member shot a 300lb Black bear with it
and went through both sides Behind the shoulder. Great round[;)]0 -
I've used 150 grain anything in 30/30 for years and never had a deer go more than 50 yds, even with hits that weren't great. All us farmers avoid shoulder shots as it ruins meat,any hit behind the leg is fatal. Shot a deer through the shoulders with an '06 once and it ran for almost 100 yds and left no blood, luckily found by my neighbor,avoid those shoulders! 0 -
There are a lot of us who just love that old friend 30/30. And it has never failed me if I do my part.
You don't say if you reload. If you do, the 30/30 can catch a boost from some of the newer expanding bullets that are not available or are hard to find in factory loads.
I initially reloaded for enjoyment and savings in some other calibers. When I decided to add a 30/30 die to my gear, I (foolishly) had visions of hotter loads with the smaller projectiles, then see what developed (With a slim, hard, butt, my 336 is one of the more 'perceived kicking' rifles I have).
I found out what others already knew, if I had only read up on 30/30 handloads more first. There is not much room to heat this load up with the heavier bullets. Well, learned the hard way, again. But, back on my point.... there may be a good bit of performance realized from some of the newer expanding projectiles in front of the time-proven power loadings.
Best of luck
If we do not hang together we will certainly hang separately.0 -
Last deer season was my first to use a 30/30. Took a straight-on chest shot at a doe from a stand at @ 40 yards with my Winchester '94 and 150 gr. Remingtons. She dropped like the earth was jerked out from under her.
I reckon I will be using the Remington 150's again next year in the '94.
Other two deer were both .308 heart/lung side shots with Hornady 150 gr BTSP over 44.5 grains of Reloder 15. One went about 50 yards, the other went about five feet.
Gee I like those Hornady Interlocks too!
Justice through Valor
"Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war" Psalm 1440
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