Win 94, 30/30 vs. .357
My brother-in-law has an angle eject 30/30 Winchester model 94 (I don't know for sure which variant, but it is around 10 year old). He also has a nice 686+ S & W pistol in .357 and been talking of selling or trading the 30/30 for a .357 lever action gun (maybe the same model)(I also remember a .357 revolver setup like a bunt-line, but can't find it anywhere). His thought is so then he can carry a gun as the same has the side-arm. I had this setup once with a .44 mag and Ruger .44 auto and found I never pulled the side-arm when the rifle would do the job better.
He has a nice Remington 700 ADL in .270 so he can carry that for any distance shots, he basically wants a 0 to ~ 75 yard gun...
What do you think guys - would a .357 be a better brush gun or would it just be a "for same-ammo convenience" trade? [?] And can you recall who all makes them? I think Marlin and Winchester both have lever guns, and I can't remember who makes the bunt-line revolver type. Thanks
It doesn't matter what you shoot, just shoot it well...
He has a nice Remington 700 ADL in .270 so he can carry that for any distance shots, he basically wants a 0 to ~ 75 yard gun...
What do you think guys - would a .357 be a better brush gun or would it just be a "for same-ammo convenience" trade? [?] And can you recall who all makes them? I think Marlin and Winchester both have lever guns, and I can't remember who makes the bunt-line revolver type. Thanks
It doesn't matter what you shoot, just shoot it well...
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If he's going to be hunting with it,check ur local laws.Many states don't allow pistol-caliber rifles for deer...or any game.
The 30-30 has more punch and is a better hunting round overall,IMHO.
The Marlins in .357 are a fine gun.Their 30-30's aren't quite as slim and light as the Winny,but are well built and accurate.
Main decision is what he will be shooting,I guess.
Hope this helped some.
Mike0 -
He's hunting in KS and for pistols, it has to be a .357 minimum (the actual law is something about case length, but it ends up excluding everything but magnums) but for rifles, it just has to be .23 caliber centerfire or greater.
He has a .270 for distance shooting, we have several thick spots that we hunt that wouldn't offer over 70 yards, and more than likely 50 would be pushing it.
My main question is the .357 any less prone to deflection by branches, etc than the 30/30? I have heard the 30/30 isn't as bad as some calibers due to it's more blunt nose for tube-magazine compatibility.
Does anyone have any info on the bunt-lines? I know I have seen them in blackpowder revolver style, and I am reasonably sure I've seen them in magnum and older "cowboy" cartridges like the 44-40, etc.
Thanks
It doesn't matter what you shoot, just shoot it well...0 -
The true brush gun is a heavy caliber, blunt nosed bullet. A high power rifle like the 223, 243 and up are pointed and will deflect on a spider web. Just kidding, but a blade of grass will deflect it. I have made plenty of shots with the 44 mag and 357 rifle in corn stalks, and they do not deflect much, as they are heavy SLOW bullets. I fired a 223 and had to shoot 4 times before one was lucky enough to make its mark. Note I was firing at the rib cage and struck him in the neck..NOW THAT IS DEFLECTION. A 30-30 will give you the best of both worlds. If you know what you are doing you can shoot out to 200 yards. My brother shot a buck at 250, I dont know how but he did it.
I guess he knows his rifle. The pistol cartriges are to mate your side arm. Many times I have hunted hogs and ran out of ammo in the rifle. and Was happy to have the sidearm, many times they arent dead and need to be finished. BUT the pistol cartrige is like the bow, it takes real hunting sport, to get close, and many prefer this challange. Max range is 125 to 150 yards,,and that is pushing the limit.0 -
His 30-30 will have more punch and longer range than the .357 pistol bullet in the rifle. I could see his point because I've had a heck of a time hunting grouse with my 10/22 and Buckmark pistol, real good to just grab a couple boxes of one ammo for both guns.
If he can put his bullets where they need to go he shouldn't have any problems with the 357, just my opinion.0 -
Actually any bullet will deflect to some degree. The laws of physics favor heavier bullets. Meaning that a if a 55 gr bullet and a 550 gr bullet both strike identical objects the 55 gr bullet will be deflected more than the 550 gr bullet. In this case since you're talking about a nominal 150 gr bullet from both long guns, the difference isn't going to be worth discussing except in a class room. The bigger question will be one of bullet construction. I have shot deer with both. The .357 bullet was a pistol bullet that was pushed beyond it's recommended velocity. It broke up on impact and formed a wound channel that was funnel shaped and opend up to the size of a baseball destroying one lung and the heart. The .30 cal bullet doubled in diameter, but exited the body after puncturing both lungs and the artery group coming out of the top of the heart. Both deer ran about 30 yards and collapsed.
If you choose your shots and use a well made bullet, the .357 is plenty.
-Charley,
When the need is great enough, limitations are meaningless.0 -
Rossi puma mod92 is avilable in .357 and .45 I think maybe.41 0 -
The .357 lever action is not a deer rifle. A .30-30 is a better deer gun. There is no comparison. I own a .357 Marlin 1894 and love it. While good for plinking and defense it's not a deer rfle. I deer hunt with a 336 .30-30 in thick cover or from a treestand in the woods. 0 -
bambihunter: you will have a hard time finding a single action with more than a 7 1/2" barrel , Taurus makes their double action with a 12" barrel, Ruger makes their Bisley model in 357 with the 7 1/2" barrel , if you decide to buy a rifle in 357 then go with Marlin first and Rossi Puma second ,
I had 2 Winchester that had jamming problems with the 357, I've had several Marlins and 1 Rossi and all of them have been good guns .
funny that people think that you can't kill a deer with the 357mag, shoot more deer have been killed with the 22lr than most other cals.
use atleast the 158 gr or heavier bullets and keep the range to 100 yards or less and you'll be fine0
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