14 replies to this topic

[BullsEye]

Well I am looking at getting a 30-30 Marlin 336 but, does it have enough of a trajectory for CA deer and enough power for pigs? Or am I better off with a 45-70 in level action. Or should I just forget the lever action and get a bolt action 270? What are your recomendations? Thanks in Advance.

[Soreloser]

Well I am looking at getting a 30-30 Marlin 336 but, does it have enough of a trajectory for CA deer and enough power for pigs? Or am I better off with a 45-70 in level action. Or should I just forget the lever action and get a bolt action 270? What are your recomendations? Thanks in Advance.

Being from and also spending alot of time and hunting on the East Coast, I can tell you that the 30-30 along with the 30-06 are very popular rounds back there. Mostly because of the short range shots. Alot of people carry them for brush busters. I'm not sure I would be shooting one in California, but that's just my personal opinion. If I were you I would go with the 270 or man up and get a 300WSM if your really looking for awesome knock down power at long distances. The 270 is plenty for pigs, heck with a shot in the right place, I've killed them with a 22mag. Of course you just never know because I've also had to shoot a hog in the head 4 times with a 44mag before it stayed down. That another killer story we'll have to share sometime else.Tim

[Jason]

I have killed both deer and pigs in California with a lever action 243. If the 243 could handle them then the 30-30 should have no problem. Just select a bullet with enough grains. Deer in California tend to be a bit on the small side anyway. Pigs are tough to kill sometimes and easy at other times. It just depends. I have seen pigs go down with one shot from a smaller rifle and run off with multiple shots from a large calliber rifle.Jason

[peeker seeker]

CA are for the most part 150lb deer. the 30-30 can put one down in its range 150 yds. Its not a long range gun. all the deer in CA I shot have ben in 100 yds or closer. But you never know . I would go with the 243 ---30-06. and anything inbetween. The 300s are to big. I shot one CA deer with my 300 Wen and it blew it apart, well the front half anyway I use my 7 mag But I feel it is not nesisary,Im using the 25-06 this year. and feel very confident with it . But if its your first deer you whant it to drop and not run off.Get a 30-06 or the 270.you can get amo all over the place and if you get up in the woods there will be some one with that round. HMMMM 280 wen. I need that no one in here has one I dont think ?, I need that. Oh Just thinking out loud. 280 would be good too for CA.I just confused the h%ll out of you ,sorry. Ruger mk iv in 280 rem. Hmmmm SSBL laminated stock . Thumb hole ? What kind of scope? Ok ill shut up.

[Thumper Dunker]

Get the 270 you can load that or get shells to do what the 30-30 and 45-70 can do. And then some. but you can make any of them work for you you just have to get closer. the marlin levers are great guns. do what I did get all three.

[Cranky Farmer]

The 30/30 is a great short range gun. I always hunted with my brother as a kid who carried a 30/30 and we always used 150 yards as a rule as being the max range for his gun. If he could get a 3" group at 100 yards with that rifle we were doing pretty good.I agree you may want to consider something with a little more range if you're going to hunt deer here. A 25-06, 270 and 308 would all be excellent choices in my opinion.

[Jason]

Hornaday has some new ballistic tip rounds designed for lever actions. They claim the bullets have increased range and accurracy. Anyone tried them yet? Might make your 30-30 into a longer range weapon.Jason

[big jon]

I have retired the idea of hunting with my 30/30 over the years i`ve tryed them and i always had to chase game down more so with hogs than deer, but even the last deer i shot with it in Utah at 30 yards took off on me i didn`t find it for hours and it was a good shot tooI have been blessed with my shot placement over the years i haven`t missed the vital`s on any game for 20+ years, I do love hunting with lever actions and have came to love my 1886 BLR in 45/70 They (open sights) do require that you give up some shots simply because the game is to far for a clean shot, But once you become a avid lever action shooter you will know your limits and in time you wont be giving up shots and you`ll be bringing home the bacon,Best of luck on your on you next rifle, If I can help you out in any way let me know i have quite a few lever actions 30/30,357,454,45/70 your welcome to try out any of them.

[Stiff Neck]

Lever guns are a lot of fun, but I personally wouldn't "handicap" myself with one on an already difficult CA deer hunt. You may not need the capability to make 300-400 yard shots, but then again you might end up kicking yourself in the pants for not bringing something with more range/power.Hey big jon, how's the bore look from that angle? Nice piggy!

[LASC]

Nice picture Big Jon!

[BullsEye]

Thanks everyone for chimming in I appreciate it. Nice looking pig Big Jon. I may take you up on that offer down the line. I am still doing some research and saving some cash'ola for my next hunting tool. I like the lever action cabability I think its pretty cool. Maybe I will save for a browning lever action 308 or something to that extent. Thanks again guys for all the responses.

[Mayhem]

Well I am looking at getting a 30-30 Marlin 336 but, does it have enough of a trajectory for CA deer and enough power for pigs? Or am I better off with a 45-70 in level action. Or should I just forget the lever action and get a bolt action 270? What are your recomendations? Thanks in Advance.

I've got a win 94 30-30 It's perty good for heavy cover and short range situations (-150 yards). the new polymere tiped lever action rounds give it a little boost.

[NVWalt]

Bullseye, You mentioned getting a levergun in 308. I carried and used a Savage Featherwieght Model 99 in 308 for years when I lived in Washington State and it served me very well on Blacktails, MuleDeer, Elk and Black Bears. If you want a lever gun, that is a pretty good option to consider over the 30-30 caliber. It will extend the range for you and ammo can be had anywhere you hunt....Walt

[Sully]

I shot this Hog last month at Tejon Ranch with my Marlin 336ss. I used a Hornady Leverevolution 30 30, 160 gr. I hit him running away from me at 150 yards and then a 10 yard follow up shot to finish him off.  1.jpg   25.77K   5 downloads

[bzzrd feedr]

Nice Hog. The ol 30-30 has done in alot of critters that's for sure.