Thinking of doing 30-30 for elk hunt

[bessiedog]

Obviously sub 100 yard shot. Bugling season.

Winchester 30-30... open sights.

Need opinions. Good idea?


Please don’t tell my 30-06...... she’s a jealous mistress....

[kujoseto]

I’d take the 30-06.
I just read the lost wounded game thread before this one.
I called in two bulls at the same time. One at 90 and one at 30 yards.
I missed AT 90 YARDS!!! Had 200gr partition in 30-06 at the time. (Actually I think I hit... a tree lol. But way up because the bottom of the trees would’ve been well below line of sight on the shot)
Second elk was still standing there so buddy with 30-30 at 30 yards with 150gr bullets took a shot. Wounded. Took 3 or 4 more shots while it ran off and I don’t know if he hit it again.
We tracked a terrible blood trail for a mile up and down the river valley in thick nasty bush.

Can the 30-30 get the job done? Without a doubt. Deader with 170s than 150s.

But if I had the 30-06 and the 30-30 staring at me when I open the cabinet, I know which one I’d take.

[1886]

Pick a quality bullet or ammo and pick your shot carefully and it will work. Elk are tough but not bullet proof

[waldedw]

No reason you can't, call them in close like under 100 yards, with a good 170 gr bullet the 30-30 will cleanly take a bull elk, good luck

[Redneck 7]

You can do it, I have faith in you. Even though I’m not a fan of the 30-30 but you’ll be able to make it happen if a shot presents itself. Good luck!

[58thecat]

I watched I believe on YouTube a fella take all big game in North America with the 30/30....170gr pills under 100 yards...broadside...sure why not.

[NCC]

I’ve been looking at premium flat nose factory ammo for my 30-30 for bear protection. I think if you found the right 170-180 grain ammo and stay within reasonable distances, you’ll be fine.

I often wonder why I’m packing a 24” barrel and scope through the alder jungle when I can’t see 30 yards.

[kujoseto]

Before the heckling starts, I should reiterate that my story above describes an ideal hunting situation that went poorly from terrible marksmanship on account of two people. It was not the 30-30’s fault.
And I do believe the 30-30 is more than perfectly adequate for the task.
I’d just make sure I was using 170s. And shoot better than we did lol.

I also have a 9x57 with 250gr that I keep telling myself I’ll use on an elk or moose, but then I grab the 30-06 because I’m so accurate with this one. Not so much the one I missed with lol (blame the gun? Who’s to know otherwise haha)

[tullfan]

Took my bear at 135 yards. Iron sights, 1971 Marlin 336,170 Nosler partition, ran 40 yards, did not need follow up shot. He was broad side.
He went 19 13/16,
The year before, same rifle bear was exactly 100 yards, he stood straight up on his hind legs and I shot him square in the brisket. He dropped, ran straight into the bush and died at 60 yards. Had to drag him with my quad out of the bush and some forestry guys had to help get him on the quad.
He went 19 15/16.
Cannot get 20. This year!!!
So yes, it will do it. I’ve taken deer. I have never felt under gunned with the Marlin.

Tullfan

[Cageyc]

I have an older 30-30 bolt action with a clip that I’m thinking of putting a fixed power scope and doing my reloading to take for the bush elk. It should do the job with the right bullets

[Grizzly Adams]

I'd call that, same as archery hunting with one arm tied behind your back.

Grizz

[Salavee]

[QUOTE=bessiedog;4302214]Obviously sub 100 yard shot. Bugling season.

Winchester 30-30... open sights.

Need opinions. Good idea?


Please don’t tell my 30-06...... she’s a jealous mistress...


My question would be .. what good reason would you have for choosing the 30-30 when you have much better tool available in the 30-06 ?

[sns2]

[QUOTE=Salavee;4302344]

Originally Posted by bessiedog

Obviously sub 100 yard shot. Bugling season.

Winchester 30-30... open sights.

Need opinions. Good idea?


Please don’t tell my 30-06...... she’s a jealous mistress...


My question would be .. what good reason would you have for choosing the 30-30 when you have much better tool available in the 30-06 ?

That's what I was thinking too. LOL

I don't wanna see a spot da elks thread with pics of animals at 300 yards you couldn't shoot at. Capeche?

[sns2]

If you got the 30-30 itch then whack one them bears out your back door this spring!

[KegRiver]

I harvested one Moose and several Black Bear with my 30-30.

It used to be a common choice before magnumitus spread throughout the hunting community.

Many FN and old time trappers and farmers still use the 30-30 for big game.

If you pick your shot carefully and are competent with the rifle it is very possible.

[270person]

Rereading some of your pheasant posts here...Ofer. Just a thought but have you at all considered losing both the 30-30, AND the 06, and maybe going to something more suited to your shooting prowess? Like maybe some sort of long range shotgun firing ultrasonic buckshot. Something capable of projecting 9 - 12 one ounce slugs, at 2500 fps, nicely patterning a 2' x 2' area at 150 yds.

Probably a semi auto. Probably scoped. A big scope.

Just a thought.

[Pioneer2]

Use a deer bullet on an elk with the 30-30 go with a 170 gr Partition/32gr/Win 748/Fed mag primer.

[270person]

Originally Posted by sns2

That's what I was thinking too. LOL

I don't wanna see a spot da elks thread with pics of animals at 300 yards you couldn't shoot at. Capeche?

Or spot da elk. Laughing der heads off. At 225.

[obsessed1]

Why not. I prefer the 45-70 for a Elk calling rifle but the 30-30 will do. You just need to be a picky on shot opportunity

[Dubious]

Why not? I would do it with 7.62x39 if it’s all I had with the right setup.

[NCC]

Originally Posted by Pioneer2

Use a deer bullet on an elk with the 30-30 go with a 170 gr Partition/32gr/Win 748/Fed mag primer.

Are Partitions safe to use in a tubular magazine?

[obsessed1]

Originally Posted by NCC

Are Partitions safe to use in a tubular magazine?

170 RN is designed for the 30-30 lever action

[58thecat]

Sharp sticks kill elk so will a 30/30....

[leo]

Copied my reply on another thread.

If that's what a person wants to use, great. You don't "need" a premium bullet to kill. You don't need a $5000 rifle and scope to kill, nor a 50 BMG. What you need is to make sure you are proficient enough in the use of your chosen equipment and load to put the bullet (or broad head) in a spot that will dispatch an animal quickly and humanely. You also require a measure of integrity and the knowledge of your honest ability to know if you are capable of making that first shot count with the present field conditions and range. That's it!

[calgarychef]

I want to kill something with my 30-30 but I really like elk steak and my opportunity to hunt elk is pretty limited.. 30-06 for me I want to be able to reach out a ways if I need to.

[308 man]

When I was young 75 years ago my dad hunted with a 32-40 much the same as the 30-30 shot numerous moose and elk pick your shots aim carefully and you will be fine with a 30-30 up 150 yards. still have the 32-40 in rough shape action is still good barrel is not. can't get shells for it any more.

[Moo Snukkle]

I fully support your decision bessie
Very rewarding getting in close on game, regardless of what you use to hunt them
A lot of firepower in a 30/30

[Big Grey Wolf]

My hunting Buddy decieded to use his 30-30 on moose hunt. Came up on 10 moose in larger cut block at 200+ yards. Shot off around dozen never got one.
He had his 7mm at hunting cabin. We gave him a new name ' John Wayne' and carved a V sling shot stick and told him it was his new range finder. PS he is a excellent free hand shot with his 7mm and almost never misses out to 400 yards, just under gunned.

[Dean2]

I do not understand the fascination with using either the poorest option or among the poorest option to hunt whatever. If a 30-30 is all you have, then yes use it within its limitations. If you have better options at hand, use that. Why in heck would you limit yourself to an open sited 30-30, when you have far better tools right in hand already. Your increased challenge of the hunt is not in any way a plus for the animal you are hunting and very often results in an animal suffering unnecessarily. If the animal could kill you, I bet most would make other choices; never seen or heard of anyone trying to shoot Cape Buffalo with a 30-30, even though it would get the job done under perfect conditions.

[Smoky buck]

Put the hole in the right place and have fun

Part of my hunting over the years has been using different weapons. A big part of the hunt for my self is enjoying the personal challenge and that involves adding personal restrictions at times. In the end it is your hunt, your tag, and hunting is not a competitive sport

Not once have I regretted loosing an opportunity on an animal because of the weapon I have chosen to hunt with. I have also never regretted eating a tag because of it either