I like my 3030! Regardless!

[tiger yat]

My first gun was a Model 94 30-30 and I shot my first deer with it.  In college, I read about ballistics and felt I had to have a long rang gun with a 3x9 scope over the receiver.  I traded the 94 and $100 for a bolt action 270 in Model 70.  I like the bolt action, but I wish I had paid cash for it because I now regret trading the old model 94 that I had as a kid. 

[45-70.gov]

same with  my 35 rem   336 marlin
had to have that 308

do  you feel  the need to replace it in your collection as i do  mine??

[Keith L]

I don't sell many.  I did have a neat Winchester bolt 22 as a kid that I regret selling.  Other than that the other few are good gone including the late model 94 AE I swapped for a new Glock 19 a couple years ago.

[Travis Morgan]

re/federali....another way to view replenishing your ammo in times of stress is that the lever 30-30 is one of the few guns that you can reload "on the move" quite well actually...you can easily slip em in the gate one at a time withinout tying up the gun(drop your clip and you might be in big trouble.......

Under stress, I just load my '94 over the top, like shooting a '97 shotgun in a CAS match!

[Travis Morgan]

The 30-30 is better!

Success with any weapon centers on training, and being familiar.  This scenario showed that using a non-standard weapon to accommodate a left-hand officer put others at risk.  A better answer was to provide the officer additional training to the officer with the agency mandated shotgun.

Agencies need to quit powdering the behinds of officers that can't shoot; the reason they can't shoot is that they don't shoot. Sure, they can keep making excuses, and getting their ways, and becoming less and less effective. Look at what's happened over the years; we've gone to smaller and smaller cartridges, so non-shooter don't throw their pistol down and cry for mama when their guns kick. Now, all of a sudden, we need every cop to carry 100 rds. for his sidearm. How about they either learn to shoot or go to hell? It's part of the job. If you can't do it, be a prison guard or a meter maid!

[Dee]

The 30-30 is better!

Success with any weapon centers on training, and being familiar.  This scenario showed that using a non-standard weapon to accommodate a left-hand officer put others at risk.  A better answer was to provide the officer additional training to the officer with the agency mandated shotgun.

Agencies need to quit powdering the behinds of officers that can't shoot; the reason they can't shoot is that they don't shoot. Sure, they can keep making excuses, and getting their ways, and becoming less and less effective. Look at what's happened over the years; we've gone to smaller and smaller cartridges, so non-shooter don't throw their pistol down and cry for mama when their guns kick. Now, all of a sudden, we need every cop to carry 100 rds. for his sidearm. How about they either learn to shoot or go to hell? It's part of the job. If you can't do it, be a prison guard or a meter maid!

Ya know what, although your point was rather roughly made, (heaven for bid I should ever speak that way ) it is the TRUTH. I started instructing officers in 1977, and continued to do so for the next 19 years before leaving L.E. My swaters ALWAYS shot 100% scores in qualifying while the street officers at timeS had to make two and sometimes even THREE attempts at qualifying. WHY? PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!  It's just that simple.
CAN'T STAND THE RECOIL? WE'LL JUST GET YOU A SMALLER CALIBER, LESS EFFECTIVE GUN.
TOO MANY INSTURMENTS IN THE COCKPIT FOR YOU TO READ? WE'LL JUST GET RID OF THE ALTIMETER, AND SAY. THE LANDING GEAR. THEN YOU'LL HAVE LESS TO DEAL WITH. I MEAN, YOU WANT TO FLY PASSENGER PLANES, AND JUST CAUSE YOU CAN'T, WE STILL WANT YOU TO FULLFILL YOUR DREAM.

NOW WHERE WERE WE REGARDING THE DISCUSSION ON THE "GOOD OLE 3030"?

[coyotejoe]

I agree the 30/30 is totally adequate for deer and elk out to 200 yards or as far as you can reliably place your shots in the kill zone, whichever comes first. I don't know who ever came up with the formula that it takes X number of foot pounds energy for Y number of pounds of animal weight. That makes absolutely zero sense, any well placed bullet will kill the biggest elk just as dead as the smallest deer and the big elk is easier to hit. So long as the bullet delivers adequate penetration for the game and the shooter can place that bullet properly the critter is dead. Some of the super-duper magnums have had problems with bullets failing to penetrate, that's never an issue with the 30/30 and the 30/30 shooter isn't afraid of the recoil of his rifle. I do feel handicapped without a scope but otherwise I'd be quite content with your rifle Dee.

[mannyrock]

   Old Age brings wisdom?

   I have been deer hunting for 40 years.  Over those years, I have hunted with various bolt actions, sporting 3x9 scopes, in 7 Mag,  30-06,  .308,  .257 Roberts, and  6.5 Swede, and I have killed about 40 deer.  The farthest shot was only about 150 yards.  The vast majority were killed at around 100 yards.  Each of those rifles weighed about 9+ pounds, with scope, and of course a Cobra sling.

   Then one day, I saw my son drop a deer stone dead, at 140 yards, using a lever action .30-30 and a low power scope. And it dawned on me:  Every deer I have ever shot in my entire life could have just as easily been killed with a .30-30 carbine, sporting a 3 power scope, and using 150 grain Remington Core-Lokt.  I know that that sounds like a real basic concept, but for me, it was a staggering realization.   What an enormous waste of money and time all of those bolt actions and variable scopes were!

   So now, when hunting season comes, its a sleek, light, straight-gripped .30-30, with a compact 3 power scope.  So simple, so perfect, so entirely adequate, and using ammo that sells for $15.00 a box.  One of the few joys of getting older is knowing that less is more, and that enough is, well, enough.

Regards,

Mannyrock

[teddy12b]

I wish I could hunt deer in my state with a 30-30.  Since I can't do that about the closest thing is a lever 44 or 357.  I used to hunt with scope bolt actions and I will again, but I really enjoy an open sighted leveraction.

[mannyrock]

  Teddy,

    Buy some of the high-powered Corebon or Buffalo hunting ammo in .357, and then just "pretend" you are using a .35 Remington.  You won't know the difference.

Regards,

Mannyrock

[Dee]

Well tedd12b, I have a Model 92 Winchester clone I have had for over 5 years now. It's in 357 mag, and it is beginning to look as "carried" as my 51 year old Model 94 3030. It will do anything the 3030 will do inside about 120 yards when loaded with a 158 grain jacketed soft point at about 1925 fps.


coyotejoe, the gun rag writers of long ago came up with this crap. Guys like Elmer Keith, Skeeter Skelton, and all those others were interesting guys, but you can't keep saying the same ole things over and over. After awhile you have to start making things up to write about. A lot of folks think that cause someone has a good ability at expressing themselves in writing, that they MUST know what their talking about. Tain't so! What, afterall is a "hunting expert"? It is you and I that have found a combination of rifle and bullet that WE AS HUNTERS are successful with.
I have forever found it hillarious to hear some folks (some even here) say: The 3030 ain't big enough for elk and bear, as they sit by their computers sharpening the broadheads of their arrows for their next elk or bear hunt with their trusty MORE POWERFULL THAN A 3030, bow and arrow.

[mechanic]

Its a good thing those old mountain men didn't know all the ballistic stuff we do nowadays, or they would not have been able to kill elk and bear with those front stuffers and round balls.

[Dee]

After reading this thread again a little while ago, I filled a gallon jug with water, grabbed my ole Winchester and went to the 200 yard mark. Shot it with one shot out the window of my jeep. Gosh it still works after 51 years of use. Hmmmmmmm,

[Travis Morgan]

TOO MANY INSTURMENTS IN THE COCKPIT FOR YOU TO READ? WE'LL JUST GET RID OF THE ALTIMETER, AND SAY. THE LANDING GEAR. THEN YOU'LL HAVE LESS TO DEAL WITH. I MEAN, YOU WANT TO FLY PASSENGER PLANES, AND JUST CAUSE YOU CAN'T, WE STILL WANT YOU TO FULLFILL YOUR DREAM. [/b] [/i]
 

You crack me up! We need to huntin' some time!

[Dee]

TOO MANY INSTURMENTS IN THE COCKPIT FOR YOU TO READ? WE'LL JUST GET RID OF THE ALTIMETER, AND SAY. THE LANDING GEAR. THEN YOU'LL HAVE LESS TO DEAL WITH. I MEAN, YOU WANT TO FLY PASSENGER PLANES, AND JUST CAUSE YOU CAN'T, WE STILL WANT YOU TO FULLFILL YOUR DREAM. [/b] [/i]
 

You crack me up! We need to huntin' some time!

Well Travis ole buddy! Where do you live, and can ya stand to hunt with a 60 year old man that's a little cynical after workin too long with the outlaw element?

[Travis Morgan]

I'm is Ks., and we probably hike about the same speed/distance; I just had my spine fused a little over a year ago. 

[Dee]

I'm is Ks., and we probably hike about the same speed/distance; I just had my spine fused a little over a year ago. 

I haven't had that yet. Both knees, both shoulders, and arthritis in the right hip from other injuries. Twice broke right elbow, 3 right forearm, both sides of my jaw, and right ankle. Maybe I should have the spine fused thing too. Did it hurt, and how much did it cost. I'll just call that preventative maintenance.

Oh yea. I don't hike. I stagger and stumble, but I hang in there and usually make it. 

Kansas huh? Ya think they'd let me come up there. We don't have any Abraham Lincoln statues down here where I live. Lota Robert E. Lee though.

[Travis Morgan]

Total disc replacement is the way to go; Dr. told me I could have it for an extra $10,000 outta MY pocket, and it would DEFINITELY fix my problem. Fusion was a non reversible maybe. Hurt like hell, got me mildly addicted to painkillers, and really sucked.

What was even worse though, was that they don't step you down; they just cut off the painkillers. You know all the daily aches and pains you're used to? They all come back FULL FORCE at once! We're talking "gun in the mouth" pain, here. Takes a damn long while to get to the point that you can  deal with it. In my case, that's when Mr. Arthritis came to visit. So much for my long shooting sessions with handguns!

[Dee]

Well some use the stalking method, and some use the spot and stalk method. I use the walk and rest method. It's slow, but it does work.
It sounds like we're nothing more than doctor training aides.

[Sweetwater]

Well some use the stalking method, and some use the spot and stalk method. I use the walk and rest method. It's slow, but it does work.
It sounds like we're nothing more than doctor training aides.

TOTALLY AGREE!! Both with the hunting method and the training aides. I'm crowding 60 and my 82 year old mom is after me all the time to go to the doctor. She has insurance, I don't. I have few places to spend what few bucks I have, and it doesn't include doctors, or insurance. When they sit or stand there and say, "Weeell, let's see here", I don't get a lot of assurance that they know anymore than I do about what ails me.....sooner or later it goes away. Plan on a whole new body one of these days....

Regards,
Sweetwater

[teddy12b]

  Teddy,

    Buy some of the high-powered Corebon or Buffalo hunting ammo in .357, and then just "pretend" you are using a .35 Remington.  You won't know the difference.

Regards,

Mannyrock

Mine is in 44mag and I've shot some of the Grizzly hard cast 320gr ammo through mine and it was a completely different animal.  I hope to get to use a 44mag rifle for black bear some day, hopefully next year.

[Travis Morgan]

It sounds like we're nothing more than doctor training aides.

I'm gonna have to remind my Dr. that that's what cadavers are for!

[teddy12b]

It sounds like we're nothing more than doctor training aides.

I'm gonna have to remind my Dr. that that's what cadavers are for!

If you guys need a couple young-dumb&healthy guys to help you out with your deer hunting let me know.  I can find a few guys that will do the grunt work for some good hunting oportunities.   

[Travis Morgan]

Get 'em jobs working for outfitters; they'll come back lean, strong, and not expectant fathers! They'll probably be harder workers, too. Working hard at high altitude makes normal work at lower altitude seem like you're sleepwalking. When I'd come down off the mountain, any normal job I'd get, I could go at it like I was killing snakes!

[Dee]

It sounds like we're nothing more than doctor training aides.

I'm gonna have to remind my Dr. that that's what cadavers are for!

If you guys need a couple young-dumb&healthy guys to help you out with your deer hunting let me know.  I can find a few guys that will do the grunt work for some good hunting oportunities.   

Yea teddy, but you youngsters would want to be paid for all that toten, and at my age, if steamboats was a nickel each, all I could do is walk up and down the bank and holler "ain't that cheap"! Why do ya think I hunt with a 51 year old Winchester, drive a nine year old jeep, and wear overalls? I really want a "custom built Weatherby, bolt action nitro-express, 6,000 fps, super go fast +P magnum, fly into my hunts in a private Bell Jet Ranger heliofloper, and be guided around in an air conditioned custom built Hummer, with someone to load my Weatherby, and bring it to me when I want to shoot somethin, somebody else found.

[teddy12b]

Get 'em jobs working for outfitters; they'll come back lean, strong, and not expectant fathers! They'll probably be harder workers, too. Working hard at high altitude makes normal work at lower altitude seem like you're sleepwalking. When I'd come down off the mountain, any normal job I'd get, I could go at it like I was killing snakes!

That'd be an awesome job if I wasn't already married with a child. 

It sounds like we're nothing more than doctor training aides.

I'm gonna have to remind my Dr. that that's what cadavers are for!

If you guys need a couple young-dumb&healthy guys to help you out with your deer hunting let me know.  I can find a few guys that will do the grunt work for some good hunting oportunities.   

Yea teddy, but you youngsters would want to be paid for all that toten, and at my age, if steamboats was a nickel each, all I could do is walk up and down the bank and holler "ain't that cheap"! Why do ya think I hunt with a 51 year old Winchester, drive a nine year old jeep, and wear overalls? I really want a "custom built Weatherby, bolt action nitro-express, 6,000 fps, super go fast +P magnum, fly into my hunts in a private Bell Jet Ranger heliofloper, and be guided around in an air conditioned custom built Hummer, with someone to load my Weatherby, and bring it to me when I want to shoot somethin, somebody else found.

Nah, we already got jobs, we just need places to hunt.  We often volunteer to do a lot of grunt work for opportunities to hunt as payment.  Never seems to work out though.  I'd hand you your 6000fps magnum and pick up the pieces after you pulled the trigger.    

Nothing wrong with hunting with an old rifle or old vehicle.  Those sound to me like they're just getting broke in and I'd be willing to bet that at this point nothing else would feel right to you to hunt with.

[Travis Morgan]

I can actually fix old stuff! Right now, I'm waiting for the battery to charge on my wife's newer car, and I have no idea what half the stuff under the hood is!

[teddy12b]

I don't think 90% of the population know everything that's under a hood now. 

[Dee]

95% of Americans now probably can't check the oil or find the spare tire.

[Travis Morgan]

I liked the old trucks; you could generally identify major problem s at a glance, and parts were available everywhere; your neighbor probably had what you needed. You could even reach everything! Hell, for that matter, you could climb into the engine compartment!