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Author Topic: Old Topper 30-30 Makes Meat  (Read 842 times)

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Offline BluDino

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Old Topper 30-30 Makes Meat
« on: November 16, 2012, 02:49:08 AM »
     I bought an old 158 a couple of years ago.  Then found out the barrel wasn't original.  And there was slop in the hinge, typical newbie mistake.

     I tested it and it was erratic but showed good potential so I let my son in law tighten it up and lighten the trigger.  He milled off about .50 thou from each side of the lug and put plates with screws on it. No more slop. I found an old 4x Weaver with a dent in it for ten bux and mounted that.  Now it shoots consistently at .700" to .800" at 100 yds.  Loaded up some Hornady Boattail SPs (3045) with LVR powder and took it stalking this year.

     I fired at a doe at about 70 yards threaded between trees.  Hit her in the left shoulder trying to drop her but she ran to the bottom of the hill anyway before expiring.  The bullet passed right through the off shoulder and I did not find it.

     I have a Remington 700 in '06 but why carry that in the woods?  It's like carrying a truck axle.  The Topper is light weight and deadly accurate.  Deadly.  And with pointy bullets I have all the range I could need where I hunt. What's not to love?
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Offline 8uck5nort

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Re: Old Topper 30-30 Makes Meat
« Reply #1 on: November 16, 2012, 03:08:25 AM »
I think your story just conviced me that 30-30 will be my next caliber to open up. Sounds like anyone with a handi in that caliber always say it is a highly accurate and very versitile round. Good job on the hunting by the way.
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Cartridges for My Entertainment: .22 S,L,LR, .223 Rem, 7x57, 30-06, 8x57, 357 mag/max, 35 Remington/Indiana, 35 Whelen, 44 mag, 445 SM mag. Adding the 6.5x55 swede!

Offline ironglow

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Re: Old Topper 30-30 Makes Meat
« Reply #2 on: November 16, 2012, 03:24:02 AM »
  I have found the 30/30 to be an excellent round for the eastern, mountain woodlands where I live.  Gave my grandson my 336 Marlin and  I just bought a .308 Win Ruger American, .... for deer, I may load some to 30/30 specs..
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Offline LaOtto222

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Re: Old Topper 30-30 Makes Meat
« Reply #3 on: November 16, 2012, 03:27:31 AM »
The 30-30 has been around for a long time for a good reason, it works. It is still very popular East of the Mississippi. Most shots at deer are under 200 yards, the effective range for deer. It has even been used on Moose with acceptable results, just make sure you place the right bullet in the right place at a reasonable distance. It does not dislocate your shoulder either. 12 year old kids as well as the experienced person at 82 can use it with confidence. In the Handi, you can load pointed bullets and extend the range a little if you need it and is one of the most accurate loadings to boot. What is not to love, indeed!

Good Shooting and Good Luck
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Offline rdlange

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Re: Old Topper 30-30 Makes Meat
« Reply #4 on: November 16, 2012, 05:11:20 AM »
Nice to have an one of these old shooter that does the job right. They are a joy to carry, and dependable.  Good ya made meat.
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Offline 44 Man

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Re: Old Topper 30-30 Makes Meat
« Reply #5 on: November 16, 2012, 09:13:59 AM »
Congrats on the deer!  It's tough to beat the old Topper for a sweet carrying, sweet shoot'n firearm.  I love mine (it's my favorite!).  44 Man
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Offline nanuk-O-dah-Nort

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Re: Old Topper 30-30 Makes Meat
« Reply #6 on: November 16, 2012, 04:38:26 PM »
I just bought a 157.  I understand it is the same as the 158 but with full forestock.

it was advertised as occasional FTF.

I haven't shot it yet, but noticed when I tried to cock it, the transfer bar hangs up on the firing pin, as the pin sticks out the back side more than I think my others do.

a fine winter project to get this thing shooting. 

it is light and balances VERY nice.

I'm not a fan of the full forestock, and will look at replacing it with a sporter (??) style forestock.

I'm thinking it will be PERFECT then!
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Offline Ranger99

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Re: Old Topper 30-30 Makes Meat
« Reply #7 on: November 16, 2012, 04:42:58 PM »
congratulations.
jealous here ;)
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Offline ironglow

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Re: Old Topper 30-30 Makes Meat
« Reply #8 on: November 17, 2012, 05:26:09 AM »
  My new Ruger American .308 "made meat" this morning..about 7AM..first few minutes of the first day of the season.  A nice , large "corn fed" spike..which will fill my "antlerless" tag..   Pics to follow..
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Offline tturner53

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Re: Old Topper 30-30 Makes Meat
« Reply #9 on: November 17, 2012, 08:15:26 AM »
Good post. I have a 157 FS model, going on 25 years. I think it's about as versatile a gun as you'd get. Everything from inexpensive cast bullet reduced loads to Nosler Partitions or military FMJ pulldowns. The full stock doesn't seem to hurt accuracy at all, looks nice. I've started several young hunters with it, no loaded chamber, nice and safe for walking around in rough country. I was skunked this year, no venison in the freezer. Congratulations on your success!
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Offline michael30.06

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Re: Old Topper 30-30 Makes Meat
« Reply #10 on: November 17, 2012, 04:05:55 PM »
Well done. A good time was had and meat to take home!
That's a long way towards satisfied I would say.
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