.30-30 At The Range

[ditto1958]

I took my H009 to the range to today with a box of 170 grain Federals. I turned out to be a good day at 100 yards, but not so much at 50. My Henry has the XS ghost ring sights. At 100, if I center the front sight in the ring it seems to shoot right on. At 50, I'm not sure where to hold. I hit a 3-4 inch steel swinger at 100, and a bunch of bigger ones, but at 50 I kept missing some clay pigeons I had on the fence. (I got frustrated and picked up my Ruger Blackhawk- shot all four birds down. Hrmph). Next time I will get a spotter.

[Coach]

I'm taking my H009B out for a session Saturday

[ditto1958]

I need to find out if mine "likes" any certain brand of ammo best. In the past, I've always just bought the one that was on sale. When I put rounds of Remington, Winchester and Federal .30-30 next to one another, there is quite a bit of difference between the shape of the projectiles, as well as in overall cartridge length. It seems reasonable to expect differences in accuracy from the three different loads.

[Coach]

I haven't shot mine enough yet too experience what it does or doesn't like.

[JEBar]

I haven't shot mine enough yet too experience what it does or doesn't like.

over the years the rifle I've found to be the pickiest about factory ammo has been my grandfather's Model 94 Winchester 30-30 .... Winchester 150 grain silvertips perform well .... most everything else will group but not as tightly .... I've tried several different factory rounds with our Henry 44 Mag and 45-70 .... while they tend to group in different locations, they all group to the point a scope adjustment is all that is needed

[adirondack]

There is a post on marlin owners ( Winchester 1894 range report) by dhansen. He does a terrific job with 30-30 factory data. Shooting several brands , with group size and velocities posted.

[Frank V]

I took my H009 to the range to today with a box of 170 grain Federals. I turned out to be a good day at 100 yards, but not so much at 50. My Henry has the XS ghost ring sights. At 100, if I center the front sight in the ring it seems to shoot right on. At 50, I'm not sure where to hold. I hit a 3-4 inch steel swinger at 100, and a bunch of bigger ones, but at 50 I kept missing some clay pigeons I had on the fence. (I got frustrated and picked up my Ruger Blackhawk- shot all four birds down. Hrmph). Next time I will get a spotter.

The .30-30 is a neat cartridge. Heck I'd just hang a paper target at 50, 25 also & that'd tell you right quick how to hold up close. I've done it with a number of rifles. I think you'll enjoy the exercise.

[ditto1958]

I took my H009 to the range to today with a box of 170 grain Federals. I turned out to be a good day at 100 yards, but not so much at 50. My Henry has the XS ghost ring sights. At 100, if I center the front sight in the ring it seems to shoot right on. At 50, I'm not sure where to hold. I hit a 3-4 inch steel swinger at 100, and a bunch of bigger ones, but at 50 I kept missing some clay pigeons I had on the fence. (I got frustrated and picked up my Ruger Blackhawk- shot all four birds down. Hrmph). Next time I will get a spotter.

The .30-30 is a neat cartridge. Heck I'd just hang a paper target at 50, 25 also & that'd tell you right quick how to hold up close. I've done it with a number of rifles. I think you'll enjoy the exercise.

Or, I could just keep trying- that way I will continue to have something to complain about.

[Frank V]

Yup any reason to burn powder is a good reason.

[Squatch]

Nice rifle. Good ole 30-30 close to 150 years old and still going strong!

[Frank V]

Nice rifle. Good ole 30-30 close to 150 years old and still going strong!

And it's still not a bad cartridge for hunting in the brush!
Plus it's a lot of fun to shoot.

[ditto1958]

Nice rifle. Good ole 30-30 close to 150 years old and still going strong!

And it's still not a bad cartridge for hunting in the brush!
Plus it's a lot of fun to shoot.

I agree. While it's not a soft shooter, neither is it anything that will leave you thinking you have a broken shoulder after a trip to the range. At 100 yards, it's a hoot to shoot. At that distance, it shoots plenty fast and flat. Compared to a little 55 grain .223 projectile, that 170 grain .30 caliber slug really thumps a target with authority.

[Frank V]

Yes & if you handload you can load it down to .32-20 levels.
Years ago Marlin reintroduced the 94 in .32-20 I wanted one so badly I could taste it, but just couldn't swing the money. I thought heck I've been handloading for years I can turn the .30-30 into a .32-20. I researshed some of my OLD loading manuals & came up with a load. I got the load I wanted, a 100gr Speer 3/4 jacket bullet at just over 1400fps, & with iron sights three shots would almost be touching at 50yds. I took a lot of small game with that load.