30-30 as a brush gun?

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Noobie
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30-30 as a brush gun?

Post by Noobie » Wed Mar 08, 2017 11:36 am

Hey guys, I'm looking into buying a brush gun. I plan on getting a marlin lever action to hunt deer and bear in the thick selkirk unit. When I went to sportsman's warehouse and told the man what I was looking for, he told me to look right passed the 30-30. Go straight for the 45-70. He basically stated the 30-30 will not punch through the brush and doesnt have the umph to be ethical on bigger black bear. Is this just his BS trying to sell me the 45-70 or is there some truth to it?

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Re: 30-30 as a brush gun?

Post by elkbuster » Wed Mar 08, 2017 12:14 pm

I killed a elk @ 100 yards passed straight threw both shoulders and one bear using 170gr partitions and with some of the new hard cast that is available you will be just fine.
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Noobie
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Re: 30-30 as a brush gun?

Post by Noobie » Wed Mar 08, 2017 1:07 pm

I kind of knew he was just blowing steam up my a$$.. I know the 30-30 is no 45-70 but it's not supposed to be! They're in different leagues. I was planning on using the 170 grain bonded deer things. Which should be fine for a black bear. The guy told me I would be better off buying a 20" barrel for my 12 gauge and using that

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Re: 30-30 as a brush gun?

Post by casten_nukes » Wed Mar 08, 2017 3:01 pm

Exactly, its not a 45-70. But it is all about shot placement and the round can and will kill about anything in frint of it. Now if you shoot through 100 yards of vine maples you may encounter an issue lol.

Noobie
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Re: 30-30 as a brush gun?

Post by Noobie » Wed Mar 08, 2017 4:25 pm

I try not to haha I was originally going to use my 30-06 but I find its fairly hard to maneuver in the thick bush. My dad has a 30-30 and I love it, but it is his safe queen that will never be scratched. It kinda bugs me how when i told the guy at sportsman's I was looking for a 30-30 to hunt black bear with, and he just looked at me like I couldn't tie my shoes! I cousin shot his 240lb bear with a 243. Little man complex I guess :lol:

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Re: 30-30 as a brush gun?

Post by Rigger28 » Wed Mar 08, 2017 7:00 pm

The .30-30 is an excellent cartridge for bear and deer! If you get into reloading you will find you can load premium bullets at pretty legit speeds. Most cup and core bullets will perform great at factory speeds but a premium bullet loaded hot would make your .30-30 a great elk brush gun as well.

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Re: 30-30 as a brush gun?

Post by hatchdog » Thu Mar 09, 2017 7:11 am

The link below is a good value on a Marlin 30-30. Some advantages of a Marlin over a Winchester 94 are the Marlin ejects out the side and is drilled and tapped for a scope mount should you ever want to scope it. Also the bolt is easily removable which makes cleaning much more efficient. Either manufacture will kill one of those Selkirk muley or whitetail's just fine! :D

I do not know the seller, just noticed this post.

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=112284&p=472296&hil ... in#p472296

Or, these Winchester XTR's are awesome rifles, rich bluing and nicely finished walnut stocks. Again, I have no personal interest in this post, just passing it along.

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=111799#p470823
Last edited by hatchdog on Fri Mar 10, 2017 7:58 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: 30-30 as a brush gun?

Post by Moscow » Thu Mar 09, 2017 12:06 pm

Noobie wrote: He basically stated the 30-30 will not punch through the brush
This part is complete BS. He probably was not BSing you, but was telling you what his feeble brain actually believes to be true.


The very idea that a "brush gun" can punch through heavy brush and maintain accuracy is absurd. Any bullet from any gun will be deflected by anything resembling brush.

The term "brush gun" is in reference to size, weight and format of the rifle itself - not the bullet it shoots. A small, light, compact rifle is easier to carry around through and over congested or irregular terrain.

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Re: 30-30 as a brush gun?

Post by Call Turner » Thu Mar 09, 2017 1:26 pm

^^^^^^^ :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
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Re: 30-30 as a brush gun?

Post by KRD » Thu Mar 09, 2017 2:15 pm

The 3030 will get it done... Especially using Hornady Leverevolution ammo.

Besides 3030 probably still has taken more deer than any other caliber...

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Re: 30-30 as a brush gun?

Post by 30calholemaker » Tue Mar 14, 2017 2:01 pm

30-30 has been killing things for well over 100 years.
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Nathan1984
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Re: 30-30 as a brush gun?

Post by Nathan1984 » Tue Mar 14, 2017 4:36 pm

Shouldn't be "punching through" brush as that suggests you're unaware of your target because that's not a clear field of fire. As far as the 30/30 vs 45/70 debate, the ballistics on any quality 30/30 ammunition are plenty for black bear.

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Re: 30-30 as a brush gun?

Post by Flawlessfoose » Tue Mar 14, 2017 4:56 pm

Nathan1984 wrote:Shouldn't be "punching through" brush as that suggests you're unaware of your target because that's not a clear field of fire. As far as the 30/30 vs 45/70 debate, the ballistics on any quality 30/30 ammunition are plenty for black bear.
I think that's a exaggerated version of what is really meant. Sometimes there are limbs or even one limb and that's all it takes. That doesn't mean you can't see your target lol.

I will also suggest a 30-30 as being plenty ethical. Just because there are monster loads out nowadays, doesn't make the 30-30 all of the sudden a inadequate round.
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Re: 30-30 as a brush gun?

Post by SnowMan » Tue Mar 14, 2017 5:43 pm

Like the 45 Colt, I think it is still kinda faddish. Might want to give it another century or so to catch on.....

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