Will the Winchester 30-30 ever make a comback?

Charles · Post by **Charles** » Sun Feb 24, 2013 9:45 pm

That is the question I was asked today by a long time Canadian friend living and working in Central America (Missionary) since 1980. This was asked in response to the proposed gun restrictions here in the US.

I informed her (yes a lady) that most likely this was all talk, with no substance and the 30-30 levergun had never gone away, at least in Texas. I have three of them.

3leggedturtle · Post by **3leggedturtle** » Sun Feb 24, 2013 9:49 pm

HUH

WHAT

When did it go away

Did I miss the month of March, Is it April FOOL'S Day already?

Sixgun · Post by **Sixgun** » Sun Feb 24, 2013 9:53 pm

I'm with you Charles. Playing with the 30-30 since 1967, I feel that its way more popular today than it ever was.

The gunwriters of the sixties and seventies used to downgrade the 30-30, but those in the know knew better. Cowboy Action and the internet made it popular amongst the unknowing.

Don't know exactly how many are here, maybe 6, all pre-war.-----------------Sixgun

earlmck · Post by **earlmck** » Sun Feb 24, 2013 10:05 pm

I think she must have meant "will the 30 Remington ever make a comeback?". Now that would be a more legitimate question.

FWiedner · Post by **FWiedner** » Sun Feb 24, 2013 10:48 pm

Yeah, sorry...

All I thought was: "When did it go away?"

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Sun Feb 24, 2013 10:54 pm

Around here, you can find 30-06, and .270 and others, but 30wcf has been unobtainable for more than a month...

Ji in Hawaii · Post by **Ji in Hawaii** » Sun Feb 24, 2013 10:56 pm

I own 2 30/30s and been reloading 30/30 for close to 30 years

http://www.chuckhawks.com/best_selling_ ... ridges.htm

The 10 Best Selling Centerfire Rifle Cartridges

Compiled by Chuck Hawks

The following list was compiled from various online and print sources, including the major ammo manufacturers' sales lists and the sales of RCBS reloading dies. The various sources tend to parallel each other, with certain exceptions.

The .30-30, which is #1 on some factory loaded cartridge sales lists, slipped to #4 on this "averaged" list because it is less popular with reloaders than the most popular rimless cases (although still in the top 10). The .222 Remington, .30 Carbine and .303 British rank in the top 10 on certain individual lists, but not the others.

Anyway, here are the averaged results based on the data that I could find. Consider it approximate.

.30-06 Springfield
.223 Remington
.270 Winchester
.30-30 (first on some lists)
.308 Winchester
.243 Winchester
7mm Remington Magnum
.300 Winchester Magnum (.303 British on some lists, .30 Carbine on one list)
.22-250 Remington (.222 Remington on one list)
.338 Winchester Magnum

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Sun Feb 24, 2013 11:10 pm

Gone? Nope, I just checked the safe... safe and sound... all of mine! Phew! Thought I'd have to file a claim with the insurance! That would be daunting! Dig up all the records, photos and fillin' out that paperwork!

L_Kilkenny · Post by **L_Kilkenny** » Sun Feb 24, 2013 11:23 pm

Come on brothers, being a little nit picky aren't we? Of coarse the .30-30 has never gone away but it's a dang long way from top of the heap in most rifle and hunting circuits. You don't have to be completely down and out for a comeback.

So to answer the OP's friend's question........ As much as I and most folk here like the cartridge there is no conceivable legislation or circumstances that will put the .30-30 at the top again.

BAGTIC · Post by **BAGTIC** » Mon Feb 25, 2013 12:59 am

I suspect that newly manufactured rifles of modern steels could take higher pressures than older guns. The 7-30 Waters is loaded to SAAMI 50,000 psi. It might be possible to introduce a higher pressure 30-30 load by renaming it something a little different, perhaps 30-32 or some such for use only in modern guns. That would give about 10-15% energy increase. More than that and it would probably be counter productive as most 30-30 were relatively light guns without the best recoil absorbing stock design.

Post by **Old Savage** » Mon Feb 25, 2013 1:09 am

Never be in the front pew again but also will never go away. One of the all time greats.

1894c · Post by **1894c** » Mon Feb 25, 2013 1:35 am

it's my go to caliber...always will be... :)

Pete44ru · Post by **Pete44ru** » Mon Feb 25, 2013 3:32 am

.

FWIW, during 2011 RCBS sold more .30-30 dies than .204 Ruger, .25-06, .270WSM, .300RUM, & .338 Win Mag.

.

Treeman72 · Post by **Treeman72** » Mon Feb 25, 2013 4:16 am

Just bought my first 30-30. It's a Mossberg 464, and after a rough start with it I hopes as accurate and durable as the rumors say. The mag tube, for whatever reason, jammed in cold weather. I have since cleaned the mag and tested it. Now time to dial in the sights and look for a scope mount system.

olyinaz · Post by **olyinaz** » Mon Feb 25, 2013 6:38 am

BAGTIC wrote:I suspect that newly manufactured rifles of modern steels could take higher pressures than older guns. The 7-30 Waters is loaded to SAAMI 50,000 psi. It might be possible to introduce a higher pressure 30-30 load by renaming it something a little different, perhaps 30-32 or some such for use only in modern guns. That would give about 10-15% energy increase. More than that and it would probably be counter productive as most 30-30 were relatively light guns without the best recoil absorbing stock design.

They did that - the Mod 94 in .307 Winchester. It's too bad that 7-30 Waters never took off better than it did. I'd love to see that round necked down to 6.5mm and given a trendy name with some new fangled rubber pointed bullets to go with it. If they could get some respectable velocities, the trajectory with slippery 6.5mm bullets would be impressive.

86er · Post by **86er** » Mon Feb 25, 2013 8:07 am

The 30-30 is gone. Gone to the range. Gone hunting. Gone for a ride in the truck.

stretch · Post by **stretch** » Mon Feb 25, 2013 8:36 am

....and gone to the top of a lot of foks' lists!

I can't see it ever going away.

Note the article in this month's American Rifleman
on loading for it using fancy modern bullets - in
case a 170 gr. Core-Lokt and a snootful of 3031 or
WW748 doesn't kill your deer dead enough....

And as long as there are folks who watch Westerns,
there will be lever action rifles and the 30-30.

-Stretch

Pete44ru · Post by **Pete44ru** » Mon Feb 25, 2013 8:47 am

.

Actually, that's probably truer than you know.

I suspect there's more than a few older fellas like myself, who've tired of getting slammed around when shooting, and have divested themselves of the loudenboomers in favor of a .30-30 - again, since (in my case) I started with one 50 years ago.

The deer don't seem to know the difference between the larger cartridges, and drop all the same when I pop them with my Model 94 Trapper.

rjohns94 · Post by **rjohns94** » Mon Feb 25, 2013 9:15 am

Well it is gone from my hunting lineup sorry to say

It has been replaced with some "new" fangled stuff, to wit, 32 special in a win '94, a 45-70 in a Shiloh sharps, and a 375 H&H in a bolt gun. Don't think the 94 as a model will pass in our life time but I doubt it will regain its position as number 1 on the list of the general public. It is on my list in the 32 special and this week, as I travel north, it will be with me as my truck rifle and shooting go to rifle.

The EBRs will always get some raised eyebrows by joe public should anyone be brandishing one out and about. But a hunting rifle, like the 94, rarely draws a second thought or glance. Now all that could change should a "high capacity" lever gun be used for a massacre that the media can sink their teeth in and move them to the top of the ban list.

This is why I have focused on one model 94, and why I have been stock piling as much ammo to feed it as the budget allows. Fortunately, not much demand for the 32 special and where shelves are empty of the 30-30, the 32 special has been found. I don't think my 94 will ever go away so long as I draw breath.

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Mon Feb 25, 2013 9:37 am

My first center fire rifle was an early 1900s Win 1894 SRC in 30 WCF. It's been a very very rare couple of months in the last 45 years that I didn't have at least one 94 in 30-30 around.

For "ME" it will never go away. I have dies, cases, a press, components (could use some more of those), and some spare parts.
I'm good on that front.

Bring on Bambi, Boo Boo, Yogi, et al.

Joe

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Mon Feb 25, 2013 11:02 am

86er wrote:The 30-30 is gone. Gone to the range. Gone hunting. Gone for a ride in the truck.

Man! What an advertising jingle that coulda made! I LIKE IT!

.45colt · Post by **.45colt** » Mon Feb 25, 2013 11:30 am

Not only is the 30-30 gone but so is all the inexpensive ammo.

.

alukban · Post by **alukban** » Mon Feb 25, 2013 11:40 am

I just started using/reloading for .30-30 in a Marlin so I guess it's making a "come back"

I dunno if I am representative of other folks' rationales for looking at the .30-30 but my reasons are:

I already load/cast for widely popular .308 as my primary so going "laterally" to .30-30 wasn't a big deal - only needed brass.
The reloading component crunch is making me squeeze as much powder as possible out of a pound and as many bullets as possible from my lead alloy reserve. That meant the .30 cal and shooting subsonic to me.
- The .30 cal seems to be the smallest one can go to conserve lead and still have good enough BC for range and killing power on larger game.
- The .308 Winchester can do but for subsonic I wanted a rimmed case to prevent shoulder push back.

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Mon Feb 25, 2013 12:01 pm

This ain't directed any particular persons rationale, but to me it's sorta funny when I read about other folks reasons for liking the .30-30. I like it and the 12 ga for the same simple reason. While I was in the Navy, inside 6 mos. I won two raffles, for each I'd bought one $5 ticket, (and so became my excuse for only buying one $5 ticket whenever I enter any subsequent raffle)! The first was a 16ga Remington 870 which for an additional $6 I exchanged it for the 12, (even tho' the Navy Exchange had the 16ga gun on the shelf, they didn't carry any ammo); plus and maybe more importantly, neither did my ship!!! The second was a Mdl 64A Winchester. (And as a personal note, thanks again Victor for your assistance on replacing this cherished memory)!

I found that I enjoyed shooting both, immensely! I mean really, for a $16 investment I had two great guns! What could be better? So began my 40 year love for the .30-30 and 12 gauge!

Post by **Old Savage** » Mon Feb 25, 2013 1:56 pm

Oly - if you were going to neck it to something I suspect the .270 would be the way to go with rubbery bullets. but, pretty perfect the way it is at .30. I seem to have more of them than anything else.

KirkD · Post by **KirkD** » Mon Feb 25, 2013 2:46 pm

As far as I'm concerned, the 30-30 will be close at hand until I depart this mortal coil.

sore shoulder · Post by **sore shoulder** » Mon Feb 25, 2013 3:27 pm

Ok seriously, who DOESN'T want a 30-30? As many here know I'm a big EBR, flat shooting magnum and plastic pistol fan, but one day I'll find that beater Glenfield/336 30-30 for $200.

tman · Post by **tman** » Mon Feb 25, 2013 6:53 pm

Ballistically, the .307 WCF. should have replaced the 30WCF. and made it obsolete. The .307 will hit like a .300 savage and chase a .308 out to 250 yards. A FTX bullet and Hornady's magic powders could have turned the .307 as a near equal to the .308. All in a model 94, how cool would that be

Not enough shooters think so, so the .307 is obsolete,

while the 30WCF. seems as popular as ever, with more options than ever before.

ollogger · Post by **ollogger** » Mon Feb 25, 2013 9:17 pm

The 300 Savage had its day,and really should have put the 30-30 to sleep
I dont know any one making a 300 lever any more, but can think of 5 co. cranking out
lever action 30-30s, Me I dont have a 300 any more, but still have some 30-30s

ollogger

cshold · Post by **cshold** » Tue Feb 26, 2013 8:45 am

Removed

Post by **Old Savage** » Tue Feb 26, 2013 8:53 am

The 300 was supplanted by the 308 but nothing has supplanted the 30-30. It is in a niche that nothing else occupies.

Old Time Hunter · Post by **Old Time Hunter** » Tue Feb 26, 2013 9:28 am

Heck...had to check my safe. Yep, still there, in all it's glory. First gun I had ever purchased with my own ill gotten financial gains (paper route). Believe I was thirteen years old when I bought that Glenfield 30A from Treasure Island for $49.95.

Came with a Tasco scope(still have it mounted on a Marlin .22 semi auto), a leather sling, a gun case (canvas), and twenty rounds of 170 gr. Winchester ammo.

Bought the gun for a special youth deer hunt on a Nike site (remember those?). Deputy sheriff stopped and asked if I needed a lift to the site. Do not know if he was being courteous or if he felt that me walking down a road with a gun over my shoulder was inappropriate.

Still have it...that .30-30 has taken the first deer for myself and three of my kids. My oldest just asked if he could have it, wants to hunt with it and give it to my grandkid to hunt with...might not be able to if BO gets his wish....

cshold · Post by **cshold** » Tue Feb 26, 2013 11:48 am

Removed

RIHMFIRE · Post by **RIHMFIRE** » Tue Feb 26, 2013 3:21 pm

86er wrote:The 30-30 is gone. Gone to the range. Gone hunting. Gone for a ride in the truck.

like that one

tman · Post by **tman** » Tue Feb 26, 2013 5:20 pm

casastahle wrote:
Old Savage wrote:The 300 was supplanted by the 308 but nothing has supplanted the 30-30. It is in a niche that nothing else occupies.

I don't know about that OS,
I sure remember a lot of heavy, around the card table deer camp
discussions about the 35 Rem. vs the 30-30 & 32spl. back in the day.

In the old time deer camps in the south central pa. mountians, the argument was between the model 71 .348 WCF. and the Remington 760 30-06 pump for heavyweight champ for deer and blackbear.

cshold · Post by **cshold** » Tue Feb 26, 2013 5:36 pm

Removed

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Tue Feb 26, 2013 7:43 pm

.45colt wrote:Not only is the 30-30 gone but so is all the inexpensive ammo. .

Not so...I got 10 boxes of Federal 170s for 17 bucks a box this morning @ Cabela's

Post by **Old Savage** » Tue Feb 26, 2013 8:02 pm

True Mike - back in the day but now I think the 30-30 has emerged as the clear winner as has the 308 except maybe with me and you types. Same might also be said of the 243 over the 250 - except for with me and you types.

Rifleman · Post by **Rifleman** » Tue Feb 26, 2013 8:34 pm

The last shot I took with my 30-30, 3 days ago;

Clean/Cold Bore

My 30-30 is here to stay.

Post by **Old Savage** » Tue Feb 26, 2013 8:54 pm

Yeah but you hit a 3.5 inch target at 400 with a 30-06, maybe not enuf said

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jDTc9SbjaE

Les Staley · Post by **Les Staley** » Wed Feb 27, 2013 12:12 am

Took a 1939 Winchester 94 carbine for a few walks this fall.. killed two antelope with it ... they didn't know they were antiqued to death... the Italian sausage tastes GREAT!!

cshold · Post by **cshold** » Wed Feb 27, 2013 6:13 am

Removed

6pt-sika · Post by **6pt-sika** » Wed Feb 27, 2013 6:27 am

Yawn , I'd rather have a 32-40 or 32 Special .

Sold off all but one of my 30-30's a few years ago .

Post by **Old Savage** » Wed Feb 27, 2013 10:28 am

Yawn on those two - nothing to offer the 30-30 can't provide.

wolfdog · Post by **wolfdog** » Wed Feb 27, 2013 11:11 am

I have a couple of boxes of Western 30-30 Silvertip ammo(Original grease pencil prices are $3 and change),dies,brass, and flat point bullets in150 and 170 grain, but sadly I do not have a rifle. Gave the last 94 I had to one of my nephews for his first deer rifle(figuring I could always get another beater for a good price) and have not found one that had my name on it.

damienph · Post by **damienph** » Wed Feb 27, 2013 11:21 am

wolfdog wrote:I have a couple of boxes of Western 30-30 Silvertip ammo(Original grease pencil prices are $3 and change),dies,brass, and flat point bullets in150 and 170 grain, but sadly I do not have a rifle. Gave the last 94 I had to one of my nephews for his first deer rifle(figuring I could always get another beater for a good price) and have not found one that had my name on it.

I have a couple of Blue and Yellow boxes of Super-X 150gr Silver Tips that I am saving for just the right rifle and hunt. Keep looking, that rifle with your name on it is out there waiting for you to find it!

Larkbill · Post by **Larkbill** » Wed Feb 27, 2013 1:41 pm

Sad to admit, I was one of those cartridge snobs. As a teenager I read all the gun magazines and was sure the 30 WCF was the dodo bird of cartridges. I started with a 6 mm Rem and never looked at anything slower. Then I got interested in IHMSA Silhoutte. I grew to love the .30-30 so much that when I stumbled on to a Remington 788 in that chambering I snapped it up. Then a bro-in-law wanted to sell his 94. Done. Now I need to find another .30-30 bolt gun as my youngest son claims the 788 is his since he's hunted with it since he was 12 (now 30). I shoot 100 gr. lead powderpuff loads for squirrel, heavy cast for deer, 110 gr. spirepoint maxed out for varmints, and lots in between. I never pass up .30 bullets on the sale table, I'll find something to use it for. It doesn't hurt to shoot, even in the Contender, and doesn't use massive doses of powder so it's economical. It will always have a place in my gun cabinet.

3leggedturtle · Post by **3leggedturtle** » Wed Feb 27, 2013 1:50 pm

Larkbill, Yer smarter than me, cuz I had a 788 in 30/30; but sold it in '94 to fund another project. I passed on a left handed 788 in 6mm. I thot $500 was just too much for it. 3leg

2X22 · Post by **2X22** » Wed Feb 27, 2013 9:40 pm

Whew, I was worried all the sudden. Worried that this brand spankin' new Winchester M94 1871-1971 NRA Commemorative, NIB, really WASN'T a turdy turdy

That would have meant I need to send back this really neat Williams Target receiver sight I ordered for it... and put away all this turdy turdy brass I was getting ready to load up..

2x22

Post by **Old Savage** » Wed Feb 27, 2013 9:47 pm

If it is the one I am thinking about it is a Model 64 pattern 30-30 - had one of those and should have kept it I suppose.