It is hard to believe

[ozark]

That the model 94 Winchester 30-30 was at one time the ideal deer rifle is difficult to believe today. It was the No. 1 choice and may have taken more deer than any other rifle. Most of the deer I took with the 30-30 were DRT. It wasn't that accurate or that much of a long range shooter but it did the job. The hunter needed to get within a 100 yards of the deer and needed to know how to use those open sights. What is my point? It is simply that hunters using the 30-30 enjoyed the hunt as much as any of todays hunters. It isn't the rifle that provides the hunting thrill, it is the hunt itself.

[deadon]

Amen Ben I have one that I dearly love. The serial # is 1804836, I am told it is a pre 64. I was also told to put peep site on it and I would be surprised at how well I could shoot it again, eyes failing. Thanks again Ben for reminding me of her, Rusty

[mountainam]

The lever rifle is truly an American Icon. They are still my favorite. I own a Marlin .444 and a marlin 39A and a couple of Marlin 56's. I've shot quite a few Marlin 336's and was surprised how accurate they were. I don't think the 30/30 is going away anytime soon.

[Rifleman]

I sure do enjoy hunting with my 1894-44 mag. Light and handy, no tack driver but shoots well enough to be confident to 150 and I think with maybe an ammo change I can go to 200. All ready killed 7 or 8 deer with it. Nice little gun.
Killed my first deer with a Marlin 336C in 30-30. Back when I was 17 years young I think. I really thought that 30-30 was a cannon!

[tcmech]

I don't own a 30-30 but I personally believe that there is nothing wrong with them out to 150 yards or so with open sights. I have not shot a deer past 80 yards in the last 4 or 5 years and most of them I have shot were at half that distance.

At the distances that most of us shoot deer we don't need the magnum caliber rifles we so commonly own.

[whyohe]

its not hard to beleave for me. i know friends that still hunt with a 30-30. they have no reason for any thing else. how and were they hunt they dont get long shots. and if one presents it self they just dont take it. I too have a marlin 1894C in 44 mag. it got a deer when my 06 didnt. they are short and easy to carry threw the thick woods. mine is no tack driver either but it is a blast to hunt with. here it is.



here is the deer i got with it this year.

[alphaburnt]

I have never had one, but, looking back there was never a hunt I have had with my .270 that the .30/30 would not have done the same thing as good or better than it has. I would like to get one some day, would probably enjoy the heck out of it.

[wilmsmeyer]

I owned a .444 Marlin back in high school. Had a Khales 2.2 x 9 power on it. Like a fool, I traded the whole package for a Ithaca Deer Slayer II when I moved out to Western NY in the 80's where it's shotgun only.

That was a great shooting gun (and a very expensive scope) with Factory 265 gr bullets and I killed 1 doe with it at about 50 yds and several dozen woodchucks.

[petev]

I also dont find it hard to believe. My favorite "carry" gun is a Rem. 7600 carbine in 35 Rem. It isn't that 35 Rem, 30-30, 44 mag are as good as the high velocity rounds within 100 yards or so, they are better IMO.