30/30 or .308

[4t5]

I don't have a 30/30 lever, only 44's, but feel it is needed. Will be used mostly for range work, and then deer season. Now with Henry offering the LONG RANGER in .308, I could load it down to 30/30 velocity, and have a better 30/30..sorta, gonna have to scope it anyhow (eyes not sharp anymore), does this sound reasonable, or just get a 30/30 and be done with it? Might even hold out for their single shot depending on caliber.

[Tycer]

Sounds like a great idea.

[handirifle]

Personally, I think it sounds VERY reasonable. You can even load it with flat nose 30-30 bullets, to insure expansion at slower speeds. I would LOVE one of those. Looks like their version of the Browning BLR. I wonder which is the better rifle?

[JOHNNY WACKO]

There is a browning 308 on a local site for $650 that i would love to have if i had the extra cash.There beautiful guns.

[Merle]

Personally, I think it sounds VERY reasonable. You can even load it with flat nose 30-30 bullets, to insure expansion at slower speeds. I would LOVE one of those. Looks like their version of the Browning BLR. I wonder which is the better rifle?

I did the same thing with my 30-06 - used Speer 170 gr FN bullets & it worked like a champ.

[piller]

The long ranger seems to be a good idea to me. I don't have a .308, but it is a versatile cartridge based on load data. I did shoot the M60 quite a bit when I carried one. 7.62 NATO is basically.308. It was accurate to 1100 meters in the M60. I never once missed a target with it. With my aging eyes, the Henry and a good scope seem to be a better option.

[cshold]

Think about this a little.
Your opening line:
"I don't have a 30/30 lever, only 44's, but feel it is needed."
A year or so from now, will you be saying the same thing if you purchase anything other than a .30wcf lever?
Get what you really want & feel you need.
Do-overs get expensive and living with dissatisfaction just knawls at ya.

[mikld]

Why download the 308 to 30-30 levels? The 308 ain't a really hard kicking cartridge so what's the advantage? I would think reloading for a 30-30 levergun will only add to it's efficiency and you might get near 308 performance (but the 30-30 doesn't really need 308 performance)...

I like the looks of Henry's Long Ranger and have no need (want) for a .223 or .243, a 308 would fit me jes fine...

[Old Savage]

The Long Ranger in .308 will out do the 30-30 and as you say you can load it down.

[Griff]

A few years ago several of us Levergunners got together and shot a couple of Henry's in .30-30. I seem to recall the consensus was they were good. There was one in blued steel with a rubber buttpad that was a fine shooter. Don't recall the model, it's here on the right of the brown box.


Read about it here: Review: Henry Repeating Arms 30-30 H009 and H009B

[Sixgun]

.308 or 30-30?????? Look here 45.....life is dang short...you get em both....play...enjoy...you worked hard your whole life so unless your fighting for money to eat, you get what you want...get all of em.....stop making excuses because if you don't spend it, someone else will.----6

[1894cfan]

YMMV, but I've taken 30/30 factory ammo, pulled the bullets, dumped the powder in 308 primed cases, seated and crimped the 30/30 bullets, and fired them at the range with no problems whatsoever! I've even dumped 30.5gr of IMR 3031 in 30/06 cases with 30/30 bullets and fired them off, also with no problems. Even got decent accuracy with those loads. Like I said, YMMV. HTH

[Blaine]

That 308 is mighty fine. I've got one in a Ruger Scout.
I've got an older Winchester 94 in 30wcf that I'd rather lug around in the wood. It feels better, it's shorter, and not so clunky as other rifles I own.

30wcf would probably do, but the 308 could about triple your range if you can't scope your 30wcf.....

I don't think you could go wrong with either one.

[Streetstar]

In a world of analytics, statistics, and over-thinking, --- the .308 beats the 30-30 hands down. More range, more power- to some people, that means case closed


That said, the 30-30 in the Model 94 platform is the ultimate short range woods gun for handling, maneuverability, pointability

I know there is a bit of a following out there for the magazine fed leverguns, --- but, with exception of the Winchester 88 and Savage, -- leverguns should be tube fed In my opinion,

Were this my dilemma, I would procure a Winchester angle eject 94 in 30/30 for most situations , as well as a push feed Model 70 Winchester, or a Remington 700 (Weatherby Vanguard, Howa, Tikka, Sako, etc etc ) , in .308 for instances where I need a longer poke

Keep a small 2-5 or 2-7 variable on the 94 AE, and use something a bit bigger, like a 3-9 or 4-12 on the bolt gun for those long range hunting situations and piddling around at the range

[Mainehunter]

A few months ago a gun shop near by did have a Henry Long Ranger in 308. It was quite nice and well made but I was surprised how heavy it felt. I would say more then a Browning BLR. I still wouldn't mind having one in 243 Winchester but I wouldn't want to lug it around too far.

Mainehunter

[geobru]

If you live where here are elk, I would opt for the 308.
The 30-30 can do the job, but it is a bit light if you tangle with a big bull.
It can be said that it is all about shot placement, but I have seen multiple shots in the lung cavity with a 30-30 that didn't bring a bull down. One shot with an 06 knocked it down. The 30-30 would have killed it, but in brushy country like western Washington, you don't want a wounded animal to wander very far.

[jnyork]

Buy them both, that way you don't have to worry about choosing. Life is too short for such head-scratchings. Everyone should have at least one .30-30 and at least one .308.

[hfcable]

In a world of analytics, statistics, and over-thinking, --- the .308 beats the 30-30 hands down. More range, more power- to some people, that means case closed


That said, the 30-30 in the Model 94 platform is the ultimate short range woods gun for handling, maneuverability, pointability

I know there is a bit of a following out there for the magazine fed leverguns, --- but, with exception of the Winchester 88 and Savage, -- leverguns should be tube fed In my opinion,

owwww, you left out the finnwolf in 308 !

[Merle]

In a world of analytics, statistics, and over-thinking, --- the .308 beats the 30-30 hands down. More range, more power- to some people, that means case closed


That said, the 30-30 in the Model 94 platform is the ultimate short range woods gun for handling, maneuverability, pointability

I know there is a bit of a following out there for the magazine fed leverguns, --- but, with exception of the Winchester 88 and Savage, -- leverguns should be tube fed In my opinion,

owwww, you left out the finnwolf in 308 !

And the Browning BLR.

[Grizz]

nothing to add but to weigh in on the 308. it's a whole nother country when you have one. it's a fine deer caliber. and yes, there is utility in cat sneeze loads, regardless of the case the powder is in.

a savage 99 in 308 is a fine, fine tool. if the henry is made as well, then it is in that same category. the 99 is very light, and it will tatoo you. a heavier firearm, if you are up to the weight, is a winner.

[1894c]

I just bought a Marlin 336Y (16" bbl.) in 30/30. I have owned and shot the .308's but my favorite all-time for everything is a levergun in a 30/30--- I also like what SIX said, but them both, life is good... :)

[M. M. Wright]

The lever gun in 308 to have is the BLR. Same size and handling as the 94 Winchester or 336 Marlin but with 350 yard range. If I were buying new I would really consider the Henry too. Have not handled one yet but know their service will smother Browning's. But then I already have a 30-30, and a 25-35, and and &&&.

[Old Ironsights]

Meh.. Y'all are WRONG.

The "best" lever .308 is a Savage 99...


or maybe the Finnwolf.


If the Savage is a "C" model, there is no practical reason why you can't make a 10-20rd mag for it.

[CEMENTHEAD]

308 is more versatile. However I feel that the 30-30 is more of a hunters gun. At least because of nostalgic reasons. Pick which one makes you happy and go have fun!

[Rusty]

If you want a .308 and want to shoot it cheaper pick up a copy of the Lyman Castle Bullet handbook. A cast bullet and a small charge of 700X will give you a nice 1500FPS plinking load that you can shoot all day.

[Canuck Bob]

Keep it a lever and you get my vote. Once owned a 243 BLR, fine rifle similar to the Henry. 308 is a very good cartridge and solid lockup allows better range performance. I settled on a 444 Marlin and as health fades a 94 32 Special as I lean to traditional levers, external hammers, tube mags, and 20"+ barrels.

[gcs]

Can't really add to what's been said, but the 30-30 336 I have has done everything I've asked of it, is a handy gun to handle, and I like the external hammer. with the Hornaday LE's, it's still not a 308, but getting closer
BUT... that long ranger looks interesting.

[tman]

The 30-30 with the FTX hornady loadings give you a 300 yard elk/deer gun. Buffalo Bore 30-30's are designed to knock down brown bear. The .308 will reach farther and hit harder than the 30-3o, adds another 150 yards for a good shot, about maximum for responsible hunting. Depends on what you want to do. Both are excellent choices. The Winchester 94 would be a big factor for me. In a bolt gun, it's a no brainer, take the .308.

[tman]

If they still made .307 Winchester ammo , I'd rate it as a perfect compromise between the two

[Old Ironsights]

Yack, yack, grouse, grouse.

Get a Brush Gun (.30-30, .444. .35, 45-70, whatever) and then get a Savage 99.

You will be better off in the end.

[6pt-sika]

Yack, yack, grouse, grouse.

Get a Brush Gun .444.

You will be better off in the end.

Yes siree Bob ! You already have 44's you say so get a 444 and be done with it .