All right, how about .45 (Long) Colt or 30-30?

[Poohgyrr]

The thread on ".357 or .30-30......AGAIN!" reminded me of how much I have come to like the .45 Colt in Levers.

So, what would you guys pick, and why? (insert evil laughing smilie here)

[dbateman]

that is a delemer i have a real soft spot for the 30-30 i own 2 of them a carbine & a trapper both win 94 however if i had to pick 30-30 or 45 colt .I wold pick my trapper in 45 colt handsdown only becose 45 colt is my favrate round . big heavy lead kills things

[Modoc ED]

The thread on ".357 or .30-30......AGAIN!" reminded me of how much I have come to like the .45 Colt in Levers.

So, what would you guys pick, and why? (insert evil laughing smilie here)

.30-30

Where in Northern CA do you live.

[1886]

Loaded to equal pressure in a suitable arm and with the proper projectile, the .45 is probably a better killer than the .30-30. Range limitations certainly apply. Guys that have taken more game than I will give a more experienced opinion but this in my hunch. 1886.

[jhrosier]

Given the length of a levergun action, you might as well use it by selecting a rifle cartridge.
The 30-30 will have a longer useful range than any pistol caliber.
My first choice would have been for the 30-06 in a model 1895 Winchester or Browning BLR.
However, since 200+ yard shots are not often needed in the New England woods, a 30-30 will do as well.

Jack

[jlchucker]

30-30!!!!

[Hobie]

Yes, I would pick either one.

[AJMD429]

It is true that many of the "X or Y" questions posed involved two different length actions.

Still, those factors are part of the cartridge's characteristics, so they are fun mental exercises (...especially as a way to delay going out to shovel snow...).

Both are excellent rounds, and for me it would boil down to liking a shorter, handier 'carbine' which favors the .45, and the availability and flexibility of components which probably favors neither over the other.

Magazine capacity is higher for most .45 Colts, which is a plus for many uses.

It would also depend on what else I had.

If I already had a .44 Mag carbine, I'd pick the .30-30, or if I already had a .308 bolt-gun I'd pick the .45 Colt, most likely.

Gotta go shovel snow...

[Nath]

30/30, what do alot will do a little, I ain't knocking the 45LC but when ya gotta chuck something a tad over 150yds,,,,

Nath.

[Lastmohecken]

If you don't handload, then it's the 30/30 for sure, unless you want to go for something more modern, like .308 Win, or 30-06, or of course the old 45.70.

If you handload, then the 45 Long Colt, has merrit. But if you don't handload, then the 45 colt, leaves a lot to be disired. I have always handloaded but I still like to buy some factory stuff, also, and cowboy action shooting has ruined the 45 Long Colt ammo availability status, unless you mail order for ammo. I get so agrivated because all the local shops ever stock are those watered down cowboy loads.

But you can find decent 30/30 ammo anywhere.

[ornery]

What dbateman said



I have both...the 45lc is my everywhere, everyday choice....in the pickup...on the saddle....all the time.

[Sarge]

A man ought to have both, or at least a 30-30 & heavy sixgun in .44 or .45 caliber.

[J Miller]

Threads like this give me an

Excredrin Bottle a.JPG

headache.

So I solved it very simply. I have two of each. One Carbine and one Trapper in 30-30 and one Carbine ( short rifle) and one Trapper in .45 Colt.

Problem solved.

Joe

[1886]

Threads like this give me an

Excredrin Bottle a.JPG

headache.

So I solved it very simply. I have two of each. One Carbine and one Trapper in 30-30 and one Carbine ( short rifle) and one Trapper in .45 Colt.

Problem solved.

Joe

Sound wisdom Joe. 1886.

[tman]

30wcf

[pokey]

30wcf

yup.

[Griff]

The thread on ".357 or .30-30......AGAIN!" reminded me of how much I have come to like the .45 Colt in Levers.

So, what would you guys pick, and why? (insert evil laughing smilie here)

Not even a contest. The .30-30 {condescending voice off}.

[20cows]

.38-55!

[gak]

Between the two? .44 Mag But seriously, .30-30.

[6pt-sika]

Outta those two it would be 30-30 for me hands down !

But if I had my druthers it would be 375 WIN , 444 or 45-70 before the 30-30

[claybob86]

Seems to me that the .30-30 can do anything the .45 Colt can do, but the .45 Colt can't do everything the .30-30 can do, so I guess I'd pick the .30-30. Sure like them .45 caliber holes, though!

[Old Savage]

Not even a contest - .45 Colt!!!!!!

It can do things the 30-30 can't but I have lots of stuff that easily outdoes the 30-30.

[missionary5155]

Good morning
Simple put.. BIG holes are always better.
In caliber .45 I can load a round ball to shoot bunnies and a 300 grainer to tackle big mean critters.
There is nothing wrong with a caliber .30... it just does not stack up to a caliber .45.

[Lastmohecken]

Good morning
Simple put.. BIG holes are always better.
In caliber .45 I can load a round ball to shoot bunnies and a 300 grainer to tackle big mean critters.
There is nothing wrong with a caliber .30... it just does not stack up to a caliber .45.

Well, being an Elmer Keith fan, I would normally go for caliber size, but my experiences have sometimes confused me. I have shot stuff with the 45/70 that dropped like a rock, on the first shot, and I have seen other stuff shot with the same gun, that ran a ways, and seemed to take the hit with little notice, where I swear a simular hit with the 30/30 would have anchored it quicker, and visa versa. And the same for the 44 Mag.

I recond a good man, who knows his weapon, can get by with either one, either way, there is no guarantee what will happen every time the trigger is squeesed.

[86er]

I've shot about 10 deer with each at varying ranges and under different circumstances. Out to 100 yds I favor the 45 Colt with a heavy bullet (I like 270 or 300gr) at a quick velocity (if you call it that) of 1650-1750 fps. Of the 10 deer hit with each there was a much higher percentage of exit holes from the 45 Colt as well as drop-in-their-tracks results. I find the impact and effect noticably more pronounced with the 45 Colt on deer out to 75 yds. Past 100 yds I don't like the accuracy or trajectory of my rifle with its peep sights. With the 30-30 I've still picked up dead deer but had a lot of spotty blood trails and tracking jobs up to a few hundred yards with lung shot deer. Practically, it is probably a toss up between them but being pragmatic I'll take the 45 Colt and keep my shots up to 100 yds.

(I had one particularly bad incident with the 30-30 hornady where we lost 3 deer in one sitting. I am not counting those. )

[1886]

I've shot about 10 deer with each at varying ranges and under different circumstances. Out to 100 yds I favor the 45 Colt with a heavy bullet (I like 270 or 300gr) at a quick velocity (if you call it that) of 1650-1750 fps. Of the 10 deer hit with each there was a much higher percentage of exit holes from the 45 Colt as well as drop-in-their-tracks results. I find the impact and effect noticably more pronounced with the 45 Colt on deer out to 75 yds. Past 100 yds I don't like the accuracy or trajectory of my rifle with its peep sights. With the 30-30 I've still picked up dead deer but had a lot of spotty blood trails and tracking jobs up to a few hundred yards with lung shot deer. Practically, it is probably a toss up between them but being pragmatic I'll take the 45 Colt and keep my shots up to 100 yds.

(I had one particularly bad incident with the 30-30 hornady where we lost 3 deer in one sitting. I am not counting those. )

Joe's considered opinion settles it for me. 1886.