The Ultimate 30-30

Post by **Old Savage** » Wed Jan 23, 2013 10:18 pm

That is what I am looking to put together and I have parts. But until I can, I want hear your view.

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Wed Jan 23, 2013 10:21 pm

Older 336, or 94. Already a proven, and accurate rifle. Scoped with quality glass. Reamed to 30wcf AI. Loaded with two premium 130 ish pointy bullets fired very, very fast.

Mescalero · Post by **Mescalero** » Wed Jan 23, 2013 10:26 pm

I like the 125 Gr.hollow point flat points, they really do open up!

ollogger · Post by **ollogger** » Wed Jan 23, 2013 10:41 pm

I have some 94s in 30-30 but maybe for the ultimate 30-30 I would be thinking bout a 99
in a AI with a 4x leupold scope & 22 in. bbl

ollogger

shooter · Post by **shooter** » Wed Jan 23, 2013 10:49 pm

Old Savage, why don't you ask a harder question?

I don't even know where to begin on the perfect 30-30, and what I think is perfect you may absolutely hate. I like both Marlins and Winchesters. If being scoped I'd definitely go Marlin because of the side eject. I like the slimmer look and the balance of the 94. If sticking with iron sights I'd probably go with a 94. With either I'd go with the shortest possible barrel length because, well, I just like short rifles. I don't shoot out past 200 yards or so, so a 24" barrel does me no real good. I would also consider having the gun chambered to .30-30 AI.

Scoped rifle - Marlin 336 with an XS lever rail and ghost ring sight, and quick detach rings for the scope. That way you have the best of both worlds. Scope or irons whenever you choose. 16"-18" barrel, Ackley Improved chamber. I would go with stainless steel also, but that's not a significant factor.

Iron sighted rifle - Winchester 94, 20" inch barrel or trapper length (I prefer Trapper length). Ackley Improved chamber, and aperture sight of your choice (XS, Skinner, Lyman, Williams, etc.).

Those are my configurations for a gun that I would carry pretty often. For a range toy or occasional woods bumming gun I could accept a longer barrel, and even an octagonal one at that. Purely for aesthetics. I've been searching for the perfect gun all my life. If I ever found it, I might not have so many

earlmck · Post by **earlmck** » Wed Jan 23, 2013 10:52 pm

The ultimate 30-30? They were making them back when we were kids, OS: Winchester 64 (if your a Winchester person) and the Marlin 336A (if you're a Marlin man). 24" bbl, 3/4 magazine. With a nice receiver site and maybe a small ivory bead front. Standard chambering 'cause it's the ultimate cast bullet platform and if you need extra jacketed bullet performance Hodgdon's LVR powder will give you velocities awful close to what you'd get from an AI.

They don't come better than that, IMHO.

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Wed Jan 23, 2013 11:23 pm

I agree with shooter. Marlin in a sort of practical 'scout' configuration sight-wise, with maybe a single-point sling or 'saddle-ring'.

However, one other take on it would be something like the Marlin XLR, all finely tuned-up and accurized. I've heard folks claim to get half-inch groups at 100 yards with them once they developed a load (but of course I know a few guys who claim that with 70-year-old leverguns, as well).

It is sort of hard to improve on any of the major brands of .30-30 levergun, though; kind of like 'improving' a 1911 Government Model. The only improvement I think was cool was the double-stack magazine and frame to fit that. I suppose shaping a 'rail' into the front of the frame would be cool for those who want a light there (lasers are too easy to put in the grip or recoil-rod for me to want to bulk the gun up there).

Post by **Old Savage** » Wed Jan 23, 2013 11:28 pm

To be clear - we are talking 30-30 not AI or any other wildcat.

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Wed Jan 23, 2013 11:30 pm

Old Savage wrote:To be clear - we are talking 30-30 not AI or any other wildcat.

Then besides whatever sights you like, there is not much to improve on. I will always shoot 170 grain Cheap Ones...they work on everything, and are very cheap and accurate. The 336 and the '94 both love them.

BigSky56 · Post by **BigSky56** » Wed Jan 23, 2013 11:31 pm

win model 55 or 64 in 30wcf, for cast bullets with a bolt peep nice handling hunters gun. danny

shooter · Post by **shooter** » Wed Jan 23, 2013 11:33 pm

Old Savage wrote:To be clear - we are talking 30-30 not AI or any other wildcat.

In that case, I retract the AI part of my scenario.

claybob86 · Post by **claybob86** » Wed Jan 23, 2013 11:48 pm

My idea of the perfect .30-30 is a Winchester 1894 Sporting Rifle about a hundred years old, 24" octagon barrel, full length magazine, semi-pistol grip buttstock with a crescent buttplate.

Tang peep sight would be nice, but not necessary.

arjunky · Post by **arjunky** » Thu Jan 24, 2013 12:18 am

The one I haven't found yet. That's why there is a dozen others.

Byron

olyinaz · Post by **olyinaz** » Thu Jan 24, 2013 12:21 am

Model 94 with pistol grip and a 26" half octagonal barrel and short magazine, plus a receiver sight, but one of the vintage models that will take a nice blue and look good. Have the lever and hammer case colored.

Oly

Ji in Hawaii · Post by **Ji in Hawaii** » Thu Jan 24, 2013 1:43 am

Post by **Old Savage** » Thu Jan 24, 2013 2:04 am

Nice one Ji - what is the story?

1894c · Post by **1894c** » Thu Jan 24, 2013 2:06 am

my simple answeris as follows---the ultimate 30-30 is the one i'm hunting with... :)

tman · Post by **tman** » Thu Jan 24, 2013 5:13 am

Go back to the old "saddle ring carbine" configuration. And rechamber it fot the .356WCF.

horsesoldier03 · Post by **horsesoldier03** » Thu Jan 24, 2013 5:51 am

Ji has pretty much got the traditional 30-30 covered.

Check out the link if your looking more in the self defense mode- http://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/2010/1 ... lin-1895g/
I know, that one is the 1895 guide gun in a 45-70 but I am sure it could be done in 30-30 as well.

rjohns94 · Post by **rjohns94** » Thu Jan 24, 2013 6:20 am

I like the 2/3 mag, shotgun but stock, ladder rear sights, thin blade front sight, metal plate on butt stock, fluted stock. 1920's vintage. All in the model 94 winchester style with nice wood. I have been fondling mine every night since it arrived from victor. Once out of the gun cabinet and fondling is over, a wipe down and then I take it to bed, resting it near the head of the bead between nightstand and bed, mag loaded. In the morning it goes back in the cabinet. Oh did I mention my 30-30 is a 32 special?

Rusty · Post by **Rusty** » Thu Jan 24, 2013 6:30 am

For me the 336 XLR hits it pretty much right on the head.

Mainehunter · Post by **Mainehunter** » Thu Jan 24, 2013 6:39 am

ollogger wrote:I have some 94s in 30-30 but maybe for the ultimate 30-30 I would be thinking bout a 99
in a AI with a 4x leupold scope & 22 in. bbl

ollogger

+1 on the Savage 99 in regards to using pointed bullets. I did have at one point a 1899 CD (not 99) that came with a rare 26" barrel. I was pushing Hornadys 110 grain spire pointed bullet with ease well over 3000 f.p.s. I think the powders I used was IMR 3031 or H335 can't remember but I know one day with that same load I was easily hitting targets out to 500 yards and accuracy at 100 yards was less than an 1".

Mainehunter

Borregos · Post by **Borregos** » Thu Jan 24, 2013 6:59 am

Friends Call Me Ji wrote:

Looks pretty much like what you want to me

.45colt · Post by **.45colt** » Thu Jan 24, 2013 9:44 am

Rusty Wrote;"For me the 336 XLR hits it pretty much right on the head." I agree totally,the XLR is setup the same as the Winchester model 64 with the bonus of ease of mounting a scope.

TomF · Post by **TomF** » Thu Jan 24, 2013 9:53 am

There are 2 ultimate 30-30s. The Marlin 336CB and a Winchester top eject trapper.

TomF

M. M. Wright · Post by **M. M. Wright** » Thu Jan 24, 2013 11:48 am

Just a plain vanilla 94 or 336, 20 in bbl. with sling swivels and a quality receiver sight. Come to think of it, I have a 94 like that. If you'd let me I'd AI it too.

Post by **Old Savage** » Thu Jan 24, 2013 12:03 pm

Then it becomes a 30-35 or something like that - how much will BP will an AI hold?

w30wcf · Post by **w30wcf** » Thu Jan 24, 2013 8:37 pm

OS,
The standard .30-30 case holds 43 grs of black to a level of 1/2 way up the neck which allows the bullet to be seated, compressing the powder. The AI would probably hold a few grains more.

I think that your 1894-1994 Centennial Rifle is just about the ultimate 30-30

w30wcf

Post by **Old Savage** » Thu Jan 24, 2013 8:49 pm

w30wcf - thanks for the clarification and I agree with you. It is a wonderful rifle.

I have a lot of affection for this one too.

I shot it without the scope until astigmatism started giving me 10" "groups".

This was the first one I bought - 3/14/90

Malamute · Post by **Malamute** » Thu Jan 24, 2013 9:32 pm

My idea of the perfect 30-30 is a Winchester 94, high grade wood, checkered, shotgun butt, straight grip, 20 or 22" round barrel rifle, rifle fore end cap and magazine ring, full magazine, small front ramp like the early extra light rifles with a sourdough blade, Lyman No 56 receiver sight, color case hardened hammer and lever. I wouldnt mind at all having it in an angle eject with no crossbolt, standard half cock lock, with a Leupold 1-4x scope and folding barrel sight. If not, then an earlier action, pre-64 or pre war with the Lyman rear. I'd consider an earlier action if some very small scope bases could be made (not a rail or weaver type base) for something like Ruger rings for a forward mounted scope. The small bases being cleaner looking and more discrete when the scope is off.

May be nice to start with a high grade custom barrel, of hand lapped quality, profiled and marked with original type early markings by Mike Hunter, and perhaps tang markings if it didnt have them.

Post by **Old Savage** » Thu Jan 24, 2013 9:36 pm

Probably the question should be the ultimate four 30-30s.

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Thu Jan 24, 2013 9:42 pm

1979 Winchester mdl 94, 26" Numrich bull barrel, .850 across the flats from muzzle to receiver, custom tang sight, custom front sight, CCH'd receiver, & lower tang, extra fancy french walnut stock, .30-30 chambering. Best group? ¾" @ 100 yards with Sierra 150 grain bullets in Federal cases, 27.5 grains of Reloder 7, powered by WLR Winchester primers.

Longest kill, 8 pt whitetail buck @ 238 yards in south Texas. Longest group? 6" @ 400 yards. I've won several SASS long range matches with it; even qualified with it during sniper school with the Sheriff's Office, little over 1" @ 200 yards. For me, the ultimate .30-30.

What do I win?

olyinaz · Post by **olyinaz** » Thu Jan 24, 2013 9:45 pm

Old Savage wrote:w30wcf - thanks for the clarification and I agree with you. It is a wonderful rifle.

By golly, go back to my recommendation and you just about have it there! Loose the cross bolt safety (I bear it no grudge other than aesthetics), color case some parts, add a shotgun butt plate and you'd have my idea of a perfect .30-30 rifle. But it's VERY nice as is.

Now here's the sacrilege: I LIKE the AE modification! I like the way it adds nice scope mounting points and I like the fact that it throws brass to the right. I don't like tang safeties because I think that's where some nice script or a tang sight should go, but I'll take an AE just fine, thank you.

Oly

JerryB · Post by **JerryB** » Thu Jan 24, 2013 9:49 pm

There are several in the safe. The perfect one is a 1951 standard 94 30-30 that I bought in a pawn shop in San Francisco on my way to Fort Ord for advanced AIT in 1958. Sent it home to my dad who had a Marbles Tang sight mounted on it. He killed a nice buck with it that fall. I got it back when he died at 53 in 1962. It still kills deer quite well.

Post by **Old Savage** » Thu Jan 24, 2013 9:52 pm

Griff - you win ...... drum roll please ..... a free dinner with me

here.

Post by **Old Savage** » Thu Jan 24, 2013 9:55 pm

may be a 25-35

AE with tang safety.

olyinaz · Post by **olyinaz** » Thu Jan 24, 2013 9:56 pm

Very nice.

pshort · Post by **pshort** » Thu Jan 24, 2013 10:48 pm

Howdy,
my .02..........
Not claiming perfection, but I recently picked up a MiniSharps and a somewhat larger Rolling Block, both .30-30 and new...
I've fired them both, but it's too cold around here for now to wring them out.....
Both seem like nice rifles.....

Paul

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Thu Jan 24, 2013 11:30 pm

Old Savage wrote:Griff - you win ...... drum roll please ..... a free dinner with me here.

Can't... CA outlawed my truck. Maybe we can meet in Vegas?

Meeteetse · Post by **Meeteetse** » Fri Jan 25, 2013 6:13 pm

Griff wrote:
Old Savage wrote:Griff - you win ...... drum roll please ..... a free dinner with me here.
Can't... CA outlawed my truck. Maybe we can meet in Vegas?

You probably can't do that either. I think CA outlawed Nevada. . . . . . .

damienph · Post by **damienph** » Fri Jan 25, 2013 6:21 pm

Mainehunter wrote: I did have at one point a 1899 CD (not 99) that came with a rare 26" barrel. I was pushing Hornadys 110 grain spire pointed bullet with ease well over 3000 f.p.s. ... I was easily hitting targets out to 500 yards and accuracy at 100 yards was less than an 1".Mainehunter

Your description is not of a rifle that I would talk about in the past tense. There is no way that I could let one like that get away.

L_Kilkenny · Post by **L_Kilkenny** » Sat Jan 26, 2013 4:58 pm

Too me the perfect .30-30 has nothing to do with fit or finish. The gun may be beat up, or painted or parkerized. Don't need or maybe even want pretty. It's 100% feel.

I keep tellin myself I don't need or want a scope, that a Williams is fine. But when it comes to being honest with myself I have trouble using long guns without scopes in the field. I could blame my eyes but that's not it.

The closest I've had was a Mid 70's Trapper with a Williams on it. Never should of let it go but the rotten receiver got to me. I should of just covered it. Been lookin to replace it lately and the closest to perfect would be a Marauder with a Win 94 forend, drilled for sidemount Williams. If I could build one outta an old square bolt it would make me feel better about it being a Marlin instead of a Winchester.

16", receiver sight, straight stock, scope added as needed.

sore shoulder · Post by **sore shoulder** » Sat Jan 26, 2013 5:15 pm

My ultimate 30-30 is going to be a 336/Glenfield/whatever half mag pistol grip with a 3x9. I'm still waiting to find one for $200 (with or without scope) with a good bore. Load it up with some Hornady gummy tipped bullets and magic powder.