30-30 Maximum Distance With Accuracy

[HARRYMPOPE]

I have shot 200g bullets in a heavy barrel 1-12 30-30 788 bolt gun and a custom heavy barrel 1-10 Savage 99 30-30 with very good luck at that velocity.

[BAGTIC]

Who is shooting? That is the most important factor.

[FAsmus]

Bagtic;

My!

I'm shooting - of course!

Good morning,
Forrest

[larryp]

Longest shot I've done with a 30-30 was with my wife's Winchester 94 Pack rifle (18" barrel, half mag). I had a chance at a big whitetail doe in the middle of my in laws alfalfa field. There was no chance to stalk closer so I rested the rifle on top a fence post and dropped her with one shot. Range was 225yards and ammo was a 170 gr. Remington Core-lok.
edit to add: rifle has a 4x scope on it. Here's a pic of it. I think the half magazine increases accuracy due to the lack of a barrel band affecting barrel harmonics.

[smkummer]

I believe the true cause of the 30-30 being somewhat folklore limited to accurate long range bullet placement is the buckhorn sights and bead front. They are great for putting on a deer at 50 to 150 yards when one walks out in front of the shooter but cover 9 1/2 inches of black target at 100 yards. I have my rear sight adjusted way up so as to sight it for 6 oclock hold and my 100 yards groups shrank in 1/2 the size easily. While I could change the sights, I really don't want to take the rifle out of its element as being a fast handling woods rifle.

[Maximumbob54]

This is why I'm voting 600 yards:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFQM9N6wQko

[popper]

100 only because I don't have a place to try for longer shots.

[NickSS]

I have killed one deer at a distance of 210 yards as measured by a laser range finder. The load was 35 gr of Win 748 and a 170 gr core lock bullet. I routinely shoot metallic Silhouettes at 200 yards using a 165 gr PB bullet and 15 gr of 2400 or the same bullet and 8 gr of Unique. Both loads will print 3 inch 10 shot groups from my two model 94 Winchesters from a bench rest. I have no trouble at all hitting any of the targets at that range except on dark days when my eye sight can not pick out the sights as well through my tang sight.

[1Shirt]

This has been a good thread with good comments. There are the hunters comments, the group shooters comments, the lob them in at X range comments, etc,etc.etc. All good comments and all valid for the individual. Since I was fortunate enough to get 6 cav. Ranch Dog Molds w/ and w/o gas checks, think that will become the only boolit I will drive in my 94 30-30. And think I may start playing with some of the lob the in at X ranges myself.
1Shirt!

[KCSO]

The 30-30 is under rated by the modern crowd but the members of the Willie Nichols long range shooting society knoow better. I would not be afraid to take on a man size target at 500 yards with a scoped 788 30-30.

[Win94ae]

Who is shooting? That is the most important factor.

That is always what it boils down to.

The 3 shots on the upper left of that board is my 300 yard 3 shot group.

Now that I use the stock sights, (which I prefer over other iron sights I've used,) I'm limited to 400 yards with reasonable accuracy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0ToR4pyqUg
Bullet ballistic coefficient plays a big part in consistent one shot hits, that is why I like the Hornady FTX so much... it is a shame I really can't afford them.

Also, velocity plays a big part when I'm using the stock sights; they only have so much elevation.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNDS2-nwBME

Hopefully I'll learn how to cast well enough, (which is why I've registered,) to get some of my own bullets to hit as far.

[nanuk]

I have my rear sight adjusted way up so as to sight it for 6 oclock hold and my 100 yards groups shrank in 1/2 the size easily.

isn't that how Everybody sets up their sights?

that is the Only way I do mine!

[30calflash]

Nice shooting Win94ae, can you comment on your rifle and loads a little? You have spent some time in this area and the results show it!

This might be common knowledge to the BPCR guys but there are few in the northeast and many folks own Win or Marlin 30-30's that would take some time to explore the possibilities.

[grampa243]

Well if a 45/70 can be shot with accuracy to and beyond 1000 yards why not a 30/30.
I think you need to add more yardage or narrow down the possibilities.

boolit weight and balistic cofishant and speed it leaves the gun at.
p.s. and what gun.. handgun no way. sharps no problem.

[Rick Hodges]

I consider the 30-30 to be a 200 yd. hunting rifle for deer sized game. The cartridge is capable of shooting accurately way beyond that in the right rifle. Most common 30-30's in lever action mode are fully capable of killing deer at 200 yds.

[Garyshome]

Too many trees to shoot farther than 150 yds. I couldn't see any farther than that anyway.

[dakota]

200 yards steel targets, 150 yards - deer

[otter5555]

haven't started on my 3030 yet (next week), but am shooting iron / busting rocks with my 44 mag handi. 240gr swc, 980 fps @ 550yds daily. yep, it's a rainbow but that's why God gave us laser rangefinders

i'm hoping the 3030 w/ 180fn @ 1350 fps will stretch 800 yds. we'll see soon

[lka]

I am also working on my 3030 load, I scored a box of 500 flat-tipped jacketed bullets from a yard sale for 40.00 last week

[FAsmus]

Those are mighty strange-looking cast bullets ~