marlin 30-30 or 44 mag. for deer and hogs?

[mizzouri1]

howdy.
I haven't hunted deer with a 30-30 for over 30 years and i just have a hankern to do so again. But I just got invited to hunt hogs on a large farm. So what you guys think? 30-30 or 44 mag. thanks

[Mauser48]

A got loaded 44 would be great.

[Loudenboomer]

Plenty of variables but I'd say hit the mark with the right Boolit at under 100 yds. and piggy won't know the difference.

[RPRNY]

Plenty of variables but I'd say hit the mark with the right Boolit at under 100 yds. and piggy won't know the difference.

I concur. 30-30 placed correctly will take either deer or hogs out to the limit of your eyesight with irons. 44 Mag will be at least as effective inside 100 yards. It will work beyond that, certainly, but 30-30 is a better choice beyond 100.

Most hog hunting I've done has seen the shooting well under 100 yards and a lever gun in 44 mag is ideal. For deer, I love and use the 30-30. It really can't be beat with the proper bullet/velocity combination.

[Nicholas]

Why not both? Carry a Marlin 30-30 and your choice of 44 revolver on you hip.

[RJH]

I really like my .44 for hogs.

[GoodOlBoy]

Depends on the hogs. Any normal weight feral hog a 30-30 is going to more than take care of so long as you don't try to shoot through the cape on a boar. If you are intentionally going after the old nasty monster 600+ lb hogs you need to choose a third caliber.

Have a good hunt.

GoodOlBoy

[starmac]

Which ever shoots best at the distance you will be shooting.
Using cast, I would probably go with the 44 and just keep the distance suitable.

[Lonegun1894]

I'd just carry whichever you shoot a bit better, r just whichever you feel like taking when the day comes if you shoot them equally. Both are very effective.

[OverMax]

30-30. No doubt about it on this end. Just look at the stat's and see for yourself.

[Hickok]

Either one as long as a good bullet or boolit is used. I don't like the high velocity "blows up in animal and expends all it's energy" theory.

[snaketail]

Either will work, but I vote for the .44 - because you can load more rounds into the rifle. It should cycle properly - you understand that an angry hog won't wait for you to clear a jam (and it doesn't take much to get 'em angry). In SE Mo. you shots will mostly be under 50 yards. I understand that Iron County has a good population of hogs, but I haven't hunted there - yet.
M

[1Shirt]

Well, for me it would depend on distances to be shot. If under 100 yds, either would be fine, and it would be 6 of one and half dozen of another. If it will be beyond 100 yds, I would favor the 30-30. The suggestion of carrying a 30-30 rifle and side packing a 44 also has merit if you are so inclined.
1Shirt!

[Down South]

Either will work but i'd prefer the 30-30 myself.

[JesterGrin_1]

I would have to agree that I would Greatly prefer the 30-30 over the .44 Mag.

The 30-30 has a larger range of use and usually much better accuracy than the .44 Mag Marlin.

[GoodOlBoy]

I don't think accuracy is going to be the issue. When hunting deer or hog if you can hit a pie pan at 75 to 100 yards you have minute of deer or pig accuracy, and I have never seen a 30-30 or 44 mag rifle or carbine that couldn't do ALOT better than that kind of accuracy.

GoodOlBoy

[JesterGrin_1]

I don't think accuracy is going to be the issue. When hunting deer or hog if you can hit a pie pan at 75 to 100 yards you have minute of deer or pig accuracy, and I have never seen a 30-30 or 44 mag rifle or carbine that couldn't do ALOT better than that kind of accuracy.

GoodOlBoy

A Pie Plate maybe good enough for some but I demand far better from any Firearm I plan to hunt with. As whatever game I am after deserve a clean kill out of respect. How can one have good shot placement when the firearm they are using is not capable of it to start with. Combine the inaccuracy of the firearm with what the shooter might do during the pressure time of hunting. The pie plate could easily grow much larger.

Now if I was simply shooting at targets or tin cans then it would not matter nearly as much or really be much fun when you can not hit what you are aiming at unless it is a barn and you are in the inside. lol.

[gandydancer]

100 ft or 100 yards. 30/30 is the way to go. Had my try at hog hunting with a 44 mag never again.

[reivertom]

30-30 is easier to find and more affordable. If you reload, there is a lot of choices of bullets and powders to dial in a good hog load.

[starmac]

I never bought in to the pie plate deal, especially on most texas deer, and eatin size hogs.