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30/30 or 30.06?

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E

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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
Hey guys, got a question for you guys. I have only had .22LR rifles before. I am looking at two rifles and wondering which would be best just all around shooter.
the first i already posted a question about, its a Winchester model 94 in 30/30. asking price $325.00
the second rifle i am looking at is a Winchester model 70 in 30.06 the asking price on that one is $345.00
of those two what would be the all around better shooter?
and are the asking prices fair? both are used but in great cond.
Thanks.
 
C

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#4 ·
The obvious choice (to me) is the Model 70 in 30-06. The bolt action will be inherently more accurate, and the 30-06 caliber much more versatile.

The 30-06 has more factory ammunition loaded in more configurations than any other centerfire caliber out there. You can buy loads to handle varmints all the way up to loads that will handle the larger game North America has to offer (with only the largest, most dangerous game outmatching the caliber).

The bolt action will do as well as the lever action on almost all situations exept where rapid follow-up shots are required. And in my opinion, if you need lots of rapid follow-up shots you better be practicing to become a better shooter and to make one shot count.

Bolt-action 30-06 will do most of what even the most demanding hunters require - the same cannot be said for the lever action 30-30. The 30-30 falls short of acceptable performance past 150 yards, while the 30-06 is accurate to the limits any ethical hunter would shoot, while still being functional in a situation where short-range shots in cover present themselves.
 
W

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#5 ·
Cartridge guy pretty much said it all... the '06 is one of the most versatile calibers around, and is suitable for anything on the North American Continent. Some guys will claim you need a .338 mag or a .375 H&H for brown bear, but I'll bet the .30-'06 has killed more of them than all the other calibers combined. Same goes for elk.

The only thing he didn't mention, though, is that a .30-30 lever gun is all you need for whitetails in heavy woods where a 100 yard or less shot is the norm (it has probably taken more deer than any other caliber). And, they're fun to shoot when you're doing some 50-yard plinking.
 
G

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#10 ·
besides what has allready been posted, the monetary value of the model 70 (if it is a pre 64 it is a steal)would give the nod to it.if you realy want a lever gun then buy it and have fun, if you realy want something for later on down the road, jump all over that 30.06 and don't look back. heck i'll buy the 30.06 for that price.
 
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#14 ·
Re: re: 30/30 or 30.06?

gwp4ever said:
Hell, just buy'em both and then you won't have to worry about it. :D
Click to expand...
a person of great insight has just spoken :D
sometime we can't see the forest with all those dern leaves in the way.
 
G

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#15 ·
Re: re: 30/30 or 30.06?

EL SEGUNDO said:
mainly be using for target shooting at the range.
but in the future might travel to a state where i could use it for deer hunting. I live in Illinois, so can only deer hunt with shotgun/handgun.
Click to expand...
No contest-go with the 06. Ballistically, the 30-30 is completely inferior to what you can feed the bolt gun. Pain in the arse to
mount a scope on one too.
 
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#16 ·
Why limit yourself with the dirty-thurty?

The .30/06 is extremely versatile and if you ever learned to reload, you could make mild .30-30 type reloads if you chose too! But not the other way around.

Plus, the .30/06 is the MOST POPULAR hunting cartridge and ammo in America, even more so than the .270, 7mm RM, and .30-30 (in that order).
 
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#17 ·
The question is flawed. You are not limited to those two options. If you want a gun that is not unpleasant to shoot, and is also a deer killer, I would suggest the 6.5x55 swedish or its American counterpart (264 remington?). The 243 win or 7mm-08 would also be my choice over the 06 or 30-30.
I hunted deer most of my life with an 06, and I believe it to be a bit heavy for deer. The 7mm .284 has some of the best ballistics for bullets in the range of weight that would be used for deer. The 7mm also has a wide range of bullets for handloading.
 
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#19 ·
re: What about a Model 99 in .300 or .308?

El Segundo,

I'm a huge, huge, huge '06 fan. That said, I hunted my first six seasons, from age 12 to 18, with a Marlin 336 in .30-30. I hunted within it's limitations, and never went through a season without filling my tag because of it.

When I got my '03 Springfield, though, I never looked back.

If you like lever actions, why not think about a Model 99 Savage? They use a rotary magazine or detachable box magazine in the later versions, so you can shoot pointed bullets in them, and you can get them chambered to cartridges that have plenty of thump up close or out far. I once owned one in .25-35, which was underpowered for deer but pretty neat for coyote hunting. It was a shockingly straight shooter, too. I wound up selling it to a guy who collects those older Savage Model 99's for far more than I paid for it -basically an "offer that I couldn't refuse" kind of deal, though I wish I had have kept the thing, because it was just plain sweet and fun to shoot. I wouldn't mind getting another someday, and might if I find one in good shape at a fair price in .358 Winchester or whatever that necked-up .308 Win. round is called that takes .35 bullets. That would make a sweet pig gun!

Plus, there is just something about an old Savage Model 99 that screams "cool" particularly the older ones with the schanble fore-end and perch-belly stock.

Bolt actions rule the roost in terms of target shooting, but what a boring world it would be if we all shot them and nothing else.

-JPS
 
I

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#20 ·
to the guest who suggests that the question was flawed, el segundo mentioned that the choice was between 2 particular rifles that he knew of for sale... not just asking about cartridge differences.

while the 6.5x55 is a really neat & sweet shooter, for a non reloader (as I assume el segundo to be since this is his first centerfire) it might be kinda difficult to keep fed.

of the 2 choices given: '06 all the way.

mike
 
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