A friend of mine has decided to buy a Winchester model 94 Legacy 24" lever action for deer in NY He asked me which caliber would be best a .30/30 winchester or a .44 magnum. I told him both wood work but could not honestly tell him which was the better. He hunts an area similar to mine where shots under 50yds would be the norm with 100yds a max shot. Which of the two would you guys reccommend

If he's going to be shooting out to 100 yds even seldomly, I would say tell him to buy the 30-30. Not only that the 30-30 is just a better deer cartridge. I'm guessing he'll be hunting deer?

Can anyone tell me or anyone else....How many Deer/Elk/Bear the 30-30 has killed before the super dooper mags when the hunt was for meat for the family.....Lots.I still have friends that kill Elk "Every" year with the 30-30.

My pick would be the 30-30.

Jayco

30-30 wouldbe more versatile if he does not own many rifles.

The 30-30 will shoot circles around the 44 mag. which to my mind is just a pistol cartridge.

30-30, I just wish they still made the .375Win.

Out to 100 yards, I would be happy with either. The longer rifle barrels can make the 44 Magnum a good close range rifle. If he would only have one rifle though then the 30-30 would be a bit more versitile.

The 30-30 well give him a bit more reach it is good out to 200. But under 100 both well do just fine.

30-30 for sure.

No matter how many rifles I manage to aquire, my little Marlin 30-30 seems to make it to the woods on several occasions every year and she still lays em' down like she always has.

Good Luck!

Reloader

I think caliber and cartridge often get used as synonyms when, in fact, they are words meaning two different things.

Caliber: as in- your .308 Winchester is .308 or .30 caliber (bullet diameter)

Cartridge: as in- your favourite .308 or .30 caliber cartridge is a .308 Winchester

As much as I like the .44 Mag in a levergun I'd have to give the nod to the 30-30 for someone who wants an all-around timber rifle for deer, especially beyond about 75 yards. I'd suggest he use 170gr bullets and he'll have no trouble.

Post another vote for the 30/30Winchester, but at under 100yards with a 50yards average, both will be doing a good job.
Cheers...
Con

I have to agree the 30-30 would be the logical choice. I used to have a Marlin 336 in 30-30 that shot so sweet that I regret giving it up. Thought I was moving to Alaska a couple of years ago, so had to get down to one gun safe. Damn that hurt!

But, bought a Marlin 1894PG in 44 mag this year and put a Williams FP peep on it and 3 shots were touching at 100 yards, so the 44 ain't no slouch either. And the 44 240gr. XTP drops deer hard.

After seeing the accuracy of the Marlin 1894, I say flip a coin.

quote:

Originally posted by jaycocreek:
Can anyone tell me or anyone else....How many Deer/Elk/Bear the 30-30 has killed before the super dooper mags when the hunt was for meat for the family.....Lots.I still have friends that kill Elk "Every" year with the 30-30.

My pick would be the 30-30.

Jayco

Do those same guys drive a horse and buggy instead of a car?

quote:

quote:
Originally posted by jaycocreek:
Can anyone tell me or anyone else....How many Deer/Elk/Bear the 30-30 has killed before the super dooper mags when the hunt was for meat for the family.....Lots.I still have friends that kill Elk "Every" year with the 30-30.

My pick would be the 30-30.

Jayco


Do those same guys drive a horse and buggy instead of a car?

No, they probably just don't see a practical need for a Jaguar when the Taurus will get you there. Not a slam on magnums, just an observation on different uses.

The 30-30 should do nicely.

I would suggest neither the 30-30 nor the .44 magnum. For that matter the 94 Win was never a good design either.

Today there are modern rifles that will outperform the subjects.

That happened lever action rifle wise in 1895 with the Savage. Cartridge wise with the 7mm Mauser and that was in the 19th century as well.

Of course for easy shots the 94 type rifles are better than a sharp stick but not as useful as your 12 ga.