Might want to work up a "blue dot" load for those "up close and personal" shots.

HotCore,

Yes from my experience Jorge is absolutely right. When hunting hogs in CA back in May I found they did the same (Morning and evening) thing and for the most part they are about the same here, except I have noticed a bit more activity when you get into the shaded woods like we were hunting the other day.

Jorge- I hope it is as a photo of what not to do



"Tell me all you can about the "Fiber Optic" sights you are currently using. I'm particularly interested in how long they will "glow" as the sun goes down(or comes up)."

Mine have always seemed to well lit for as long as I wanted to shoot and I am fairly sure that they would be visible longer that I could clearly see through my scope (I will try this tonight and take a pic).

In the mornings I have found that even before a little light is coming up those sights grabbing all available and they are very easily seen.

"Example 1: Let's say Sunset was at 8PM and no moon. Things would begin loosing their color and turn to shades of gray from about 8:25-8:40PM(aka SUPER Prime Time for Deer). Then at 8:45PM it would be too dark to shoot.

During this situation, what time will the Fiber Optics become un-usable if you are in the shadows? Do you find one color better than another one(red, green, etc.)? Do you think of them as fairly rugged, able to take a bump, or fragile?"

I have found that even if there is a little light these sights will grab it, even if you are in the shadows if there is light available they will hold it and stay bright for you. If you can see your hand you can see the sights.

I have orange on the rear and green on the front.

The attached link will show you two photos I just took in my ofc and will give you at least a little idea of how they look in 2 different lighting situations.

Sight test in office

Doug

jorge, tut tut, how on earth did you get afflicted with 30-30phobia?

In the FWIW department, I've been using a red dot on a .44 Mag rifle and find it superior to irons or conventional glass for round the clock practicality IN CLOSE QUARTERS. If you have enough light to see your quarry, you can tap 'em. Millett SP-1. Not the high end nor the low. Keep both eyes open and go. I have shot several sub MOA groups at 100 yards with this combination. It has a 3' dot, probably up to 5' would work okay. JME

DW: Not to worry, it was used in the "dead horse" discussion of what can happen with soft bullets at high MVs when striking bone. Actually the contention was about the shoulder vs lung shot predilection, yeat another dead horse. DD: the 3030 will handily take a hog, I just think it needs a scope to increase your odds of bagging a hog. jorge

Hey Doug, Thanks for the flicks. That did help and the glow is quite visible. What time of day was that in relation to sunset; 30min after, 45min after? Thanks.

Hot Core,

Those photos were taken in my office at appx right at sunset. The second photo I took with the blinds closed and a blanket mostly covering the window.

I think you would really like them and for the most part they are inexpensive enough to give them a try.

Doug

Dw,

I just picked up on this thread. Too bad you aren't closer to my area, there is a 336 at a local gunshop here in real good condition. I bought one last winter, and I can relate to what you said about the wood on the older ones being nicer. I am shopping for an older Marlin in 45-70, and I really don't like the wood on the new ones. I prefer the Marlin over Winchesters because I really don't like straight grips. I plan on taking my 336 to Wisconsin this year to chase deer.

DGK

I like the 30-30 due to ease of getting cheap and good factory ammo so I don't have to reload for it but I do anyway. I second the Red dot sight set up. One of my best hog hunting spots is shotgun only so I mounted a Millet SP1 on my 12 gauge and have to agree that for low light it's perfect. Before I decided on the Millet or even to get into these sights I tried a BSA BZ30 Red dot sight for 38 bucks or so that I got from Cheaper than Dirt and it is still mounted on my 30-30 contender serving very well.

375HH,

I may have found one. I leave for a trapshoot in Green Bay in the morning and a friend of mine up there has one for me to look over. I might have to take a look at these sights you guys keep talking about, if they are down about 1 power or so they might work in this area because as I said in an earlier post looking at that hog through my scope all I could see was hair, no outline, nothing resembling a figure at all. That is how small this area is and aside from that I would like to be on a second hog is possible very fast and in these woods that would be very difficult with a standard scope.

Doug

Except for a few very high end red dots they are all ZERO power, no parallax. I believe that Aimpoint makes one with about 2x magnification.

I am with the .308 crowd, preferring 180 grainers or 165. I too own a .300 Wby. and use 180 Hornady spire points @ 3150 fps. It is my trophy gun only.
If I go bust for trophy bucks or nothing, I do not care about meat lost as long he has a biiiiig rack.
I am an avid fan of the .308. I have used it with great success over the years on close range ( <200 Meters) moose black bear and deer with 180 Nosler Partitions MV 2450 fps and the Federal factory loading with 165 bonded bearclaws, MV 2650 fps. Barrel length is 20 inches.
Minimum meat damage, deep penetration, great killing power.
Its the old story of a light high velocity number vs the slower and heavy for caliber bullet. The last one is for meat hunting. I lung shoot most of my eating big game and have to track them for 20-100 meters. I guess if I can not follow such a blood trail, I should not be out there.
I can see "breaking bone" on stuff that bites back or real trophy hoofed animals. On hoofed animals I want to eat only,why would I want to blow up a quarter to save walking after a blood trail for 20-100 meters.
Also,if your shooting range is less then 150 yards and you like the feel of the levergun, well....... a 30/30 will do just fine on deer moose or bear.I have seen it in the hands of many native hunters/trappers and know well what it can do.

DW, Why don't you try a nice handgun like a good 44 mag or a nicely loaded 45 colt in a good stout gun. Yes I am partial to handguns for hunting but that is just me and you might find that you like it too. Might be fun.

Brian

Shrike,



That is one reason I love my 300 wby, I do not like to follow game anymore, I would much rather see my quarry drop now. I can say that over 20 yrs every deer I hit with it did just that. Granted there are plenty of rounds that will do the same thing but the 300 is what I have found I like and am very comfortable with for longer range shooting, it's my baby.



445,



I used to have a Ruger Super Blackhack in 44 mag and took it hunting a few times and honestly I was just never able to really get into it. I really enjoyed shooting it but for hunting sake there were too many shots I was not able to take with it and couple that with my patience and lack of time to be hunting and unfortunately the relationship did not last long.



The 30/30 is short and light enough to really swing and stroke quick on close game for follow up shots and or multiple targets.



Doug