quote:

Originally posted by federali:
My .44 Ruger carbine, with a 1-4X scope and 240 grain JHPs shoots to about 2 inches on the 100 yard bench. This is accurate enough for deer hunting. The .30-30, being slimmer, retains its energy better and would certainly be the better choice as ranges increase.

quote:

Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
If your 44 Mag rifle shoots 2" at 100 yards that is AWSOME. Do not ever sell that one.

quote:

Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
This was mentioned in another post.

I have some experience with both calibres in rifles, and have shot game with both.

A Ruger in 44 Mag was my first "deer" rifle when I was a kid.

I shot a fair amount of deer with it. I used 240gr SP and HP ammo factory and reloads, as that was what was avialable back then, mid to late 1960's.

I cannot think of any deer that took more than a step or two after being hit.
More receintly I killed a pig with a 225gr Hornady Lever Evolution, at about 40 yards. It was a bang flop.

I have killed 2 deer with 150gr bullets in the 30/30, with a Winchester Trapper, and a few deer and wild pigs with the 170gr Federal, and the Hornady 160 Lever Evolution in my sweet little Heym O/U 26B.
These animals have run a little, unlike the ones hit with the 44 Mag. But no farther than deer hit with a 243 or 308 that also ran...

All shots ranged from 24 yards to 100 yards, I did kill a deer at @120 with the 44 Ruger one time.

I have also killed 3 coyotes with the Heym 30/30 one at 25 yards with the Federal 170 load and 2 with Hornady Evolution, one at 106 yards one at 160,or 166 cannot remember exactly, but both were lazered before the shot. All were bang flops. The Heym has a scope, the Ruger 44 did too...

So I will have to say that I think the 44 Mag has more "thump" inside 100 yards. On bogger game with heavier bullets its thump would increase. ie I would rather have a 44 Mag rifle for bear protection, with the right bullets over the 30/30. Energy figures do not matter IMHO, the 44Mag just has more thump.

In side 100 yards it killed deer as good as any rifle including an elephant gun, I have shot a few deer with an "elephant gun, too.

The downside is sadly most 44 Mag rifles, I have had 3, have the 1 in 38" twist, so they do not shoot very good past 75 yards. Good enough for deer... But I have never been happy with thier accuracy at 100.

The 44 Mag lever also has the advantage of holding more rounds.

The 30/30 is better at 100 yards and out. They are also much more accurate. You can find ammo most anywhere.

My Heym 26B O/U in 30/30 has become one of my most favorite hunting rifles for my deer lease.

I have shot several deer and pigs with it as well as the coyotes mentioned and some turkeys as well.

So In a nutshell, for a Lever Action rifle, I rate the 44 Mag superior, 75 yards and under, for thump, it has good accuracy, and holds more rounds, a better "protection gun".
It also has the advantage of taking the same ammo as a 44 Mag handgun.

The 30/30 has better accuracy after 75 yards, much better range, and you can find ammo most anywhere.

IMHO.

quote:

Originally posted by kingd:
Ain't seen a 300lbs+ prairie dog yet. LOL

quote:

Ain't seen a 300lbs+ prairie dog yet. LOL

quote:

Originally posted by SmokinJ:
The 1 in 38 rifling twist would be correct for the Marlin's and some others, but I believe it to be faster for the Winchester 94's. I know for sure the 45 Colt Winchester 94's is much faster then 1 in 38, something like 1 in 20.