I am curious what range you feel comfortable shooting at a deer with, say a 30-30 with open sights, for a clean kill. I am not talking about the distance at which you would sight your rifle for, but rather the distance you feel comfortable you would have a clean kill using the open sights. Let us also say the position you are using offers a good rest for the rifle either from a tree stand or on the ground.
How Far
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theicemanmpls
Banned
open sights? less then 100 yards.
Retired Grunt
New member
100 yards or less. I would intentionally hunt a site that presents closer shots, to preclude the temptation to take the long shot at a "Wallhanger"
RixGotSkills
New member
Great question. I've purchased a Marlin lever action in 30-30 for that very reason, but have yet to use it. My initial response was 100yds, but then I went out and walked it off. You better make sure you're on the money at that distance with just open sights.
NMHunter
NM Hunter
With my 30-30, I handload spitzer bullets as I have a bolt action, with an aperture sight, MY range is about 125 yards.
A general rule of thumb for any rifle is assume the kill zone of the game to be hunted, for deer about a six-inch circle, get a stack of paper plates of that size. At whatever range, within the energy level of the rifle cartridge combination (about 1,000 ft-lbs for deer) YOU can consistently keep a magazine full, at least five shots, off-hand on that plate is YOUR range with that combination. For the 30-30 with round nose or flat point bullets that is a maximum of 150 yards, with the Leverevolution load from Hornady the energy lets it stretch up to 200 yards.
theicemanmpls
Banned
What kinda of rifle gun u got there thats 30-30 in bolt action?
Red Hat
New member
I try to stay under 100 yds! Too many factors to consider with open sights...like my eyes!
Thanks for the input. What prompted the question was this. I have been reading about the 338 Marlin Express, and decided that I needed one. I have several bolt rifles and several autos in 30-06 and 243 caliber. I had a 336 Marlin years ago that I traded in a gun deal and have regretted getting rid of it the day after the deal.
I had some money burning a hole in my pocket so I decided to order the 338. Well, it turns out all the distributors in the state are out of the 338 and after calling Marlin they can’t tell me when the next production run will be. A few days ago I was in a sporting goods store and saw a good price on a 336
30-30. My wife was with me and told me if I wanted it to go ahead and get it. Fearing I wouldn’t catch her in a mood like this for a few years to come I bought it.
When I measured off 200 feet today I looked back at the target and realized this was just about as far as my conscience should let me shoot. Big buck, heart beating fast, maybe not taking my time even if the deer was standing still, this looked like about as far as I should take a shot. At 63 my eye sight and steadiness aren’t what they used to be.
Now, I am sitting here wondering what legitimate reason I would have to leave the order on the 338 open
( except for just wanting one ) when I now have the 30-30. I wanted the 338 as a gun to use early in the season when the max you can see in the woods due to foliage is about 25 yards. To me it seems the 338 with all its flat trajectory and energy, unless I put a scope on it, will not be any better than the 30-30.
As it stands now I am leaving the order open, but if it takes a long time for the 338 to make it to the dealer, I might have second thoughts.
I had some money burning a hole in my pocket so I decided to order the 338. Well, it turns out all the distributors in the state are out of the 338 and after calling Marlin they can’t tell me when the next production run will be. A few days ago I was in a sporting goods store and saw a good price on a 336
30-30. My wife was with me and told me if I wanted it to go ahead and get it. Fearing I wouldn’t catch her in a mood like this for a few years to come I bought it.
When I measured off 200 feet today I looked back at the target and realized this was just about as far as my conscience should let me shoot. Big buck, heart beating fast, maybe not taking my time even if the deer was standing still, this looked like about as far as I should take a shot. At 63 my eye sight and steadiness aren’t what they used to be.
Now, I am sitting here wondering what legitimate reason I would have to leave the order on the 338 open
( except for just wanting one ) when I now have the 30-30. I wanted the 338 as a gun to use early in the season when the max you can see in the woods due to foliage is about 25 yards. To me it seems the 338 with all its flat trajectory and energy, unless I put a scope on it, will not be any better than the 30-30.
As it stands now I am leaving the order open, but if it takes a long time for the 338 to make it to the dealer, I might have second thoughts.
theicemanmpls
Banned
For older eyes Put a red dot, or a low power IEF scope mounted scout style on the 336. Do not fire on a deer unless you can hit him in the boiler room. This is about the diameter of a coffee can. To me, there is nothing worse then wounding an animal.
Take that money for the 338 and buy a nice pistol, or better yet, jewelry for you wife.
theicemanmpls
Banned
Interesting. Another way, other then the T/C to fire pointy bullets in 30-30. Question, if you were going the bolt action route for deer, why not get a 308, or another short action rife?
I enjoy the 30 30 in the winchester, or marlin lever action platform. Short brush gun. Notice I didn't say brush busting?
I would "aim" for 50 yards or less in the planning stage. In the field I'd probably take the shot up to about 70-80 yards.
It would take a day of making sure I could hit small paper plates at 100 yards before I'd shoot that far. That is a heck of a long way when you are trying get a good clean kill and not just a hit.
It would take a day of making sure I could hit small paper plates at 100 yards before I'd shoot that far. That is a heck of a long way when you are trying get a good clean kill and not just a hit.
