30-30 or 7mm-08

[Wondermutt]

I was pondering this today as I was finishing up the last 7mm-08 loads.

Which of these would make a better whitetail cartridge within 125 yards?

I have the 7mm-08 worked up, but if you feel the 30-30 would be better, which load would you use?

The 30-30 is a marlin lever action.

Thanks

WM

 

[jason miller]

125 or less? I'd take the 30-30. Nothing wrong with the 7mm-08, though...

 

[Wincheringen]

The 7mm-08 is my choice for whitetail hunting. I load the 140 grain Ballistic Tips.

 

[JD338]

I would go with the 7mm-08.

JD338

 

[cloverleaf]

Not to be a smart @$$, but the deer wont know the difference. Which do you shoot better? Just my .02 CL

 

[Mortis]

I have to side with cloverleaf..... the critter sure won't care.

Go with what ya feel more comfy with...

 

[DrMike]

I like 'em both. Either will work well.

 

[BK]

Which do you shoot better? Just my .02 CL

There it is, man.

 

[FOTIS]

I would go with the 7mm-08.

JD338

Me too only because it is far more versatile.

 

[sask boy]

I am with the other guys the deer won't know the difference.
But for me I shot my first WT buck with the 30-30 Marlin so it is a little special to me :wink:
However if my grandson continues to want to go hunting with his Opa :mrgreen: then I will be looking for a 7mm-08 for him.
Really not much help :roll:

Blessings,
Dan

 

[Ridge_Runner]

humorus tale
had a friend who was very partial to the 300 winny, got in on a conversation about the 30-30 once, he was a big guy, who's voice and storytelling abilities commanded respect.
He had just started to speak and told the 3-4 others that if they had to use a 30-30 to be very careful because it was one of the most deadly rifles ever placed in the hands of hunters.
he rolled his eyes at me and I knew it was gonna be good.
one in the crowd bit and asked, just what makes the 30/30 so deadly compared to say the 308 or 30-06?
friend said well when a buck comes out and you line up the sights and squeeze, yo hafta wait a bit before going to check for a hit.
why the guy asked?
well more likely than not if you immediately walk to the spot to check, if your not careful, the bullet will hit ya in the back of the head!!!!
put my vote in for the 7, nothing wrong with the 30-30, its been doing it a long time.
my friend also like chet atchinsons analogy of the 270 win. "just a lil bit more than adequate coyote rifle"
sorry for the off topic post, just made me think of a great friend and hunting partner I lost way too soon.
RR

 

[dlove]

I'd take the one with the best scope. ....or whichever rifle you like to carry more. the 30/30 may tear up less meat at really close range. I carry my 35 whelen a lot more often than I carry my .270 simply because the zeiss glass is better than the monarch ucc on the .270

 

[Wondermutt]

OK. I get the point. Should have re-phrased the question.

Thanks for the input.

On to the next topic.

WM

 

[Oldtrader3]

I prefer the .32 Special to the .30-30 but have only killed one deer with the 30-30 and that was 50 years ago. I would give all of the credit in the world to the 7mm-08 as a deer round. It is superior to the .30-30 in all aspects except caliber size.

 

[FOTIS]

OK. I get the point. Should have re-phrased the question.

Thanks for the input.

On to the next topic.

WM

How would you re-phrase the question? Did we misunderstand? Just wondering.

 

[BK]

I prefer the .32 Special to the .30-30 but have only killed one deer with the 30-30 and that was 50 years ago. I would give all of the credit in the world to the 7mm-08 as a deer round. It is superior to the .30-30 in all aspects except caliber size.

Damn, charlie, are you sure I'm not your younger twin brother?

 

[Wondermutt]

I was not really looking for a which is better than answer, but I should have asked, which is your go to whitetail load for either or. I maybe should have dropped the 7mm-08 and just asked about the 30-30, but since I have used neither for whitetail, I was curious the differences.

OK. I get the point. Should have re-phrased the question.

Thanks for the input.

On to the next topic.

WM

How would you re-phrase the question? Did we misunderstand? Just wondering.

 

[FOTIS]

OK if you put it that way up to 100-125 yards there is no difference in "killing" power. Past that the higher in BC bullets from the 7mm-08 will make a noticeable difference.

30-30 170 at 2100 fps
7mm-08 162 gr BT at 2650 fps

 

[Oldtrader3]

I prefer the .32 Special to the .30-30 but have only killed one deer with the 30-30 and that was 50 years ago. I would give all of the credit in the world to the 7mm-08 as a deer round. It is superior to the .30-30 in all aspects except caliber size.

Damn, charlie, are you sure I'm not your younger twin brother?

Maybe we are twins, separated at birth Kurt???? Ah no, maybe I am secretly your father, ah no! Oh well, great minds think alike!

 

[clearwater]

Since I do more carrying than shooting when deer hunting, I want the one that is lighter and carries easiest in my hand, since range is unimportant in this case. Both are point blank on deer at 125 yards.

Which is the most romantic in your mind? When you tell your tale of the hunt, which one
do you want in your story?