The venerable 30/30

      The winchester 1894 was the first rifle to be chambered in the venerable 30/30 winchester.   The 30/30 is what many people carry into the field and one of the guns you thing of when you think of deer rifles. The cartridge has light recoil and is the most popular chambering for all lever actions.  Since the cartridges humble beginnings, there have been many 30/30s taken to the field.   It has long been a standby for the deep woods hunter and a good option for a young hunter. 
     The first thirty references the bore diameter however you may not know the second thirty references the early blackpowder loads of 30 grains. The 30/30 is also know as the 30 WCF or 30 Winchester Center Fire.  Common loads for this guy 150 and 170 grains.  I remember running across some 125 grain bullets for mine as a youngster and thought I had a real long range gun then!!
     The 30/30 has long been considered a brush gun.  The thought or old wive's tale is that the slow moving bullet will not deflect as much as a smaller, faster moving bullet.  I will not go into specifics but have seen this myth debunked several times.   Now what it does offer as a brush gun is that it is short barreled and nimble.  It is easy to walk with and a great option for stalking.  The 30/30 is a great option for deer, coyote, and even bear.  It is considered light for elk  and moose even though it has probably taken plenty.
     The bolt action rifle as well as modern sporting rifle (aka AR10) have put a huge dent in the sales of the 30/30.  Faster and flatter shooting bullets come out all the time.  The 30/06 and its success didn't do much for 30/30.  The 30 WCF does however still hold on.   What it lacks in speed and accuracy, it makes up in success year after year in the field.
     Don't however go out an sell that old gun.  There is certain amount of romance in the old western lever action and the new flex tip ammunition has extended the range of this old workhorse.  Lets also be honest------Most of our deer around killed within 150 yards and the 30/30 will do that easily with about any ammunition.   The Marlin and now the modern winchesters come drilled and tapped for scopes so you can easily extend your kill range.
     My first buck came with a 30/30.  I was in sitting in a hay field near a cut over in Wilcox county Alabama.   A driver and his dogs walked through the cutover.   Out from the field burst a 4 point.  I raised my marlin 336CS topped with over and under sights and a 3x9x40 scope.   I put the cross hairs on the buck and dropped with a 70 yard shot.   That 30/30 killed that buck just as well as my 7 mag and it is a good choice.   Get out that old 30/30 and relieve your youth this season.