Texas Hunting Forum

30-30 help!

Posted By: ted.s

30-30 help! - 11/02/14 08:30 PM

Hey guys, I'm looking at buying a Mossberg 646 SPX for $350. the dude says he put 100 rounds through it and he's the second owner. anyone have any experiences with this gun? what about using a 30-30 as a pig gun? i know a lot of guys like them for deer.
Posted By: Brother in-law

Re: 30-30 help! - 11/02/14 08:40 PM

I wouldn't pay that much for anything Mossberg.

I don't care for 3030 and I own one. I would much rather have something else. Yes it will kill a pig.
Posted By: davvy

Re: 30-30 help! - 11/02/14 08:57 PM

Mossberg wouldn't be my cup of tea.
30-30? There may be better options but I'm yet to see the pig it won't put in the freezer
Posted By: ted.s

Re: 30-30 help! - 11/02/14 10:22 PM

whats wrong with mossberg?
Posted By: colt45-90

Re: 30-30 help! - 11/02/14 10:29 PM

nothing, its kinda like the Ford in the auto world banana
Posted By: TheOilman

Re: 30-30 help! - 11/02/14 10:43 PM

The 646 is a good gun, a 30-30 will work fine out to about 200 yards for pig or deer. With Hornady lever ammo a 30-30 is totally differnt caliber. There have been more deer killed with a 30-30 then any other caliber. As to the mossberg haters I'm curiorus if you guys have even ever owned one ? I have several and they all go bang. My cheap truck gun which is a ATR shoot 1.25 inch groups with factory ammo, not bad for a $260 rifle. Granted I prefer my beretta over my mossberg shotgun but they are still great value guns. Not saying it is the case here but most of the time people hating on a certain gun have never owned that gun.
Posted By: WBYHunter

Re: 30-30 help! - 11/02/14 10:46 PM

I've owned a Mossberg before and I won't do it again.
Posted By: Brother in-law

Re: 30-30 help! - 11/02/14 11:13 PM

They are cheap for a reason. The argument the 3030 has killed more deer than other is so redundant
I don't want any gun that can only shoot 200 yards with so so accuracy. If you have that money buy something that can do better and shoot better than 1.25" groups.
Posted By: fgdn

Re: 30-30 help! - 11/02/14 11:16 PM

Originally Posted By: colt45
nothing, its kinda like the Ford in the auto world banana


dad burn it man, did you have to throw that in there. see, that just ain't right clap

back to subject

is it a 646 or a 464

either way a 30-30 will make a fine pig gun
Posted By: txtrophy85

Re: 30-30 help! - 11/02/14 11:27 PM

Originally Posted By: Brother in-law
They are cheap for a reason. The argument the 3030 has killed more deer than other is so redundant
I don't want any gun that can only shoot 200 yards with so so accuracy. If you have that money buy something that can do better and shoot better than 1.25" groups.


I doubt that it still holds true that the 30-30 has killed more deer than any other caliber

The 30-30 is a decent round out to about 125 yards. Your stretching it past that

I own one and like the gun more than the caliber. I won't shoot at a deer with it past 100 yards
Posted By: TheOilman

Re: 30-30 help! - 11/03/14 12:54 AM

Originally Posted By: Brother in-law
They are cheap for a reason. The argument the 3030 has killed more deer than other is so redundant
I don't want any gun that can only shoot 200 yards with so so accuracy. If you have that money buy something that can do better and shoot better than 1.25" groups.



Well ya you can get a more accurate rifle if you have the money your missing the point it's about value. Judging by his post I don't think he's wanting to spend $1200 for a custom 700 then another $2000 for a night force scope. I own firearms on both ends of the price scale and still think there are some good guns for a low cost.
Posted By: TheOilman

Re: 30-30 help! - 11/03/14 12:57 AM

Originally Posted By: txtrophy85
Originally Posted By: Brother in-law
They are cheap for a reason. The argument the 3030 has killed more deer than other is so redundant
I don't want any gun that can only shoot 200 yards with so so accuracy. If you have that money buy something that can do better and shoot better than 1.25" groups.


I doubt that it still holds true that the 30-30 has killed more deer than any other caliber

The 30-30 is a decent round out to about 125 yards. Your stretching it past that

I own one and like the gun more than the caliber. I won't shoot at a deer with it past 100 yards



Have you tried hornadys leverloution ammo? It will give you some reassurance about stretching it out to 200 yards.
Posted By: sprigsss

Re: 30-30 help! - 11/03/14 01:17 AM

I won't hesitate to shoot a deer with my 30-30 out to 300 yards as long as I have my leverevolution in 140 grains. I spent a ton of time at the range with my gun and this ammo and I'm a believer.

I shot an old 7 two years ago from 300 yards and it made it 10 yards. Perfect double lung shot with very little holdover.

As soon as I empty that last box it will be a 200 yard gun again for me. Can't believe my favorite round was discontinued.

Lever evolution puts the ballistics right between that of a 30-06 and a 30-30.

Sure they may be better guns out there, but NOTHING wrong with the 30-30.
Posted By: txtrophy85

Re: 30-30 help! - 11/03/14 01:19 AM

Originally Posted By: Haydend
Originally Posted By: txtrophy85
Originally Posted By: Brother in-law
They are cheap for a reason. The argument the 3030 has killed more deer than other is so redundant
I don't want any gun that can only shoot 200 yards with so so accuracy. If you have that money buy something that can do better and shoot better than 1.25" groups.


I doubt that it still holds true that the 30-30 has killed more deer than any other caliber

The 30-30 is a decent round out to about 125 yards. Your stretching it past that

I own one and like the gun more than the caliber. I won't shoot at a deer with it past 100 yards



Have you tried hornadys leverloution ammo? It will give you some reassurance about stretching it out to 200 yards.


I have not because I've had trouble finding them

I stick to the tried and true remmy 170 grain ice cream cones
Posted By: TheOilman

Re: 30-30 help! - 11/03/14 01:34 AM

Originally Posted By: sprigsss
I won't hesitate to shoot a deer with my 30-30 out to 300 yards as long as I have my leverevolution in 140 grains. I spent a ton of time at the range with my gun and this ammo and I'm a believer.

I shot an old 7 two years ago from 300 yards and it made it 10 yards. Perfect double lung shot with very little holdover.

As soon as I empty that last box it will be a 200 yard gun again for me. Can't believe my favorite round was discontinued.

Lever evolution puts the ballistics right between that of a 30-06 and a 30-30.

Sure they may be better guns out there, but NOTHING wrong with the 30-30.





Was is it being discontinued?
Posted By: Brother in-law

Re: 30-30 help! - 11/03/14 01:59 AM

Originally Posted By: colt45
nothing, its kinda like the Ford in the auto world banana


More like Kia
Posted By: Rluckie

Re: 30-30 help! - 11/03/14 02:49 AM

My 30-30 is my favorite/go to gun. I'd rather loose any one or all of my other guns than to loose my Winchester 94. Maybe it's sentimental value, but it's my favorite.
Posted By: davvy

Re: 30-30 help! - 11/03/14 02:51 AM

The hornad is being upgraded with a new powder and better bullet design along with new badging not fully discontinued.

yes I currently own 3 Mossberg shotguns. I discovered the benelli nova and ruger American and haven't touched the Mossberg's since.

I use 140 grain hornady sst handloaded a little hot and match a light loaded 308s performance almost exactly.
Posted By: davvy

Re: 30-30 help! - 11/03/14 02:55 AM

I also need to learn to type. ! Lol
Posted By: sprigsss

Re: 30-30 help! - 11/03/14 03:57 AM

Originally Posted By: Haydend



Was is it being discontinued?


According to the Hornady Website the 140 grain has been discontinued for the 30-30 ammo. They still make the 160 grain and I have no problems finding it.

The 140 grain was my favorite round. The 160 grain has good ballistics, but I can only get 3 rounds on paper, then have no idea where the rounds will hit.

First shot is always exactly dead on. It works for deer hunting, just more difficult to spend time at the range waiting 10 minutes between shots.
Posted By: kmon11

Re: 30-30 help! - 11/03/14 04:19 AM

Had a Mossberg 30-30 years ago, first deer rifle. In 4 years I replaced 2 extractors and one firing pin. Last time I took it hunting at the shot snap on a nice Mississippi 10 point. Put it up and started hunting with the single shot 20ga until I could get something else (Rem 788 in 7mm-08 which still serves me well).

The Mossberg was accurate enough 1 inch with my reloads but reliability was very bad.
Posted By: ted.s

Re: 30-30 help! - 11/03/14 09:55 AM

its the mossberg 464. sorry for the confusion. i guess I'm going to pass on it for now, but i definitely see a 30-30 in my future. and y'all are right, i as bad as i want a several thousand dollar set up, theres no way its going to happen any time soon. so for now, I just ave to stick with the cheaper budget rifles or a good ol 12g slug
Posted By: Brother in-law

Re: 30-30 help! - 11/03/14 11:05 AM

What is your budget rifle with optic?
Posted By: txtrophy85

Re: 30-30 help! - 11/03/14 12:37 PM

Go buy a marlin 336 for $450 put a leaupold 2x7 on it for $200
And call it good
Posted By: 10ring

Re: 30-30 help! - 11/03/14 12:48 PM

Changing the subject here and I apologize but just out of curiosity I purchased a Thompson Venture this summer in 308. I got it for a little over 300 bucks off of gun broker and put a $100 Pentax on it. I have been truly amazed at how well it shoots. Not part of the 30-30 discussion I know but in the price range you may be looking at.
Posted By: J.G.

Re: 30-30 help! - 11/03/14 01:05 PM

I do and always will have a 30-30. It is a tool that has a specific job. When I will be walking thick woods I want my Marlin 30-30 with irons.
Posted By: sig226fan (Rguns.com)

Re: 30-30 help! - 11/03/14 01:10 PM

[quote=txtrophy85]Go buy a marlin 336 for $450 put a leaupold 2x7 on it for $200
And call it good [/quote

Or less if you find a good clean marlin. the marlin will out shoot the other lever guns, and are fool proof. I never work on lever Marlins, maybe 2 in 30 years in the business and they were abused.
Posted By: skinnerback

Re: 30-30 help! - 11/03/14 09:08 PM

Originally Posted By: FiremanJG
I do and always will have a 30-30. It is a tool that has a specific job. When I will be walking thick woods I want my Marlin 30-30 with irons.


X2.
Posted By: MR2 David

Re: 30-30 help! - 11/03/14 09:13 PM

Originally Posted By: FiremanJG
I do and always will have a 30-30. It is a tool that has a specific job. When I will be walking thick woods I want my Marlin 30-30 with irons.


X3 but mine is a post 64 Winchester 94 but i got her for $250.
Posted By: Tactical Cowboy

Re: 30-30 help! - 11/03/14 11:09 PM

I killed my first deer with a Ted Williams 30-30, and a pickup load of deer after that. I killed a doe at 160 yards with it using Williams receiver peep sights. I killed two hogs in one day with a 14" contender pistol in 30-30. Personally, I would steer clear of the Mossberg rifle. I bought a JM stamped Marlin from a local gun shop for $325 out the door.
Posted By: Gone to Texas

Re: 30-30 help! - 11/04/14 12:05 AM

Originally Posted By: WBYHunter
I've owned a Mossberg before and I won't do it again.


Hate to say it, but I have had a similar experience.
Posted By: sig226fan (Rguns.com)

Re: 30-30 help! - 11/04/14 01:13 AM

Originally Posted By: Gone to Texas
Originally Posted By: WBYHunter
I've owned a Mossberg before and I won't do it again.


Hate to say it, but I have had a similar experience.


Like many brands, Mossberg makes two lines, even within the same model series, like two different 500's, two different versions of 835's, etc.

Much like Remington 870's....which vary widely from the 870 Express at Bass Pro or Wal Mart to the 870 Wingmaster royal blue or the Marine 870, or the true Police 870's... you get what you pay for.

Upper end Mossbergs can be great guns. But the mart mart guns have ruined their reputation.

Savage went broke dealing with Wal Mart in the 80's and early 90's; finally pulled their head out, and now market stevens and Axis for those markets. True Savage guns are very good guns.

Do you really think you are buying a Zeiss for $299 at Bass Pro? Or an improved Tasco with a Zeiss label?
Or the $1100 John Deere mowers at Home Depot/Lowes? (Made by Murray or MTD).
Posted By: 10pointers

Re: 30-30 help! - 11/04/14 01:16 AM

My dad could hit a small coffee cup at 100 yards all day long with his 94. Best shot with open sites I have ever seen. Love the round myself, killed my first deer open sites 100 yards. I have the ugly Savage 340 in 30-30 with Leupold scope that is flat out one of my most accurate guns. I cant say enough about it.
Posted By: skinnerback

Re: 30-30 help! - 11/04/14 03:55 AM

Originally Posted By: sig226fan (Rguns.com)
Originally Posted By: Gone to Texas
Originally Posted By: WBYHunter
I've owned a Mossberg before and I won't do it again.


Hate to say it, but I have had a similar experience.


Like many brands, Mossberg makes two lines, even within the same model series, like two different 500's, two different versions of 835's, etc.

Much like Remington 870's....which vary widely from the 870 Express at Bass Pro or Wal Mart to the 870 Wingmaster royal blue or the Marine 870, or the true Police 870's... you get what you pay for.

Upper end Mossbergs can be great guns. But the mart mart guns have ruined their reputation.

Savage went broke dealing with Wal Mart in the 80's and early 90's; finally pulled their head out, and now market stevens and Axis for those markets. True Savage guns are very good guns.

Do you really think you are buying a Zeiss for $299 at Bass Pro? Or an improved Tasco with a Zeiss label?
Or the $1100 John Deere mowers at Home Depot/Lowes? (Made by Murray or MTD).



One of my hunting buddies just bought a Savage Axis in 308 (couple of months ago), it is a tack driver at the ranges we shoot. He is 5 for 5 so far with it this year. It is shooting tight groups, haven't tested it beyond 150 yrds but I bet it would do just fine stretching it out a little.
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