Looking for real world advice. I had the pleasure of shooting a 30-30 most of my teen years and fell in love with the gun. Unfortunately that rifle was not mine to keep. I recently started looking into purchasing my own, but dear Lord the prices of even a modest 30-30 have gone thru the roof!! A friend of mine is trying to sell me on the 300 blackout in the AR platform sooooo….I need some advice from those that may have experience with both rifles. Any and all info and input will be greatly appreciated! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Did you love the cartridge or the rifle? Nothing real special about the 30-30 or the 300 blk and I own both.

If you want decent power to 150 yds and like the AR platform then no issues at all with the 300 blk.

If you want a lever action and don't want to spend Ruger / Winchester money check out the Rossi's.

https://grabagun.com/bsearch/result/?q=rossi+lever+action+rifle

Thanks Chalet, I will check out the Rossi’s. I hunt on a small parcel and we are now starting to see pigs. Most of the shots I take are within 100 yards with potential heavy cedar cover. I loved the way the 30-30 handled and put down anything that came into its path, just thinking about the 300 BO because of the pigs, want to get as many as possible when I see them

I have both and have had a MUCH easier time finding 300BO ammo than 30/30 since 2020.

A 16" AR-15 and super sonic ammo will do what you want.

Look at the thread here about the 300 HAMR. It's the Black Out on steroids.

Get the 30-30 Marlin 336. Zero regrets. You fell in love as a kid with the classic rifle/caliber. A plastic rifle and modern cartridge won't scratch your itch.

^^^^ I’ve got 3 Hamr’s and they are impressive.

There is only two reasons to get a bo 1 - you wanna play with subs 2 - you want lots of places to buy ammo

On item 2 - Wilson Combat always has some ammo but it might not be the flavor you want and there are very few options outside of them.

I reload so 2 didn’t come into play and I don’t want to do subs…seemed like a natural fit and it’s not disappointed. I mainly use them for pigs at nite with a thermal.

The 300BO shooting Barnes Tac-TX is great pig medicine inside 175 yards. The projectile was developed for law enforcement and tracks straighter through barriers than most other factory loads. Pig shoulder bones are basically barriers. Every deer I've shot with it has died but also ran about 40-75 yards. Great for pigs but I'm back to 3000+ fps cartridges for deer.

Given those 2 options

All things considered, I’d go 300 BO these days

Have both shot both quite a bit this year. I’d pick the rifle you like best. Bought my boy a 300 BO at to hunt with and inherited a 30-30 same time. He shot both and preferred 30-30. Me too but mostly I just don’t care for the ar.

This. I have two .300 Ham’r rifles, one AR and one bolt gun. Have killed deer with both and can confirm they are as effective as the .30-30 (which I also have and have killed deer with).

When it comes to pigs, I think firepower is an important consideration. A levergun can hold quite a few rounds and it's not really slow if you're good with it, but it's hard to outdo an AR when it comes to the ability to keep on shooting as long as the hogs are in sight.

You said thick cover so multiple ACCURATE shots are probably not happening regardless of how fast you can pull the trigger,and I like 94s better so put me in the 3030 camp. I saw a like new 94 AE at a pawn shop for $750 last weekend so with a little looking they are not super expensive,and they are always cooler than an ar lol.

You will probably be happy with either, but you will be happier with a levergun

McClellands Gun Shop has a 1980 Marlin 3080 listed at $649.00.

I own both, and hunt with both. They will both do the job. The 3030 will push the bullet a little faster. As was mentioned above, check out the 300hamr to put both cartridges on more equal footing. . The ar platform is great for getting kids shooting with the adjustability and lack of recoil, but I still prefer the way a lever gun carries in the field. I think it really boils down to which platform you prefer. They're both effective.

Came to post this, especially after next weekend. Hit the pawn shops and look for good deals.

One of the best additions to any AR that is hunted with is a Viking Tactics sling, mounted to the side of the rifle. It helps bare the load and keeps the rifle ready to shoot, but on your chest.

Very easy to make the 300BO whisper quiet!

300 BLK is great as a night vision rifle where you can have two zeroes, super and subsonic. You can shoot hogs with supers and raccoons etc with subs. 30-30 for day time where you might want to shoot a little further. Used 336s in good condition can be found for 400-600 with some patience, especially if you don't mind the crossbolt safety. Bolt action 30-30s are pretty affordable too, my first 30-30 was actually Savage 340 and it was a fun little gun. I traded it towards a Kar98k, but wouldn't mind getting another sometime, you can find them for 300-500.

I’ve killed a lot of stuff with a 30-30, and two or three pigs with the 300bo. I think the 30-30 works a little bit better.

I carry my AR slung across my chest in similar fashion. When I am still hunting, I prefer a lever gun just carried in the hand. No sling at all. IMO, you can't beat the way it balances, and it points and handles better than an AR platform. Now, stand hunting, or hunting from a blind is a different story.

Both are garbage

That's the spirit.

You’re so helpful

300 BO is fine, Ham'r a tad better. 30/30 is fine too. I use the BO for hunting anymore. Less recoil, pointy ammo (FTX works in 30/30 though). I reload for both so no ammo problems and I don't do subs. AR is WAY faster for follow up shots. I'm after hogs and yotes, not deer but BO @100 is fine for all. If I needed longer range I'd go with the 308W.