tgc
.30 Stingray
Posts: 142 
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Post by tgc on Feb 4, 2014 20:39:24 GMT -5
For the guys that have a lot of experience with both,,, In levergun world, which is the best caliber between the 30-30 or the .44 magnum, for killing hogs? If the 30-30 caliber is the choice what grain bullets would you suggest? I have some 193 grain flat point cast bullets.
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Post by tek4260 on Feb 4, 2014 21:20:17 GMT -5
I'd take a 30-30 for real world killing power over the 44 any day of the week and feed it plain Jane 150gr jacketed flat points.
I dearly love my handguns, but am under no illusion that they hold a candle to a rifle for knock down.
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Post by sixshot on Feb 4, 2014 22:42:13 GMT -5
But a 44 maggie in a carbine is a whole nether critter. Hogs will be close & a big, heavy cast slug will calm them down real quick. Can't remember who it was just know but 2 well known hunters took Ruger 44 carbines to Africa & shot a ton of animals with them with great success. Not saying its better but for sure it doesn't take a back seat to the 30/30 in a carbine/rifle.
Dick
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Post by tek4260 on Feb 4, 2014 23:45:04 GMT -5
I'm not sure how similar a 44 from a rifle and a 30-30 are at say 50 yards, but I am sure that past that, the 30-30 is in the lead and gaining ground as the distance increases. I wouldn't be afraid to shoot a deer or a hog at 150-200 yards with a 30-30, but I wouldn't attempt it with a 44 from a rifle.
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jsh
.327 Meteor
Posts: 884
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Post by jsh on Feb 5, 2014 0:46:22 GMT -5
IMHO there in lies the difference, distance. 100 yards and under I have to go with the 44 carbine and a 270-300 grain bullet stoked full throttle.
The 30-30 I would go with at least a 170 grain of good design.
Saying that the only hog I ever killed was in a chute for butchering at home.
Jeff
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Post by bradshaw on Feb 5, 2014 10:23:44 GMT -5
Dick.... Bill Ruger took his then brand new semi-auto .44 Magnum carbine to Africa on a six week safari and was impressed with its performance on a variety of game. Believe he also used a big side hammer double and a Winchester Model 70 .375 Holland & Holland on really large game. Ruger was well aware of the validity of the .44 Mag in carbine and revolver as a hunting round; marksmanship a given.
David Bradshaw
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Post by sixshot on Feb 5, 2014 10:52:19 GMT -5
I was thinking it was Bill Ruger or Lee Jurras but couldn't be sure. The 30/30 is a superb game killer at 100 & not bad at 150, beyond that its in real trouble, the main reason being most can only hold about a 5" group at 100 yds. Thats plenty good for deer or hogs but its in real trouble accuracy wise beyond 150. The 44 is also great out to 100 yds or so & about any 44 magnum, rifle or handgun can shoot 5" at 100 yds.
The winner is.... either one is just fine on hogs at hog distance & thats somewhere from just off the front sight out to 50 yds, all mine were close! The one's with the knife were way under 100 yds & my accuracy was great.
Dick
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Post by bulasteve on Feb 5, 2014 12:26:20 GMT -5
From a stand or held by dogs, I'd go with a .44. If you want to play beyond 50-75yds, debate is open. steve
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tgc
.30 Stingray
Posts: 142
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Post by tgc on Feb 5, 2014 19:04:48 GMT -5
Thanks for the good feedback.
The reason this comes up is--- I've been looking for a .44 mag, not much luck. BUT there are a lot of 30-30's right now after hunting season and some places have really good buys on marlins. Like $379 good, and ammo is not hard to come by and I also reload. .44 ammo is not hard to get either because I have enough reloading supplies to last for years for those. But can't find any .44 mag guns.
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Post by tek4260 on Feb 5, 2014 20:11:18 GMT -5
Sounds like you need to get a Marlin 30-30 for now, then get a 44 mag later when you find one. Heck everyone needs a 30-30.
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edk
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,162
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Post by edk on Feb 5, 2014 21:34:01 GMT -5
If you are looking fro a good levergun for hogs be sure to consider the 35 Remington. You should be able to find one at the same price as a 30-30 and I'd be surprised to hear anyone on this forum disagree it isn't the better hog killer. Ammo not as common as 30-30 but since you reload that becomes a non-issue.
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Post by tek4260 on Feb 5, 2014 22:03:42 GMT -5
If you are looking fro a good levergun for hogs be sure to consider the 35 Remington. You should be able to find one at the same price as a 30-30 and I'd be surprised to hear anyone on this forum disagree it isn't the better hog killer. Ammo not as common as 30-30 but since you reload that becomes a non-issue. Yep, my 35 has taken the place of the 30-30 for me.  |
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jsh
.327 Meteor
Posts: 884
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Post by jsh on Feb 5, 2014 22:04:17 GMT -5
You do know what will happen. You really want the 44 carbine, you will go ahead and be happy with the 30-30 because of the ease of finding one. You will have the 30-30 less than 6 months a d the 44 will pop up. At least that is the way it always worked for me, lol.
I would be happy to keep an eye out for one for you. You might also check around at some of the cowboy action sites. Or, if you know anyone that plays that game put a bug in their ear, that is how I got both of myains 357 and 44.
On the upside of the 30-30, everyone should have at least one in their stable. Your asking about the caliber so I take it you don't have one.
Not to disagree with Dick maybe my Ballard 30-30 marlin and 14"30-30 tc are more the exception than the rule, they are both moa guns day in and day out at 200 meters. When the planets are in alignment and the earths rotation is steady they will better that on a regular basis. Of course I did fool with these two for a fair bit of time. Oh and by the way this is with cast bullets.
The 44 marlin also a Ballard gun is a lesson in it own as far as load work, at least with cast. It shoots fair to ok, but still needs a lot of work to make me happy. An average group with it is around 3-4" at 100 yards.
The 357 magnum Ballard gun was the easiest carbine/rifle I have ever dealt with to get to shoot cast bullets. Weights of 150-180 are pretty equal in the accuracy department. Length, bullet design and feeding is where it gets fussy. A flat nose will feed but one really has to keep an eye on any over crimping or a bulge. Anything over length and the elevator will not let it come up. I have o e bullet design that will feed perfectly as long as the muzzle is pointed up. If down or level for a follow up. It is just .. That much to long. Not good for follow up shots. There are cures for this that are fairly easy.
I have a real want for a lever gun in 357 super mag. That would be the ticket IMHO. Would be the death of the 35 Remington.
Jeff
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jsh
.327 Meteor
Posts: 884
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Post by jsh on Feb 5, 2014 22:08:54 GMT -5
tek, that is a fine looking rig. Always been partial to the 1/2 and 2/3 mag tubes. I have all the parts for a 38-55 build. Full octagon barrel and want a mag tube that will hold 3.
Is your 35 a micro groove or a Ballard rifled.
Jeff
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Post by tek4260 on Feb 5, 2014 22:23:08 GMT -5
I'm pretty sure it is a micro groove, but it is in the back of the safe and it would take a pretty good while to dig it out. I'll remember to look next time I am in there.
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