30-30 for elk?

wilkup · Sep 26, 2024

I typically hunt with a bigger boltgun and optics but the area I've been scouting and locating elk in the past month is far from ideal for that style rifle. Shots are maxed out at 20 yards and more like 40-100 yards in most places.
I don't own any low power scopes but have shot and carried my Marlin shortie in the hills and on horseback forever. It's got a Skinner Peep on the receiver and i can keep 6 rounds on a paper plate at 250 yards.
I'm considering using this rifle for elk this season but am curious on opinion of which bullet I should utilize and distances I should max out at.
I hand load and have
- Hammer Lever 143gr
- Barnes Original 190gr
- Factory loaded Hornady Leverevolution 160gr FTX
I'd be open to other suggestions too.
Anybody hunt Roosevelt elk with a 30-30…?

huntinghuasna · Sep 26, 2024

For any cartridge I'd go all copper. If going with the .30-30, choose a bullet and note minimum impact velocity for full expansion. Run the numbers using your muzzle velocity to calculate maximum distance.

HARPERC · Sep 27, 2024

I'd run the 143 LH if forced to choose.

Id also more likely trade that rifle for a .375 Winchester. Just me.

Koda_ · Sep 27, 2024

wilkup said:
Anybody hunt Roosevelt elk with a 30-30…?

I have once. 50yds double lung, probably a federal or rem corelock, was a while ago. I dont know if id go past 150yds though.
More recently I use the 143 Lever Hammer but didnt fill the tag that year.

30-30 lever gun is plenty for coastal dark timber rosies...
Id use the 143 Lever Hammer but it needs to stay above 1800fps at the impact distance to perform.

Salmonhead · Sep 27, 2024

Consider the Maker Rex 150 grain also. Maker does a good job of having their bullets have a low impact rating to open.
I think Swift makes an A frame for the 3030 as well.
And really, a standard cup and core should do fine at those velocities.
I was using 150 winchesterbpower points when I took a black bear at 10 yards. Full frontal shot fully penetrated and exited the butthole, as it turned to flee, a second shot went through the left hip/femur ball, cross the body and out the right shoulder. Complete pass through twice at 10 yards. No complaints there. Granted it was a 130# bear, but still.

liltank · Sep 27, 2024

I'll start with, I've never hunted Elk anywhere in the U.S. However, I have cousins and an uncle that grew up in CO. They've shot Elk with 243 Win and up. 30-30 was on that list. The best rifle is the one you are most familiar with. That 30-30 will work with a good vitals hit. Choose the most accurate bullet. Good luck!!

gabal · Sep 27, 2024

I can't speak with any first hand knowledge , but have heard and read good things about the 170 grain Nosler Partition .

med358-boise · Sep 27, 2024

This is not based on experience just physics. A 30-30 is a 308 Win is a 30-06 is 300 Win Mag it is simple a matter of distance. X bullet traveling at Y velocity at Z distance doesn't care how it got to the elk, nor does the elk. Velocity at impact along with the bullet's construction characteristics are what matters.

Hammer bullets have a minimum impact velocity of 1800 fps and assuming a 2100 fps muzzle velocity your max range is about ~ 100 yards. Hornady does not list a minimum impact velocity but it could be less given the FTX tip and the Hornady has a slightly better BC so you might have a little more range. Based on your post though, 100 yards may be plenty.

bkondeff · Sep 27, 2024

Minimum impact velocity. Think about those that phrase starts.

Think of that terrain, is it conducive to having an animal who is not alerted and likely to be giving you an optimal shot opportunity ie standing broadside and still?

This is a bad idea you all are justifying because you are gun nuts first and clearly aren't considering wounding game as a non starter vs making life easier on yourself.

Rosie's aren't whitetails.

Whitesmoke · Sep 27, 2024

My son shot a Tule cow elk at 210 yards with a Barnes 150 grain tsx…full pass through even at that range and it dropped in its tracks. Exit wound indicates it didn't expand much at that velocity…but the bullet did its job ok. I'd say try to limit your shots under 200 yards.

cohunt · Sep 27, 2024

Nah--- you can't kill anything with the measley 30-30-------nobody has ever killed anything with a 30-30

Can you hear me smirking? Dont tell my grandfather you can't kill game with a 30-30!

The 30-30 was one of the most used/owned rifle at 1 point in time--- it can kill just about any man or animal in the US --- just remember to get close enough and observe the minimum expansion speed of the bullet you are using---- long range hunting rifle it's not, ideal elk gun- probably not, but capable of killing elk at close hunting ranges ( op did say "under 100 yards"--- you bet ---- it's still a 30 cal rifle bullet

I'd use almost any good hunting bullet but mono's might help up the anti if you stay above expansion threshold

Poor_choices · Sep 27, 2024

The 30-30 will work fine, just keep the bullet off the shoulder and your ranges realistic.

I shot an elk at 120 yards with a 30-30 Contender pistol about 20 years ago, and it worked great. That was with a 150gr Hornady spire point at 2150 fps.

eric nelson · Sep 27, 2024

Poor_choices said:
The 30-30 will work fine, just keep the bullet off the shoulder and your ranges realistic.

I shot an elk at 120 yards with a 30-30 Contender pistol about 20 years ago, and it worked great. That was with a 150gr Hornady spire point at 2150 fps.

Ml

Palix-Dog · Sep 27, 2024

My dad killed his first 6 elk with a 30-30. Back in the 50's and 60's. Then he stepped up to a high powdered Savage 99 in 308. Granted this was in the deep timber of the Washington coast at close range. Many an elk has dropped with a 30-30 or 32 win special in the days of old.

30-30 for elk?

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