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30-30 for elk?

Yes, a 30-30 will work for elk. I have killed elk with a model 94 30-30, so my conclusion is based off of facts. A 30-30 is my primary rifle for hunting elk in the timber on a rainy day. The iron sights do not fog up or need wiped down before a shot. It is much lighter than packing my 348 win on these bad weather days, and kills them just as dead as my old 338 ultra mag ever did. Everything in moderation, I'm not taking 300 yard shots with it. Usually shots are pretty close or I just don't take them. Doesn't matter if you're hunting with 150s or 170s. In fact you don't even need the hornady leverrution fancy pointed bullets to get it done. The round nose will still punch through without all the marketing.
 
Shot a wild escaped 700 lb hereford steer 50 years ago with 170 grain core lokt at 125 yds . DRT heart shot , sure am glad I didn't know I was so under gunned with that Savage 170. By todays experts opinions I should had something other than the mini p shooter. Probably a 300 win mag. Ha!, anyway it was a relief we had been after him for probably a month.
 
Shot a wild escaped 700 lb hereford steer 50 years ago with 170 grain core lokt at 125 yds . DRT heart shot , sure am glad I didn't know I was so under gunned with that Savage 170. By todays experts opinions I should had something other than the mini p shooter. Probably a 300 win mag. Ha!, anyway it was a relief we had been after him for probably a month.

And I'm sure if you told the picky eaters in your life that it was "wild" meat they'd swear it didn't taste like beef at all! 🤣

Kind of reminds me of messing with my family.,,my sister and brother in law have a farm with, among other things, sheep. Every November during deer season I have to do a drive by and take a picture of them before sending it to her with the caption

"WOOLIEST. DEER. EVER."
 
Yes, a 30-30 will work for elk. I have killed elk with a model 94 30-30, so my conclusion is based off of facts. A 30-30 is my primary rifle for hunting elk in the timber on a rainy day. The iron sights do not fog up or need wiped down before a shot. It is much lighter than packing my 348 win on these bad weather days, and kills them just as dead as my old 338 ultra mag ever did. Everything in moderation, I'm not taking 300 yard shots with it. Usually shots are pretty close or I just don't take them. Doesn't matter if you're hunting with 150s or 170s. In fact you don't even need the hornady leverrution fancy pointed bullets to get it done. The round nose will still punch through without all the marketing.
Okay but tell us more about this .348 win!!!!!! I'm so intrigued by that cartridge and the rifles that shoot it, what make is your gun? Any pics? (Sorry to derail)
 
Model 71.
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I was hunting the Idaho Montana state line in North Idaho about 1985 and found a Winchester 30-30 that was propped up against the tree. Someone had probably shot an elk and then couldn't find the gun when they came back to get it. Saw a griz and 2 wolves on that trip also.
Did you keep the rifle? How'd it shoot?
 
@RockyMtnMT any thoughts on how your 143gr Lever Hammer might do against the Roosevelt elk in the western Cascades of Washington state?
I used the 143gr Lever in my 30-30 in Africa. I took zebra, wildebeest, and kudu with it. It worked very well. I ran mine pretty close to 2600 fps. Zebra was 110y broadside hit back off lungs tan about 75y. Wildebeest was 25y drt. Broke both shoulders recovered shank under the hide on far shoulder. Kudu was about 75y hit back of lungs. We about 25y and given a finisher.

I would keep it under 150y for elk.
 
I've killed two bulls with my Model 94 .30-30. My first bull was a 5-point at 35 yards in Central MT. The second one in a late hunt down the Gallatin Canyon. That was a shade past 200 yards. I was using Winchester Silvertips. I also took my biggest mule deer with it at about 100 yards. Also shot a lot of deer with a .30-40 Krag. That cartridge wasn't exactly a 3000 fps round either. Ran into a some tight budget times and had to sell my .30-30. For $50. When I could afford it, I called the guy I sold it to and asked how much he wanted for it. He wanted what they were going for new. As far as I know, he still has it.
 
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