30-30 Win in a Super 14?
#142421
03/06/2014 5:22 AM
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Insp Callahan
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It seems many of you use the 30-30 Win in your Contenders and Encore's, so I was wondering what it was like? It would seem to be a real cannon out of a short barrel handgun compared to something like a 44 mag. Is it noticeably more difficult to control?
Also, it seems like I see 30-30 more often in the T/C handguns, as opposed to other 30 cal's, etc. Is there any reason for its popularity other than the same reason its so popular in lever action rifles?
Thanks
IC
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Re: 30-30 Win in a Super 14?
[Re: Insp Callahan]
#142422
03/06/2014 5:34 AM
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Joined: Jun 2008
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doc with a glock
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Callahan,
One of the reasons that it is a common chambering in the T/C is the popularity of the round itself, being around for approx. 120 years. Additionally, it is commonly found in most parts of the world. It has a rimmed case that allows positive function in a single shot gun. Its power and recoil are tolerable to most shooters, components are available and inexpensive. It not the most efficient round in a handgun length barrel, note the 30 Herrett formed from the 30-30 performs as well or better with less powder. All that being said, it possesses enough power for most thin skinned game in the CONUS.
Doc
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Re: 30-30 Win in a Super 14?
[Re: doc with a glock]
#142423
03/06/2014 9:09 AM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,375
Dan B.
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I agree with Doc.....hard to go wrong with the 30-30. Have one and love it.
Exodus 20:5-11 Matthew 5:18 Revelation 22:14
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Please don't use e-mail, contact me w/ PM.
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Re: 30-30 Win in a Super 14?
[Re: Dan B.]
#142424
03/06/2014 11:13 AM
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Joined: Mar 2013
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dhom
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The 30-30 is perfect in a 14" Contender. IMHO. Handloading is the way to go and there is many good bullet choices. I really like the way 125 gr Noslers perform on whitetail. I use a load of H4895 with CCI BR primers and it consistently groups under an 1" at 100 yds. I did not list the load because it is over book MAX but no ill affects in my contender and I have great case life. The last deer I shot with this combo was a straight on frontal shot at a measured 128 yds. I watched this deer for over 25 minutes and it would not turn broadside. It was feeding towards me and had no idea I was there. My nerves finally got to me and I decided to wait till the deer put it's head down and aim through the back of the neck between the front shoulders. On the shot that sounded like a bat hitting a tree, the deer jumped up, did a half turn in the air and lay still motionless. The shot broke the spine at the bottom of the neck and entered the chest cavity. [DRT} If hogs are on my list I load Barnes 130 gr TSX with the same powder primer combo with gratifying results and so far complete penetration.
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Re: 30-30 Win in a Super 14?
[Re: dhom]
#142426
03/06/2014 2:32 PM
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Joined: Feb 2007
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500WE
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I have been shooting a Super 14 .30-30 since 1978, and have found it to be an excellent combination. In a 14" barrel, it definitely is not an overbore cartridge, and I certainly would not trade it for a .30 Herrett, although that cartridge's volume is better suited for a 10" barrel. I have found the accuracy to be excellent. I first used it as an IHMSA "Unlimited" gun in 1978-79 with 150 gr. bullets and 748, then scoped it in 1980 as a groundhog and deer hunting gun using 125 gr. bullets with 748. I think the recoil is approximately the equivalent of a .44 Mag., depending upon how each is loaded. When the game is larger than whitetail, or the distances are longer than those encountered here, I prefer the .309 JDJ, but the .30-30 is a fine choice in a 14" T/C for most 100-150 yard hunters.
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Re: 30-30 Win in a Super 14?
[Re: Insp Callahan]
#142428
03/06/2014 2:53 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,608
s4s4u
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It would seem to be a real cannon out of a short barrel handgun compared to something like a 44 mag. Is it noticeably more difficult to control? I'd say the 30-30 is a pussycat compared to the 44 mag in the Contender. I shoot the 7-30 Waters, which is based on the 30-30 case but with more capacity and I use a r-r-rifle scope on it. I wouldn't even think of doing so with the 44 mag.
Rod, too.
Short cuts often lead to long recoveries.
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Re: 30-30 Win in a Super 14?
[Re: s4s4u]
#142429
03/06/2014 4:10 PM
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Joined: Apr 2005
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KRal
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I agree with Ken. I used the 14" 30/30 contender for many years and I never felt I was lacking. I used the 150gr NBT over a max charge of W748 and it was a hammer on whitetails. When my son was 10 years old, I started him out on big game with the 30/30 contender using 125gr NBT over Varget. It also was a whitetails nightmare. I feel like the 30/30 is very manageable on recoil; especially if you have the Pacmyer grips and forearm installed.
It takes 43 muscles to frown and 17 to smile, but only 3 for proper trigger squeeze.
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Re: 30-30 Win in a Super 14?
[Re: Insp Callahan]
#142448
03/07/2014 12:55 AM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,212
Bullelk Hunter
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you can do a heck of lot worse and most shelves are still stocked with 30-30!
BullElk Hunter (Gerry)HHI #2933 And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, whom shall I send and who will go for us? And I said: Here am I, send me!(Is. 6:8)
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Re: 30-30 Win in a Super 14?
[Re: Insp Callahan]
#142454
03/07/2014 3:40 AM
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Joined: Jul 2011
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Insp Callahan
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Thanks gents for all of the fabulous information! This IS the place!
A lot of what I hear reaffirms my own knowledge of the 30-30, in that it is a hugely popular deer round here in the woods of Pennsylvania. When I used to sell guns, I always said that the 30-30 in a lever action could possibly account for the most deer on the table than any other caliber, at least in this region. It certainty should be in the top three.
I was probably initially interested just due to the nostalgia factor of the round and that it's WIDELY available, and that its not a "burn the house down" high pressure rifle round (aka overkill) I just did not know what a round like that might be like out of a short barrel 14" gun. I only have a .223 10" Contender, and a heavy barrel 12" 44 mag Encore as a basis for comparison. The .223 has a surprising muzzle blast for such a tiny bullet, and the 44 is just plain sweet shooting.
I also forgot about the 7-30 Waters, which might also be a great option, but I'd imagine you can flip a coin between the two for a deer cartridge.
For those that enjoy either caliber in a 14" gun, do you utilize a muzzle brake?
Trying to post an image of the Encore 44Mag..
[img]http://images5a.snapfish.com/232323232%7Ffp63272%3Enu%3D3879%3E%3B9%3A%3E25%3A%3EWSNRCG%3D328%3B%3B%3B%3A49%3B34%3Bnu0mrj[/img] Thanks!!!! IC
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Re: 30-30 Win in a Super 14?
[Re: Insp Callahan]
#142459
03/07/2014 5:03 AM
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 271
dvan
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By all means do not forget about the 7-30 Waters. If you are a handloader and have a Hornady reloading handbook go the handgun section. Compare the 7-30 and the 30-30 and by comparison the 7-30 is pushing same weight bullets between 100-150 fps faster. The 30-30 is a good round but Ken Waters developed the 7-30 to get everything possible out of the 30-30 case and does. True the 30 Herrett was developed for the 10 inch barrel but they still perform better in a 14 inch. I have 30 H and love shooting it as well but the 7-30 Waters is my favorite and bc's are better with the 7mm bullets. Have fun deciding. If you do go with the 7-30 Waters the only loaded ammo I know of is from Federal.
T/C's~Ruger's~Striker~XP~S&W & the Quest Continues
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Re: 30-30 Win in a Super 14?
[Re: dvan]
#142460
03/07/2014 7:53 AM
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Joined: Sep 2012
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sw282
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Super 14 in 30-30 with Remingtons' Accelerator load in 30-30 makes a great prairie dog killer.. That 55gr bullet @ 3000 fps really does a job
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Re: 30-30 Win in a Super 14?
[Re: dvan]
#142462
03/07/2014 12:56 PM
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Joined: Jul 2011
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Insp Callahan
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Have fun deciding. If you do go with the 7-30 Waters the only loaded ammo I know of is from Federal. And I guess that is the BIGGEST difference between the two, is factory ammo availability. I do reload, but like having factory ammo available if I need it. I will have to look more into the data on these two. I used to sell guns back in the early 90's and I thought I remembered more manufacturer's offering 7-30 at the time. I know we did stock it and I thought it was a standard Winchester load, but it looks like Federal is the only mfgr now. IC
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Re: 30-30 Win in a Super 14?
[Re: Insp Callahan]
#142464
03/07/2014 2:29 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
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s4s4u
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For those that enjoy either caliber in a 14" gun, do you utilize a muzzle brake? No need for a brake.
Rod, too.
Short cuts often lead to long recoveries.
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Re: 30-30 Win in a Super 14?
[Re: Insp Callahan]
#142469
03/07/2014 3:49 PM
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,963
KRal
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Insp, My son took his first two handgun'd deer with the 14" T/C Contender in 30/30W when he was 10 years old...... He was shoot'n a 125gr NBT over a max charge of Varget. He had no problem with recoil, so I think you'd be fine. If you think the 44mag is sweet; you'll love the 30/30W. In my opinion, the 44mag is a good bit worse in the recoil department.
It takes 43 muscles to frown and 17 to smile, but only 3 for proper trigger squeeze.
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Re: 30-30 Win in a Super 14?
[Re: KRal]
#142716
03/14/2014 10:37 PM
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Joined: Jul 2011
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Insp Callahan
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Wow! Great pictures, nice T/C, and a very accomplished hunter!
Yes, I have a very limited basis of comparison with these guns so it seems I may be over thinking the recoil on a 30-30, since 44 mag is something I shoot regularly in both wheelguns and also a 12" TC Encore.
I also have been reading that another reason the 30-30 is so popular is that it's pressure is compatible with the Contenders strength. Since I have an Encore, it seems I have many more options, however I still want a very shootable package and 30-30 seems to be that ticket, and I'd likely get an aftermarket barrel of 14 inches.
IC
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Re: 30-30 Win in a Super 14?
[Re: Insp Callahan]
#142717
03/14/2014 11:14 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
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s4s4u
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I have many more options, however I still want a very shootable package and 30-30 seems to be that ticket, and I'd likely get an aftermarket barrel of 14 inches.
Even better would be the 30-30 AI. A little more pop with out much more kick.
Rod, too.
Short cuts often lead to long recoveries.
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Re: 30-30 Win in a Super 14?
[Re: dvan]
#142799
03/17/2014 4:15 AM
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Joined: Jan 2004
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Hawkeye
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The 14" Contender in 30-30 is a great deer round. I had one for several years and shot the 125 ballistic tip on deer and coyotes. After a few years and some reloading I traded the 30-30 barrel to my hunting buddie and purchased a TC 12" Hunter 7-30 Waters. I have been shooting it since 1997 and would not take for it. I have shot 120grn sierra pro hunters, nosler ballistic tips and 139grn Hornady SST's on deer. All work great on whitetail. I will one day have a 7-30 Waters carbine barrel. Mike
You don't quit playing because you get old, You get old because you quit playing.
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