30/30 vs 357 lever gun?

Cameronswmp9

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I want a lever gun. I will want to take it in the woods hunting, but also want a toy to play with. And suppress.

With the 30/30 I know it's put down many a deer, and I know ammo is cheap and plentiful, and they are usually less expensive. I imagine a 30 Cal can, limited research (as in, ne quick Google search then got distracted looking at guns)

The 357 can shoot 38s for less recoil for new shooters, 38s are subs, but have read (in my Limited research) that some cans don't like the pressure of the magnum. People carry 357s when hunting, and out of a 16-20 barrel can get some good velocity. 9mm can, to carry over to my pistols.

Get both is a good answer, but can't do it at the same time, as we have other projects going on as well.

Hunting will be localized, maybe towards the mountains on rare occasion, this isn't a big game out west Hunter.

What do you think?
 
depends. Do you reload? WIll you use the can on other guns?
 
depends. Do you reload? WIll you use the can on other guns?

I have nothing else in 30 Cal, yet. I want to get shooting some distance, and like the 308 round.

For the 357/38, sounds like a 9mm can works, I have 2 M&P9, one of these is the compact.

Do not reload, looked into it just don't have the time for it now
 
30-30 is relatively cheap, I’d get it unless you’re convinced that you want to hunt suppresses. Seems like a good idea to decide if you even like a lever gun in practice before you get in too deep.

You won’t need to shoot 38 to avoid recoil, subsonic 357 is a pussycat.
 
I heard a rumor that Rooga was going to chamber thier American compact model in 357 mag.

For what it's worth, I have three 357 mag hosts and they all have strengths and weaknesses.

Here is a Rooga 77/357 I cut down to 10".
Almost no velocity was lost by the bbl chop. If I were looking for a hunting/plinking carbine, I'd look at the bolt gun first.

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I also have a 357 handi rifle. It has a super long chamber that easily allows for 220+ grain subs.

Last but not least is my M92 Rossi 357 in stainless. It is a crowd favorite with 38spl and a 9mm can. Very easy to shoot well.
Makes everyone feel like a tactical cowboy. Quiet as a mouse, even with a crappy can.

Owning a 357 carbine and NOT reloading for it is my idea of hell.
Such a versatile caliber and so simple to load for.
I have gotten 357 mag up to 2000fps from a 158gr Hornady XTP in a 16" barrel with acceptable accuracy.
That's rifle territory.

If I wanted to suppress a 30-30, I would go with either a Savage 340 or a single shot handi/TC platform.
Using spitzers in a 30-30 is a game changer.
30-30 subs are not available commercially, far as I know.
You are also limited on the COAL by the lever action feeding system.
Heavy subs are long.

30-30 is my least favorite round to load.
Paper thin necks crush really easily.
 
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Ok.
I've killed deer with both.
The 30/30 has better range. The recoil on the .357 is nothing but the 30/30 is mild. The .357 is limited in it's application.

In a lever setup the .357 is probably twice (or more) the money in rifle cost. Ammo costs are close.

If I had just one it'd be the 30/30.
 
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I have 2 30-30s (Winchester and Marlin) and a 357/38 lever action rifles. Love shooting the 30-30 until I got the 357 (Rossi 92). The 357 is cheaper to shoot (I reload everything) and like the idea of shooting 38s. The Rossi needs some action work but we are talking less than $100 in parts.

I was surprised how accurate the 357 is with 180 grn SWCs. Also, going to the range makes it easier taking less ammo. If I was going to use it hunting I would go with the 30-30.
 
I love my .30-30. Fun to shoot & darned good at making meat. I've also had a .357 Rossi M92 that was a lot of fun & the .357 will take deer handily, though with much less reach than the .30-30.

Just get both? Yer going to end up "needing" the other soon enough, so just get it out of the way. Like single action revolvers, lever guns tend to multiply when no one's lookin' & you find yerself with lever guns in .22, .30-30, .41Mag & .45-70 & "needing" another .357, as well as a .35Rem & a .375Win.
 
I don't have either caliber, yet. I've always wanted a lever action and one day...

A brother of mine, years ago, recommended getting it in .357 when I do. He has a 30-30. In his opinion, the .357 has all the power and range necessary to take down deer at the ranges typical of woods hunting, with less recoil and expense.

The .357 has plenty of variety to choose from, not to mention you can hand load it with a wide range of bullets/velocities.
 
If only one then the 30-30'to hunt with, and the 357/38 sp to plink. Otherwise go with the buy both theory.
This is the plan, just have to do a one then one thing.

30-30 is relatively cheap, I’d get it unless you’re convinced that you want to hunt suppresses. Seems like a good idea to decide if you even like a lever gun in practice before you get in too deep.

You won’t need to shoot 38 to avoid recoil, subsonic 357 is a pussycat.

Recoil thoughts are for my wife and kids, wife is pretty sensitive to recoil. I used to shoot 3.5 inch magnums through a H&R single shot with no worries lol.

Right now I have no space or time to reload. We are planning a house build within a few years and will add room, and with work changing and all it will make time for it. Which will be good for 9, .308 if I get into that (which a 30 Cal suppressor will point me to) and 357 for either the first or second rifle.

I was leaning towards the 357 but the hunting side makes me lean more towards the 30-30.
 
If you get the 30-30, you can always load really light plinking rounds using pistol powder. I load with a 165gr lead bullet over 9gr of Unique and it's a great 100yd plinker. My wife and 10 year old son have no issues with recoil.
 
I love the 35 rem also. The 35 can be reloaded with a wide variety if bullets and is more than enough gun for deer. It's also enough for bear.
Yep. Take that same 158gr pill that the ..357 rifle pushes to 1300 fps and push it to 1800 and have nearly zero recoil. Or a 200gr one at 2000fps and slay any animal up to moose and large black bears.
There is no downside to the .35 Rem now that ammo availability has returned to the market. At least out to 250yds
 
Have you got another rifle to hunt with, or will this be your primary one. If you’ve got something else to hunt with I would get the 357 first, if not the 3030. I bought a Henry 357 last year and it quickly became one of my favorite guns to shoot. Even hot 357 rounds are like shooting a 22. Just a slight push on the shoulder.
 
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