Question On .30-30 And .30-06 Rounds

[Mccallister25]

This year I ended up getting lucky and scored a new hunting property. A buddys dad let me hunt on it this year with my shotgun. I use buckshot, at close distances, but have recently noticed some great shooting lanes for next year if he lets me come back. I own a .30-06. My only deer rifle, but am thinking of buying a new .30-30 for this property and need to know something first. Cant find anything on the internet pertaining to my specific question. Everything goes into way too much detail. Just need a simple answer. Rough estimate is fine too.

 

How far will both of these rounds travel before they start to drop? I want to hunt with the round that drops the most at the shortest distance. My shots probably wouldnt be any more than 50-70 yards at most.

[F14A-B]

To many bullet weights, to say, but I can tell you for sure that it's well beyond the range you will be shooting at... I'm not sure where your going with your question, is this a matter of potential over shoot or safety?

[Mccallister25]

To many bullit weights, to say, but I can tell you for sure that it's well beyond the range you will be shooting at... I'm not sure where your going with your question, is this a matter of potential over shoot or safety?

 

I know its a bit confusing, and my wording probably doesnt help. Heres why I ask, in a nutshell; Like I said, this is my first year hunting the property. I have found a nice transition area, where deer have been moving really good in the AM. I didnt set up for longer range shots, as I got permission to hunt there after the season had already started. I actually setup for bowhunting, but layed the bow down for my shotgun, once gun season started.

If granted permission to hunt the property again next year, I want to setup differently for longer range shots, so I wont have to be right in the deers living room. My stand is very close to what I think is a bedding area.

The woods are moderatly thick in the area the deer move the best. Thats the main reason I say my shots will be 50-70 yards. The other reason is because Im always absolutely terrified of a bullet flying through the woods and hitting an unintended target. Hence the reason I said I kinda want the round that drops the most at the shortest distance. Also why Im using buckshot.

I wouldnt be apposed to using black powder either, but know nothing about them.

[DogBone_384]

A couple of questions for you:

 

1. Firstly, why would you want to use a round that drops more at close ranges, if I read your question correctly?
2. You said your shots will range between 50 & 70 yards.  Are you using a scope on your rifle?  At that range you shouldn't have any significant drop with either round at such a close range. 
3. If you use a scope, does it have a graduated reticle on it?  My scopes (other than .22lr) have graduated reticles/mil dots on them, so I sight them at 100 yds and the reticle gives me the cross hatches/mil dots for longer distances in 25 or 50 yard increments, depending on the scope mfg. In your case, sight your scope at 50 yards and follow the scope manufacturers' instructions.  

Also check the manufacturer's specs for your round's ballistics.  That should be helpful too.

 

Best of luck hunting.

[Hi Salenity]

Short answer, the 30/30 is slower and will have more fall.

It sounds like you should use a 12g slug but I wouldn't point that in a direction I'd be afraid to shoot my 06?

[Mccallister25]

Thanks for the replies guys. The landowner sometimes hunts the property as well, and uses either a .270 or .30-06, cant remember which. For the sake of the argument, I would most likely get along just fine with a high powered rifle, it's just me being overly cautious I guess. Iv always been raised on proper gun safety. There are acres upon acres of woods where Im hunting, but I do know neighbors hunt out there somewhere because I hear gunshots. In a real world scenario you just never know where that projectile could end up and that always scares me. When I get on my computer in a little while, Ill post a picture of the land and let you see what Im working with.

[00 mod]

Get up in a tree. That way you are most likely shooting at an angle that puts the projectile into the ground if a miss should occur!

Jeff

[Mccallister25]

I always hunt from a tree, so that is a plus. I feel pretty confident out to 100-150 yards.. Thing is, what happens to that projectile after passing through an animal?

[F14A-B]

I have busted 30 whitetails w/ 12 gauge 1 oz slugs... It will just knock a big ole buck clean off his feet! Lol...never shot a whitetail over 35 yards.. Set up like a bowhunter.. Works every time! Just sayin....

[Catt]

50-75 yards

30/30 open sights or red dot

[Mccallister25]

Sorry it took so long for me to reply guys. Been super busy. I think Iv made up my mind(for now at least) that Imma just ask the landowner if I can hunt the property with my .30-06 next year. I told you guys I would include a picture of the area for feedback so here it is;

 

Iv outlined the property line in red, and the arrow sows which direction Ill be shooting. I always included a picture I took from my stand today to show what it looks like out there. What do you guys thunk of a high powered rifle out here?

 

 

 

[Catt]

Looks like 30/30 to me

[Angry John]

The bullet shape along with the weight will change bullet travel a lot.  For very short ranges using a flat tip bullet would work great and the loss in speed would not be a factor.  Have you considered a 45/70?  The drop is fast on the heavy bullets and you would not have to hunt down an animal if you got even a decent hit.

 

http://www.hornady.com/assets/files/ballistics/2014-Standard-Ballistics.pdf

[Josh Smith]

Hello,

 

A .30-06 will bust through a good size tree.  Same for 7.62x54r, .308, and 8mm.

 

A flat point .30-30 will stop in this tree due to heavier bullet, lower speed, and (usually) bullet design.  Use flat points in tubular magazines.

 

Regards,

 

Josh

[Wayne P.]

Hello,

 

A .30-06 will bust through a good size tree.  Same for 7.62x54r, .308, and 8mm.

 

A flat point .30-30 will stop in this tree due to heavier bullet, lower speed, and (usually) bullet design.  Use flat points in tubular magazines.

 

Regards,

 

Josh

Typically .30-30 factory loads are 150 and 170 gr flatnose projectiles.

My Marlin likes the 150 gr. and my Winchester likes the 170 gr.

I use 125 gr spire points in my Tompson Contenter 14" barrel.

[Mccallister25]

Would a muzzleloader be a better choice under my circumstances?

[Catt]

My choices in no order

30/30 lever

45-70 Sharps or Thompson Center

.50 CVA muzzleloader

[Hi Salenity]

I

Would a muzzleloader be a better choice under my circumstances?

That or a 12g slug should do what your wanting.

[Angry John]

My choices in no order

30/30 lever

45-70 Sharps or Thompson Center

.50 CVA muzzleloader

http://www.lowpriceguns.com/product.php_284496

This is the model of 45-70 that i am used to and can speak to.  The longer barrel is sweet and it will not have rust issues.  I prefer stainless guns as most of the areas i live in have high humidity and or are on the coast.  There are a lot of loads that work well in this gun and the recoil is not as bad with the very nice pad on the back.  Note: the lever revolution round put out by hornady are brutal and i like hand loads most for this gun.

Marlin 1895 XLR Lever Action Rifle - 45-70 Government - 24" Barrel - Stainless Finish - Black / Grey Laminate Stock - 7.5 lbs - 4+1 Round - 1895XLR

[Catt]

That's a sweet gun!

Herny makes a pretty good one

I woundn't worry about rust, I live on the Louisiana Gulf Coast, we got the humidity & salt. I've got guns that were built in the 60s with no rust.

[SHaugh]

The point here is that any of those rounds mentioned including a 12 ga slug if shot horizontal to the ground is probably leaving that piece of property.  You don't want that under any circumstances.   On a small piece of property you need to design your field of fire to be safe.  Being high in a tree will make any of those rounds safe.  Pass through or misses will hit the ground.   That's the answer you want I think... not which gun.

[Catt]

The point here is that any of those rounds mentioned including a 12 ga slug if shot horizontal to the ground is probably leaving that piece of property. You don't want that under any circumstances. On a small piece of property you need to design your field of fire to be safe. Being high in a tree will make any of those rounds safe. Pass through or misses will hit the ground. That's the answer you want I think... not which gun.

That & I think he needs an excuseto buy a gun

[FD.]

30/30 would be my choice.  They call them "brush guns" for a reason and your pictures look like "brush" to me.  I've had Wins and Marlins and they are both quality close range deer guns.

[RoLo]

>> "How far will both of these rounds travel before they start to drop?"

No matter how big or how small the cartridge, the bullet begins to fall the instant it loses support of the barrel.

Furthermore, ALL bullets drop at the same rate-of-speed, regardless of their forward velocity.

A loose bullet that rolls out of your hand will hit the ground at the same instant as the bullet shot from a horizontal rifle.

 

The bullet from a 30-06 has a flatter trajectory and greater range than a 30-30,

but the 30-30 is a better "brush-bucker" and has a shorter range.

However, the bullet from any rifle will be deflected by brush, so accuracy is as important as range.

 

Roger

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Roger, since I know you to be a detail oriented guy, a bullet doesn't technically begin to fall the moment it loses support from the barrel.

 

All bullets rise, to some degree, before falling to zero and then to its final impact.