Caliber 30-30 use in Africa???

[SoVa]

I think it would be cool to take a lever gun to Africa but I would go with a 45-70 if I wanted to use a lever gun there.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

I would not hesitate to use a .30-30 lever in Africa, given reasonable caveats regarding range, bullet type, and species.

I have only used a lever action in Africa in two trips. My levers have been a Marlin GBL (.45-70), a Marlin MXLR in .338 Marlin Express, and a Savage 99 in .300 Savage. That's the 99 in my avatar.

 

[spike.t]

.30-30 in Africa,....great for jackal and baboon..... but what else?
Some guys try to hunt Africa with the worst cartridge possible.

HWL

Mmm..your opinion is based on what out of interest?....love people talking shit.....

 

[spike.t]

I would not hesitate to use a .30-30 lever in Africa, given reasonable caveats regarding range, bullet type, and species.

I have only used a lever action in Africa in two trips. My levers have been a Marlin GBL (.45-70), a Marlin MXLR in .338 Marlin Express, and a Savage 99 in .300 Savage. That's the 99 in my avatar.

Jeez still waiting for you to bring em here ...

 

[Tundra Tiger]

Jeez still waiting for you to bring em here ...

I need to pay my divorce and I may have to seriously consider a trip to your neck of the woods.

 

[Ruraldoc]

I have a fine old Savage 99 in 300 Savage, it kills just like a 308 in my experience but I would limit shots to 250 yards with it.

I have also used 44 Magnums a good bit. A Marlin carbine as well as Smith and Ruger revolvers. I have used the 44 for hogs, deer and one bull elk.

The elk was a New Mexico 4x5 bull near Chama. A single 250 grain Nosler hit him in neck and went through the spine and exited.

Killed him instantly. The furthest 44 shot I have made was 65 yards. But the 44 with the right bullets is a real killer at close range in my experience.

I have only used bullets in the 240-250 grain weights. But I’ve not recovered any of them to tell you what they look like. Every one has exited. No critter has gone anywhere,

 

[Flbt]

I have a fine old Savage 99 in 300 Savage, it kills just like a 308 in my experience but I would limit shots to 250 yards with it.

I have also used 44 Magnums a good bit. A Marlin carbine as well as Smith and Ruger revolvers. I have used the 44 for hogs, deer and one bull elk.

The elk was a New Mexico 4x5 bull near Chama. A single 250 grain Nosler hit him in neck and went through the spine and exited.

Killed him instantly. The furthest 44 shot I have made was 65 yards. But the 44 with the right bullets is a real killer at close range in my experience.

I have only used bullets in the 240-250 grain weights. But I’ve not recovered any of them to tell you what they look like. Every one has exited. No critter has gone anywhere,

If they still make them and you can find the the 270gr Speer gold dot jsp works really well

 

[Trogon]

I think it would be appropriate and enjoyable chasing warthogs and impala during a cull hunt pushing brushy creek drainages. Should be a Marlin-made rifle though! I own 336's in 30-30 and 35 Remington and like them both.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

I shot my largest moose (60") with a Marlin 336/.35 Remington.

 

[Trogon]

I shot my largest moose (60") with a Marlin 336/.35 Remington.

@Tundra Tiger I have to ask, what bullet? I've killed a couple whitetail does with the Hornady FTX and both were down instantly out about 100 yards, but bullet integrity was not good. I had difficult time finding the Remington 200 grain Corelokt, which I'd have liked to try.

 

[Wyatt Smith]

I love a 30-30, They just work. It seems to kill better than the ballistic charts say it should.

 

[Lee M]

@Tundra Tiger I have to ask, what bullet? I've killed a couple whitetail does with the Hornady FTX and both were down instantly out about 100 yards, but bullet integrity was not good. I had difficult time finding the Remington 200 grain Corelokt, which I'd have liked to try.

In my early years i took quite a few whitetail and a black bear in PA with my grandfathers .35 REM pump with 200 grain core lokt. In late Jan 2025 i brought her out of the safe for the first time in 30+ years and took a mountain lion in Arizona. The 200 grain core lokts performed as i remember from the 1980s. Both are classic PA deer calibers that my friends still use.

I think the 30-30 or 35 REM would be fine inside 100 yards for most small/medium sized plains game. Not sure I’d consider taking these over any gun in the faster .270, 7mm, to .30 caliber range as you never know how far a shot will be. But i am a sucker for old guns with family history.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

@Tundra Tiger I have to ask, what bullet? I've killed a couple whitetail does with the Hornady FTX and both were down instantly out about 100 yards, but bullet integrity was not good. I had difficult time finding the Remington 200 grain Corelokt, which I'd have liked to try.

That was before I picked up reloading again. I was using the Buffalo Bore ammo. 220 grain, and it had some kick to it. Battery crapped out on my rangefinder, but best guess was about 150?

 

[HWL]

....love people talking shit.....

Probably....you did this to much already.

HWL