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Lever gun defensive ammo for .30-30

12K views 6 replies 6 participants last post by  N-Frame Guy 
#1 ·
Just bought a Marlin 336W in .30-30 Saturday. Spent some time researching .30-30 ammo to try and find a decent SHTF defensive load as that is mainly what the rifle was bought for. I sold an SLR-95[AK clone] to get this, so I stayed ballistically the same.

I like the looks of the new Hornady 160 gr. Leverevolution round. It appears to turn the .30-30 into a 250-300 yrd gun. Shoots really flat. Haven't tried it yet, but I did buy 2 boxes.

http://hornady.com/story.php?s=198

Anyway, obviously overpenetration is a concern with a .30 cal rifle for defensive use, so I was thinking 125[Fed] to 150[Win] gr JHP, or the 160 Leverevolution, seeing as it is basically a Ballistic Tip type of JHP.

Any recommendations?

TIA
 
#2 ·
Some info for comparisons:

.30 M1 Carbine--Remington 110 gr JSP (R30CAR): vel=1864 f/s, pen=16.5", rd=0.54", rw=95.9gr

7.62 x 39 mm-Winchester 123 gr JSP (X76239): vel=2253 f/s, pen=14.4",
rd=0.56", rw=90.1gr

30-30s from 16 " Win:

.30-30-Federal 125 gr JHP (3030C): vel=2425 f/s, pen=15.7", rd=0.54",
rw=87.8gr

.30-30 Win 150 gr JSP Silvertip (X30302): vel=2211 f/s, pen=18.9", rd=0.57", rw=125.8 gr

.30-30 Win 170 gr JSP Power-Point (X30303): vel=2036 f/s, pen=20.5+",
rd=0.62", rw=158.0 gr

44 Mag Speer Gold Dot 270 gr JSP (#23968) vel=1418 f/s, pen=20"+, rd=0.74", rw=269.5gr

.45-70 Winchester 300 gr JSP Nosler Partition Gold (SPG4570) vel=1733 f/s, pen=29.9", rd=0.78", rw=294 gr.

12g Brenneke 1oz slug vel=1331 f/s penetrates 20", rd=0.88", rw=433.5 gr.
 
#3 ·
If over penetration is a concern, someone is making a 125 gr 30-30 but I dont recall who right now.

Personally, I like the 30-30 and, based merely on the deer I have seen killed, think it is quite a bit more effective than the typcal 7.62X39. It also seems better on people but that is harder information to come by (we had a Governor killed with one in 1900 - I wasn't there, contrary to popular belief I am not THAT old - but I have examined the exit hole in his suit - impressive!).

Range is nice for defense but I doubt that one could legally justify too many shootings at beyond 25 to 50 yards (to be sure there are a small % which have been ajudicated justifiable - I can think of 2, both were L.E. shootings).

Onward,
Jim
 
#4 ·
ANY 30-30 factory load will be quite lethal for self defense. I wouldn't worry about this issue at all. There is more than enough power and velocity.

Unfortunately, for the same very reason, any 30-30 load will penetrate walls, car bodies, barn siding, etc.

I hope you never have to use it.
 
#5 ·
ANY 30-30 factory load will be quite lethal for self defense. I wouldn't worry about this issue at all. There is more than enough power and velocity.

Unfortunately, for the same very reason, any 30-30 load will penetrate walls, car bodies, barn siding, etc.

I hope you never have to use it.
 
#6 ·
Well unfortunatley we have to make choices sometimes merly cosmetic ones depending on the political area we find ourselves in. I know a few travelers that choose Leveraction rifles for this reason. Depending on where you live it may be much easier to buy and transport than a handgun also think about an RVer at a travel camp shooting a Meth head in self defense one time at the same time someone in the next camp over did the same thing. Retired traveler number one used a 30/30 "Grandpa's deer rifle I just happened to have" traveler 2 one shot from an AK. Now you and I know ballistically almost an identical single shot but which traveler is more likely to get hauled in ?
 
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