Thinking about the age of Ctgs

[JWFilips]

The 30-30 can pretty much shoot everything made in single shot And usually do it well. I decide that if I can ever afford it I would buy my ultimate #0-#0 single shot drop action in a 26 "barrel from E. Arthur Brown Company It would be a $2000 + investment but far worth it With the case and the Neck and the moulds available the ULTIMATE BOOLIT GUN!

 

[Ole_270]

While I own 3 223s, (sporter, heavy barrel and AR), as well as a 243,7-08, 308 and have taken deer with all three, my main deer rifles are chambered for pretty old cartridges. A pair of 250-3000, .257 Roberts and a seldom used these days 270. A Ruger Tanger M77 .250-3000 took my buck this year, gross scored 161 and big enough I didn't even try to load him. Just went home for the 4 wheeler and a chain to drag him in.
My most fired rifle is probably my '94 Marlin 25-20, it's shot thousands of rounds with various cast bullets on steel gongs and small game.
My 30-30 was a 336 Marlin that has now been bored out to 38-55 and gets a steady diet of 250 grain cast bullets. Took a doe during early doe season, but mostly it gets used on my backyard gongs.
Never got into the magnum craze, just never felt I need more that what I had.

 

[RicinYakima]

I have some of that "30 American" Federal brass with small rifle primer. At one time I was hoping to have a .30 Johnson wildcat match rifle built, but I could never get a great gunsmith to work with me on the project. If I can find it, would somebody be interested? Ric

 

[RicinYakima]

"My most fired rifle is probably my '94 Marlin 25-20, it's shot thousands of rounds with various cast bullets on steel gongs and small game.
My 30-30 was a 336 Marlin that has now been bored out to 38-55 and gets a steady diet of 250 grain cast bullets. Took a doe during early doe season, but mostly it gets used on my backyard gongs.
Never got into the magnum craze, just never felt I need more that what I had.[/QUOTE]

If I had my 32/20 Savage Model 23, NRA Sporter in 35 Whelen and Sharps 50/70 Hunters Rifle, I would not be bored the rest of my days. BUT I like getting new toys, and that is about why I have so many others.

 

[Tony]

Ric,
I'm interested. Let me know how much you have.
Tony

 

[Sendaro]

Yes I'm also interested in the 30 American brass.

Sendaro

 

[Eutectic]

Over the years I have gained a lot of respect for Savage rifles and their accuracy.

I'll give you a BIG +1 on this quote Sendaro!

I also agree about the .30-30 comments..... To the point it may be the best .30 caliber cast bullet shooter fast or slow... IMHO. The only thing in that caliber range (although a smaller case) that can group with it with cast for me, day in and day out, is the .32-20.... Again this is only in a scoped Savage Model 23.

To add a little 'Savage barrel' opinion....I think the older cut rifled Savage barrels may be the best shooters with cast of ALL barrels I've tried. I don't say this lightly and probably base it on at least 12 cut rifled Savage barrels in four calibers.

Stevens and Savage engineering spun off of a lot of Harry Pope's barrel work. They had narrower lands like ol' Harry liked and used in his barrels... And ol' Harry did almost everything with cast.... mostly plain base!
About 30+ years ago (maybe 40+!) one of the gun magazines had an article about Savage retiring it's old (even then over 50 years use) cut rifling machine. As machining, tool & die, and gunsmithing was groomed into me early I found the article interesting. But I remember thinking "What's the big deal?" That thought clouded my usual good (and detailed) long term memory. @!*%! I do remember the detailed pictures however! Man I'd love to look at them again..... Who knows? Maybe I'd build one!!!!!

Pete

 

[KHornet]

I too am a strong savage fan, and own a half dozen. Am currently
having one rebarelled in 223. The last barrel held close to an inch or
so until it had in excess of 6000 rds thru it, and then it would still stay
under 2". Not adequate for pdogs. However, 6000 rounds is a lot of
shooting, for a barrel. Up to about 4000 rds, it was a consistant under
an inch shooter, with ocaisional 1/2" groups or less. It shot cast to
within about 90-95 percent of the accuracy level of jacketed.

Paul

 

[Reed]

... my latest model cartridge is 348 Winchester.

Another .348 Winchester fan here. Big ole overgrown 30-30 can go from mild to thumper.

 

[KHornet]

The 348 is a great ctg I agree. Never owned one, but did
shoot a couple. Didn't care for the weight of the rifle, but
sure did shoot. Shot one that had been opened up to 45
Alaskan. Wow what a thumper.

Paul

 

[Reed]

I'm thankful for any cartridge derived from the .348. That helps keep the brass semi-available.

 

[smokeywolf]

Didn't care for the weight of the rifle, but
sure did shoot.

Too light or too heavy?

 

[KHornet]

Heavy! Would not want to carry all day!

Paul

 

[smokeywolf]

I tend to compare it to the Model '86 with an octagonal barrel, so to me it seems somewhat light. It is heavy compared to the '86 SRC in 45-70.

I've lead a pretty sheltered life and never owned or shot any other lever than Winchester.

 

[KHornet]

A loaded 71 weighs in the ball park of 9 1/2 lb. Does balance pretty well,
but would prefer to use one out of a stand rather than to still hunt all day on
foot. Nothing wrong with Win Levers, still have 2 of them. Love my
94 in 357. Then again, I am old, and weight does make a difference compared
to when I was in my 30's.

Paul

 

[Ben]

Nice to remember when a heavy rifle to a hunter really wasn't that big of an issue. I'm trying to remember.................

 

[smokeywolf]

Although not as old as you, I've got a lot of hard miles on me and not sure I'd make it very far lugging the model 71 up a few hills. That and the model '95 though, which is heavier yet, are my two best rifles for hunting on foot.

 

[Sendaro]

Heavy rifles? The way technology is going we'll all be totting Fazer in the next 20 years. Just set your 3 ounce Fazer on stun and zap'em! That way we can practice shoot and release.

Sendaro

 

[Brad]

I keep my phaser set to stun. I also avoid wearing red shirts....

 

[Bret4207]

It's like most other things. We could all get along just fine with, say, a 22LR, a 357, a 7x57 and a 12 ga. We could also all get along driving either a 4 dr hatchback and a 3/4 ton PU of one brand and live in cookie cutter houses all across America. But that's not us, is it?