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Who is Ron Spomer
For 44 years, I’ve had the good fortune to photograph and write about my passion - the outdoor life. Wild creatures and wild places have always stirred me - from the first flushing pheasant that frightened me out of my socks in grandpa’s cornfield to the last whitetail that dismissed me with a wag of its tail. In my attempts to connect with this natural wonder, become an integral part of our ecosystem, and capture a bit of its mystery, I’ve photographed, hiked, hunted, birded, and fished across much of this planet. I've seen the beauty that everyone should see and survived adventures that everyone should experience. I may not have climbed the highest mountains, canoed the wildest rivers, caught the largest fish, or shot the biggest bucks, but I’ve tried. Perhaps you have, too. And that’s the essential thing. Being out there, an active participant in our outdoor world.
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Hornady 30 30 leverevolution is a hell of a round. Modern powders have really changed the game.
Yep. 30-30 will still be relevant when my grandkids have grandkids
@@thorseim7177 Funny because we all hunted with Marlins and never had any problems beyond our constant squirming making it hard to see deer.
Agreed, I only use it for mine now and paired with a 1-4 LPVO, it's fantastic for the type of hunting a 30-30 was intended for. With the Hornaday ammo and a 50m zero, it's POA/POI from 25-100m and still in kill zone at 150. I have a BLR in .308 and I find myself grabbing the old Marlin more often.
@@thorseim7177 just had this experience took a niece out shooting recently roughly 15. For the second time and started to figure out what firearms she likes. 38 special revolvers, and my 22lr walther 1911a1, and bolt action 22lr, marlin model 60. Those all passed the test The sks didn't leave a real good impression. On the second trip I tried a mosin nagant just to see her reaction not really recoil sensitive. and my marlin 336cs. A lever action 22lr is right up her alley. The 30-30 marlin she liked alot. I need to get some 30 carbine I think the m-1 carbine will be a favorite. And we have new lady in the hobby.
Hits the still like a brick from 500 feet up and hitting the grand
I am now 65 years old. I remember being about 8 years old and my uncle talking to my father about his 30-30 and how sorry he did not buy a 30-06, the 30-30 too weak etc. etc.etc. Today I hunt with my uncles 30-30 which I inherited along with his 30-06 that he eventually purchased. I can honestly say, I have never lost a single deer with that old Marlin and I am still using the same ammo that my uncle purchased when he first got the rifle and never used. Guess what it still goes bang and the deer still go down. The 30-30 will outlast every single person living on this earth today and they will be still talking of the demise of the 30-30 when we are all gone.
Those Marlins are VERY strong actions! A real solid piece of engineering.
I'm 54. My Granny bought a Model 94 Winchester .30-30 from my uncle and gave it to me for my 14th birthday. I've put much venison in the freezer with that rifle. NEVER lost one. I can't say the same for my Remington .270, which I bought for myself when I was 18. I was looking hard at a Remington 7mm mag, but I consulted an expert, my Dad. He liked the looks, but had me compare the price of 7mm mag to .270 ammo. That's why I have a .270. When it comes down to simply picking one or the other, I'm gonna take that .30-30 out for a walk most every time.
Hitting the right spot is more important than which round you use ..
@@richardsolberg4047 Agreed. It's comes down to what you are most accurate with, and how confident with it that you are.
Granted my father reloads and has created specific bullets for each weight, but he my entire immediate family has harvested animals as small as a coyote with a 90g all the way up to an elk with 165g out of the exact same 30-06.
I'll stick with the good old 30-30!!!!!! There is just something about that nostalgic lever action that makes me happy.
you could always have both.
Then there is that dang 32 Special................................
@@garyh1449 Or that blasted .35 Remington.
@@garyh1449 plus the older 38-55 , I have the .375 Winchester, a little used round but higher pressure.
My thoughts exactly!
In reality, I don't think anybody comes down to 300blk vs 30-30 and decides based on ballistics. Hunting with one of these is a function of choosing the style of rifle, not the round.
Different rounds for Ar 15 now like the 224 Valkyrie
Nailed it.
Ballistics is everything. If we can get the same outcome with a relatively smaller round that's important.
Totally. Give my an old lever action for the woods and a suppressed 300 blk for home/property defense.
I thought you were talking about putting the 300 bo in a lever gun at first. The 30/30 ballistics are better and more comparable with the flex tip. I think. I would prefer the 300 hammer over the 300 bo. The one thing I don't like about the 30/30 is it headspaces on the rim. No offense, but comparing the lever gun to that AR makes me want to barf. Have a good one.
7.62x39 is a much closer comparison. But a 30-30 with modern powders and bullets steps it up another level.
300 Ham’r in ARs is also a better comparison.
@@echofoxtrotwhiskey1595 30 AR too
7.62x39 and 300 blackout using the same bullet weight are statistically even. 300 blackout is less than 10 fps off the venerable 7.62x39 but it is more versatile and with modern bullets Flys truer I can only speak for myself but if you shoot me with a 7.62x39 or a 300 blackout I'm not going to be able to tell which one hurt more
@@1metalg0d Not true. x39 is anywhere from 100-200fps faster. 300 Ham’r is closer to x39
@@1metalg0d I disagree. 7.62x39 is a much bigger case. A 125 is going over 2300fps
The 30-30 will never go away
theyll just stop the ammo supply of it.... they know it works well at its job.
@@constitutionalrepublican1611 they been doing that for all cal. It dont matter what gun you got its getting a lil better but price is up by 3 to 4 dollars more but thats everything right now food,gas,taxes,could keep going on
I have a pre 64 Win 30-30. Great gun for short shots in thick brush. My dad shot many moose with it.
My granddaughter loves her new pink .300 blackout because she can accessorize it like a Barbie doll. The picatinny rail mounted makeup mirror, selfie phone mount and venti size cup holder are her favorites.
I used some Leverevolution powder for the 30-30 with a 150gr Hdy RN. Found a happy accuracy node and the chrono average was 2445fps. This was from a Henry, 20inch barrel. Groups average .5". This load has taken hogs, a few deer. For a 100yd cartridge, it works fine.
0.5" groups at what distance?
Wow that is nearly 308 performance!
@@joewoodchuck3824 100yds. using a lead sled. It has a Vortex 2-7 scope. Minus the lead sled...then my old self comes into play. Just about everything I have fed that rifle has performed well. Factory or hand loads. Some guns have a lot of overbore. They used a new reamer when mine got made I suspect. If you seat all bullets to their maker's load manual, it works well. It does not like 170gr bullets at all. Does very well with the Speer 130gr FN as well. Drop down to 110gr and it does poorly. Since I was a kid, I have taken a LOT of deer with a 30-30 of some sort. Given the brush and cedar and rolling hills it is unlikely I need a long shot.
@@sisleymichael Very good!
Keep the .30-30 in T/C contenders. 125 grain Nosler ballistic tip bullets out of a16" barrel. 2 Multiple 200 yard plus one shot kills on deer.
I've harvested 22 deer and1 bear with my 14" Thompson Center Contender 30-30. Leverevolution was a game changer and extended the range to 200yds. Honest. It's been my go to for 40 years. Many Coyotes with the 223 also.
I have a bolt action 30-30 with a 24" nicke-steel barrel. I load 5-10% over and it has outstanding performance and increased accuracy. Also, being a bolt rifle I use spire point/ballistic tip bullets.
Do the same in a circa 1911 Savage 1899 takedown. Still perfectly functional and accurate.
Amen
A better comparison to the 30-30 is the 300 HAM'R by Wilson Combat. One of the main goals in development was to mimic the 30-30 in an AR platform. He almost called it the 30-30AR.
Wish more people would talk about the 300 HAM'R!
Absolutely
Still not a great comparison since you're talking about a rimmed, short-action length round primarily for lever guns against an intermediate, rimless, semi-auto round. That said, I'd stick with the earlier 7.62x40, as it has a wider range of usable bullet weights.
30-30AR was the original name of the 300 Ham'r. There's a video where someone was shooting and they said "this thing hammer's" or something like that. I love my 300 Ham'r and wanting to build a 20 inch boltgun if a barrel mfger ever produce them without ordering a reamer to send them.
@@chrisp556 Wilson Combat makes a 300 HAM'R barrel for the Ruger American Ranch now
I think the 350 legend is the new deer slayer choice, also boar, bear, and bad guy's.
I live in an area that is very wooded and the 300 Wisper (300 Blackout) is and has been very popular for years in a 125gr loading. I built one for my brother, I wanted a little something extra so I built a Wilson Combat 7.62x40. Just a stretched 300 Blackout. That extra 5mm is good for another 150fps at least but my favorite truck gun is my Marlin 30/30. As a handloader I can tailor my loads and that old 30/30 with a Sierra 125gr HP/FN bullet (#2020) and a good charge of Ramshot TAC powder creeps right up on 2600fps and shoots flat as a ruler out to as far as I can see. Taken many whitetails with it.
The beautiful part of short range woods hunting is carrying a short lever action rifle….point and shoot, no scope….so I’ll take the ballistics of a 94 everyday…. Don’t want either of them for over 150-175 yards…JMO… Another great vid as always
perfect for urban combat too.... behind every blade of grass.....
The 30/30 is so good that manufactures are always trying to knock it down for one reason or another. I’ll keep my Marlin in 30/30 regardless of what you so called experts say. I like it and it’s a great whitetail cartridge.
That makes exactly zero sense lmao. Keep your 30/30 then, Boomer. Just don't knock those of us advancing in technology
@@BudgOutdoors There’s nothing wrong with technology as you put it. But sometimes in life you reach a point when you realize you don’t need anything better, bigger, or faster to do a job than what you’ve had all along.. it’s a personal thing. I’m sure that one day you will find that out. I’ve taken so many deer with my 30-30 it isn’t funny. It works very well.
@@hawkenman.549 and add hornady lever evolution if you need range. 90% of deer are taken under 90 yards anyway
@@BudgOutdoors Why do stupid people arrogantly call everyone they disagree with “Boomer” or “Fudd”? Do you think we should hate our father’s or old Elmer to please a bunch of gender confused sissies who can’t kill an animal with a tank and blame the cannon? Learn to shoot, then you’ll see you don’t need to “improve” the 50 BMG cartridge to kill a white tail, or even a moose or grizzly. Eskimo’s have been killing polar bears with 22lr for a very long time! 30-30 is PLENTY on whitetail in the hands of anyone who can shoot to at least 200 yards. That’s my personal limit with it on that application because I don’t fancy long tracks and suffering animals. New cartridges don’t actually do anything that wasn’t already done with previous cartridges. 6.5 Creedmore attempted to be “better” than 308 Winchester in the same case. But it’s slower, and only cuts drops by a few inches at extreme ranges but doesn’t retain velocity to be worth a shit at hunting at 308 max hunting ranges 500-600 yards. Partly because of lighter bullets and partly because of bullet construction it won’t punch through and expand both functions, every shot. You’re falling for marketing. They change the cartridge slightly, give it a new name and sell it claiming it’s the answer to lack of marksmanship, but we’re all “old” because we don’t fall for it. Ok. I like my cartridges like gender, without any variation.
@@BudgOutdoors Cartridge advancement hasn’t really happened in a very long time. “New” cartridge isn’t new technology, and my favorite cartridges (because I like them and they do the job excellently) are all old. Even 223 Remington/5.56 NATO was around in the 50’s, 308 Winchester was released in the early 50’s, all the 06 variants were around before then, with 25-06 being invented around 1912 or so if memory serves. It wasn’t adopted by Remington until the 60’s and didn’t really take off until after WW2 but when the war ended and the Army started selling off stockpiles of slower powders the cartridge took off as its performance potential was really optimized by slower powders. Mine loves H4831. I mean loves it! There hasn’t been an honest innovation in firearms design since the AR pattern which was submitted for testing first innthe 1940’s and again by Amry request in the 50’s. You don’t own anything that wasn’t already done and likely better before your copy came around! “Even the fool is considered wise when he holds his tongue”. I’ll explain it for you lazy mellinial, that means even fools are considered wise (smart and intelligent beyond his years) when he doesn’t speak at all. The reason is you’re learning to just shut up. Enjoy that “high tech new” rifle that was developed in the 50’s at the latest. Genius
Cartridge aside, I've just never had an interest in an AR style rifle of any kind. I'm 57 and from my first Red Ryder to my current Marlin 336 I just prefer ease of carry of a lever gun with iron sights. Don't mind a bolt action too much if I need to reach out with precision . I find the AR types clunky and the large mags get in the way . But of course to each their own, I just love the old time classics .
My personal preference is lever action as well. It's just dang enjoyable to shoot. The rifles have character and love put into them, and manual actions just connect woth something primal in me. But AR's CERTAINLY have their place.
Well… even after 30 year in the U.S. Army… I still overwhelmingly prefer my mod 94 carbine in .30-30… 18”x18” gong @ 300yd all day long. - no AR platform with a scope hunting for me. 😎
Fuds... 😂
Lever actions suck. They are clunky as hell, have aweful triggers, take eons to reload, can't be operated well from prone and have a pitiful rate of fire. There is a reason the whole world ditched levers for other designs. They are 1850s technology. Move into the 20th century guys.
Problem with them is they're so damned expensive. My son's first hunting rifle is an AR because you can buy a Palmetto Freedom Rifle kit for less than $375. All of the boomer rifles cost a fortune now. 5.56 too small? Swap out a couple of components and it's a .300 Blackout.
Congratulations Ron as always perfect, best regards from Brazil
I wonder why nobody compares the 30 30 and 300blk to the 300 Hamr?
We used .30-30 and .25-35 Winchesters at the ranch when I was growing up in the '60s. We had lots of pine and fir woods and I liked both these rifles for mule deer when I was a kid. I'd really like to see a new and very good bolt action rifle chambered in .30-30.
Ron I love all the videos you put out. We really appreciate you and the hard work
Thanks David. I appreciate it.
Loved my 30 30 back in the day I've since switched to a lever action 44 mag and I love it
35 Rem is a great caliber as well, sadly ammo being hard to find
Sad, but true. Finding brass, bullets, and ammunition for the 35 Remington is a bit hard.
Starting to see it again in my area finally. But still hard to find. But at least now they can order it.
7.62x39 is already there , and there is tons of cheap surplus out there still
First Lever action in 30-30 was the Winchester Model 1894. The round was introduced in 1896. They're still shooting.
Released in 1895 friend. Close but it’s been in American sportsman’s hands since 1895 and it’s been wildly popular from inception. Rightly so. When I was a young boy all the boys in deer camp were there with mostly Marlin 336’s in 30-30. I hunt with a Winchester 94 in 30-30 now. Want another presafety 336.
My first deer here in Maine was with a Winchester model 94 in 30/30. I will always have a lever gun for that reason in that caliber. I just refinished a nice old Marlin in 30/30. I can't wait to get it out in the woods this season. I am slowly getting around to purchasing my first AR platform. For me being a paraplegic hunter I have always found the AR a little gommy with the extended hand grip and the long magazine compared to the bolt action and lever action guns. I do like how you can customize the AR to your heart's desire. My first one will be in .556 caliber and I will move on from there. Thank you for another great video Ron. Maine North Woods Hunter (Shane)
Thanks Ron.
I will never give up the 30-30
theyll stop making the ammo. its their intention.
That's all good information and I appreciate you bringing the two cartridges out and showing off the blackout. My first deer gun was an M-1 carbine. I only had two 15 round magazines so I had to just load 5 rounds to hunt with it. I had a 30-30 at the time too and used it but I always loved the little carbine. Later on I also trained in the military with the old M-14 and 1911. This during the police action in that wicked, nasty, little country. Later we qualified with the M-16, so I am thoroughly familiar with these weapons too. What I wanted to bring up is that there is another cartridge that matches and at some scores exceed both of these bullets. Take the old 7.62X39 with a good quality bored rifle and you have yourself a cartrifge that in certain ways outperform both of these cartridges and the cost per round is still so much cheaper to use
The .30-30 may be an old round, but it is far too loved to ever go anywhere. I've owned several, and my collection will never be without one!
love what ur doing. keep it up.
My grandson started with a single-shot 223 and the speed that it killed deer was amazing. Don't knock it if you haven't tried it.
Yeah, just depends on speed. Lest we forget the M16a1 and it's 3200 fps 55gr bullet doing massive damage on soft tissue due to many factors, but mostly speed.
@@life_of_riley88 You bet he was using good 55 gr Nosler bullets at aroun3300 fps. The deer weren't extremely large but they died like struck by lightning. Seriously they dropped in their tracks. When rolled over the damage done by the bullets exit was massives.
@@radamson1 I believe it. It's an absolutely devastating little bullet at that speed.
Good comparison. Good video, as always. x39 is also a viable round in this category especially with a bolt gun such as Ruger or CZ using a nice scope.
Most informative channel I've found yet... good work !
.223 is the new 30-30. Cheap, available, extremely accurate to 300 yards and drops everything I need to drop. I live in Australia by the way 😉
Great video Mr. Spomer. I use the Prvi Partizan (PPU) Soft Point Round Nose 7.62X39 ,123grain , and I have dispatched everything from coyote, medium sized Black Bear, Cougars, and Mule Deer and Black Tails. I have never thought of using 300 Blackout. I have a Norinco Polytech (386) AK Hunter (hunting rifle stock and for end). I have also used an SKS for hunting the previously mentioned game as well.
Mr. Spomer is this you or some hacker?
@@Thetailofthetrident No, it is not him. These scammers are plague on KZhead at the moment.
@@jic1Thanks man! Those scammers will burn in the hereafter! 🔥
X39 and 300 blk perform so similarly that picking between the 2 should instead be relegated to the old AR15 vs AK47 debate. Pick which rifle you like best and rock it in its respective cartridge
@@TheGunNerd Thank you!
Talking about a slow bullet, my cousin used the 30-40 Krag. He used to say that it was so slow that he would shoot at the deer and then go stand by the deer and wait for the bullet to get there. But, when it finally got there it really meant business.
Those are neat old guns that slung that lead too.
Now there is some exaggeration. The modern factory load is 180 gr bullet at 2400 fps. The original military load was a 220 gr bullet at 2000 fps. Your cousin must walk really fast. 😉
I was brought up on a 30-30 lever action winchester. Deer, Hog and even Gators. Its a great brush gun/woods gun for romping around with something reliable that doesnt reek of oil. I will still use one for such activities. A 300 BLK, subsonic suppressed, on an AR platform is my Home Protection. For me these will remain in these categories. I sincerely appreciate the ballistics data, I learned a lot - Thank you. I believe both will be with us for a long while to come.
My first fifteen years of deer hunting were with a 30-30 lever action. Every deer my daughters have taken have been with an AR in 300BLK. BOTH DO THE JOB EQUALLY WELL! Thanks Ron for challenging norms and I agree that the 300BLK is better at extended range because of bullet options. I prefer the 125gr Nosler BT @ 2300fps for whitetail.
My first 25 years of hunting I took my deer with a Ruger mini 30, whereas all of my friends were shooting lever action Marlins. So I guess now I get my revenge
I like the idea of the 110 barnes load, but haven’t tried it yet on deer or antelope.
@@phild9813 I've shot deer with a 110gr V-max hot loaded at Hornady's recommended spec for 3400fps out of a remington 700 30-06 and at that speed it was like a lightning strike. No pass throughs, but extreme organ damage. If the barnes 110 is a monolithic bullet I'd imagine it would have plenty of penetration.
@@paulcallicoat7597 just remember that lever action was an army weapon at one time and I don't think any Indians will be attacking anytime soon
@@phoghat the US military never used a lever gun. not officially. maybe an officers special carry. the first repeater the Army used was the .30 Krag.
I shoot cast bullets. 30-30 with a 175 grain cast bullet and a push from a little IMR 3031 says it all. Javelina, Antelope, Whitetail, Mule, Arizona Coues, and two cow elk up in the Mogollans. Not to mention being my Cowboy Assault Rifle and serving me well around the ranch. Serves me very well. 300 Blackout has a place and I own a Ruger Mini 14 Tactical in. But it is NOT a deer rifle. Never will be.
Very interesting. I never grew up hunting and have been teaching myself all the “how-to” along the way in my adult life. As a veteran, my hunting rifle of choice was an AR-15, short barrel, that I have since suppressed. Very satisfying to hear guys like Ron demonstrate the validity of such an option. Thanks for putting out all the great content!
Get yourself a 30-30 too and you won’t regret it! I use both but definitely like having the 30-30. They are pretty cheap if you grab a used Marlin
If you ever feel like you need more rifle than 223 step up to an AR-10 same feel and controls and you can get those in 308, 6.5 creedmoor as well as a few other cartridges all the way up to 300 win short mag if you are fine with reloading but either 308 or 6.5 are great options if you need something more
Check out the Henry long ranger, new twist old dog. Removable mags. Scope mounts. Not all states let you hunt with a semiautomatic. Old is good.. Learn hunting from the old timers, and 2 apples for hunting, I'll let them explain. Used surplus guns, mosens, SML mk 2 Enfield, 303 Brit. ( corrosive primers in surplus ammo) . Fun journey. Check out Paul hurrell , uses chronograph, and answers the questions we always wondered, no hype just facts. Could win a bar bet.check out the meat target. Enjoy the woods, and the solitude.
@@imperialwhovian3461 I’d love one! Just haven’t wanted to drop the money on one. I live in the south East so we don’t get crazy long shots
If you still wanted to have more flexibility but a small package a 16 inch 308 would be a good choice or if you want more of a brush gun 450 bushmaster offers great performance at or above many factory 45-79 loads
Oh I love them them both! 😍
Thank you for making this vid! I was just searching through your videos the other day wondering why you hadn’t done a 300blk video yet! Keep um coming!
I reload for and love both cartridges. A 30-30 with some Leverevolution powder and a Hornady flex tip bullet really takes this cartridge to the next level. Just really depends on the hunter, though, as to what they choose to take with them and what their equipment is capable of. With the right shot placement, both cartridges are capable of taking white tail. My AR is scoped for distance shooting, but my lever action has a Skinner peep sight that I prefer for short to intermediate distances.
It would take many years and thousands of thousands of trophies to catch up with the 30/30. My first deer rifle was one with the scope that set to the side of the gun. I used it then and would still carry it with confidence again 40 years later. Thanks Ron for fun and informative outdoor Post. 🎥💯👍
Not dissing the new one, some of these new calibers are for sure good and thought out with years of experience to look at. Thanks again Ron 🎥💯👍
old pachmayr mount? i liked those too
Thank you 😊
The 350 legend is the new 30-30 for us in the “shotgun/straight walled cartridge” hunting zones!
I've been hunting for 50 years with a 30/30, but I also hunt with a 7.62x39 AR, both with scopes, 30/30 for deer an 7.62x39 for hogs, just feel real comfy with my 30/30 tho, it just feels right, but I'm old school anyway.
If you can drop hogs with 7.62x39 then 300blk would drop a deer
@@HUNTERCOPELR Oh I'm sure with in 100 or so yds
@@williammccaslin8527 more like 300 yards, with 125 grain bullets...
@@forkthepork thought was supposed to be the whisper quiet round out to 100 yds with a Hollywood whisper quiet silencer, an use 220 gr bullets, not 125 gr which would make a sonic crack when you light it off, correct me if I'm wrong.
@@williammccaslin8527 you're wrong 😂 It's for all of that, plus shooting supersonic bullets accurately out to intermediate ranges with deadly terminal ballistics.
That’s a 223 Remington R-15 I have the same one It’s a tack driver for sure Great video Love the 30-30 But the 7.62x39 is my favorite old school semi auto “deer” rifle But now the 6.5 Grendel is gaining popularity So the old calibers have lots of new competitors
Look into 6mm ARC. Imagine necking down 6.5 Grendel to 6mm, and as a result skyrocketing the energy
Took my first deer, blacktail, with a 30-30 some 25 years ago. Wow seems like yesterday!
73 yo I inherited my grandfather's 35 Remington years back. About 10 years ago my son gifted me a 300 bo and I love both rifles for whitetail here in Wisconsin. My go to round is 210 grain.
Ron, thanks for sharing the newer stuff as well as the traditional. I know you don't love the AR, but there are good reasons why it's so popular. I can get multiple uppers delivered straight to my door without fro paperwork and turn my registered loans er into a 22lr for practice, or 300blk for hunting. 223 is good for couples too. Cheers!
Awesome stuff! I love a semi auto rifle chambered in 300blk or 6.8spc for deer or black bear. I’m very much looking forward to the new 8.6blk in a semi auto rifle for bigger game.
I will have to hold onto the 30-30 and my 340-C. I scanned the title for any additional craziness like "tofu replaces bacon" or "compressed air replaces powder"!! Keep it up Ron, you're a wealth of knowledge in a crazy world.
I have a Marlin 336, 30-30. I love shooting the 160 gr Hornady Leverevolution. It groups incredibly and I have shot it over 200 yards very accurately. The big difference is what platform do you prefer. I know a few guys that use the 300 black out for pigs and have great success.
Biggest disappointment for me has been how slow 30-30 has been coming back from the ammo shortage. 300blk actually came back faster because of the AR market. Guess the manufacturers see more people going to the range and burning through 300blk than going to the woods with 30-30. One of the things that made me adopt 30-30 was because (pre shortage) it was the cheapest deer caliber that was on shelves near me. Good old coreloks could always be found for about $11 a box. Now forget it. 223, 308, 3006, 6.5cm are mostly what you find. I go to ammoseek to find 3030, but it's usually up there around $30 or more. Hopefully it comes back in time.
I haven’t seen a single box of .30-30 in probably two years. It’s my one of my favorite so I’m well stocked but can’t replace it and I don’t like that.
@@blueoval250 Try ammoseek. Cheapest on there right now is Fiocchi at $27 and coreloks are $30 (at cabelas and sportsmans warehouse). So yeah, I'm with you. I have my current stock, but everytime I take a box of $11 ammo to the range, I know I have to spend $30 to replace it
@@blueoval250 Try finding .35 Remington!
We went to 4 different sporting goods/hunting stores in 2 different towns last weekend and could not find a single box of 30-30, 30-06 or 7mm-08. I’ve been looking for the last couple of years and cannot find any of them. Yep, there are plenty of .223, .308 and 5.56 but most of them are FMJ. Where are the deer hunting rounds?
Save your brass and reload or find a friend to reload.
Nice to know. I live in Alberta so I have my all around 308 that can take deer, elk, moose and bear. Given I'm in bear country I can encounter one at any time regardless of what I'm hunting. I'll take the bigger bang. Also if I wanted to use a smaller cartridge I have some Ruag 7.62x39 soft points a small ffl sold for 12 bucks $CAD for 20 rounds. Picked some up anyway for non corrosive rounds on the cheap for the SKS and can legally hunt with it. Where I hunt I've never had a shot over 150 yards yet.
I really enjoy these posts.
My favorite whitetail calibers are 30-40 Army Krag. The 30-06 150gr lightly loaded 2 up from the minimum Lee Manual as shots in my wood farm averages 30 yards max 80. I don't want to waste meat. I have full loads for hunting open land.
I use the 7.62x39 works fine but still love my 30/30
300 hamr is a better AR hunting cartridge for comparison to the 30-30 than the 300blk. But it’s not nearly as popular as the blk. The hamr was optimized for 30 cal supersonic performance on game. The blk was a compromise between subsonic and supersonic performance and falls about 200fps short of the hamr.
Good info thank you
300 HAM'R is everything a 300 Blackout super sonic wishes it was. 300 HAM'R is arguably superior to 30-30 because of the advantages of the AR15 platform. The 30-30 lever action is limited by bullet design due to the tubular magazine and the manual action cycling limiting quick/accurate follow up shots.
300 Ham’r is bad ass. I have developed 155gr and 160gr.
I've killed alot of deer with my 30.06 but this year I decided to switch to hunting with an AR platform, I picked up a 300blk upper from bear creek arsenal for a great price, haven't heard of 300 hamr, can it be fired out of a 300 blk barrel? P.s. drew from S.buff ? Like bread of life ?
@@dickbiggerjr3613 lol yes the very same. And no it’s a different barrel. Wilson combat makes them.
30-30 been doing it for me for years thick burst/ woods under 100 yard shot most of the time in my area and lever actions just look good and feel good and it works for me I’d take a ak over a ar just simply because I like the look of wood furniture
Hello from Oklahoma! Interesting Video! It all looks good on paper.
I think the 7.62x39 is a better alternative to the 30-30. Especially shot from the Ruger Mini 30.
100% I use the same mags but in the American ranch bolt action. Both are great and the ammo is still easier to find than for my Marlin.
30 30 performance is better than the Russian cartridge ecpecaily with spritzer bullets and most definitely more effective on game so why would you think that ?
@@jerrystone88567.62x39 provides many more bullet choices than a 30-30.
@@jerrystone8856Just wondering, did you message all the other people that made similar comments?
@@jerrystone8856 Shoot what ever you want, I couldn't care less!!!
My Remington 700 in 300 BLK dropped a Colorado bull elk with a 110 grain Barnes FTX at about 150m. I intend to use that same bullet for prongies.
Sure you did!
Barnes FTX, eh?
@@shaunsonus They're actually Barnes VorTX or something. Something TX.
.30-30 for me. Thanks for another great video!
Great data, but the hunting loads by Federal, etc. for the 7.62 X 39 should be part of this study as they must be close. Not from an AK- but from the 20-inch barrel of an SKS.
I have had lots of different caliber guns. And I still do. My favorite for deer hunting is the 350 legend. 170 grain. My bear gun is a 30/06 160 grain.
I think Henry firearms has made lever action rifles all the rage once again. Now that Henry offers dual loading/unloading capabilities with its lever action, They have become very desirable.
Yessir. Great take.
Awesome… thanks buddy..
henry long ranger in 16in barrel 300 BO would be awesome
Then there is the 300blk bullet options. I've loaded 90gr and 220gr, that's a big variety of options.
Watching from Edmonton (area) Alberta Canada 🇨🇦
Good video Ron,short and to the point
The 300 Ham’r is my Favorite.. in my opinion the cartridge out performs the 300 Blackout by far.. it basically is a 30-30 in a MSR
7.62 x 39 slightly outperforms both of them with cheaper ammo
You might be right but I believe it’s negligible. Ammo availability on 300 blk is a little broader for premium rounds and also the 300 cycles subs reliably if using semi auto. Both are great rounds and will take a whitetail no problem
7.62 x 39 doesn't outperform 30 30 Winchester with the right loads in any way . The 30 30 is a hotter round with heavier bullets . Also you can tell a big difference when you shoot game .
I have taken 5 deer so far with my .300 blackout. I’m very happy with it. It’s very pleasant to shoot when suppressed.
Great video! Im a huge fan of the 30-30 and my model 94. My AR is great but my go to rifle is always my winchester.
Been using a 300blk for 8 years on deer, hogs and axis in Texas. It does the job and does it well.
@@winstonjones7519 use a tipped bullet not just a hollow point. I had some issues with hollow points not expanding early on. Thankfully it seems like manufacturers saw that too because I haven't seen any HP ammo in awhile.
@@winstonjones7519 is that the vor-tx or tac-tx one? Thats my go to load.
So would a 50 bmg.
I would lean more towards the 350 Legend being the new 30-30/35 Remington. Have always considered 7.62x39/ 300BLK to be like 30-30 lite calibers. And again all are popular rounds. I just like that I can find 350 legend everywhere in multiple options from practice to freezer filling.
Ballistics not in your consideration.
@@asherdie why would you ask that? if you're shooting the 350 legend in the 150 grain whitetail season XP from Winchester sight in 3 inches high you're going to be about dead on at 200.
@@robertchapman4488 wasn't a question.
@@asherdie Hmmm 🤔 ? Since the 30 30 Winchester has got a 127 Year Headstart and there's Probably around 20 million rifle's floating around out there chambered in it . How could ballistics mean a damn thing anyway ?
@@jerrystone8856 try again, this time make sense.
Great Video Ron
I like my 30-30 but I like my Savage model 99 lever in 300 savage the best. Was my great grandpa's gun. Never selling. Great information I like how you give data side by side. Keep up the great work.
You can drastically improve the ballistics of the 30/30 by using the Hornady FTX bullet.
Hornady too, lol
@@reloadnorth7722 lol
Why they all three are so close a deer will never know the difference.
Now this it true and disclaimer I own both but to really get all of the 30/30 with the ftx’s you about need 24 inches of barrel
@@365674 that’s just not true
30-30 maybe the best all around round ever made. People write it off all the time because it’s “old”.
This last year I helped a friend sell nearly 200 Winchester lever guns. Most were 30-30. They must be very popular because in each auction they sold rapidly at higher prices than I had expected. The one that brought the most was a collects one and it was a Chevy Model which I never even knew existed before. The John Wayne models garnered the most bids.
@@russellkeeling4387 it's mostly collectors. Very few people buy them to hunt with.
@@forkthepork You don’t think many folks but 30-30s to hunt with?
@@guaporeturns9472 not where I live. Maybe in the south or someplace that doesn't allow semiautomatic rifles.
@@forkthepork Tons of people hunt the brushy west coast with lever action 30-30s
So true about the 30-30 being handy. On the rare days we have a sticking snow, I still hunt with my 30-30 (Or. 35 Remington). I had to grid search for a buck the following morning and I took the 30-30.
I almost bought a 300 Whisper barrel for my Contender pistol, back when JD Jones first came out with the round. I went to his shop SSK Industries in Wintersville, Ohio, to ask about having some work done on my pistol. I didn't end up getting the barrel, but I did have a nice talk with him about some of the other things that he had made. Nice guy! Glad you gave him credit for the round. Most people don't even know how the 300 Blackout came about. JD Jones wouldn't go by SAAMI specs, he used CIP standards, so AAC jumped in and built a VERY similar round that would. They ended up taking over the market with the 300 Blackout.
Great video Ron! I'm not a huge fan of "modern" cartridges, or using an AR for hunting, but I love the 300 blackout! Got my daughter into hunting with the Ruger American bolt action.
There are some really good newer cartridges like 6.5 creedmoor which are great longer range cartridges for medium game but there are some good advantages to a AR platform rifle over a bolt action but each definitely have their place.
Interested to see how the stack up would be with the 7.62x39 in the mix ...
Problem with that round its .310 cal and little bullet selection bound fmj
Exactly my thought, especially with the Barnaul soft point rounds , The 7.62x39 has a ton of knockdown power.
@@bluesbondsman check out Tula’s HP, I really like them and they are priced right
Federal Power-Shok 123g 762x39 SP is the perfect round for deer in woods. If you can't see more than 150 yards you don't shoot more than 150 yards.
@@Logan-zz5vg 308 bullets shoot fine in my rifles
30-30 is great for the woods but 300blk has some advantages that can’t be ignored. Ron talked about handy shirt rifles yet talked about a 300 blk with a 16 inch barrel? The 300 blk was optimized for shorter barrels than 16in. A 9 or 10 inch 300 blk is very effective and much more handy than a 16 or 20 inch barrel.
With just a few clicks of elevation I go from subs to supers in my bolt action 300blk. Awesome little rifle.
Didn't we try this before with the 30ar? I have one! Love it! Reload it ect... It took the place for my Marlin 30/30 from my teens. That's saying something. Its my go to rifle. From mule deer in Montana to hogs in Georgia. 125 grain nosier bt at 2903 fps. Put that up against a 30/30 round. But, love the lever action 30/30. First love!
Didn't you mean 2903fps? 30 RAR is a great little cartridge.
@@LRRPFco52 😂 yeah. Fat fingers and little buttons. Yeah. I love my Remington 30 ar. It shoots right at 1moa at 100 yards. Shoots 150 grain cor loct and 125 bt within an inch of one another at 100 yards. Never understood why it didn't take off. Maybe it was timing thing.
@@jackvaniciaadams4089 Freedom Group bought Remington and DPMS. DPMS had been working on the GII, which was a really small frame AR-10. That sucked up all the wind behind the R-15 in 30 RAR. 30 RAR is a great little hunting cartridge for sure. I'm looking for a complete rifle. My buddy bought cases upon cases of ammo for it that our LGS had in the back.
@@LRRPFco52 yeah I purchased mine in 2015 and stocked up on ammo. Still have a bunch of factory ammo. Good luck finding a complete rifle, hope you get one.
Love the 300blk. I have a 16" and it would be pushing it to get a 150gr going 2100fps. Unfortunately there isn't enough velocity to get the larger supersonic projos to expand. If you want to go heavy you need to go subsonic with very heavy projos designed to open at those velocities. I think the 110 Tac-TX is the only super I would trust to take medium game. With that said, I think you're correct about the comparison. I like comparing different cartridges with the velocity and projo weight that the cartridge was intended/designed for. Great show.
I agree and given the fact that the vast majority of 150 gr spire point bullets don’t expand below 1900 fps it’s a terrible choice for deer hunting. Your basically hunting with fmj. The 30-30 with Hornady 160 gr FTX will wallop deer out to 250 yards. Totally agree on the lighter Barnes for the 300 Blackout. You have to be careful looking at energy only when choosing hunting loads. The bullet has to expand otherwise you’re going to lose an awful lot of deer.
No offense, but have you hunted with any load you’re talking about? I have, and on a LOT of different game. 90% of subsonics will NOT expand, I have tried majority of subsonics hunting loads and literally 90%-95% of the time it ice picks the animal. Hell, I use the cheapest Barnes hollow point on the market you get from academy, it’s 120 grain and it’s their poor boy hollow point, cheapest one they make. I have consistently dropped HUGE game and only needed one shot. Matter of fact I put down a 300 lb boar with one shot at 120 yards last weekend. Dropped him instantly, one kick and he was dead. 300 blackout is very capable if you know how to shoot. I’ve literally never heard a real hunter say use subsonics lol, the exact opposite actually, and I’m one of those hunters that actually practice what I preach.
@@RepublicofTX I was talking about subsonic specific projectiles. Go look at Maker Rex bullets. They make projos that expand at sub velocities. I believe I said "designed to open at those velocities". You need to read the entire post before you comment.
@@RepublicofTX And, no offense, but your a tool.
@@RepublicofTX Yeah and all the bow hunters are terribly unethical for shooting deer at 300 FPS. I also don't believe anything after someone says, "as a matter of fact". My guess is that you are 12 or at least that level of aptitude.
Agreed Ron. I never considered either one more then a 150y gun. One for its open site and the other for power.
The previous "new 30 30" was the 303 Savage, in a better lever action Savage model 99- available in several calibers including 308- Today I'd choose a levergun like the Henry long ranger or the one I actually got, the Browning BLR- in 308. Pretty much covers it. But as you say, for those guys bent on shooting a AR type, you definitely have a point.
300 HAM’R competes very well against 30-30!
I’ve hunted my entire life in Wisconsin with a 30-30 Winchester lever action and I just bought a 300 blk upper for my AR. Can’t wait to take my first deer with it! Great video, Ron!
Just found you not long ago. Had to subscribe. Great channel. I like the 300 blkout cartridge. ♥️
300 blackout does good with a 16”barrel and the Hornady 110 gr. V-max