I’ve been a wing shooter for 35 years, and have decided to try deer hunting for the 1st time next season.
I’m trying to gather info, and decide on a rifle, and caliber. Skimming through some of your posts, I’ve already eliminated a few options, but was hoping I could get some more answers to help me decide.
I’m considering a 270/06 or 30-30. I’m leaning towards the latter because of history, nostalgia (Dad had one) and I’ve always liked lever actions.
Bear in mind this would be strictly a Florida rifle. If I ever had the opportunity to hunt elk, caribou, or larger deer up north, I’d buy a rifle better suited for that.
My question is; How far are you shooting your deer on average?
I understand the 30/30 is a good rifle for brush, and shots under 150 yds. Any chance of it being under par for hunting here in Florida?
Appreciate any advice.
Thanks.
30-30 is fine for florida. i prefer 30.06. most of the shots i have had, and other encounters out of hunting season i am well within 100 yds usually 50yds or less.
unless you will be hunting from up in a stand with long shots, the 30-30 should work fine (with good shot placement and bullet selection) as well as be easier to carry and more maneuverable in tight spots, and be a fine start for your collection, as in the future you will most likely get other guns better suited for diff purposes. personaly I prefer the 35 rem caliber which comes in the same gun, size wt,recoil (would be hard to tell the diff) and shoots a heavier larger diam bullet at the same or faster speeds with more smackdown. the 35 is catching on and ammo is becoming more available. a lightweight carbine length rifle in the action of your choice with a low powered variable scope in 7mm08 or 308 is also a good choice and give you double the range, but a few steps up the $ ladder.
I would say most deer killed with rifles and shotguns in North America are shot well inside of 100 yards. .30-30 is a great choice for both hogs and deer in the Southeast. I love my levers also, nacho can attest to that and my favorite probably would be a toss up between a Winchester 1894 .44 Mag Trapper carbine and a Browning BLR in .308 both with low powered scopes. The .308 has much more range and is deadly out to 200 yards while the .44 mag has alot more felt knockdown but is a 100 yard gun at max. Two different guns for two different styles/terrain of hunting. I have 3 -.30-30 rifles (2 levers) and a combination (shotgun/rifle) and they all perform well. As nacho stated above a carbine length rifle in your choice of action with a low powered scope is also a great choice. We both have 7MM-08 carbines and they are great shooters capable of 200 yards but sighted in for 100 yards.
IMO all 3 will work fine in Florida. That being said I myself would look more for the 270 or 06. There will be times that you come around a corner or to a prairie where your going to want to stretch out for a buck down a ways and you'll regret having that 30-30 in your hands. It may not happen too often but it will happen. As much as I like my 30-30 if I'm gonna cover some ground on a hunt I leave it at home.
