30-30 in Africa

[LostinTexas_45]

I've always loved lever actions and the ancient (by today's standards) 30-30 cartridge. And so of course I had to wonder, "how well does this cartridge work in Africa?" I know it isnt a long range cartridge but I figure it could put a hole in something under 200 yds. Does anybody have experience using this round in the dark continent? If so, what have you killed with it?

 

[IvW]

It is a good pig(warthog, bushpig) gun if used at close range.

It is too limited in range as well as ballistics and I would not suggest it for general African plains game, especially in lever action.

It is a great little cartridge but I think there are much better and more appropriate calibers for Africa.

 

[Dr Ray]

I agree with IvW and the Bullets are really not suited to tough African animals as they are relatively soft and made largely for deer.

 

[mdwest]

I also agree...

I love the nostalgia of an old lever gun in 30-30..

But I would hesitate using one on anything larger than impala, blesbok, etc.. (smaller sized antelope)..

and depending on where you are hunting, it might not have the "legs" or accuracy to get out on target... (I'd be comfortable shooting an impala at 80 yards with a 30-30 for example.. but I probably wouldnt take a 180 yard shot with my winchester 94 on the same animal)..

 

[ChrisG]

I am sure its been done.... But it would surely be a stunt. I would think that bringing a $300 .30-30 on a $15-20,000 safari would sort of like shooting yourself in the foot. Sure, you could still get around, but the experience is going to be frustrating. A good bolt gun is worth more than it's weight in gold if you ask mem. A .30-30 on DEER sized game might be a 200 yard round If you practice constantly at that range, but what happens when a trophy warthog is standing out at 150 yards in 15 mph crosswind and you can't get closer... and he's quartering away. I am not saying a .30-30 wouldn't kill him but you have to hit him and hit him in the right spot.

A .30-30 is fairly quickly outlassed by the likes of almost any common .25 caliber or larger high velocity rifle with regard to retained energy, availablity of premium bullets and ammunition, wind bucking ability, effective range, inherent accuracy, rifle ergonomics etc, etc... If you really wanted to take a levergun to africa, and you wanted something versatile, I would look into something like a Browning BLR in .308, .30-06, .270, .338 mag (I am assuming they make one, but I don't know).... Those calibers would make the shot described above considerably easier and less prone to wounding. Would a .30-30 work? sure if I had a corporate sponsor and a 2 month safari.

 

[BenKK]

Some guys choose to stalk plainsgame with bows. I’ve heard it is very hard but folks do it. I would love to give it a go in good stalking country with my .30/30, but when an African adventure is a big reach financially, I prefer to use a scoped bolt-action with more reach. If money and time were no object, for me, sure...

 

[mdwest]

I am sure its been done.... But it would surely be a stunt.

Its absolutely been done.. Trophy Quest did an entire episode on a 30-30 in Africa.. I think they called it "Squirrel Gun in Africa"..

I completely agree though.. stunt.. and I wouldnt do it..

 

[ChrisG]

Its absolutely been done.. Trophy Quest did an entire episode on a 30-30 in Africa.. I think they called it "Squirrel Gun in Africa"..

I completely agree though.. stunt.. and I wouldnt do it..

I mean... It's all a matter of how much money you are willing to blow I think. If you had booked 2 - 21 day safaris in a row to try and get everything on your list with the little .30-30... It's a different story, but I don't have $100,000 to drop on a safari to prove to myself that I can fill a game bag with a .30-30.

 

[lwaters]

If I was to take a lever action it would be my BLR in 358 win. It will do about anything the 35 Whelan will do.

 

[Shootist43]

If I were to take a lever gun to Africa it would my old Winchester 71 built in 1936. Caliber is 348 Winchester, not much range but a heck of a thump with 220 Gr. bullets. Another option would be my Savage model 99 in 308. More range, less thump. Both rifles will put "em" where you hold "em."

 

[Mekaniks]

I am a fan of lever action 30-30. I have used mine for many years. I used for black bear over bait and took a small bear bear. And I took it to Florida on a swamp buggy hog hunt and shot 2 hogs.
I look at using a 30-30 like this... its the bow hunting of rifle hunting. Get close, pick your targets, make sure of your shot and you will be fine.
I would love to take mine to Africa someday. I think night critters with a 30-30 would be a blast.

 

[Ragman]

I am a fan of lever action 30-30. I have used mine for many years. I used for black bear over bait and took a small bear bear. And I took it to Florida on a swamp buggy hog hunt and shot 2 hogs.
I look at using a 30-30 like this... its the bow hunting of rifle hunting. Get close, pick your targets, make sure of your shot and you will be fine.
I would love to take mine to Africa someday. I think night critters with a 30-30 would be a blast.

Agreed. Should be good from a blind with short shots as well. Love my .30-30!

 

[CTDolan]

If you shoot factory ammo Federal has long loaded a 170 grain Nosler Partition in the 30-30. It is a deadly combination.

 

[fourfive8]

Except for the little 22s and other light plinker guns/calibers I have, a 30-30 lever gun would be about the last gun/caliber in my safe I'd take to Africa.

Question - what are you planning to take to Africa for your PG and DG hunting?

 

[SETH RINGER]

THINK SOME OF THE OLD TIMERS WOULD HAVE LOVED TO HAD A '94 30-30 TO WORK WITH. WE HUNT WITH BOWS, CROSSBOWS, PISTOLS, MUZZLELOADER, SPEARS, ETC., IF IT PLEASES YOU, GO FOR IT. BUFFALO BORE LOADS A 150 GRAIN TSX @ 2350 THAT SHOULD HAMMER ANYTHING WITHIN REASON THAT YOU WANT HAMMERED.

 

[Art Lambart II]

I believe @edward used a 30-30 in a T/C Contender for some antelope sized game in Africa.

 

[MarkCZ]

The only lever action I would take to Africa would be 45-70. My wife and I had a riding safari in Botswana totally wild with tented camps and both the guides had Marlin 45-70,s. We could have had difficult encounters with elephant, lion, hippo ect..
Markcz

 

[edward]

I believe @edward used a 30-30 in a T/C Contender for some antelope sized game in Africa.

actually my wife did quite well with her 35 rem at realistic ranges.she was shooting her scope sighted contender.

 

[SETH RINGER]

The only lever action I would take to Africa would be 45-70. My wife and I had a riding safari in Botswana totally wild with tented camps and both the guides had Marlin 45-70,s. We could have had difficult encounters with elephant, lion, hippo ect..
Markcz

TOOK A LIONESS WITH MY .45-70 A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, PH SAID I GOT SHORT CHANGED, NO LEAP IN THE AIR, NO ROAR, JUST COLLAPSED TO THE SHOT.

 

[lwaters]

If I were to take a lever gun to Africa it would my old Winchester 71 built in 1936. Caliber is 348 Winchester, not much range but a heck of a thump with 220 Gr. bullets. Another option would be my Savage model 99 in 308. More range, less thump. Both rifles will put "em" where you hold "em."

If the Ruger No.1 ever comes out in 348 Winchester I will buy it.