Traditionally inaccurate cartridges

[Mark A Ouellette]

In my teens, with handloads I could punch three holes in a 3/4" circle at 100 yards. That was with a Winchester M94 in .30-30 with a Williams receiver sight. I wish my eyes could still see that well!

While a 30-30 may not he as INHEARANTLY accurate as a .222 Rem or a modern 6.5 Creedmoor (based on the 250 Savage case for accuracy), it was and is accurate enough for it's intended purpose, medium sized North American game at reasonable ranges.

 

[CBH Australia]

I do have a question about one caliber 30-30 win. and I do not mean fired through a M-94 carbine? This is a question only.

I read an article once that made claim that the .30-30 is a good cartridge.
.30-30 accuracy is hindered by the round projectiles used in tube magazines. The projectiles are not was aerodynamic as modern projectiles.
The claim was a
30-30 built on a bolt action using handloaded ammo with good projectiles can be an accurate combination. It's not the cartridge in this case but the rifles it's available in.

They also said something like the boys who wanted a .30-30 wanted a lever action and the boys who wanted a bolt action didn't want a .30-30.

I don't know of any .30-30 bolt actions but I'm sure it's been done somewhere.

 

[WAB]

I read an article once that made claim that the .30-30 is a good cartridge.
.30-30 accuracy is hindered by the round projectiles used in tube magazines. The projectiles are not was aerodynamic as modern projectiles.
The claim was a
30-30 built on a bolt action using handloaded ammo with good projectiles can be an accurate combination. It's not the cartridge in this case but the rifles it's available in.

They also said something like the boys who wanted a .30-30 wanted a lever action and the boys who wanted a bolt action didn't want a .30-30.

I don't know of any .30-30 bolt actions but I'm sure it's been done somewhere.

I seem to recall that Remington made some 788’s in .30-30. If that is true I’ll bet they were tack drivers.

 

[fourfive8]

I read an article once that made claim that the .30-30 is a good cartridge.
.30-30 accuracy is hindered by the round projectiles used in tube magazines. The projectiles are not was aerodynamic as modern projectiles.
The claim was a
30-30 built on a bolt action using handloaded ammo with good projectiles can be an accurate combination. It's not the cartridge in this case but the rifles it's available in.

They also said something like the boys who wanted a .30-30 wanted a lever action and the boys who wanted a bolt action didn't want a .30-30.

I don't know of any .30-30 bolt actions but I'm sure it's been done somewhere.

There were a lot of Savage M340, 30-30 bolt guns made. When new or in good condition, they were surprisingly accurate. They were sold as an inexpensive gun for rural families without budgets for higher end, more expensive rifles. They were treated as common tools so were often abused and got beat up as a matter of course. I bought a used one once for about $50. It was loosey-goosey but would shoot about equal to the average, used and worn M94 Win lever gun. I’ve seen some custom 30-30 single shots that were extraordinarily accurate. I’ve found the 30-30 cartridge shines best if treated like the ballistically conservative cartridge it is. And it’s relatively easy to get decent accuracy out of the 30-30 if the platform is decent.

 

[rdog]

I read an article once that made claim that the .30-30 is a good cartridge.
.30-30 accuracy is hindered by the round projectiles used in tube magazines. The projectiles are not was aerodynamic as modern projectiles.
The claim was a
30-30 built on a bolt action using handloaded ammo with good projectiles can be an accurate combination. It's not the cartridge in this case but the rifles it's available in.

They also said something like the boys who wanted a .30-30 wanted a lever action and the boys who wanted a bolt action didn't want a .30-30.

I don't know of any .30-30 bolt actions but I'm sure it's been done somewhere.

I once had a Savage M340 30/30 bolt gun & 2.5x Weaver scope, using 130 grain & 150 Taipan spitzer bullets, sent many pigs to pig heaven in the 1970s, the 30/30 is a good old cartridge.

 

[Safari Dave]

Many cartridges are not considered very accurate by many because of their history as traditional hunting cartridges. Such as 270, 30-06, 7x57, 257 Robb. And many dangerous game cartridges.
What guns do you all have that disprove these claims ,and show groups too if you can.

I, completely, do not understand this post.

The:

270
30/06
7x57, and the
257 Roberts

can and will continue to be amazingly accurate (and precise) as well as deadly in quality rifles (and even some not so quality rifles).

Is there something inherently wrong with any of these chamberings?

They have all worked for me (except the 257 Roberts - no experience).

 

[Tundra Tiger]

I have a 340; it shoots just fine. Additionally, my Savage 24V with a .30-30 barrel is very accurate.

 

[Randy F]

I suppose then that the “many” who believe these calibers inaccurate would have no issue standing 300 yds out with a target sticker on their foreheads while I light off a round from my 30-06, 270, or 7x57…since they’re so inaccurate and all.

 

[Hogpatrol]

I shot my first deer as did my younger brother, with my father's bolt action Savage made Stevens 30-30. Even with factory ammo, it'd hold 1" moa, three shots at 100 yards. I've been trying to pry that rifle from my brother for decades just to see what I could do with handloads.
Edit: They were made from 1947 to 1949. His model was a 325-A, made in 1947. Sent me a pic.

 

[deewayne2003]

.470NE Sabatti - 50yds

 

[Vintageguy]

Winchester offered the model 54 in 30-30 and there is usually one or more available at any given time online.

 

[CBH Australia]

After re-reading the first post here is a group from a Tikka .308 with a new sporter weight aftermarket barrel .

The aiming point is electrical insulation tape so approx 3/4" square.

3 shots touching with a .308 handload using a copper hunting projectile.

 

[CBH Australia]

Move over .270

 

[R.M.C.]

The cartridges that immediately pop into my head as being "inaccurate" are the 45/70 govt, and the 7.62x39 but I bet someone out there has a tack driver in both calibers. The .270 did not come to mind lol. I agree with all the comments leaning towards inaccurate rifles, not calibers

 

[WAB]

Guys, we should be embarrassed. How dare we hunt with such unethically inaccurate cartridges as the .270, 7x57, .30-06, et al??? We all need to archive these relics!

As a gesture of good faith, I am willing to provide a repository for these archaic classics for a small fee…

 

[KTEX]

Opinion on 300 savage…I can only find rem core lok at the moment. Any better if I can reload?

 

[Safari Dave]

I guess it's either the 6.5 Manbun, or stay at home until someone invents an accurate cartridge???

 

[Safari Dave]

Many cartridges are not considered very accurate by many because of their history as traditional hunting cartridges. Such as 270, 30-06, 7x57, 257 Robb. And many dangerous game cartridges.
What guns do you all have that disprove these claims ,and show groups too if you can.

Ok, I'll be the rube.

Some of you flamed me, because I didn't believe Ukraine was the most pristine, purest, and undefiled country on the planet.

I, absolutely, do not think that a 270, 30/06, 7x57 and 257 Roberts are not accurate.

 

[cash_tx]

The cartridges that immediately pop into my head as being "inaccurate" are the 45/70 govt, and the 7.62x39 but I bet someone out there has a tack driver in both calibers. The .270 did not come to mind lol. I agree with all the comments leaning towards inaccurate rifles, not calibers

On that note, I have frequently been impressed with how accurate my Windham Weaponry SR-762 (AR platform) in 7.62x39 has been, even with cheap steel-cased ammo. I really need to do a proper job of shooting for group size at 100 yards with good ammo one of these days; but even with the cheap stuff and a budget Bushnell scope on top, it has been a solid 2 MOA performer.

 

[Andrew62]

I recall being on a black bear hunt in Canada many years ago. One guy in camp was sighting in his rifle, got upset that his gun was shooting 2" groups. The outfitter went and got a 7" paper plate, hung it up, told the guy to shoot it, he did, the guide said 'now lets go hunting!!!' We weren't going to be shooting over 30-40 yards so punching holes wasn't that important. I've never forgotten that lesson.