Posts tagged Concerned

Question: Want a 30-30 hunting rifle – but concerned about the economy and greater versatility of a 30-06 bolt action?
OK – here’s the situation I’m in, I won’t be deer or elk hunting until next fall. I am pretty sure I want a lever-action 30-30 like a Marlin 336 because I am “recoil-sensitive” and will probably be shooting in “brush”. (I fired a 7mm Rem. Mag. and HATED the recoil) and plan on stalking the animals up close in the brush and taking shots at 100 yards or less (NV has some dense brushy areas). Big O’ 5 is offering the Marlin 336 on sale through October 11 for about $ 399. Should I buy it now…or wait? A lot of people think the economy is heading south, and if that’s the case, I could probably buy the 30-30 Marlin Model 336 gently used at a big discount. Should I wait until I find a really good deal on a barely used Marlin 336 – or should I just buy one now and practice as much as I can afford? I live in Nevada and big game tags are few and far inbetween. Or, should I just use the money to buy a Savage 30-06 bolt action w/scope for about the same price so I can shoot longer distances? Even though I probably will be taking shots under 100 yards and HATE shoulder-busting recoil? I love shooting the small caliber (.22lr) handguns I have, and I can handle the recoil of my 870 model 12-gauge firing 2 3/4 inch “target loads” all day long. But I fired just two shots from a 7mm Remington Mag bolt action my friend has…and my shoulder hurt for a week! Should I get the lever-action now and practice, practice, practice, until I can nail a paper plate at 100+yards…or should I “man up” and get a 30-06, or 7mm Mag., and just deal with the painful recoil and figure that the inherent accuracy and power of a bolt action 30-06 outweighs the lightweight and easy carry-ability of a lever-action 30-30? For what its worth, I am sort of new to hunting, but figure most of my shots will be taken after a long “stalk” at 100 yards or less after hiking a few to several miles over rough terrain. I also like the rapid firing capability of the lever-action since I may hunt mountain lions as well, the NV tag is only $ 29 if you’re a resident, and I would love nothing more than to nab a mountain lion! I am somewhat concerned that the slower firing capability of a bolt action could be a problem if I run into a lion. If recoil was no issue I would get a Marlin 1895 45/70, but my right shoulder was injured when I was a kid, and I just HATE big recoil. I want the minimum recoil in exchange for an accurate and acceptable-powered hunting rifle for medium and quasi-big game. In the unlikely event I ever go on an Alaskan or African Safari, I could get a bigger rifle, like a Ruger .375. I just want a good rifle for deer, antelope, mountain lion, and elk this coming (2009) fall season. Should I get a new Marlin 336 30-30 for under $ 400 bucks and practice? – or should I spend about the same and get a bolt action 30-06 for about the same price and figure that the bolt-action 30-06 is a better all-around choice? Again, I am “recoil-sensitive” and want only the minimum recoil necessary to fire a big enough bullet to get up to Elk sized game.

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Best answer:

Answer by balttigger
I am not an elk hunter, but I have read several articles that state the the 30-06 is minimum for elk. I have a 30-06 myself and my shoulder hurts quite a bit after a day at the range. I can recommend the Limbsaver brand of recoil pads. It puts a thick layer of gel rubber at the end of the stock in a slip over pad. I have one on the end of my Browning 16ga (which kicks harder than any 12 ga I have ever fired) and will say that the recoil pad eats up at least a third of the recoil. This would easily make a 30-06 feel more like a 30-30 and still give you the punch you need. Furthermore, Remington and Federal make managed recoil rounds for the 30-06 which would further make it easier on your shoulder.

That being said, if you choose to go with a 30-30, make sure to use the heaviest bullet you can find and don’t even attempt anything over 100 yards due to the energy drop off.

If you want more speed than a bolt action, look at the Remington 7600 Series pump guns in 30-06 or the 750 in semi auto. A semi auto 30-06 with managed recoil ammo and a good recoil pad? You’ll be running to the range just to have fun practicing.