Winchester Trapper

[Jagermeister]

30-30. Is the Trapper the short barreled version? If yes, skip it and go for the longer barrel (20 inch). These rifles are so small and compact, the longer barrel will not even be noticed but will add some oomph and precision.

I love my Ranger 30-30. No, over 100 yards it won't do, but that's why you tend to have more than one rifle. It killed a couple black bears last season, one being around 250 pounds.

George

 

[Speckmisser]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

Is the Trapper the short barreled version? If yes, skip it and go for the longer barrel (20 inch).[/b]

Blasphemy! Shame on you!

Sure, maybe the 20" barrel will give you a slight edge in range/velocity, at least in the theoretical realm, but nothing matches the classic stylings, feel, and handling feel of the Trapper.

 

[Stryder]

Go with the 30-30 and never look back. I carried one from the time I was 12 to about 20 and I still carry it every deer season just for the heck of it. The 94 in 30-30 to my way of thinking is the quintessential firearm and caliber to the american hunter that has served us faithfully for well over 100 years and shows no sign of fading into obscurity anytime soon. In fact I plan on taking it to Hawaii with me in 3 weeks. You can add me to the 30-30 fan club also.

 

[beastslayer]

Hear yeah, hear yeah.

Let's just agree that a lever 30-30 is THE RIFLE for all season and (almost) all occassions.

 

[larrysogla]

I have a Marlin Thutty-thutty and I love the looks and feel of that lever lover. It seems like a piece of history is unfolding right in front of your eyes and snapping it to your shoulder feels like you are ready to put meat on the table and feast the family. I know it is not a Winnie but it is still a lever rifle. The Marlin 336 and/or derivative models has been manufactured almost continously since 1893. The Thutty-thutty with 170 grainers will roll 'em dead. Let's go hunting!!!! 'Nuff said.

 

[Uncle Ji]

It's not a Trapper but I've been popping piggies for over 30 years with my Marlin 1984 in 44 mag with 20" barrel and it ALWAYS drops them "Hammer of Thor" dead never needing a second shot. My farthest shot was 125 yards on a 300 lb. bruiser, he rolled instantly. The ballistics of the 44 mag MUCH improved from a 20" or 16" barrel over a 6" revolver barrel. I also own a 30/30 but usually reserve that for deer, the 44 mag reserved for pigs since it does a more consistant job on dropping them quickly then the 30/30 especially the bruisers over 250 lbs. I also have a Trapper in 357 magnum that I would not hesitate using on a pig if loaded with 180 grain loads especially the Winchester Partition Golds, and keeping the shots under 75 yards. This Trapper is also extremely fun to plink with using cheap 38 Special ammo. Contrary to popular belief this gun feeds 15 different 357 and 38 loads with complete 100% reliability. I love my leverguns and you can't go wrong with either 30/30 or 44mag, the 45LC being a tad anemic unless you handload.

 

[Tonopah01]

I don't own a .30-.30 but if I did, I might stoke it with those new Hornady pointed cartridges. Whatever the .30-.30 has got, it'll have somewhat more of it with the Hornady rounds. They should by all accounts extend the effective range and the effective punch of the .30-.30 somewhat.
I use a .444 Marlin myself.

 

[beastslayer]

Lever 30-30 proved itself for me in the field in JHO POR last weekend. I'm the messed up face in picture in the Hog forum. I am poor in estimating distance but I passed up two shots because my previous results in a firing range showed consistency is within the inside a plate size target at 100 yards (used to hitting 6 out of seven 1 1/2" grouping out of that rifle and bullet before). When I viewed these hogs, which is about 120 pounds live weight, their chest area appear smaller than a plate.

However, when I further stalked, I saw one (that's the picture of the hog hanging in the same Hog forum) that's within the criteria.

To sum up the performance of the rifle and the bullet. The first shot hit the upper leg bone and shattered it to pieces, vaporizes the upper part of the heart and nearly exited the skin on the other side. I recovered two nicely mushroomed slugs. It went down the first shot kneeling and a loud squel. I followed up with a second shot which hit the spine. It went down flat. And when I saw it heaving, I did another one. Turned out that any of the two shots would have knocked it down. The movement was a twitch in a final dead through.

Now for the question on the cartridge? I am not sure which is which. And I am open for endorsement from Hornady LeverEvolution in 160 grain or Winchester PowerPoint in 150 grain. I chambered both alternatively with the thought that I'll put in (hand-chamber) the Hornady in case the shot is longer than 125 yards. Now I can't recall which was the last one on the tubular magazine that did that deadly job.

Any further analysis (or speculation) is welcome. I am feeling good about the trip (despite my accident), the shot I made, the hog, the fun company of fellow hunters, Speck's leadership and organization -- and the overall unselfishness to tips and lessons from any and all JHO member.

 

[Nic Barca]

If you are planning on taking longer shots out to 100yards plus or more, I would go with a Ranger in 30-30.

I wouldn't mind the 44 as a close range bush gun. Actually I used to want that gun. Now I like the power and versatility of pump shotguns for in the thick bush. Slugs for long distance and first shots, buckshot for follow up shots and dense cover.

 

[Gyopo]

Just gat a SKS!

That outta get me in deep Doo Doo.

My buddy dropped a buc in its track w/the thuddy thuddy this season.