30-30 Win or 350 Legend?

[Squints08]

In my state of Illinois a rule change may be on the horizon in regards to straight walled cartridges as well as single shot rifles for deer hunting. If this comes to pass, I'm interested in purchasing a barrel in one of the mentioned calibers for my TC Contender with a folding stock. Which would you pick keeping in mind that in my 30 years of deer hunting only a few shots have been beyond 150 yards?

 

[MrRogers]

You really can't go wrong with either one. The differences in performance between the two are pretty negligible. I'd compare the availability of ammo of one versus the other.

 

[kordo]

I shot 2 deer this past season with a 350 and was impressed with it. It also was much more available where I live, I had no issue buying several boxes of 350, and struggled to find 30-30. With this being in response to stricter rules, I would lean towards the 350 in case they tighten it further to straight case only.

 

[Squints08]

May I ask which ammunition you shot your deer with? Distances? Barrel length? I have a solid pile of both calibers already and am leaning towards the 350 legend. Just need to decide if I want a 20” or 22” barrel. Thanks!

 

[kordo]

May I ask which ammunition you shot your deer with? Distances? Barrel length? I have a solid pile of both calibers already and am leaning towards the 350 legend. Just need to decide if I want a 20” or 22” barrel. Thanks!

180gr Winchester super X shot from a 20" barrel with a 1:16 twist. Deer were at 23yds and 78yds.

 

[fmyth]

I shot 2 deer this past season with a 350 and was impressed with it. It also was much more available where I live, I had no issue buying several boxes of 350, and struggled to find 30-30. With this being in response to stricter rules, I would lean towards the 350 in case they tighten it further to straight case only.

in case you are still looking for 30-30 ammo:

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/federal-power-shok-centerfire-rifle-ammo

https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/winchester-super-x-power-point-centerfire-rifle-ammo

 

[keystone112]

On a contender, I would go 30-30 myself.

 

[tt_johnsclist]

I own both and have shot many deer with both. You can’t go wrong either way, but I’d lean 30-30 for what I feel is slightly better performance and much better bullet selection. If you do go 350L I think the 180g is the way to go, and ammo is certainly available.

 

[Agross]

I bought a 350 for my son and I have been using it for late season doe. Couldn’t be more impressed with this gun. Tack driver, and blown away by the wound channel it leaves. I have been using the hornady 165 grain, and other than some faulty ammo I got, no reason to switch as far as performance on the deer. My boy took his first doe last year with it and his first buck this year with it at 98 yds. I could t have been more proud or impressed. He’s 9 yrs old. To those saying you need 180 grains, shoot what works for you, I’m not disagreeing, but the 165 grain kicked some ass too.

 

[TMKSHOOTER]

I’d go 30-30 also, classic round and a lot of ammo floating around.

 

[RMM]

So if its a single shot it doesn't have to be straight walled? If that's the case, then I would go with neither of the two above. 30 T/C would be my choice

 

[Squints08]

Great suggestion but the Contender frame can’t take those pressures. The Encore could. Also, I don’t reload and with my kids and current times don’t think I’ll be starting.

 

[RMM]

Great suggestion but the Contender frame can’t take those pressures. The Encore could. Also, I don’t reload and with my kids and current times don’t think I’ll be starting.

Is that the way they're writing the law? Straight wall in anything but a single shot?

 

[Squints08]

Here is the proposal in my “great” state:

 

[Squints08]

I will add that my Encore 50 caliber muzzleloader is an absolute annual deer slayer and I won’t change that setup. I’m searching for a lighter Contender caliber with my folding stock.

 

[RMM]

View attachment 394865Here is the proposal in my “great” state:

Absolutely ridiculous, I thought the point of the straight walled cartridges was to prevent bullets from traveling too far in flat, populated states.

 

[Rich M]

I bought a Legend last season. Easy to reload if you like doing that.

I have a 2350 fps 165 ftx load. Shot 2 doe. . 1 drt, 1 ran 100 yards and was spray painting trees.

Have Ruger American Ranch Rifle. 16 inch barrel. Shoots 1/2 inch at 100 and 1 inch at 225 yds w those ftx bullets.

I cant believe they are gonna make you go w a straight wall single shot to hunt.

 

[FLATHEAD]

30-30

 

[boonez40]

In my state of Illinois a rule change may be on the horizon in regards to straight walled cartridges as well as single shot rifles for deer hunting. If this comes to pass, I'm interested in purchasing a barrel in one of the mentioned calibers for my TC Contender with a folding stock. Which would you pick keeping in mind that in my 30 years of deer hunting only a few shots have been beyond 150 yards?

Damn shame your state doesn't allow big game hunting with an air rifle.
Solves a lot of problems.

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[Clearedhot1]

The Best Straight-Wall Cartridge for Whitetail Hunting

Straight-wall cartridges are surging in the whitetail world. The best evidence of this is recent legislation. Several big deer states—including Michigan, Ohio, Iowa, and Indiana—have passed laws in the last five years allowing straight-wall cartridges in zones previously designated as shotgun- or...

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