30-30 a brush gun ?

Question

where did this myth come from ? it means it is a fast handling short carbine which is a good thing to have when hunting thick brush. why do so many people think that means it will shoot through brush and keep going straight ? countless tests have proven this to be incorrect yet i still hear it all the time. must be from people who heard it and didnt try it. what makes people think it is a magic bullet that isn't affected by the laws of physics governing all other projectiles of all other calibers ?

Answer 1

That's interesting, I never heard that it would continue to go straight in brush, and I doubt if any of the hunters in northern Wisconsin think that either. I do remember discussing this on occasion, and when shooting in brush, a 30-30 was less likely to deflect completely off course if the bullet did strike a branch. Obviously, it would depend on how much brush you are shooting through.
Definition of a brush gun was as you say a quick handling short carbine for hunting in thick brush. I also hunted with a 444 Marlin, another excellent brush gun. As a brush gun, my definition would also include, iron sights, not a scope, but I suppose in this day and age, using a holographic sight may be fine also.

Here's from another forum, really debunks the heavy bullet theory...

I read back in the late 1970’s about a ballistic experiment related to brush and bullets. Back in those days it was thought that large diameter heavy bullets pushed through brush. The experimenter set up ½ inch dowels ¼ inch apart at five and ten yards in front of a target. He fired various rounds at the target, five rounds to a group. The big old 45/70 would not put half it’s bullets on the 12 inch target ten yards behind the barrier. The best brush bullets were bullets with the highest sectional density. An Italian 6.5mm beat all the rest.

I like lever actions also, and have a model 94 in 44 mag. If I want to penetrate brush or small twigs I would look for a short rifle in a caliber like a 260 Remington. Nothing wrong with a short fast handling 30-30 or 35 if fast handling, short range is what you are looking for. Just thought I would throw my .02 in on the ballistics end of things.

Answer 2

The only benefit that most 30-30 have for a brush gun is overall length. The bullet isn't some magical thing that deflects off off branches like the old wife's tails use to say. Most 30-30 are short lever guns that make it a little easier to swing up in heavy coverage. Ballistically wise the 30-30 isn't that heavy of a hitter compared to many of the other common calibers used for deer hunting to day.

As mentioned why do people think they can shoot thru brush better with them... Well it basically ignorance. As you mentioned it has been proven that their not a magic bullet as thout of. The rounded head doesn't deflect any better than a pointed head. It's just something that has been carried on for different generations of hunters that doesn't seem to be dying.

Answer 3

Legends die hard! Or myths, as the case very well may be.

Interestingly enough, when Winchester produced its first thirty caliber lever-action rifles and carbines the old school pro hunters, accustomed to their big bore 45-70s etc., looked upon those new-fangled tiny bore, small caliber rifles as varmint guns. Today when the average deer hunter is used to shooting truly tiny bore rifles (.22-250s, .243s, .270s, the .7mm, etc.) the 7.62mm bore of the .30-30 Winchester looks impressive. The .44 Mag. and .45LC of the trapper versions is even more impressive. Alas, none of these will be unaffected by brush! You are correct in saying that there is no bullet unaffected by the Laws of Physics.

I shoot a .458 Winchester Magnum in the brush country of South Texas and I do NOT consider this a brush gun. I know there is no such thing. I wait until I have a clear shot, or I don't shoot. It is just common sense. A deflected bullet can strike something or someone you don't intend to shoot.

H

Answer 4

Hmmmm, maybe most people don't know the definition of brush gun, I really don't see it as this big of a deal.A little time behind the trigger and they'll soon realise the error of their thinking.

Answer 5

It is a good brush gun,good for beating brush down so you can get thru the woods.

Answer 6

i have a 44 mag holds 11shots same size weight and accurate