The 45 Colt won't out kill a 30-30 on a bad day with the worst of Walmart 30-30 ammo. Your best 45 Colt range using hopped up mail order Buffalo Bore would be under 125 yards.

45/70 isn't "overkill", its a very versatile all around cartridge.

 

I used a .45 Colt in Lever Action Silhouette - not exactly an apples-to-apples comparison. But the .45 Colt took 200 year rams down just as fast as 30-30 does. The difference is the trajectory...Rainbow for .45 Colt, a few inches drop for 30-30.

You can buy 30-30 ammo at Walmart. .45 Colt is a bit harder to find.

Michael

 

I would choose the gun you like best then practice a lot. The 30-30 would be easier on the long shots. Second thought buy them both then take turns ;D

 

The 45 long colt will put a hurtin' on a deer probably harder than the 30-30 would due to the bullet weight. I hot rod my hunting loads for my 1894CB in 45 long colt and I'm going to feel sorry for the deer that so happens to walk out in front of it. Puts the 44 mag to shame....

 

If you agree with 186Tmanbuckhunter on the "weight" then you might as well go 45/70.

 

Which one calls to you the most? The deer ain't gonna know the difference and shot placement is as always paramount. I sold my .45-70, gave some thought to buying a .30-30 but decided to hot-rod my .45. The choice was a little easier for me because I already had the .45.

The .30-30 will shoot a little flatter than the .45. I'm not sure but I think the cost of ammo for both are about the same. If you reload the .30-30 is still a .30-30 but, a .45 can be stoked up like tman said. Mine is launching a 255gr. LRNFP @ almost 1600fps.

Good luck in deciding,
C.S.

 

The 45 Colt won't out kill a 30-30 on a bad day with the worst of Walmart 30-30 ammo. Your best 45 Colt range using hopped up mail order Buffalo Bore would be under 125 yards.

45/70 isn't "overkill", its a very versatile all around cartridge.

I agree with Jake,, if you think the 45/70 is too much load 'em witrh black powder. Got a buddy that shoots blk powd loads in his single shot NEF 45/70 --Chaser11

 

The 45 colt is calling to me the most. I already have a ruger bisley 45 colt. I have shot lot of deer with a 30-30 It has never let me down just want to try something different.

 

It called to me too so don't feel bad. I got it for $279 which was below Ellett Wholesale.

http://www.hr1871.com/Firearms/Rifles/buffalo.asp

Heres your Ammo

http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/catalog/index.php?cPath=21_38

Happy Hunting ;D

 

There's your answer right there get you a 30-30 and also carry your bisley use whichever you want. I killed my first deer with a handgun last year and wasn't impressed. I shot the deer at 75 yds broadside and I put a textbook perfect shot on the deer just behind the shoulder it went through the lung and heart and opposite shoulder bone and stopped just under the skin on the opposite side. Completely destroyed the shoulder mass destruction through the deer. The deer ran 50 yds before going down it was stumbling but went that far. When it went down it didn't move any completely dead. But this was with a 350 gr hornady xtp bullet out of a 500 S&W mag. It wasn't what I expected at all I was looking for a bang flop it didn't happen. The next time I handgun hunt I will shoot for the shoulder and try to break it down instead of shooting for the vitals. I bought some new bullets to try that should do great for this they are the 700gr cast bullets that Ranger rick makes in Alaska he calls them tyranasorus thumpers they should give me a bang flop if I hit heavy bone and push it out the other side.

 

No round ever made as a hunting round will nor can it guarantee a "Bang Flop". Those big bore rounds like your .500 or the .45 colt kill by sheer penetration / blood loss. In one side out the other. Hopefully you hit bone and slow down the movement process. The brain doesn't die immediately as many would have you believe. Shear nervous reaction can have an animal like a deer, moose or bear run as much as 50 yards or more. However an animal with no circulation or respirations can't go "too" far. ......... A "700" grain bullet will make no difference over a 300 grainer. Best of luck.

 

Which one calls to you the most? The deer ain't gonna know the difference and shot placement is as always paramount. I sold my .45-70, gave some thought to buying a .30-30 but decided to hot-rod my .45. The choice was a little easier for me because I already had the .45.

The .30-30 will shoot a little flatter than the .45. I'm not sure but I think the cost of ammo for both are about the same. If you reload the .30-30 is still a .30-30 but, a .45 can be stoked up like tman said. Mine is launching a 255gr. LRNFP @ almost 1600fps.

Good luck in deciding,
C.S.

30-30 is a lot less per round than 45 colt and way easier to get. Half the time, factory 45 colt is cowboy ammo, no good for deer. If you reload and don't cast, there is really only one bullet to get, a JSP 170 grain. 45 colt offers a lot of options.

 

I have both rifles and for 150 yard shots in the field, I would definitely choose the .30-30. For us challenged types, good range estimation might not be "spot on"........is it 150 yards or 175 yards...etc.
Drop at 200 yards with a 100 yard zero:
.30-30 150 gr. 2,300 f.p.s. -7"
.45 Colt 250 gr 1,700 f.p.s. - 20"

BIG difference in drop. Enough to shoot below your intended target.

w30wcf

 

There is no way that a 45 long colt can even begin to compare to the 30-30! This is even more so when using the Hornady Leverevolution ammo. The 30-30 has it all over the 45 long colt. The 30-30 LE round has 1300 ft-lbs of energy at 200 yards. This is probably way more than the 45 LC has at the muzzle. I am wondering what lead you to the conclusion that the 45 LC has more killing power? I am sure that the 45 LC works well, but when you are talking about shots up to 150 yards, I would take the 30-30 all the way!

 

I'd go with the 30-30 if a 150-yard shot is a real possibility. You could make it with a 45 Colt, but it would require more skill, which is something you can't exactly do on demand. The flatter trajectory of the 30-30 makes hitting a lot easier.

 

Strangely, your canundrum has been in my mind as well. I will never get rid of my 30-30, as its what I've shot most of my deer with. I understand its trajectory limitations, and though it won't provide as much thump as my 44, 45 and 45-70's, hot loaded. I'm more inclined to shoot it smoothly and accurately. I've got my revolvers (44's and 45's), and as said above, have not been as impressed by their actions on deer as I am the 30-30. Do what you're comfortable with, I say. ;D At one point, I'd have gotten both. I guess I'm getting close to that downsizing frame of mine.

 

Put me down for the 30-30 too... BUT and there always seems to be one, the 45-70 can be loaded every which way to next sunday and beyond. This year my rifle selection is 44mag with a 30-30 Marvin on the side... It isn't that I don't like the 45 LC, but if you have to hot rod it I'd go bigger. It will certainly do the deed if you do your part but there is less margin for error. A 30-30 will easily do what you need as you say and know. Should the almost never happen 200 yard shot happen you can just do it rather than rely on hope.

I am using my 1894ss because I am very comfortable with it and it shoots very nicely. If I score with it I will try with Marvin too. Being pretty fund limited right now I am making due till the goddess of cash takes a dump in my bank account.

Ok, with all that said, you made the telling comment that the 45 is calling to you. Life is to short to not get what you really want if you can...

Clear as mud, eh?

Be safe and enjoy which ever you choose
Patty

 

This is why I personally feel the TKO theory is a little flawed.

The TKO is much more for the 45 Colt but I believe the 30-30 is a better killer past 80 yards.

 

Drop at 200 yards with a 100 yard zero:
.30-30 150 gr. 2,300 f.p.s. -7"
.45 Colt 250 gr 1,700 f.p.s. - 20"

w30wcf

And with LE ammo the 30-30 drop with a 100 yard zero would be -2.75". FTX bullets can be reloaded. From what I've seen difference isn't that much even though you can't get the hornady powder.

The other thing is the LE load makes the 30-30 a legitimate 200 yd rifle.

However, if you enjoy getting close via stalking, a blind, etc, then go with the 45LC knowing you'll be giving up the longer range shots. It all depends on which part of the hunt you enjoy the most. (Which is why there are bowhunters, they love the challenge of getting REALLY close)

 

Just to stir the pot a little, have you considered the .35 Remington? It shoots a heavier bullet than the .30-30 a lot flatter than the .45 Colt. It just happens to be my favorite. I'm also a fan of the .30-30, but the .35 packs more of a wallop. It also comes in Leverevolution cartridges.

 

The TKO is much more for the 45 Colt but I believe the 30-30 is a better killer past 80 yards.

I'd personally feel like it's better past 50 yards versus the 45 COlt .

I'v always wonderd myself how it (30/30) could found lacking anywhere within its effective range. You kill more deer than me I think 6PT, are they deader at 30 yards from a 45 than a 30/30? ;D
On another note I'v always wondered why its not a 200 yard cartrige with regular factory fodder. I'v never killed a deer near that far away, but hitting things 200 yards away is easy. JMHO but in many regards leverevolution solves a problem that doesn't exist. Beyond 200 yards I can see an advantage but inside of that envelope I dont theres a deer in America that a plain jane 30/30 wont kill.

 

One of the reasons I've avoided the 45 is its overly large chamber throat. If they would remedy this, I'd be more interested. This and the 44 has a problem (slow twist). Can't abide these two (smallish but important things). The 20 inch 30-30 was what I made my first kill with (14 years old), and as far as rifles are concerned, that set up just fits. The 45 is a supurb cartridge, but has its limitations beyond 75 or so yards. Its really obvious to me on shooting at 250 yards. Its darned hard!

 

I wouldn't go with neither. For deer out to 150 yards, I'd go with a 35 Rem! In fact I did! ;D

 

Thompson Center in their marketing years back went with this statement when they chambered the 30-30 in their contender. "More energy at 100yds than the .44 magnum has at the muzzle"

.45 colt for the cool factor and the fact that you are a handloader.

I have found that hunting with my .357CB when a deer is out of range just appreciate the fact you seen it. Smile and say you are lucky I didn't have my .32 Special out here today. ;D

Buy the .45 LC, work your best load with a good bullet, zero it for 3 inches high at 100yds check it at, 50, 75 and 150yds to know where the bullet is landing.

 

I have found that hunting with my .357CB when a deer is out of range just appreciate the fact you seen it. Smile and say you are lucky I didn't have my .32 Special out here today. ;D

Swany, I really appreciate that comment, and I feel exactly the same way. Although I'm not a prolific hunter, I have been an avid fisherman for a lot of years. My joy is not in necessarily catching the fish (although I get a lot of satisfication being able to feed my family with good quality food), but in seeing the fish. If I know I've gotten somewhere where there was the possibility to take an animal, I'd be very happy. This is exactly how I felt on my first hunting trip last summer for Yukon moose... we spotted a young anterless moose on the river bank and got within 20 yds of it. It wasn't legal for us to take, but from that point on, I felt our trip had been a success. Fortunately, we did end up making it an unequivocable success by bagging a moose a few hours later.

Sorry, I have no input to the original poster's question, but I wanted to thank you for your comment.

 

30-30

 

I know someone mentioned the "cool" factor. I think the straight stock 30-30 with the 18 1/2" barrel is about as cool, flat, cheap,and deadly as it gets for your purpose.