Want you guys opinions on which one you think is better for mostly hog hunting in thick brush. I know the 30-30 is cheaper to buy and put ammo in but I also like the 44 MAG b/c its not as popular to hunt with. What do you guys think???

I think you should get the big 44 mag since you are getting a big and muscle bound. Your shoulder should be able to handle the recoil. plus I want to shoot it.

Hog's in heavy brush, 30-30 or 44? I'd take the 30-30 every time, and I'm no fan of 30-30's.

I think they will both serve you well, but the thirty thirty is going to have alot more pop than the 44, I would go with the 44 though.

matt

I'm admittedly biased, having hunted with a 30-30 all my life. More power, cheaper ammo available everywhere, more versatile, longer range, more accurate, LeverEvolution. Did I mention LeverEvolution?

30-30

I have a Marlin Mod. 94 in 44 Rem.Mag., and as much as I like the round and the rifle, I think the 30-30 is better, with or without the Leverevolution ammo. JMO.

Love the 44 in a carbine. 30-30 has more pop but 44 can handle a heavier bullet. iI'll stick to my 35rem for all pig shooting up close. More zing than others and comess factory ammo in 200grn round nose. My 35 has killed more than 50 from 50lbs to close to 300lbs and only had to shoot one twice. On foot thats a good thing!

Another vote for the 30-30.

My friend has had a Marlin 30-30 for a few years and its held strong and brought home quite a few piggies.

This is kind of graphic so consider yourself warned...I use a Ruger M77/44 with 240 gr JHP. Where I hunt, you can sneak up close to the hogs so I head-shoot them. Most of the time, the concussion pops their eyes out of their head.

The 30-30 would be my vote because I own one and I love it.
I do want to own the 44 MAG someday too, but go for the 30-30 if your hunting hogs.

I have a ruger semi auto 44. I love it. It is my favorite rifle. It has hardly any recoil I could shoot it all day. For a close shot I would take my .44 every time.

I have shot hogs with both the 30-30 and the 44 mag. I would take the 30-30 anytime as I think it does a better job.

I was never really able to decide. Carried a Marlin 336 in 30-30, and a Ruger Super Blackhawk 44 mag stainless, with a 10-1/2" bull barrel on my hip. Out to 100 yards, it didn't really matter which one I used, they both gave me quick kills. Beyond 100, I'd always use the Marlin.

BTW - It's a good thing I've got long legs, cuz' if I'd been any shorter, that Ruger on my hip would've been an effective splint!

Get both

But if you can only get one, my vote is for the 3030

I'd go with the 44 because, maybe, in the future, you may be purchasing a 44 revolver. Imagine being able to go hunting with two firearms chambered for the same round.

Wiley makes a good point. That would definitley be an option with the .44. I think either way you will make the right decision.

Given my previously confessed bias towards a 30-30 and my having hunted with it and a 44 Ruger on my hip, I would still recommend the 30-30 in the rifle. While a 44 coming out of a rifle does have a ballistic edge over the pistol, it's still a short-range round. I prefer to carry a long gun for the more distant shots, which the 44 doesn't really provide. Even with the 30-30, I wouldn't try anything past 200 yds. with conventional ammo, or 300 with the new Hornady fodder. Of course, if you only hunt the Piney Woods or swamps, range is a moot point.

And please know that I'm the last person in the world to dis the 44... That's not what this is about.

Marlin 30-30! Great rifle, cheap ammunition, "the gun that won the West!"

Go with the 30-30 with the proven track record. Also if you try that new Hornady LeverEvolution ammo you will be amazed at the accuracy out of that rifle.

http://www.texashuntingforum.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/111822/an/0/page/0#Post111822

You can then either use the standard ammo or the Hornady ammo which transforms a typical brush gun into a streched range honest to goodness deer rifle. Two guns in one.

My main reason is it's a very under powered rifle for these modern times. Plus it doesnt meet my minimum of 2000 ft-lbs of energy at 100 yards. Plus it has the trajectory of a poorly thrown rock. With that said, i have no experience with the new bullet designs that have just come out. From what I've read and heard, you get about a 50% overall increase in both power and trajectory.


(W) 150 SP 2480 2095 1747 1446 1209 1053
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(S) 150 SP 2390 1973 1605 1303 1095 974
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(W) 150 SP 2390 2018 1684 1398 1177 1036
1902 1356 944 651 461 357
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(F) 150 SP 2390
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1807 1354 998 727 535 412
+3.6 -15.3 -46.6 -99.6
(P) 150 SP 2300 1943 1627 1356 1152 1052
1762 1257 881 613 442 348
+3.9 -17.2 -53.4 -115.8
(W) 150 HP 2390 2018 1684 1398 1177 1036
1902 1356 944 651 461 357
+3.6 -16.0 -49.9 -108.8
(P) 150 SFHP 2100 1796 1478 1242 1080 978
1469 1042 728 514 388 318

Unless game have evolved and grown more resistant to bullets in these "modern times," it should be remembered that more deer have fallen to a .30-30 than any other round. One has to accept the range limitations of the round, just as with any other. I, for one, am happy to limit my shots to 300 yds, and with the new ammo and good shot placement, the .30-30 will kill a deer just as dead at 300 as will one of Randall's cannons.

Quote:

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it should be remembered that more deer have fallen to a .30-30 than any other round.

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One of my least favorite and most misinterpreted quotes. I believe that statement was true at one time and may very well still be. But a unique situation had to happen for that statement to be true. Any idea's what it might have been? And it wasn't because of the superior killing power of the 30-30