Bolt Action .30-30

[ptbrauch]

Does anyone currently make a bolt action .30-30? If not, why not if its such a popular caliber to shoot? I know I've seen some old Savages (I think) that were bolt action, but if I remember right, they were from the '60's.

[Valley Station]

Savage Model 340, as I recall.
Don't know of any other bolt rifles, chambered for 30-30.
Was kinda nice for one who reloads, you can loads some light pointed soft points. Sure don't want to put them in a 94 or 336.

[trust me]

The old 340 made a great beat-around gun and while it wasn't pretty, it could be a pretty good shooter. I'd buy one if the price was right. There should be plenty of parts out there; they made them for several decades.

[ptbrauch]

So why were they the only ones to make one? And why doesn't anyone else?

[trust me]

Remington also made their 788 bolt in 30-30 for a brief time. I've never seen one, and they are scarce.

The 30-30 is a fairly mild cartridge designed for black powder and the weaker actions of that time. The bolt action is much stronger than a lever action and can take a more powerful cartridge. The 30-30 is plenty but most people want more.

If the market would support it, they'd make bolts in that caliber today.

[Valley Station]

I think the fact that cartridge manufacture liability concerns to load anything , but, flat nose bullets because of Winchester and Marlin lever guns magizine design. Bullets stuffed in magizines, bullet to primer is a concern.
If manufacturers were loading some 100 to 120 grain pointed soft point
30-30 bullets, with velocity up around 3000fps, would be a more popular in bolt guns. Generally,30-30 shells cost half what 308, 270, 243 cost.

[trust me]

Low cost of 30-30 shells is a function of supply and demand, rather than component cost. Once they retool and get set up for 30-30, they can produce a ton of it and can afford to let it go at a lower cost due to the huge demand each year.

Even with the spitzer bullets, there are plenty of cartridges that easily exceed 30-30 energy and velocity. Yes, they are mindful of the weaker lever actions, and they should be. There is alway some fool that will stuff the wrong ammo in the wrong gun and blow his head off, and if they company makes a cartridge that will fit in the old Win 94, but is unsafe in it, then the company will pay the price.

The new Hornady soft tip cartridges are a new option. But there are still plenty of guns that will outperform the 30-30, and most of the public will opt for more/bigger/better.

Reloading for your bolt is always an option as well.

[Rob]

I have an old Savage bolt action 30-30. I bought it for a pal of mine's kid to us as his first deer rifle.

Trust me is correct, the Rem 788 bolt action was produced in 30-30 for a while. I have seen several for sale but have never seen one in person.

[ptbrauch]

So was lack of interest what led to the demise of the bold action for .30-30, or was it something else?

I just think its interesting that when I've heard the cartridge that has killed the most deer is the .30-30, there are essentially only 2 guns available that shoot that. Although I have seen a single shot .30-30, but I have never heard of anyone claiming to own one.

[Multidigits]

30-30 is out dated. There are better more effiecient calibers available for use in bolt actions, which are a lot more popular.

[Tom Threetoes]

The main reason the 30 30 has remained so popular is because of the rifles chambered for it, mainly the 94 Winchester and the Marlin 336! Anyone choosing a bolt action would likely choose a more efficient caliber. Tom

[Rob]

trust me,

Maybe the Rem 788 chambered in 30-30 isn't as scarce as we thought. Took me all of 30 seconds to locate this one:

http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976729924.htm

I have two Rem 788s, one being a carbine. They are not pretty but that is about their only fault.

[trust me]

trust me,

Maybe the Rem 788 chambered in 30-30 isn't as scarce as we thought. Took me all of 30 seconds to locate this one:
.

That feller must be pretty attached to it. $650!!

[plowboy]

So wait a minute... If the lever actions are so "weak", is the new ammo really safe for the 336?????

[trust me]

Of course it's safe...the new difference is a pointed bullet that is more ballistically efficient than the old flat nosed bullet.

[WoodsWhisperer]

Use to have a Savage 30-30 bolt action when I first started hunting deer,wish I held on to that one , good shooting gun killed my first buck with it...