30-30 zero recommendation

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  • Ruger_Ronin

    Turkey Herder
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    Aug 22, 2017
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    This spring I acquired from a family estate a mint JM Marlin 30aw 30-30 lever. I have not extensively used this caliber enough to determine a fair distance with which to hunt (deer). I am not inclined to take ANY shot farther than 150-200 for ethical and topographical reasons. My farthest shooting lane in mid-late season will be about 125. The former distances will be ONLY if i am in a particular area adjacent to a beanfield, in which case i take an m77 30-06. I rarely sit in this stand.

    I digress...My primary distances will be 40-100 yards. The question is, do I zero @ 25 or 50? I haven't chose an ammo yet, so no BC to punch in the calculator. Just trying to get a feel of others experience. I'm leaning toward 50y zero. What say you all?

    I should add this is an iron sights only rifle. Its tapped and drilled, but I like a good front bead in deer season. Pics for your viewing pleasure...

    NDJzcuX.jpg

    irvGqlG.jpg
     

    Trapper Jim

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    Dec 18, 2012
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    Arcadia
    I’ve shot thousands of rounds
    This spring I acquired from a family estate a mint JM Marlin 30aw 30-30 lever. I have not extensively used this caliber enough to determine a fair distance with which to hunt (deer). I am not inclined to take ANY shot farther than 150-200 for ethical and topographical reasons. My farthest shooting lane in mid-late season will be about 125. The former distances will be ONLY if i am in a particular area adjacent to a beanfield, in which case i take an m77 30-06. I rarely sit in this stand.

    I digress...My primary distances will be 40-100 yards. The question is, do I zero @ 25 or 50? I haven't chose an ammo yet, so no BC to punch in the calculator. Just trying to get a feel of others experience. I'm leaning toward 50y zero. What say you all?

    i shoot 150 gr exclusively and have 100 yrds zeros on all my .30 WCF.
     

    DadSmith

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    Oct 21, 2018
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    Ripley County
    If you use 150-170gr bullets and sight it in at 50 yards you will be good to go from 10-120 yards before you have any major changes in elevation. At 150 yards it's around a 4" hold over at 200 yards around 10" hold over.

    I'd stay within 150 yards for best results hunting or target shooting.
     

    DeadeyeChrista'sdad

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    Feb 28, 2009
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    winchester/farmland
    I love seeing old cowboy movies where our hero gives a gnat a haircut at a quarter mile with his trusty 30 30. And I still remember sighting in my Dad's first with him. Loop city! LOL. The '"Baby" was still plenty good medicine a few years ago when they first opened it up.
     

    Leadeye

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    I would sight it at 50 and leave it at that. Have shot a lot of 30-30, but am more inclined to the 32-40 and 32 WS.
     

    1nderbeard

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    Apr 3, 2017
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    Hendricks County
    You can make the argument for a sight in using the max point blank range technique. Not saying that 50 yards isn't a good idea with the iron sights, but if you're using a scope consider a zero that's 200 yards, 3 inches high at 100 yards. The theory behind this is you can hold over target at any effective range (230 yards) and still hit within a 6 inch circle. At some distances you'll be 3 inches high and at some distances you'll be 3 inches low. Won't have to estimate unknown distances in the field. I've found this website to be interesting in the past.
    If you're certain you'll be limited to 100 yards or less, I'd zero at 100. From 40-100 that's less than a few inches differences and would be a dead deer.

    https://www.chuckhawks.com/rifle_trajectory_table.htm
     

    BigRed

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    Dec 29, 2017
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    1,000 yards out
    Got the Skinner in today. Need to hit the range....
    774d07a19f2104ecd1034c3f4d1d7dce.jpg


    Sent from my E6810 using Tapatalk

    I suspect you are going to like that Skinner sight!

    I use them on a couple of Marlin 94 levers in 44mag. On one, the factory front sight worked fine. On another, I had to replace the front sight and file it down a bit. Just something to be aware of and prepared for when you are working on getting it sighted.

    One of my favorite deer guns is a Winchester 94 with a Marbles tang mounted peep.

    Peeps are still my favorite sight for Indiana deer hunting....they just plain work for me!

    For zero on 30-30, I just split the difference and go with 75yds....covers most anything out to 125 with no compensating...past that, I hold a little high but not much....works well in my experience...YMMV.

    Enjoy the rifle!

    Despite all the advances over the last 130 years or so, I still enjoy hunting most with a lever gun....especially with peeps!!
     

    Ruger_Ronin

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    Aug 22, 2017
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    Oh, and a little orange never hurt the old eyes. Easy to lose a brass bead on a brown deer in the fall. Birchwood-Casey paint pens for the win!
    2e02f3085fd3b423898fd020c334cbf9.jpg
    207ea1f830c0c7dac51115839b71a9ce.jpg


    Sent from my E6810 using Tapatalk
     

    mo381

    Plinker
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    Jul 24, 2012
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    Cass County
    You will love the Skinner. I went with the Alaskan with a brass front and rear, they really fit the looks and capabilities of a 30-30 lever gun. Nice Choice!
     

    Kirk Freeman

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    Mar 9, 2008
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    Lafayette, Indiana
    Got to love the ghost ring. I used a Lyman on both of mine. XS on the pistol carbines.

    I zero at 50, one pencil-width high. Puts me at 0 at 100 yards, and 2.5" low at 150.

    If you only have access to the short range, a 21 yard zero will be 2" high at 100
     

    Ruger_Ronin

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    Got to love the ghost ring. I used a Lyman on both of mine. XS on the pistol carbines.

    I zero at 50, one pencil-width high. Puts me at 0 at 100 yards, and 2.5" low at 150.

    If you only have access to the short range, a 21 yard zero will be 2" high at 100
    Nice local outdoor range with 15, 30, 50, 100, & 200 yard bays. DNR property so it's free, and has really nice benches.

    I have settled on 50 for zero, and MAY leave it a bit high at that distance instead of getting a taller post. Depends on height difference.

    Sent from my E6810 using Tapatalk
     

    Ruger_Ronin

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    Update: made it to the range yesterday. 6" high @ 50y. New front post on the way. Should have it next week. This rifle is an absolute joy to shoot.

    Side note: I found a new nail polish I like... For touching up front sight beads.

    Sent from my E6810 using Tapatalk
     
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