My biggest whitetail with a bow, also from my place. The top scored 166 and 6/8ths, the bottom scored 153. 
Posted on 03/08/2008 5:43:28 PM PST by Last Dakotan
http://www.rifleshootermag.com/featured_rifles/rugranch_071807/index.html
A good article on the subject, a wood/blue mini-14, but same mods as were done to the Mini-30.
That's cause if we don't know it, we just make it up as we go...
Mark
It’s still possible to destroy the accuracy of even the newer Mini’s. The four 10-32 screws that hold the gas block can be tightened enough where they will squeeze the barrel. Those four screws can only be snugged to 14 inch pounds and then red LOKTITE-ed.
I spent a couple of years off and on trying to correct the accuracy of the Mini. I even had an article half written for publication. It simply didn’t work. The earlier barrels just are not machined correctly to give good performance after the barrel heats up.
The Mini need a heavier barrel, an attachment point on the stock at the gas cylinder and a redesigned gas cylinder collar on the barrel.
The Mini and the .30 Carbine share the exact gas system but the lighter caliber in the carbine didn’t cause the problems like the Mini.
Your first idea was the best, a 30/30 if you're OK with a lever action, I'd even consider a .44.
Apparently all the used iron you are seeing is from shooters upgrading their guns.
I’ve got a couple of old 7 1/2†3 screw Blackhawks. One has never been fired and the other rides in the truck with me every time I’m on the ranch. It’s taken allot of hog’s and coyotes. I bought 1000 rds of ball ammo several years ago and have worked up some interesting loads. Some 100 grain cast’s and some 60 grain swedged down 32 caliber rounds that I’ve chronographed at 2050 fps from a 7 1/2 inch barrel. Thats some serious coyote medicine.
I’ve got a couple of old 7 1/2†3 screw Blackhawks. One has never been fired and the other rides in the truck with me every time I’m on the ranch. It’s taken allot of hog’s and coyotes. I bought 1000 rds of ball ammo several years ago and have worked up some interesting loads. Some 100 grain cast’s and some 60 grain swedged down 32 caliber rounds that I’ve chronographed at 2050 fps from a 7 1/2 inch barrel. Thats some serious coyote medicine.
Just a FWIW
Tom Gresham has the lead attorney on his Gun Talk show right now talking about the Heller case going to the Supreme court.
www.knrs.com
Personal choice, I frequently use lever actions in both 30/30 and .44 mag which doesn't look much different from the .30 carbine on the charts though with double the bullet weight, and have never had a problem. Of course mostly from what are usually bowstands, anticipated shots usually well under 100 yards. I've known people who use the 7.62X39, they occasionally get stopped by wardens checking for softpoint ammo. An annoyance, particularly when coupled with fewer off the shelf choices. And if the Ranch Rifle is anything like my Mini 14 in the accuracy department, it'll take some work.
My biggest whitetail with a bow, also from my place. The top scored 166 and 6/8ths, the bottom scored 153.
The reason I do not use the 30-30 or the 7.62 Russian is that there is much less power and they have the trajectory of throwing a rock. There is not much energy at 2-300 yards. The bullets are blunt and have poor ballistics. If you can get within 50 yards the 30-30 would be fine but in open country you can not do that.
I like the Springfield Armory M1A in .308. The one I have has a Choate folding stock and has a Leupold Tactical scope.
Thanks a lot for the info. Seems like the couple hundred for the new version may be money well spent.
You were right, except now with Hornady’s pointed tip “LEVERevolution” 30-30 bullet, it is a fine medium-range whitetail round.
The 308 corresponded to a major advance in smokeless powder which came in 44; it didn’t need as much powder to get the same ballistics as the 06. What I was saying was that if you load that 30-06 case up full with modern propellants, it’s likely to generate more pressure than a Garand rifle was designed for.
The carbine lacks in long range stopping power. Id go with the mini or the lever gun.
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