Which is a better big game bullet, 30-30 or .35. 30-30 has higher velocity and higher energy, but the .35 has higher bullet weight. What is more important for knockdown, velocity & energy or bullet weight?

This is a no win situation. It's much like arguing about the 270 vs the 30-06. Both the 30-30 and the 35 Remington are very good big game cartridges. Lots of animals have been killed with each. I would get the rifle that I liked the features I wanted most. Either caliber will do you well.

Thu and Ugh, Neanderthals, are sitting around teh fire having an argument...Thu can toss a small rock fast and belives that kills game better...Ugh tosses bigger/heavier rocks slower and belives that they kill game better.

The argument continues.

Variables affecting big game bagging performance are numerous; however, without considering expansion for a moment we have: bullet diameter, weight, sectional density (a function of the first two) impact velocity and nose design. The latter of which affects both non-expanding and expanding bullet performance; i.e., the less drag on a bullet, the fewer shock waves will emit from its nose.

Things were a lot simpler 100 years ago before the age of wildcatters gave birth to droves of visionaries each believing their idea for the perfect big game cartridge was the ultimate. The decimated deer populations 130 years ago resulting from the westward expansion in the early 1870s proved that a 200 grain, .427" bullet leaving the barrel at 1300 fps was more than a match for mule deer. So where does that lead us?... To the fact the 30-30 and .35 Remington are under rated by today's standards. If a hunter is willing to get within 200 yards of their quarry all manner of big game in North America up to and including moose (under ideal conditions) can be taken cleanly by utilizing these two cartridges properly.

To answer the question, which is better, one first needs to identify the task. Ask me which one I'd use for moose in WA and I'd say, the .35 because it has a better chance of creating a larger wound assuming the right bullet strikes with enough remaining velocity to completely penetrate both shoulders. Ask me which one I'd use for antelope and I'd have to say a .30-30 with super accurate handloads for obvious reasons. In reality, I don't think the .30-30 has much of a velocity advantage over the .35 Remington. For example, if they are both loaded to the same pressure, one can get more powder under a .358" 220 grain Speer flat-point than one can under a .308" 170 grain Speer flat point and they can both be driven to over 2200 fps from 24" barrels. A 220 grain .35 cal bullet has about the same sectional density as a 160 grain .30 cal bullet. In the case of the antelope hunt above, load the .35 Remington with a 180 grain spire point up to 38K CUP and you'll probably break 2400 fps, or just about what you'd get from a 150 grain .30-30.

MC

Most of the older hunters are not replying because this post has been popping up every 6 months for years and years.
TR

Most of the older hunters are not replying because this post has been popping up every 6 months for years and years.
TR

It may also be that the older hunters have found it doesn't matter too much what cartridge you use as long as you hit the right spot! :D

How do you decide which is better when every critter you've hit with either one has died quickly?

T.R. and IDShooter - Youse guys are forcing me for an input(due to the old-timer's age factor). I got my first and largest Mich whitetail in 1952 at age 16 with an old Marlin 30-30(old rectangular bolt style). In 1958 I bought a new Model 336 in 35 Rem with the 2/3 length magazine tube. I got one deer with it. I very regretfully sold it when I bought a M70 Featherweight in 308 Win in 1962. Just plain didn't believe I needed two centerfire rifles in those days. Now you two caused a wetting of the eyeballs and I can't read so well now.

Happy Hunting to All, Gene(When I buy a new M336, it WILL be in the 35 caliber)

I would say that the 30-30 won the popularity contest. That does not, in itself, make it better though.
Cheezywan

Don't know how it happened. But in my post above I had to correct dates - 1952 showed as 1962 and the the 1962 date showed as 1952. I can't believe I made that mistake. Must be some gremlins sneaking around in this forum.

I have a Marlin in each caliber. Every time I do my job by putting a bullet where it causes a major leak in the blood supply, the animal has died, regardless of caliber.

Or as IDSHOOTER said, "How do you decide which is better when every critter you've hit with either one has died quickly?"

Ok this has gone on far enough. We need to go on to the next questions.

Which is best chocolate or vinalla ice cream.

Not because I just like it answers, but answers with real proof. Perhaps from there we could go to the blonds or redheads question.

I know when your looking to buy or use for the first time questions like these can be important, but please, do a search on the forum and see if these questions have been talked about before. I bet you would be surprised.

Speed goes away weight will not, this is an old, old argument,
I would say that the larger heavier bullet would be maginally better but note marginally. The .35 was designed as a woods gun so use your own best judgement as to where you wil be hunting. The 30-30 was designed as more of an all around saddle gun type short range ect. like I said use YOUR BEST JUDGMENT YOU ARE THE ONE USEING IT AND YOU KNOW Where AND for what YOU WILL BE USEING IT.

Both have very good qualities, proven on game, proven at the range. The 30-30 can be loaded with any .308 dia bullet which is a very large range from a round ball to a 220gn solid making it a do it all cal.

The same can be said for the .35 from a round lead ball to a very large heavy solid.

I've shot a lot of deer with a 30-30 and just recently purchased a .35 and have a fondness for it already, my son shot a large doe with it Nov 05 using 33gns of RX7 and a 158XTPHP from hornady it took out a rib going in and left an exit wound 1.5X2 the deer dropped in it's tracks and when dressing it out I found both lungs looked like jello. I've similar kills with my 30-30 using 37gns of BLC#2 and sierra 130gn HP. Which one is better, I don't know but my son wants the .35 and I'm not giving it to him. Told him to buy his own or wait for it.

My daughter wanted my .35Rem, but I told her not to wait for it becuase I'm taking it with me (along side the 444, of course). Just put 'em on my chest, close the lid and lower the box.

Dan

Real blondes are a rarity but Bowman, North Dakota has a high percentage of the regional population that is true blonde. I remember a young waitress named Colleen that was quite enthusiastic indeed. But that was in '79 (before my married life).

What's the difference between an Iranian Terrorist and a redheaded womaen? You can negotiate with the Iranian Terrorist.
TR

Real blondes are a rarity but Bowman, North Dakota has a high percentage of the regional population that is true blonde. I remember a young waitress named Colleen that was quite enthusiastic indeed. But that was in '79 (before my married life).

What's the difference between an Iranian Terrorist and a redheaded womaen? You can negotiate with the Iranian Terrorist.
TR

I worked with a red haired gal in the prison system here in Idaho for several years and i know exactly what you mean.