30-30 medicine gun

[Adam Helmer]

GOB,

I always admired the .30/30, but in 1958 when I started deer hunting the Sears Catalog carried them for about $70.00. The local surplus store had 1903s for $25.00, British MkIIIs for $16.88 and Italian 7.35mm M38 carbines for $13.88. Brother and I got kitted out for PA deer with a military arm that we each still have.

A few years ago I finally got a Winchester 94 that was made just before WWI and has the saddle ring. My .30/30 is in the range of the "Spruce Guns" Bruce Canfield did an article on in a recent "American Rifleman." My "medicine gun" shows honest wear-almost no blue remains on the receiver- and there are three large "X"s carved into the wrist of the butt stock. With 170 grain Remington ammo, the rear sight in the second notch up from the bottom will print holes on point of aim at 100 yards. I carried my .30/30 afield last deer season and it was "enough gun" for the PA deer woods.

Very good thread.

Adam