The more I see guys dropping elk with a bow, the more I realize just how versatile the venerable .30-30 is and why it's harvested my North American game than any other caliber.

The only reason (I see) to use a more powerful cartridge would be for the longer shots where a .30-30 projectile would lose enough energy to not provide a fatal wound.

The new Hornady LeverEvolution round developed for the .30-30 is more than capable of dropping an elk at 200 yards.

At 200 yards, the 160 grain projectile is moving 1916 fps and still has 1304 ft lbs of energy.

At 300 yards, the same projectile is moving 1699 fps and still has 1025 ft lbs of energy.

When zeroed at 200 yards, the projectile only loses 12.1 inches of height.

At the Hornady web site http://www.hornady.com/story.php?s=513  there are more than one eamples of elk being harvested with the .30-30; both cows and bulls.

Disclaimer: I am not an employee of Hornady nor do I represent them in any way other than as an end user of their LeverEvolution ammunition.

Steve Spence
Cell: 832-435-0706
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Oops - I didn't say what I meant to say in the sentence below

When zeroed at 200 yards, the projectile only loses 12.1 inches of height

What I meant to say was:

When zeroed at 200 yards, the projectile only loses 12.1 inches of height at 300 yards.

A 930 lb (dressed) Maine moose taken with a .30-30 and LeverEvolution ammo!

http://www.hornady.com/story.php?s=473

I can't say enough good about the LeverEvolution ammunition.

I have a Weatherby Synthetic Vanguard in .30-06 and leave it at home in favor of my trusty old Marlin .30-30. 

I've killed deer at 250 yards with the Marlin .30-30 and Hornady's LeverEvolution ammunition.

If I knew that I might have to make a shot longer than 300 yards, I would take the .30-06.