Myself and a few buddies were talking about which was actually a better deer round using handloads within a 100 yards, a .38-55 or .30-30. The group was pretty much split down the middle. I honestly don't know which is better cause I've never shot a deer with my .38-55 I'm just curious, what do you all think?

certainly the 38-55 will hit harder, but I don't think the deer will tell the difference within 100 yards with a well placed shot. I took a doe deer at 200 yards with my 30-30 and she took a few steps and dropped. I was prone and had a very clear shot so took it.

They are both good deer rounds, but the 38-55 is more versitile for bigger game.

Pretty much have to be a reloader to get much performance from the 38-55...the only factory load is loaded to very low pressure and velocity. Loaded to it's potential (and not some off-the-wall load, ones listed in current manuals) don't think you'll notice a lot of difference on deer, unless they are big deer. That big 255-260gr. 38-55 bullet penetrates a lot more meat than it's lower velcoity would indicate.

Think most of the 38-55 fans are cast bullet shooters, and for that use, a bigger bore is always welcome.

The 38-55 when handloaded in a modern firearm such as the marlin 336CB or H&R Target it will perform as well as the .375 win if not better. I load 29.5 gns of RX7 in front of a barnes or Dave Deering bullet and it is devastating on deer. Will it kill better NO! But then DEAD IS DEAD. I would not hesitate to use mine on larger game.

The question is whether the cartridge is handloaded. If shooting the anemic factory offerings in .38-55, that 255g bullet at 1250 fps will leave much to be desired, whereas the venerable .30-30 has a plethora of excellent factory loadings that will take great skill of a handloader to surpass either in velocity or accuracy in most guns. In this realm the .30-30 will win hands down.

Now, as mentioned, if handloading is a facet to consider, then the .38-55 suddenly becomes not only a deer rifle, but a cartridge capable of larger game as well when loaded to its potential in a modern gun manufactured from modern steel, when mated with properly constructed bullets.

As already pointed out, a srawnly little whitetail deer probably won't know or care which hit him, he's dead anyhow, and dead is dead. It does however sometimes make for a lively debate around the campfire.

Either way, if shooting handloads, a 100 yard shot in capable hands is meat in the freezer.

God Bless,