Question for WA Hunters

[Mainah]

I'm considering a move from Maine to Seattle, Washington. I've got 10/22, an 870, and a Winchester Model 94 30-30. That's been a great collection for life in rural Maine . Will it work in WA? I'd like to hunt elk, deer, and pigs it they're out there.

The 10/22 and the 870 are keepers. But I'd be willing to move from the 30-30 to maybe a 45-70 if that makes sense. Any thoughts?

[big al hunter]

You won't be finding many hogs around here. Black bear, elk, and 3 species of deer ( whitetail, blacktail, and mule). Ducks, geese, pheasant, quail, chukar and turkey are not too far away either.

The 30/30 will work, but you may be better off with a bolt action in 270 or 30/06. Depends on where you decide to hunt. West side is dense forest with clear cuts. East side is more open with some large areas of sagebrush. Until you see your new favorite place to hunt stick with what you have. Or get a bolt action and keep the lever:), I did.

[kilimanjaro]

You've got a good arsenal. If you hunt on the woodsy west side of the mountains, your 30/30 is fine for a brush gun. As noted above, you'll need a good bolt action .270 or .308, 30/06 for east side open country hunting.

For elk, I think the 30/30 is a bit light, others may differ.

[tahunua001]

for coastal hunting the 30-30 and 12 gauge will serve you very well out here. the 10/22 isn't legal for anything but varmints.

[math teacher]

I live as far west as you can get in Washington, but in the clear cuts there is still need for the above mentioned 270, 308, or 30-06, or in my case the 7mm Mag. You may have to shoot just as far as on the east side. I have killed bear and elk with a 30-30, but will never do it again.

[Buzzcook]

Your fine with what you got. Just be aware of the limitations of the .30-30. Pick good ammo and remember your distances and it'll work on elk.

My first deer gun was a beat up Model 94. I used it four years on the west coast of Oregon.
I moved up to a .30-06. in the 30+ years since then I've never had a shot that couldn't have been made by that sloppy old winchester.

[Mainah]

Thanks. I've got family in Seattle and I've done some backpacking in the Cascades and OP. Beautiful country. If I move I'll stick with what I've got for awhile. And I'd love to be able to drive to see snow instead of shoveling and roof raking it.

[44 AMP]

Seattle does get snow, once in a while. When it does, best thing you can do is stay indoors, as the streets get absolutely crazy!

[Inspector3711]

Yeah.. I think it was 2004 or 2005 we had 3 feet of snow with an inch of freezing rain on top of it in Maple Valley. They didn't believe me at work in Seattle when I called in.

If I were you, I would use this as an excuse to buy another rifle. A bolt action chambered in any of the traditional deer/elk cartridges. Keep that 30-30 for when you are hunting brush. Or for the day when the hogs finally migrate this far north.

[jrothWA]

decent range finder and if you hunt alone, consider the "SPOT" locator/ emergency beacon.

Becareful of the "anti's they are rabid.

[Grundy53]

I would pick up a bolt action in a .270 or larger if you want to hunt elk. While you can kill an elk with a 30-30 you are grossly limiting your range.