I wanting to get a lever action 30-30. I'm not really a long gun guy. Always handguns. I just want something for target shooting. Can't hunt anything beside coyotes around here with a rife.
What brand should I be looking for?
Thanks

For me it's a pretty simple decision. I'd look for a pre 1964 Winchester Model 94. A lot might depend on your budget. Good luck in your search.

Let us know what you decide to purchase.

I assume you want a lever action (the quintessential 30-30).

There are really only 2,choices: Winchester or Marlin.

Functionally, the big difference is the Winchester ejects up, the Marlin ejects to the side.

If you want a scope, get a Marlin. If no scope, get a Winchester.

Pre 1964 Winchesters are more desirable than later production guns.

This is a Ford vs. Chevy thing. I'm a Marlin guy. Look for a Model 336, the earlier the better. Especially without the cross-bolt safety, totally superfluous in a lever since the cockable hammer acts as the safety.

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Some collect art; I shoot it!

My favorite.30-30 is the Win 64. I also really like the Marlin 336, but when chambered for the .35 Rem.

A pre 64 Model 94 gets my vote. If ya want something real fancy check out those Henry's! Better wait til payday though!

Sounds like you are more interested in a shooter than a collectible. Buy either a used M94 or Marlin that fits your budget. There were also some earlier Savage 340 bolt action rifles chambered in .30-30 but those do not show up very often. If you happen to see one, buy it. They are great shooters.

I have enjoyed shooting this 1970's vintage Model 94. Enough scratches and finish wear that I don't worry about dinging it up in the woods. Got it at a pawn shop for $300 a little over a year ago...

My budget is 500ish

If you want a .30/30 just get a Thompson/Center Contender. Either a 10" or 14" barrel. You can hit anything you want out to 200 yards with it. A yote would be dead meat!

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I'm 67. I don't do timeouts.

If you're more of a handgun guy like you said, you might want to have a look at a Magnum Research BFR in 30-30. Available in 7.5" and 10" barrel.

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Ephesians 6 (Armor of God)

Good information in most of the posts above. The point about scope or no scope is a major one. Lever guns are fun and I have both Winchester and Marlin. In both cases, older is better. Winchesters don't scope well. You can get peep sights for both including sights mounted further back to increase sight radius. I'm at the point where I need a scope so that narrows the selection for me. 30-30 is nearly $1.00 a round so reloading is a help on costs. You should be able to find a nice condition older Marlin easily within your price range. The last one I bought several years ago was about $225. Avoid pointed bullets in tubular magazines unless you are shooting single shot. Good luck on your hunt!

At 500 dollars you should not have a problem finding a used .30-30 Winchester or Marlin. You might have to get to $600 or $650 but the auction sites are loaded with these models so it can't be that hard to find one with no whistles or bells at a reasonable price.

I am actually a Winchester guy but I have no argument with Marlins. I sold three Model 94s last year and only one was worth 500 bucks. But times change and so does demand so you never know.

If you are buying this rifle to shoot I don't see a need to go chasing around for a pre-64 Winchester. They sell at a premium but, for your purposes, it is irrelevant. New Winchester 94s, from Miroku of Japan, are high quality and MSRP is around 1400 bucks. Not necessary.

A modern Model 1994 from Winchester, post 1964, should not be all that difficult to find.

The reason I like a 30-30 lever is that I can keep a live round in the chamber with the hammer down,,,,SAFELY.
Just need to cock it like a revolver.
Very easy to do coming out of sleeping.

^^^ This.
Even the lamest rural gun show usual has a few on a table somewhere. They’re not sexy and hard to fit with black plastic pistol grips and accessory rails, so the tactical crowd stays away. They just work forever. An old friend of mine still hunts with one that dates to 1910. When I tell him it’s worth something and should be treated as a collectible, he tells me “Meh, if it breaks, it breaks, and I think it’ll outlast me anyways.” Probably will.

Post 64, Winchester introduced a Model 94 in what they termed as "Angle Eject" or AE. The purpose was to eject the empties out at an angle as opposed to straight up. This allowed easy addition of a scope. Hornady makes a .30-30 round called "LeverEvolution". It is a pointed bullet with a polymer tip that is safe to use in a tube magazine rifle. Regular metal pointed tips should, as said earlier, never be used. .30-30 factory new ammo can be found all day long on-line for $12/box. Henry also makes lever actions in .30-30.

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SWCA 3297 SWHF 583

J.M. Marlin

Marlin or Winchester? For me its simply a matter of feel. The marlins are fine rifles, but to me the Winchesters just feel and handle better.
I'll add that I'm particularly fond of the 16" Trapper models. They're slick and quick.

I've had both winchester and marlin . The winchester is gone , I still have the marlin . I bought it in 1979 , used from a guy needing gas money for $75 , it was like new . It's stamped " JM " . I preferred the action on the marlin better .

Quoted for truth. 30/30 through a contender is a lot of fun.
Hands down my favorite barrels.

As far as lever actions go, for a range gun, I'd go with a .357 especially if you have .357 revolvers. Also I would suggest a .22 LR. I like Marlins, but my .357 is a Rossi.

Nothing wrong with Henry either. Especially if a .22, for anything larger I prefer a loading gate to Henry's tube.

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Dad has a 1952 Winchester 94 with a Lyman receiver sight mounted on the left side. I have had Williams receiver sights on 2 Marlin 336; different brand different costs, not a lot of difference in results! I have 3 lever guns with "tang" sights, it gives about 3 more inches of sight radius, much harder to adjust and keep sighted in, but way up the scale in "Cool" points! (If that matters to you!)

Accuracy; mast lever guns have tiny issues, but a well cared for gun will shoot 2" groups at 100 yards from a rest, with the above mentioned "Peep Sights". The mid barrel "Buckhorn" or ladder sights, are much harder to get "Target" rifle accuracy but on deer size animals you are good to go, out to 175-200 yards, which is about the limit for 30-30's abilities anyway. With a very accurate load and scoped rifle, you will be able to wound deer out to about 400 yards. (but why bother, just get a 308 or 30-06)

My favorite 30-30 currently, isn't a lever action at all, it is a Savage 24 combo gun with a 30-30 and a 20 gauge barrel. comes in handy!

By the way the Contender/Encore 30-30 barrel with factory ammo is a fierce hand cannon! The recoil and muzzle jump have pulled forearm muscles on shooters used to 44 mag recoil! (never use a stiff arm!)

The old Lee Loader (whack-a-mole) is a great way to reload, especially with a scale to weigh powder charges. You can easily put most factory to shame.

Ivan

PS: Remington made/makes a round called "Accelerator". It is a sabot 22 caliber 55 grain bullet. Basically 223 performance. Don't think it will make you rifle into a 400 yard varmint rifle. The accuracy suffers from the wrong rifling twist! Your normal Deer ammo kills ground hogs too! You can expect a 150-200 yard range, once you get used to the small targets!

Ivan

Must be a bunch of sissies shooting .30/30 to pull forearm muscles!!!! My daughter when she was 12 & didn't weigh 80lbs could shoot my 10" Contender as well as any man. I've had a 10" barrel since 1978 & I have yet seen anyone that fired mine pull a muscle. Or anyone that was shooting IHMSA matches I attended each month get hurt shooting a .30/30 Contender. Recoil is less than a Model 29 or Ruger Super Blackhawk with full power 240gr. loads. I'm kind of doubting if you have ever fired a .30/30 Contender.

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I'm 67. I don't do timeouts.

Spend a few extra $ and go for. Savage 99 in 300 savage caliber...head and shoulders above Winchester and Marlin. And you can find them in 30-30 if your heart is set on it.

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Robert
SWCA #2906, SWHF #760

The Marlins are the way to go if you want to scope. There is about 4 catagories of Marlins. The latest ones made under Rem
have bad reps, I wouldn't mess with one at all. The quality took
a hit in middle 80s but these guns are JM Marlins and better than
a new one. The older Marlins after WW2 up to middle 80s are
very good rifles. The prewar were better yet and getting into
collector status. The older guns are as well made as pre 64 Win
94s. Shooting Iron sights the Marlin & Win are about the same.
Post 64/ 94wins are about equal to last JM Marlins in quality. The
only down side for 336 vs 94 is the 336 weighs more. The pre 64
Win 94 is without question a fine rifle but the Marlins of era were
too.

Sometimes you can find older marlins for 2-300 I have a couple of them. They shoot good. My two pennies.

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No gold. Only lead. Bobby

I just sold a Marlin Glenfield 30A that was NIB and from 80s
for $300. Glenfield was Marlins economy grade and also seen
as Store Brands. Not as fancy, hardwood stocks but same
running gears as 336s. I bought a Marlin Maurader, a short
barrel 30/30 back in 60s. All my buddies made fun of it back
then, said 16" was to short to be any account. Now everybody
and their brother tries to trade me out of it.

I started out with a winchester Canadian Cenntennial with the 20" octagon barrel in 30-30. Few years later I got the 26" long barrel one. These were offered in either sets of carbine and rifle or sold separately. The extra barrel weight on the carbine isn't all that much but with a williams rear sight and Lyman 17 globe front sight it shoots nicely. I calls it my lever action match rifle. Check Cherrys Fine guns website and you should find a nice lever actioned carbine or rifle that you would like. Also sells a bunch of the winchester commorative ones also. Have fun. Frank

The Winchester 94 is just one of those guns that every house should have and you should be able to find one well within your budget.

That said, if I were specifically looking for a new lever gun to hunt with, I'd pick one of the Henry models. Basic blue, brass receiver with octagon barrel or even the all weather Stainless models....they are all exceptionally well made. My most recent is an all weather Henry .45-70 that I put a set of Skinner peep sights on - superb rifle! Very accurate, very durable...everything I need.

A New lever is stiff and needs lot of break in time to work right.
You can also use a stone or take it to a gunsmith to be smoothed out or
be lucky enough to fine a old rifle that is easy to work.

As mentioned scope or scope might have a bearing on type of action.

Good hunting.

I prefer the straight stock Winchester’s. I would not spend the significant premium for a Pre-64 on your first time purchase of a 30-30 range toy. Plus it’s out of your budget. You should be able to find a nice 94 (or Marlin) in the $400 range.

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Just hanging with my dogs

I've always preferred the Marlin over the Winchester, but own examples of both. The first Remington produced Marlins did have a lot of quality issues, but the newest guns seem to be back to old J.M. Marlin quality again.

I'm more of a Winchester guy but Marlin guys are so found of them I guess it is only a matter of blonde vs brunettes.
I own a 16'' Trapper,a regular 20'' 94 and a 24'' model 64.
My favorite?It depends on which day you ask me.BTW,they all wear peep sight.And no,I don't hunt.They are just plinkers...and great ones at that!

Plus you can top it off, while keeping it ready. Coupled with easy of handling and carrying, levers have a lot to offer.

Winchester, Marlin, Henry, you can't go wrong with any of them!!!!! They are a blast to shoot. I found a Winchester 94 AE for $550 at my LGS. I put a set of Williams Peep Sights on it and I have a "blast" every time I shoot it. Pick one and enjoy!!!!

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.300 Savage ammo is not all that common in most areas these days, having been almost entirely eclipsed by the .308 Win which is its near-ballistic twin. So you might just as well tell the OP to get a Savage 99 in .308. But why do that as he stated he wanted a .30-30? There were some Savage 99s made in .30-30 but just try to find one.

30-30 choices bolt
1. Winchester 54, bolt gun expensive
2. savage 340 good gun usually found in the 300 range

lever guns
1. marlin 1983 takedown expensive
2. marlin 36 great old guns with ballard rifleing
3. Winchester 94 pre 64,
4. any Jm marked marlin 336
5. Rossi 94 copy of the 94 Winchester, these are very accurate rifles,
6. henry #6 because they cost more than the rossi and are basically a 336 action
7 any marlin built before 2010, and after 2016
8. Mossberg 464
9 remlin built 2011-2016 before they started working out the bugs

or you can pick up a shooter grade sks, semi automatic in the 200-300 range, the 7.62x39 is basically close brother to the 30-30 round balisticly and cheaper to shoot

I sold a clean marlin model 3087 ( marlin model 30 built in 1987, with long horn medallion in stock, a Osasco store brand)this week with 98% metal 95% wood mint bore with a old late 80s simmons 3x9x40 whitetail scope on it for $400

Don't forget that Savage built a pump gun in 30-30 as well. I think it was the model 170?????

I hear many people say that either manufacture is about the same and others state the differences. If you can tell by my "handle" I kind of like the 30-30. I have or have had all mentioned above except a Henry. In my closet sleeps 3 old Marlins and 7 old Winchesters and 5 old Savage 99's. They all have good points and negative points. I have toted 30-30 carbines around for nearly 50 years now. Most of the bluing is missing on one only.

I have tried to like Marlins but just cant snuggle up to them. They are good guns no doubt but have a few warts as well. Scoping is their greatest advantage and if a man was to get one he would have a gun for life. They don't carry well with the hinged lever.

The Savage 99's are GREAT guns and are quite unique. Able to be scoped on later guns but they do not carry well. They just don't balance in the hand like others.

Pre 64 Winchesters are of a quality Marlin wish they could obtain. The one I carry is from 1932 and has little bluing and finish remaining. It has been toted from the Mexico border to Alaska. I have not shot that much with it but I sure carried it a lot. As great of a design as it is it has warts as well.

Go for a Marlin if you want to scope it.
Go for a Savage for the cool factor
Go with a pre 64 for the quality, strength and carry ability.

I have a Savage Model 1899 C Grade (1/2 oct) in 30-30.
Great rifle and I like shooting it.
The Winchester 1894/94 is smaller in profile and handier to handle than the Savage 1899/99 especially in rifle form. So if you are taking that factor into consideration, there's one opinion from someone who has both rifles. The 1894 Win is a 32Spec from 1913 in PG and 1/2oct bbl.

I like the odditys of the lot generally and my favorite now is a Remington 1899 Lee Sporter in 30-30.

But to me they're all just range toys and things to admire. I don't hunt anymore so dragging extra weight or bbl length thru the brush doesn't enter into it anymore.

The discontinued Remington 788 in 30-30 is a very accurate plain jane bolt rifle. Hard to find in that caliber now. Owners tend to hang on to them.

The Mossberg 472 made in the 70's looked alot like the Marlin 336 but was all different inside. Trigger attached to the lever like a BLR, Had a cross bolt safe too, kind of different for the time. Made in 30-30. Sold under a couple store brand model #'s too. Buy the MArlin from the same era would be my suggestion.

If I was buying a Marlin I'd go looking for a Model 1936. Those are the 'square bolt' guns that were later replaced by the round bolt Model 336 design.
Just a personal preference for the earlier design and look.

Lots of gun choices in the 30-30 family.
Savage even made the Mod 170 pump rifle in the 70's in 30-30.

Lots of folks overlook the post-64 Mod 94s but you can likely find a 1970s-era one for a decent price. IMO the 1970s vintage 94s are solid because they were well-built and didn’t have the extra safeties, bad wood of the 1980s-90s guns. Marlin 336s are good guns also, preferably pre-2006 before they were bought out (well around 2006).

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Some Might Say.

The 30-30 cartridge is a limited distance round but in reality in many areas will handle any hunting. Out west here it is limited but was at one time quite popular. Few knowledgeable hunters would choose that caliber for out west hunting. I hunt everything with a pre 64 model 70 in 30-06 and have for 40 years but that is my hunting gun. When the elk is down the hunting rifle goes away and the packing begins. I always carry a 94 carbine when backpacking elk as on a few occasions a black bear wanted it too. Never had to shoot one off an elk or deer yet. When not hunting a 94 carbine is riding along on a snowmobile, ATV, Jeep, boat, or pickup. Just in case. Of the 40 or so years I packed a 30-30 I have only killed a few mule deer, one elk and one buffalo with the caliber.

My only .30-30 at present is a 1966 M94. For the life of me, I really do not see anything that bad about it as compared to the earlier pre-1964 versions. It functions and shoots just fine. I mounted a Williams receiver peep sight on it, I think I paid about $10 for the sight off eBay. The only thing wrong with it is that it has a funky blued finish on the receiver. There was something about the steel alloy Winchester made receivers of at that time which did not take the bluing well. That one set me back all of $100 at a gun show about 15 years ago. I think everyone should have a M94.

Over forty years ago I had a Marlin 336 I liked a lot. I traded it to buy a Remington 700ADL in .243 which I loved for its versatility. But though I haven't been physically able to hunt for years, I wish I still had the Marlin.

I second the idea of looking for a Marlin without the lawyer-designed and pointless crossbolt safety. Like putting moving parts on a brick.

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Oh well, what the hell.

I like my Marlin 336BL

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Jorge

Last gun show I was at had LOTS of lever guns. I saw ones with serial numbers much higher than mine going for near $900.00. I bought my Winchestr 94 used, 5 rounds through it, in 1964 for $60.00. Checked the serial number on the Winchester website. It was built in 1953.

Sent from my SM-T820 using Tapatalk

Thanks for all the input.
I would not want a scope on mine.

I won a auction on gunbroker for a Winchester 94. I should
D have it next week. Thanks for your help

The angle-ejects were introduced in the 80s. I remember the advertisements In gun and hunting magazines I read during school in class.( whole 'nother story there) The howling over this sacrilege was immense like the Post 64 M-70 rifles were!

What caught my interest was the Model 94 Big Bore. .307 Winchester (now known as .308 Marlin) .375 Winchester on the angle ejects. I wanted a .307 with decent scope for deer hunting and long range shots with hand loaded spitzer bullets loaded one at a time in chamber.

In that price range I prefer the Marlin 336, but either are great rifles.

I like lever carbines for the handling characteristics, a scope detracts from that. Iron sights work at 30-30 ranges, more modern centerfires benefit from scopes. To me a scope on a lever 30-30 is like a winch on a corvette.

A few thoughts....

1) There are folks who like the Winchester Model 94 and there are folks that like the Marlin 36/336. You generally can't convert the Marlin fans, even though they are misguided and have swayed from the one true path created by God and John Moses Browning.

2) The 20" Winchester Model 94 in .30-30 is a superb handling rifle - right up until you put a scope on it. At that point you might as well start lugging around on of those clunky Marlins.

3) In my experience (three of each) the pre-64 Model 94 is much more accurate than the later Model 94s. A pre-64 will shoot 1.5 MOA groups, while the later Model 94s are closer to 3 MOA, but that is still minute of deer out to 200 yards.

4) It's much easier to shoot accurately with a tang sight or a receiver sight. A tang sight also works well even if you've got middle aged eyes and it's a much better alternative than a scope as it won't screw up the lines, weight or handling of the carbine.

Below is a 1950 Model 94 with a similar vintage Marbles tang sight. There is no windage adjustment on these old Marbles tang sights, but it only took .014" of drift on the front sight to zero this one. Both the carbines and sights were well made back then. The other Model 94 was made in 1960.





I zero mine so that they are 3" high at 50 yards. That leaves me about 5" high at 100 yards, 4" high at 150 yards, 3" high at 175 yards and zeroed at 200 yards.

200 yards is basically maximum range for a .30-30 for deer sized game, and it's a lot easier to hold under at shorter ranges than to hold over, as holding under doesn't obscure the target with the front sight.