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best NEW 30-30?
- Thread starter hillbillydruggist
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I prefer the Winchesters. To me they just look, feel and balance better.
Here’s the neat thing about life, I totally disagree with you about that.
I own 3 of each (older Marlins and Winchesters) and I have no problem telling you (and anyone else) that the Marlins are the finest “hunters” lever action rifle you’ll ever use.
But of course that’s what makes life great, the differences!
sigp220.45
US Veteran
Since you specify new, it seems like your only choices are Henry and Marlin.
I got my kid a Henry .22 and it is a good gun, but their centerfire offerings just look goofy to me. Sorry, Henry fans.
That leaves Marlins. I have 2 Marlin 30/30s, and they are both wonderful guns. The current production Marlin 336s seem to be fine guns, so I would suggest one of them.
Good luck on your quest!
I got my kid a Henry .22 and it is a good gun, but their centerfire offerings just look goofy to me. Sorry, Henry fans.
That leaves Marlins. I have 2 Marlin 30/30s, and they are both wonderful guns. The current production Marlin 336s seem to be fine guns, so I would suggest one of them.
Good luck on your quest!
hkcavalier
US Veteran
Here’s the neat thing about life, I totally disagree with you about that.
I own 3 of each (older Marlins and Winchesters) and I have no problem telling you (and anyone else) that the Marlins are the finest “hunters” lever action rifle you’ll ever use.
But of course that’s what makes life great, the differences!
Agreed. I like the Win 92 for pistol calibers more than the Marlin 1894, but for .30-30 I greatly prefer the 336.
If you go back to 1894 Win early days the 1893 Marlin was in
production and was closer to lines of classic lever action. Savage
had 303 which was their house version of 30/30 but they broke
down and chambered 30/30 too. The 1886 Win designed by JM
Browning is said to be finest lever ever built. The 1892 is basically a scaled down 1886. 1894 isn't and is not near as smooth operation. The 1895 and M71 are based on 1886 and
53s were off 1892s. The Marlin 336 is much later design.
production and was closer to lines of classic lever action. Savage
had 303 which was their house version of 30/30 but they broke
down and chambered 30/30 too. The 1886 Win designed by JM
Browning is said to be finest lever ever built. The 1892 is basically a scaled down 1886. 1894 isn't and is not near as smooth operation. The 1895 and M71 are based on 1886 and
53s were off 1892s. The Marlin 336 is much later design.
The Win. 1895 is a whole different critter. Top loaded. Under action magazine. Chambered for 30/40 Krag and 30/06. Modern editions were also chamber for 270 Win..
The action of the 1895 is based on 1886 action even though the
magazine is a fixed box. It was made in new cals 38/72, 40/72
35Win and 405Win. Also military cals of 30/03 which transitioned
into 30/06, 30/40, 303 Brit & 7.62x54 Russian. Bulk of production was in 7.62 Russian during WW1.
The Win M71 was updated 1886 made only in 348 Win.
one eye joe
US Veteran
everyone has convinced me, I am now on the look out for an "older" model. is the JM in front of the serial number on Marlins?
thanks
IF YOU HAVE DECIDED TO PURCHASE AN OLDER MARLIN M336, I CONGRATULATE YOU ON AN EXCELLENT PLAN ! ! !
I PURCHASED MY VERY FIRST FIREARM IN 1960. IT WAS A SHORT THROW MARLIN "LEVERMATIC" M57, IN .22 CALIBER--CAPABLE OF SHOOTING SHORT, LONG, OR LR AMMO. FROM THAT HUMBLE BEGINNING, I WENT ON TO COLLECT AND SHOOT ALMOST EVERY CALIBER OFFERED IN THE MODEL 336, FROM .22 TO .45-70 GOVERNMENT, DURING THE ENSUING 58 YEARS ....
ALONG THE WAY, I BECAME ENAMORED OF THE MARLIN "MARAUDER", MADE IN 1963, AND PART OF 1964, IN .30-30, AND .35 REMINGTON. IT FEATURED A STRAIGHT TEXAN STYLE STOCK, AND A 16 1/4" BARREL. I WAS NEVER ABLE TO FIND ONE TO BUY. I SAW JUST ONE AT A GUN SHOW. YEARS AGO. IT WAS IN DEPLORABLE CONDITION, AND THE VENDOR WANTED STUPID MONEY FOR IT......
THEN IN 1988, MARLIN INTRODUCED THE MODEL 336 LTS. IT WAS A DEAD RINGER FOR THE MARAUDER, OTHER THAN IT SPORTED A 16 1/2" BARREL. I IMMEDIATELY ORDERED ONE IN .30-30, THE ONLY AVAILABLE CALIBER. ONCE AGAIN, THEY WERE ONLY MADE FOR 2 YEARS, IT IS THE SLICKEST HANDLING WOODS RIFLE, THAT I HAVE EVER HUNTED WITH.....
IF YOU CAN FIND ONE IN GOOD CONDITION, I STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU BUY IT. IT WILL SERVE YOUR INTENDED PURPOSE VERY WELL, AND IS CERTAIN TO APPRECIATE IN VALUE......
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And Mossberg.
white cloud
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I wouldn't worry much about the prices falling too much after deer season. As pointed out above by ShivasIrons, people now days think deer need a 300 magnum (I think this is a result of poor marksmanship). A consequence of this thinking is used 30/30s sitting on the dealer's shelves.
White Cloud is right, online sales don't hinge on hunting seasons but in LGS you may get a break. They
may not want to sit on a 30/30 for next season. There is a trend for short barrels in lever actions. I have had a Marauder since back in 60s. I was youngest in our
Crew and the older guys turned up their noses at my
Marauder because barrel was to short. They offered to
take up a collection so I could go back and buy " the
rest of the rifle". It's funny that all them were trying to
trade me out of it after they saw it shoot. I only have 4 newer Marlins from 60s & 70s. The Marauder goes with me as extra gun on all out of state hunts. It's also my main gun to make the anti 30/30 crowd eat their words. I have put 3x scope on for varmits but always go with reciever sight in woods.
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may not want to sit on a 30/30 for next season. There is a trend for short barrels in lever actions. I have had a Marauder since back in 60s. I was youngest in our
Crew and the older guys turned up their noses at my
Marauder because barrel was to short. They offered to
take up a collection so I could go back and buy " the
rest of the rifle". It's funny that all them were trying to
trade me out of it after they saw it shoot. I only have 4 newer Marlins from 60s & 70s. The Marauder goes with me as extra gun on all out of state hunts. It's also my main gun to make the anti 30/30 crowd eat their words. I have put 3x scope on for varmits but always go with reciever sight in woods.
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max503
Member
Don't know if this has been mentioned, but I have a 30-30 rifle barrel for my Thompson Contender. It is extremely accurate with both jacketed and cast bullets. I get good accuracy from the Lyman 311284 which at around 210 grains is heavy for the 30-30. I use it because that is what I have. I'm sure a 150-180 grain bullet would shoot stellar from the TC 30-30.
YES AN OLD 336 IS A GREAT WAY TO GO. I WOULD NOT USE A MOSSBERG 464 I HERE THEY ARE A JUNK GUN.
500SNW
Member
JMHO as always, but if the OP is looking for a lever gun for deer, I'd suggest forgetting about the .30-30 and, instead, considering a relatively inexpensive 1892 Rossi in .44 magnum. Good gun at a low price!! In a rifle length barrel, and with appropriate loads, the .44 magnum AFAIK will meet or exceed the energies produced by the .30-30. In some states, like mine, bottleneck cartridges are still not permitted for taking Deer...whereas straight walled cartridges are. TBH I've never understood the utility or the practicality of a small caliber, high velocity bottleneck cartridge in a lever gun with a tubular magazine. An odd pairing IMO as it can't use the necessary spire point bullets (SD/BC for "flat shooting) and they lack capacity...10 or 12 pistol cartridges versus 5 or 6 of the .30-30. The .30-30 would be better suited for a bolt gun...and such was historically proven when the USAR adopted the .30-03 and .30-06 for their new bolt guns.
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I have a Marlin 45/70 and 44mg, both shoot extremely well and
they are JMs. We are limited to straight cases in Ohio. I also have
a dozen classic woods deer rifles. Rem 14s,141, 81, Sav 99, win
& Marlin levers. If I was allowed to use these the Marlin 30/30
336 would be my main deer gun. I would off the 45/70 & 44mg
in short order. Their only purpose is to comply with Ohio regs.
I consider 45/70 to much gun for Ohio deer and 44mg puts you
in same ranges as slugs. I'm now fooling with 375win only to
get close to performance of 30/30-35Rem class cartridges. Most
of our shots are under 100yds. I don't know how many times I
have watched a nice buck walk out in the open at 200yds. All
you can do is watch with a slug gun. The 45/70 or 375win will
make the shot, but so would a 30/30 in a much smaller and much
handier package.
they are JMs. We are limited to straight cases in Ohio. I also have
a dozen classic woods deer rifles. Rem 14s,141, 81, Sav 99, win
& Marlin levers. If I was allowed to use these the Marlin 30/30
336 would be my main deer gun. I would off the 45/70 & 44mg
in short order. Their only purpose is to comply with Ohio regs.
I consider 45/70 to much gun for Ohio deer and 44mg puts you
in same ranges as slugs. I'm now fooling with 375win only to
get close to performance of 30/30-35Rem class cartridges. Most
of our shots are under 100yds. I don't know how many times I
have watched a nice buck walk out in the open at 200yds. All
you can do is watch with a slug gun. The 45/70 or 375win will
make the shot, but so would a 30/30 in a much smaller and much
handier package.
hkcavalier
US Veteran
The Hornady Leverevolution line really brings the .30-30 alive. From a 20" rifle that 160gr pointed-nose bullet is going to zip along at about 2300fps. Only a very hot .44 Magnum is going to match that, energy-wise, and of course is going to have a more rounded trajectory.
Personally I worry more about capacity in my open country rifles. I've found you will probably have a chance at a second or third shot because you can still see the animal. In the woods, I've never had more than that first shot.
I've been really influenced by Col. Cooper's "Art of the Rifle" which emphasizes hitting vitals with the first shot. Nowhere have I found him discussing capacity in a hunting rifle.
OP
hillbillydruggist
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anyone tried a new ROSSI?
I've had a few Rossi firearms, I'm not impressed. I would never
buy one new. All the ones I've owned were taken on trade and I
don't allow much for them.
buy one new. All the ones I've owned were taken on trade and I
don't allow much for them.
500SNW
Member
You'll get both positive and negative reviews asking that question here. For the price, I'd take one any day over a BC Miroku knockoff of a Winchester. The Rossis run around $500 on a good day. I got mine for $489 a few years ago and I did a little post purchase tuning of the action and refinished the wood furniture. I'd say the end result was a rifle that looks and functions like one costing significantly more. hkcavalier mentioned the irrelevance of multiple shots (more than 2 or 3) for hunting scenarios...and that's probably true...but IMHO I want a more versatile rifle that suits more than the singular purpose of a deer hunt. I want a plinker, a defensive weapon, a cowboy action gun and more. My Rossi, also pairs up really well with my wheelguns in the same caliber. If it comes down to owning a small caliber, bottleneck cartridge rifle, I'd much rather have a Ruger Gunsite Scout rifle than any .30-30 lever gun. JMHO of course.
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OP
hillbillydruggist
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I just saw a youtube video of their plant, looked impressive
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