Advice on buying a Lever Action 30/30 and .22 caliber

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CoreSolution

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Hey everyone,

I'm interested in purchasing a used or new Lever action 30/30 and .22

I was looking at both Winchester and Henry and wanted to know what other recommendations you would suggest as well as what kind of glass I should put on the 30/30.

Thanks for the help and guidance.

Corey
 
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Not really wrong section; he's looking for advice on what to buy. IMHO, I'd go Savage99, pre-64 Winchester, pre-Remington Marlin. Don't know anything about Henrys. You don't necessarily have to have glass.
 
OP edit your thread to "looking for advice on wtb"

click on "edit post", then "go advanced" to change the title.

As soon as folks see WTB they stop reading and think you are trying to circumvent the EE rules.

Personally I'd look for a used Marlin 30-30. A Savage 99 will be too hard to find and too expensive once you do.
Depending on your budget a 94-22 BL22 or a Marlin 39A are all good choices.
Do a search for "lever" in the EE rimfire forum to find what's out there and where prices are at.
Good luck.
 
Thanks for the help. I took a look at all 3. I like the Marlin for the 30-30 because of the side load vs. Magazine tube load and side eject. It doesn't sound as smooth as the Henry but I'd like to have the option for a scope even though it will likely be mainly a bush gun. Henry lever 22 looks and sounds pretty smooth.
 
Even as a bush gun, the marlin is nice and practical with a low powered scope such as a 1-4x20 or
1.5-5x20. Even a red dot rocks on a lever.....if you remember to turn it off after use and keep a spare battery in your wallet.
 
Nothing wrong with a tube load Henry... smooth action... quick, easy, & safe to unload... best customer service in the industry... good weight to reduce recoil.... and the look real darn pretty!
 
I have an old 1978 Marlin 336 in 30-30 and it's great. If you decide to buy a new Marlin though, since Remington bought them, do not buy online or sight unseen. Only buy in person so you can inspect it. Their quality control had been hit or miss since Remington bought them.

I just ordered this GSBL from an online retailer and the forend is way out of spec.
BGSDnWB.jpg
 
The Henry Golden Boy is an exceptionally nice .22 LR. As for a 30-30, you can't go wrong with a Winchester 94.
 
I have the Henry Youth Lever in 22LR for my wife and kids, but I think it's one of the most fun guns I have to shoot, too.

The end-of-tube magazine loading system on the Henry is fine for 22LR because it's never a problem to shoot until it's empty.

However, I would not get a Henry in a full-size calibre because I prefer side-loading options for those choices.

For your 22LR, though, Henry all the way.
 
When first read it appeared he wanted a 30/30 lever action and a 22 however most appear to be directing him towards a lever action 22.
Your options for a 30/30 will have a long throw on the lever and many of the 22 levers have a short throw.
To try to equate the two is difficult but a Marlin 39 has a long throw in the range of 90 degrees. A Browning/Winchester is about 30 degrees. 30/30's are back in the 90 range.
An opportunity to try various 30/30's will give you some idea as to the force required to work the action, shoot and rework the lever for a follow up shot. Learning technique with two levers will have some difficulty.
Getting back to my original perception of the question . . . get a bolt action and my recommendation would be an Anschutz or CZ455.
Expanding the question what are your intensions for the use of either?
 
Marlin 336. Give a peep sight (Skinner, or XS Sights) a try if you have half decent eyesight. You'll feel better about yourself as a lever gun owner without a scope. Whatever you choose, the dirty30 is still a great cartridge. Enjoy.
 
Have used the Marlin 336A for many years, very smooth action.
Had the BL.22, a great gun, had a weak moment and got ride of it when downsizing.
 
sgt.rock said:
Even as a bush gun, the marlin is nice and practical with a low powered scope such as a 1-4x20 or
1.5-5x20. Even a red dot rocks on a lever.....if you remember to turn it off after use and keep a spare battery in your wallet.
Click to expand...
Just gonna add to this. I have a Marlin 30AS (Birch stocks) & a pre-64 94. The Marlin is 3/4" more accurate @100yards and a lot easier to take apart to clean. I use a Browning BL22 as my trusty lever 22lr. It is just so slick. My Savage 340 is 2x as accurate as either my levers in .30-30 :)
 
I'd look for a pre 1964 Winchester 94 should cost around $500
CZ or BRNO bolt 22 should be around $600

Lyman peeps for the 94 $150-$200

two fun rifles for around $1300 or less YMMV
 
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