Lever Action 30-30

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wannabepl47

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This is going to be a gift for my Dad for Christmas and I want to make sure to get him something nice. I know he'll really enjoy a lever gun but I don't know much about em other than the Marlin name coming to mind. I'm thinking 30-30 as far as caliber since its readily available and not too expensive but I'm open to other suggestions.

The 400-550 dollar range is what Im looking at spending right now. Something classy looking would be a bonus.
 
My current favorite rifle is a Marlin 336 30-30. Due to some damage to the finish by clumsiness last year I stripped the marshield & gave it a oil finish, added a firesight up front, a peep in the back & a leather sling - now it looks very classy in my eyes.

Should be no problem finding a used 336 for less than your budget, which should let you get a couple of accessories to finish it out (scope, sling whatever). If I ever get another I will be looking for one in .35rem or maybe one of the pistol calibers like .357 or .44mag.. hmmm now you have me thinking as well! My wife is looking to take her hunter/pal course & she likes my lever gun the best so this is sounding like a good excuse! Also, with the impending death of the LGR, gifting a rifle to another PAL holder will be just that much easier.

If I were in the market for a new lever gun, the Mossberg 464 looks pretty interesting.
 
I was a 94 Winchester believer, bought a Marlin 336 in turdy-turdy and sold
the Winchester.
History is nice, but Marlin makes it better.........
Of course I'm refering to the old stuff.
If you have the opportunity to handle both, you may see what has
transformed me.
Nice to have a son like you thinking of his dad so thoughtfully.
Cheers.
 
bUBs said:
Also, with the impending death of the LGR, gifting a rifle to another PAL holder will be just that much easier.
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My thoughts exactly on the LGR be nice if its gone after Christmas!

Thanks guys Im probly going to look into the Marlin 336 for sure.
 
If you ask me, your three choices are a Marlin 336, Winchester 94, or Winchester 88. The latter two might have the classy factor you're looking for. Because you are looking for a nice gift, I would recommend the pre-64 Winchester 94 30.30. Get one in really nice shape and he will love it. To me, there is something unbeatable about a pre-64 Winchester in amazing condition. I don't get that when I look at a Marlin, but to each his own. The Winchester 88 is my all-time favourite gun. A nice one in .308 with basket weave or straight checkering would make a great gift. Whatever you choose, I'm sure he'll love it. But for me, it's got to be the 94 or 88.
 
If you check you'll find LOTS of references to the Marlin option being somewhat tarnished since Winchester took them over. But if you can find a cherry older 336 buy it with no apoligies to your father for giving him a "used" gun. The older ones from five(?) years ago and earlier are all reported as superb. And I can echo that as my Sears branded Glenfield/Marlin lever is doing just wonderfully some 200 rounds of plinking later since I got it. The action is superb and it seems tough as nails.

And best of all if your Dad's eyes are suffering like all the rest of us aging types he'll welcome the option with the Marlins of an easily mounted scope, red dot or dovetail mounted peep sight as required thanks to the sold upper deck of the receiver which has a 3/8 dovetail.

I really like Winchester 94's as well for their history and feel of the action. But the way the whole top of the receiver opens up for the empty casing to spit up and out really messes up the option of a scope/red dot/dovetail mount peep sight option.
 
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I just got a used 336 in 30-30 from a gentleman off this site for $300 (2008 model) and it is superb, very smooth action and just an awesome all around rifle!
 
I own a pre-64 94 in 32 Special and a 444 Marlin.

In my opinion both are fine rifles. For a field rifle the Marlin is my favorite. Easy to scope (both mine have receiver sights), easier to clean (bolt pulls easy for breech cleaning), and side eject keeps snow and crap out of the action.

I would be happy and proud of either as a gift. To my eye the Winchester is THE lever action for history and such thats why I have both.
 
Don't overlook Henrys' newest 30-30 carbine.
I own plenty of Marlins and have had Winchesters, but if I was currently in the market I would be seriously looking at the Henry, it's got some cool features, and my personal experience with their products has been great!
 
BCRider said:
If you check you'll find LOTS of references to the Marlin option being somewhat tarnished since Winchester took them over. But if you can find a cherry older 336 buy it with no apoligies to your father for giving him a "used" gun. The older ones from five(?) years ago and earlier are all reported as superb. And I can echo that as my Sears branded Glenfield/Marlin lever is doing just wonderfully some 200 rounds of plinking later since I got it. The action is superb and it seems tough as nails.
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Sorry, i bet it's a typo, and im sure you probably know this, but just to keep it real marlin was bought out by remington, not winchester.

Besides that i'll back up everything else you said. Older marlin all the way.
 
actually, if you want something REALLY CLASSY, get a savage 99 in 30/30- one with a LONG BARREL- that way you've got something unique and VALUABLE, not just a winchester or marlin
 
Sun_and_Steel_77 said:
Don't overlook Henrys' newest 30-30 carbine.
I own plenty of Marlins and have had Winchesters, but if I was currently in the market I would be seriously looking at the Henry, it's got some cool features.
Click to expand...

Does it not have that strange rimfire style tube mag that you have to pull out to load the gun? I dont like that feature one bit. Otherwise i like the henry's also, but would never recommend one over an older marlin or winchester.
 
mikeystew said:
Does it not have that strange rimfire style tube mag that you have to pull out to load the gun? I dont like that feature one bit. Otherwise i like the henry's also, but would never recommend one over an older marlin or winchester.
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Any personal experience with the H009? Henrys are generally regarded as high quality for the price point.
Loading from the top of the tube is pretty much second nature to me or anyone who grew up shooting a cooey model 60 repeater.
 
I only have ever had one lever action - a Marlin 30AS in 30-30 which I understand is basically a 336. Great gun. I'll side with the other who said buy a pre-remmington model that's used.
 
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