30-30 First Hand Exp?

WhelanLad

WhelanLad

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Gday crew, I'm a slight Nut in the making, so I want a 30-30 for the Sambar this Winter up to 200meters, scoped most likely with a 2-7 off the Kimber, an il upgrade to a VX3i on the 7mm08 ........... and will sell a 3-9x50 to fund stuff.... an half the gun :D lol

The 30-30...

Theres many breed of 3030, I'm not after Flash or silky smooth, I'm just after Scoped option and somewat reliable yeah. Wondering if any can give a bit of first hand info on the fillowing.

Rossi rio Grande ?
https://www.usedguns.com.au/Product.aspx?p=102785

Marlin - 336 CS
https://www.usedguns.com.au/Product.aspx?p=101112


after searching, that Marlin looks like ... mine :D thoughts please.

Thanks for looking and any info, look forward to this project..
WL
 
I've had a couple Mossbergs and the Marlin 336, but none of the Rossi. None of mine had QC issues that are reported a few years ago (both manufacturers). I would lean toward the Marlin, mine had a tight chamber and didn't like federal ammo. With the Marlin I also had the stock come loose, that had to been tightened down. All my 30-30's liked Hornady Leverevolution.
 
I don't thing you can go wrong with any of those choices , for me though, I like my Winnie. The Rossi are very well thought of as are Marlin, if you can hold them and shoulder, your decision will be easier made. Cheers
 
Did some auto repair on a friends' auto and he gave me an old model 94 for my labor.Took about 16 deer with that rifle and my 14 year old son took his first with it.My son is 28 now and wants the rifle for dogging the bush with his deer hunting party.I'm going the Henry route in .44 Mag.A fast,handy bush carbine that is accurate the Winchester 94 is best.Anything over 100-150 yards not so much.
 
My old man had a top ejecting Win. 94 the went to my older brother, so I wanting a levergun, I opted for a new 336C. Mine, as it turned out, was a Remlin, canted barrel and a few other issues new out of the box. Rather than the hassel of sending in for repair, took it to my local gunsmith who sorted out the barrel, installed safety delete and a few other items and polished up the internals. Now it's my favourite little brush-gun.
 
Speaking from personal experience, the older Marlins would be your best bet followed a close second by the Win 94 AE. I shoot both and like them equally, with the fat Marlin forend being a better fit for my hands. I owned a Rossi Rio Grande in 45-70 and it was the worst piece of junk I ever shot in a lever rifle. It had a poor fit/finish (the metal edges literally cut my hands) and it was a jammomatic. Maybe they've upped their game since, but I would avoid these on spec.
 
If you have access to Henry made rifles I would recommend the H009. Smoother action than any other 30-30 on the market. Marlins unless JM stamped are poorly made. Winchester 94 would be my second choice. I would stay away from Rossi.
 
sheep100 said:
If you have access to Henry made rifles I would recommend the H009. Smoother action than any other 30-30 on the market. Marlins unless JM stamped are poorly made. Winchester 94 would be my second choice. I would stay away from Rossi.
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I agree, I did have a Rossi Rio Grande in 45-70 and it was a good rifle, I replaced it with a Henry, I wouldn't buy a Rossi or a Marlin without handling or maybe test firing or at least buy it from someone you trust.
 
If you are going to use an optic on a lever gun....go with a Marlin....and if it were me I would buy an older Marlin....like 20yrs or so older....WAY better rifle than current production...don't let a lil handling or bluig loss worry ya.

The Marlin receiver makes for a superior optic mounting platform.

Frankly optics on a Win 94 are all a poor contraption...just varying degrees..

2c worth for ya.
 
I have owned, loaded for and shot most single, bolt and lever .30/30's... I would avoid the Rossi... you can't go wrong with a JM 336 or 94 AE or Henry. I would put a straight tube scope on it, maybe a 1-4 or 1.5-5 (ish). If you double-jack, you can load spire point bullets over LVR and improve both range and energy (and in my experience accuracy too... most of the time). I still have a couple pristine Pre-64 94's, but only the single shots seem to be getting out... 150 BTH over 38.0 grains of LVR, with W-W brass and Fed 210 primers is golden.
 
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I own marlins, winchester and henrys(marlin design) and I can tell you that one of the reasons the Winchester never goes out with me is the thought of having to clean it! To take apart and clean, the marlins are easy peasy. When it comes to accuracy well, I personally don't shoot my levers past 100 feet. I seem to have an issue with shooting any levergun accurately. A buddy has labelled it as MOB syndrome...... Minute of barn! I've never fired a Rossi but I would get the Rio Grande over the 92 simply for the Marlin design. Whatever you decide on, have fun with it mate!
 
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