Advice on which 30-30 to get!

Given your parameters, I think the best answer for you is a late 70's MFG 94. I had a '78 that was in great shape, and was dirt cheap. They really had got past the quality issues by then and worked pretty much as good as the pre'64, but the mid-late 60's/early 70's production left a nasty stain. You can get one almost minty for under $300, where a heavily worn pre'64 will cost as much or more.
 
Thx for the suggestions Gary, 300 bucks is right up my alley... Where should I be looking? What shops do you suggest? I've looked at epps, is there anyone else?
 
Undoubtedly gun shows are the best, at least in AB or SK I can't remember seeing a gun show without Winchesters abound. Assuming that by Maple Ridge as your location you're in BC, to which ends there is a one day show in Burnaby on Dec.9th. The EE often has a few, as do other forums (one just sold on Alberta Outdoorsman forum). Smaller gun shops often not-online have great deals on used stuff too, 411 up a few and ask around and if they don't have something often they have some ideas where they/you might find one. I'll keep an eye open aswell.
 
If your buying brand new get a henry the quality is second to none. Winchester 94 are good 30-30's but side scopes suck and lets face it if your hunting you'll want a scope. Theres a reason marlin 336 is the best selling 30-30. Buy one thats made 2006 or older to avoid any remington problems and put either a fixed 4 or 2x7 scope on it and you'll love it!
 
I have a mossburg 464 lever. The gun handles and shoots great, but the iron sights totally suck. I picked it up for a truck gun but in all honesty for the cost of a new rifle, I would have been better off with a larger caliber. 30.30 is a close range bullet with not much energy past 100 yards. For the rifle in my second 4x4, I use an SKS. Its 40% of the cost and has every bit of range for varmints or problems as does the 30.30 lever.
 
Get your hands on a couple of each - Marlin 336, Winchester 94, and Mossberg 464. I sold a Mossberg 464 in nearly new condition at a gun show. I kind of wish I would have kept it. I have an old .32 94 that I hunt with. I have never owned a Marlin, but would never badmouth them either. A good old 94 with the finish all gone is, in my humble opinion, as good as it gets. Fondle each, then buy whatever rings your bell. I'll stick my neck out and say that there are very, very few rifles that carry as nicely as a 94. I am an old timer now, and have smoked a few whitetails with that .32. At a reasonable distance, nice broadside shot in the boiler room, I have never lost a deer to that rifle. It has been many years since I did a running shot. I'm just not a good enough shot for that anymore. A 30-30 or .32 is all I need for my style.
 
My problem is I love lever action guns... I love the handling of a Winchester, the functionality of a marlin and the smooth action of a Henry! I'm leaning towards a new mossberg or a used marlin or Winchester. I'm just low on money.. Changing careers so I'm only working part time and back at school. Once I'm done school and working full time I'll buy one of each!!
 
My vote is for a pre-Remington Marlin 336. I was very luck to recently acquire one in stainless and couldnt be happier. it cycles like butter.
 
94's are classic's for sure, especially those made in the 50s and early sixties. The older Marlin 336s were superb in fit and finish and the 336TS carbine I bought for my wife would shoot the pants of any 94 for accuracy, and I owned those 94s as well.

With all the returns on the newer Marlins, maybe an older model from the EE might be a more reliable choice.

Now,....why would you even want a .30-30Win in a lever gun this day and age..... a BLR in DeerHammer .308Win perhaps....:stirthepot2:
 
i am a pre 64 fan as i have one ,, but nothing wrong with the newer angle ejects , i dont like the crossbolt safetys but thats my hangup others do ,,, i have a 219 savage that works good too ,, good luck ,,wade
 
I have a 336 and have had 4 94s. I love the feel of the winchester but really like the scope. I also never was fond of the sights on the winchester. I've tried a few types of peep sights and I could shoot well at paper but had to keep passing up shots on deer due to not being sure of where I would hit.
My marlin is a pre remington stainless and is one of my favorite rifles. Really smooth too. Definately a keeper
 
If your on a budget you can find the Savage/Stevens bolt actions .30-30Win for under $350 on the EE from time to time
 
If you're thinkin new take a look at the rossi levers. Amazing fit and finish. Personally I'd go with the pre 64 winchester to match my 9422 but I've read positive reports on the mossberg lever in 3030
 
If you're leaning towards a Marlin and you come across something called a "Glenfield" stop and have a second look. It's a 336 Marlin in cheap "clothing". It's got a beech presswood stock but it's all Marlin where it counts, in the metal. Glenfield was their budget line some years back that was typically sold by big department store chains and the like that wanted a lower cost option.
 
Yeah, another vote for the pre-64 Model 94. Of course, I'm not sure which way I'd go if I had to choose between a 94 in 30-30 or a 99 in 300 Savage.
 
oh God, I lost count! I'm pretty sure that the pre '64 94 has won the title as No.1 voted in with flying colors! Who's in second place? third? forth? 5th? Way to go pre '64 Win 94! Got a Sav 99 in 300 Sav for sale, if interested!
 
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