Advice on which 30-30 to get!

Thx for the advice, my budget is around 500$ so options are limited. I would be into the Henry but at almost 1 grand I might as well buy a new Winchester 94! Also I find the older marlins and winnies are a little pricey especially if your buying online and not able to handle it . I've read all the postings and to tell you the truth wish I could get one of everything and spend all day at the range! but I'm married with two little ones so day dreaming it is for now lol.
But I do like the look of the mossberg marinecote 464 @ 489$ @ cabelas just can't find a decent review!
 
Winchester 94. I don't like scopes, personally, so I have a receiver sight on mine (Williams on the 30-30 and a Lyman on the .375).

I don't get caught up on the pre-64 thing, especially if you're not a collector and just want a working gun. I did buy a older .375, though, because I don't like the look of that safety doohickey the newer ones have (the classic 94 has a safety button that prevents out of battery fire, and that's enough for me)

That being said I've only put a hand full of shots through Marlins, and none of them were 30-30. I really prefer the Winchester 86, but that's a whole other thing entirely.
 
I actually love Henry rifles, I have the frontier 22. It's my favorite. Just don't have the money to spend on one. Also I wanted to get one. In a 357/38.
Just wanted an inexpensive bush gun for the occasional white tail!
 
When I was young my dad had a Marlin in .357 (or was it 44 magnum....). I rather liked it. He sold it on because of the microgroove barrel not liking cast loads. I've shot a replica Henry (not what you're talking about), in 44-40 and it was pleasant. There is something to be said about lever guns chambered for pistol cartridges. I think the word is "fun" ;D

30-30 levers are so common that you ought to find a good deal on a used one somewhere. Honestly I'd be more concerned about condition than brand/year for what you want to do with it. Find one that pleases the eye and you probably won't go far wrong ;)
 
Ellwood Epps (sponsor banner above) has a number of used lever guns under your 500 price point. One of the least expensive being a Glenfield (Marlin) listed in good condition for $325.00. They will send you good quality pictures to check it out, but I hear you about not being able to handle it before you buy.
 
I have a brand new 2012 (well two months old now) Marlin 336 and it is one sweet ride indeed. As for cast, that is pretty much all I shoot out of them. During the summer, some very wise folks on the Nutz advised me to get a Lyman neck expanding die for the 30/30 as my regular die was likely the culprit with my cast reloads. Lo and behold, they were completely correct. I sold my first 336 on account that the micro-groove was the issue, but that assumption and presumption from other fellows on here was completely wrong.

As for the Henry, check your headspacing. I bought one, returned it, bought some gauges and tested four more in the store (out of the box), all of which failed on the field gauge. They allowed excessive slop between the rim and the bolt face. The result was popped primers at factory loads. My Marlin, or the former one I bought, does not have that issue. They would not close on the NoGo gauge. Other than that, they were ok, except for the annoying tube reload.
 
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