Decisions Decisions.. 30-30 or 45/70

TransAm1991

TransAm1991

Regular
Rating - 96.6%
28   1   0
Location
Windsor, Ontario
I want a short, pistol grip, lever action rifle in a big caliber (I already have a .22)

Doing my research, I've come across two that fit the bill, both Marlins.

The 1895 GBL is the 45/70 version, the 1895 BL is in 30-30..
What are the advantages and disadvantages to each? The GBL is about $100 more, and I think a 45/70 would be a treat to shoot, but the 30-30 seems more practical in the woods. I would like to hunt deer, maybe even bear.
 
You might also want to take a look at the 336C in .35 Remington. It's a great round and if you can find a good rifle chambered in it, you'll probably keep it for life. I know i'm keeping my'n. :)
 
The 45-70 can do everything the 30-30 can. Both are short to limited mid range brush calibers. The 45-70 is capable of taking even dangerous african game. Good enough for any bear you could find. The 3030 is a good deer round but I'd feel undergunned in grizzly country. The 45-70 will have more recoil but it has a wide range of uses if you handload. Both will work. Hornadys new leverevolution ammo has helped levers rep big time
 
45/70 for me...a cool rifle in a chambering I think is pretty admirable. I will have one someday. If ammo cost is a consideration, the 30/30 will be considerably cheaper.
 
Hard choice. Have both. Lean towards the .30-30 a bit.

1aCoffee.gif

NAA.
 
I've got one of each. The trouble is you can't find ammunition for a 45-70 for $18 a box at Walmart. I would start with the 30-30. Once you catch the Marlin bug, you're gonna own the 45-70 anyways. I currently have six Marlins. I've got the bug so bad, thats pretty much all I look at. Good luck to you.
 
The poor old 30-30 doesn't get the respect it deserves, it's sort of the Rodney Dangerfield of the cartridge world, but it has probably taken more game on
this continent then any other cartridge and it is quite capable of taking large game (as capable as the shooter). I know you guys in the Windsor area are
knee deep in grizzly's and polar bears year round, but I often think that the good old 30-30 is just a more practical (not to mention easy shooting) rifle for
most peoples needs. Personally, I have the Marlin 1895M (in 450 Marlin of course) and I think I could get off two "well aimed" shots with a 30-30 for
every one "well aimed" shot with the 450. That's just me of course, I'm not as practiced as Camp Cook (he makes it look easy). As a last point, where can't
you buy 30-30 ammo at a very reasonable price.
 
Last edited:
OP, you don't say if you reload or not. That would be the deciding factor for me. If you reload, get the 45-70 as it is far more versatile from light pop gun plinking loads up to heavy bullet thumpers as anti-bear medicine. If you don't reload, the 30-30 has more commercial ammo choices available at much lower cost. It will never have the oomph of the 45-70, though.


Mark
 
The problem that I see with both of the rifles that you're considering is that they are Marlins and unfortunately, Marlins are absolute junk. Norinco's would even be better quality than a Marlin. My choice would be one of the new Winchester 1886s that are currently in stock at Ellwood Epps. Yes the 30-30 will do the job on average deer, but that buck of a lifetime will need that Hammer of Thor to break his will.
 
mmattockx said:
OP, you don't say if you reload or not. That would be the deciding factor for me. If you reload, get the 45-70 as it is far more versatile from light pop gun plinking loads up to heavy bullet thumpers as anti-bear medicine. If you don't reload, the 30-30 has more commercial ammo choices available at much lower cost. It will never have the oomph of the 45-70, though.


Mark
Click to expand...

I am just getting into reloading with my .303 brit, I have the Lee reloading kit and rifle primers coming in, with 414 powder.


The problem that I see with both of the rifles that you're considering is that they are Marlins and unfortunately, Marlins are absolute junk. Norinco's would even be better quality than a Marlin. My choice would be one of the new Winchester 1886s that are currently in stock at Ellwood Epps. Yes the 30-30 will do the job on average deer, but that buck of a lifetime will need that Hammer of Thor to break his will.
Click to expand...
Are Marlin's really that bad? I've seen reviews of the 45/70 guide gun that said it was great.
 
Used to be great. The quality is so bad now that 7 out of 10 are returned for refund. My local shop doesn't even want to stock them anymore. I had a look at a brand new Classic 1895 last week. I opened the action and the lever was stuck open and wouldn't close. The wood was 1/16" smaller than the metal along the tang on the stock. It was a horrible disappointment. I wanted one for so long and was really disappointed. If you can get one that's used and about 5 years old, you would indeed have a reliable lever action rifle. The design of the Marlins is great, it's the quality that's taken a real nose dive. I just purchased a Winchester 1886 and although I can't mount a scope on it, I'm very happy with what I've bought.
 
Dorian Gray said:
You might also want to take a look at the 336C in .35 Remington. It's a great round and if you can find a good rifle chambered in it, you'll probably keep it for life. I know i'm keeping my'n. :)
Click to expand...

Funny you mention that, I had this dilemma last week. I looked at a 35 Rem with a Marlin lever in a store in Edmonton and it looked pretty respectable. I also looked at a 336 and the 45-70. I really wanted a rifle with punch AND open sights.

In reviewing the 45-70, I did not care too much for the ballistics as a 30-06 180 gr bullet performed way better past 100 yards. A 220 bullet was ok out to about 200 yards, then petered out. The 30-30 was respectable, but the 35 Rem was a better choice ballistically.

Having fired the 30-30 before, I was set on purchasing the Marlin in 35 Rem, but wanted to look locally. I ended up finding a great little used Savage 111 in 30-06, with open sights. I was torn between a 35 Rem, 30-30 and 30-06. I went with the 30-06 due to the flexible cartridge and better ballistics.
 
I'm a big .30-30 fan. I wouldn't say no to having a .45-70 in addition to my .30-30.....but not instead of. The .30-30 has low recoil and lots of power for virtually any game you're likely to hunt. I'd trust my .30-30 out past 200 yards on deer, and that's as far as I care to shoot anyway.
 
With the new LeverEvolution ammo, the 30-30 is now a legitimate 250 yd rifle.

Not knocking the 45-70, but I'd suggest you go a few rounds with one at the range, especially in a relatively light rifle like the Marlin, before making your decision. Some tend to think they kick like a mule.

No fun laying out all that dough, and then end up hating to have to shoot the darn thing, eh?
 
I read a bunch of stuff about recent marlin's last night while I was having a few pops.. Man, gun owners have been complaining about them since 2008, you'd think they'd notice the feedback.

I really like my Henry .22, action is super smooth, never jams, I just don't like the tubular mag, I want that side loading gate.

So, if you are reading this, and have a pre 2007 Marlin Guide gun (18 1/2") in 30-30 you'd like to get rid of, PM me, we'll talk.
 
sobo4303 said:
Funny you mention that, I had this dilemma last week. I looked at a 35 Rem with a Marlin lever in a store in Edmonton and it looked pretty respectable. I also looked at a 336 and the 45-70. I really wanted a rifle with punch AND open sights.

In reviewing the 45-70, I did not care too much for the ballistics as a 30-06 180 gr bullet performed way better past 100 yards. A 220 bullet was ok out to about 200 yards, then petered out. The 30-30 was respectable, but the 35 Rem was a better choice ballistically.

Having fired the 30-30 before, I was set on purchasing the Marlin in 35 Rem, but wanted to look locally. I ended up finding a great little used Savage 111 in 30-06, with open sights. I was torn between a 35 Rem, 30-30 and 30-06. I went with the 30-06 due to the flexible cartridge and better ballistics.
Click to expand...

Good choice. You can always pick up the .35 next time. :) The cartridge doesn't seem to have a big following but those who have them seem to love them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom