Marlin 336 > Winchester 94 > savage 99.
The savage is great for spire point bullets, but the buttocks are fairly fragile.
The 336 is a stronger and more versatile design than the Winchester by any objective measure.
Trying a 30-30, what should I look for?
- Thread starter paz
- Start date
The savage is great for spire point bullets, but the buttocks are fairly fragile.
The 336 is a stronger and more versatile design than the Winchester by any objective measure.
prairie lover
CGN Regular
- Location
- southern MB
Winchester 94. Slim and trim, fast handling like few else. Scoping one is pure sacrilege.
- Location
- Edmonton, Alberta
Consider a take-down that can be carried in a backpack. When I was a backwoods tent camper, I always brought my take-down with me in case of bears. Never had to use it, but better to have it and not need it than need it and not have one. Wish I still had it, but I sold it when my legs started to deteriorate, and I could no longer walk on uneven ground.
tactical lever
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Fox Creek, Alberta
Marlin all the way. I'd stay away from the Remington years, as some, or maybe quite a few were bad. I'm sure Ruger will do a fine job with them, but used I'd look for a "JM" stamped Marlin. I prefer older used myself.
I like Henry also, but I would have some misgivings about mounting a scope on the brass frame version. Have heard the holes could elongate with a receiver mount. Saw that there is a cantilever mount for the Big Boy at least, but that's not going to be super durable either. The traditional Henry field strip nice like the Marlin and are well made, but the Marlin semi pistol grip butt stock works much better than the others with a scope.
The octagon barrel versions might be a little heftier, but one with a brass frame and octagonal barrel is one of my favorite walking around guns.
I like Henry also, but I would have some misgivings about mounting a scope on the brass frame version. Have heard the holes could elongate with a receiver mount. Saw that there is a cantilever mount for the Big Boy at least, but that's not going to be super durable either. The traditional Henry field strip nice like the Marlin and are well made, but the Marlin semi pistol grip butt stock works much better than the others with a scope.
The octagon barrel versions might be a little heftier, but one with a brass frame and octagonal barrel is one of my favorite walking around guns.
If I had to use a 30-30, I'd look for a nice, pre-safety Marlin 336. Ready for a receiver sight, very scope friendly and in my experience are more accurate than the 94s. A used one bought at the right price will retain it's value and increase over time.
OTOH .... Since you mention plinking, I'd recommend a bolt action 223 instead and look into handloading. Leave the hunting rifle till later. The 223 will be more fun, more accurate and cheaper to shoot.
tactical lever
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Fox Creek, Alberta
I've always thought the Marlin had way more accuracy potential.
Totally agree on handloading. But components aren't exactly cheap anymore for .224 stuff.
I differ on that, that for hardly much more, he can load for a hunting rifle and be miles ahead of most guys who barely touch their deer guns.
Maybe he wasn't going to hunt with it, but a 30-30 is a fun gun to shoot.
I've been following along and I appreciate the input from everyone. I'm going to look at the Marlin a little closer. Even though I'm not looking to add a scope right away I think it would be best if I had that option without modifying a rifle irreversibly. If it comes from factory with the a scope mounting option, that would probably be best.
tactical lever
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Fox Creek, Alberta
You can mount a scope on just about any of the newer guns without issue. With the Marlins though, it's a bit easier, with the side eject, solid steel receivers, and readily available top mounts.
Marlin was kind of a modern lever almost from inception, and the prevalent semi pistol grip butt stock works better with a scope, than the straight grip stocks. I've used a couple straight grip stocked Marlins with scope, and it's alright, but the drop at comb with those doesn't give you a nice cheek weld. Conversely, I don't feel there's any handicap using the pistol grip stock with irons.
The Rossi will never wear a scope. That's the Wife's for walking around and fooling around, mostly. The Henry will never wear a scope, but likely will get a Skinner peep one of these days. It's a substantial gun but easy to carry and fun to shoot. It's my adventure gun with light hunting thrown in.
Stainless Marlin works okay with a scope, but I always rethink possibly getting another big bore for scope use and pulling the scope off this and replacing it with a peep. The blued Marlin is just perfect with this setup, but as low as I could possibly get the scope on the stainless, it just doesn't work as well with that stock.
Attachments
What about something like this?
https://www.gun post.ca/firearms/rifles/city-montreal/marlin-336-sc-30-30-jm-stamped
This looked like a decent setup but I believe it is sold.
https://www.canadian gunnutz.com/forum/threads/spf-price-drop-marlin-336-30-30-jm-stamped-1970s-lever-action.2452925/
https://www.gun post.ca/firearms/rifles/city-montreal/marlin-336-sc-30-30-jm-stamped
This looked like a decent setup but I believe it is sold.
https://www.canadian gunnutz.com/forum/threads/spf-price-drop-marlin-336-30-30-jm-stamped-1970s-lever-action.2452925/
tactical lever
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Fox Creek, Alberta
https://www.gunpost.ca/firearms/rifles/city-montreal/marlin-336-sc-30-30-jm-stamped
https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/threads/spf-price-drop-marlin-336-30-30-jm-stamped-1970s-lever-action.2452925/
Just copy and paste into the browser, the only thing the previous post had different was an extra space between gun and post, similarly between Canadian and gun.
Old forum software used to scramble addresses if you didn't do it yourself.
https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/threads/spf-price-drop-marlin-336-30-30-jm-stamped-1970s-lever-action.2452925/
Just copy and paste into the browser, the only thing the previous post had different was an extra space between gun and post, similarly between Canadian and gun.
Old forum software used to scramble addresses if you didn't do it yourself.
Mogulrider
CGN Regular
The Rossi R95 takes the same mounts as the Marlin and the Trapper version is truly almost 700 bucks cheaper new. It also uses a Sako-like extractor which a far supperior to the Marlins imho.
It's one helluva a rifle.
But like Marlins once you scope them they get heavier.
Try carrying a Henry Brass through the woods for a day. Good luck. The thing is a brick but beautiful.
My Mossberg 464 is a 94 copy and carries just like the 94 without the guilt of scratching it.
It's an MOA rifle with a scope as well. Very accurate.
It's one helluva a rifle.
But like Marlins once you scope them they get heavier.
Try carrying a Henry Brass through the woods for a day. Good luck. The thing is a brick but beautiful.
My Mossberg 464 is a 94 copy and carries just like the 94 without the guilt of scratching it.
It's an MOA rifle with a scope as well. Very accurate.
- Location
- Southern Vancouver Island
I wish Mossberg hadn't dropped the 464 from production. The one I had was a plain-jane unit with a blonde hardwood stock,
but the bugger was a tight shooter fer sure wearing my Weaver K 2.5 scope.
but the bugger was a tight shooter fer sure wearing my Weaver K 2.5 scope.
Winchester with a serial number UNDER 2700000 - even better, UNDER 2500000.
30-30s are a little over-priced right now for some reason - this is probably the most common rifle in existence, yet somehow people are getting well over $1000 for them.
A post-64 is fine too, but the finish on them can be pretty lousy. if you don't mind faded blueing, MIM parts and plastic hardware, you can save a bunch on a rifle that'll shoot and function every bit as good as the pre-64.
Marlins are okay, especially if you want to scope it, but I'd stick to a vintage / JM one. don't "carry" or handle quite the same way as the Winnie. Some like the oversized fore end and pistol grip - handle one to see which you prefer.
Henrys are ... well, Henrys. Lots of people love them, and they're solid dependable shooters, but kind of heavy for my taste, and fit and finish can be hit or miss, so I'd say inspect it carefully before you buy.
Just my 2 cents
