Who makes a good 30 30 now?

I've seen and held the new Winchesters from Japan, if I had the cash, I'd own one. They just exude quality from the moment you look at it including working the action, well done.
Failing that, I think you'd best look at the older Winchester and Marlin rifles. Me, I'm a Winchester guy.
 
This is why you should have a 30-30. This is a 1948 Marlin and what other calibre ever had a stock like this?
Yes, the forestock looks similar.
Feb2012010.jpg

Feb2012018.jpg
 
I have a Marlin 336 stainless and a mossy 464 in 30/30. Great rifles for the kind of hunting we do around here.
Scoped the Marlin and love the stainless when I'm beating through snow covered trees, I Live on an acerage and use the Mossy with iron sights for predator control or as something I can throw in the truck and not worry about scratching the stock or finish. They are both tools suited to what I need them for.
Been hunting for years and probably never took a shot at a deer over 150 yards. That all said I do use a bolt action 223 and 300 win mag for smaller/ larger game than mule and whitetail deer.
 
Thanks. Just wondering what you think of the mossberg 464 and was wondering where you picked it up. Cabelas does have it on their site for 499. Of course not in stock. However I looking to buy a 30 30 for the same reason you listed. Great gun to hunt in tight areas where a 200inche barrel is really handy. QUOTE=cmoney;7102228]I have a Marlin 336 stainless and a mossy 464 in 30/30. Great rifles for the kind of hunting we do around here.
Scoped the Marlin and love the stainless when I'm beating through snow covered trees, I Live on an acerage and use the Mossy with iron sights for predator control or as something I can throw in the truck and not worry about scratching the stock or finish. They are both tools suited to what I need them for.
Been hunting for years and probably never took a shot at a deer over 150 yards. That all said I do use a bolt action 223 and 300 win mag for smaller/ larger game than mule and whitetail deer.[/QUOTE]
 
This is why you should have a 30-30. This is a 1948 Marlin and what other calibre ever had a stock like this?
Yes, the forestock looks similar.
Feb2012010.jpg

Feb2012018.jpg

In all honesty, I never want to own a rifle with a stock like that.


Because they work. They did when they first came out, and they still do. They killed stuff dead then, and the new cartridges and rifles don't kill stuff any deader now.

Spears killed stuff dead too, but personally, I would prefer to use something much more modern. There are far too many cartridge choices to limit myself by using a 30-30.If I want to make my hunting more of a challenge, I will go to archery, rather than use a 30-30. At least I can hunt in the archery seasons.
 
Pbonura, I actually picked it up on the EE for about 350 bucks! I did some research and for the price it seemed to be a good value. Called everywhere but nobody had them in stock so I just kept my eye on the EE, I was looking for a good deal on an old Marlin, a Winchester in good shape or the 464 and the Mossberg popped up first at a price I couldn't pass up. I've put about 50 rounds through it so far- cycles smooth, accurate with irons at 50-100 yards.... No failures and no complaints from me. It serves it's purpose and actually leaves the safe when I take the quad or truck outto the bush for the day.
 
archery season

In all honesty, I never want to own a rifle with a stock like that.




Spears killed stuff dead too, but personally, I would prefer to use something much more modern. There are far too many cartridge choices to limit myself by using a 30-30.If I want to make my hunting more of a challenge, I will go to archery, rather than use a 30-30. At least I can hunt in the archery seasons.

I heard here in Manitoba,they were going to allow hunting with a 30-30 Marlin, in archery season.That way,when you shot at a deer,the feeling was it would make it to the animal,by late rifle season.Would make it easier to figure out your lead on a moveing target.Have not seen anything in writting yet,so it could be gossip!
 
I heard here in Manitoba,they were going to allow hunting with a 30-30 Marlin, in archery season.That way,when you shot at a deer,the feeling was it would make it to the animal,by late rifle season.Would make it easier to figure out your lead on a moveing target.Have not seen anything in writting yet,so it could be gossip!

I think it's about time you PMed me with a good description of those three 30-30s and just what you wanted for me to take them off your hands and out of your life.
What do you want for a trade?
 
Thanks. Just wondering what you think of the mossberg 464 and was wondering where you picked it up. Cabelas does have it on their site for 499. Of course not in stock. However I looking to buy a 30 30 for the same reason you listed. Great gun to hunt in tight areas where a 200inche barrel is really handy. QUOTE=cmoney;7102228]I have a Marlin 336 stainless and a mossy 464 in 30/30. Great rifles for the kind of hunting we do around here.
Scoped the Marlin and love the stainless when I'm beating through snow covered trees, I Live on an acerage and use the Mossy with iron sights for predator control or as something I can throw in the truck and not worry about scratching the stock or finish. They are both tools suited to what I need them for.
Been hunting for years and probably never took a shot at a deer over 150 yards. That all said I do use a bolt action 223 and 300 win mag for smaller/ larger game than mule and whitetail deer.
[/QUOTE]

If you take anything away from this thread it is that you should buy an excellent condition pre-64 Winchester or pre-Remington Marlin. My Winchester 94 is from the 50s and has retained all its original finish, bluing, accuracy, and dependability. I highly doubt a Mossberg will be able to say the same in 60 + years. Even if you want a truck gun, get a Winchester or Marlin in ok condition for about $250-300 and it will serve you well. Just my opinion.
 
I like levers a bunch. I have a 1975 444 on a 336 action, a pre-64 94 32 Special, and a new Winoku (Japanese Winchester) 92 in 32-20.

My 94 was in near new condition and under 600 even with shipping from Epps. It came with a mint steel Lyman 66 worth $100-$125 as well. A good 336 can be had for that or less. There are always good 30-30's in EE and if you can wait you will find a good deal.

I like my Winoku but the pre-64 is a ton cheaper and the traditionalists love them for resale. The fit and finish is excellent but the tang safety and rebound hammer are not well liked. I like the tang safety and am removing the rebound function. I bought mine to get a brand new take down rifle.

I'll go out on a limb and say the 336 Marlin is the better working gun if you scope and lets face it, almost everyone does eventually. The early Marlins, pre cross bolt safety, are outstanding hunting rifles and fit larger than the standard carbine Winchester.

The post 64 Winchesters can be a good bargain with some research. Here's a few links

http://www.levergunscommunity.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=32386&hilit=Most+desireable+Winchester+94
http://wisnersinc.com/additional_info/Winchester_94.htm
http://levergunscommunity.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1413&start=0
 
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This is just my opinion.I have the first hunting rifle I ever purchaced.A model 94 in 30-30 when I was 16.Still have it,for some reason.A Savage model 219 that an old fellow asked me if I wanted to buy,as he heard i liked 30-30 rifles.I was not sure if he was joking,and I did not have the heart, to tell him the truth, so I bought it.I havent shot this rifle in 25 years.The last was a 94 I got with a pistol grip BLR 81 22-250 for nothing.So I guess every one should have one or two as we all make boobs.You will be much happier if you just own them,and not use them!Total cost was about a hundred dollars.I have spent a hundred dollars more foolishly before,just cant remember when.
 

If you take anything away from this thread it is that you should buy an excellent condition pre-64 Winchester or pre-Remington Marlin. My Winchester 94 is from the 50s and has retained all its original finish, bluing, accuracy, and dependability. I highly doubt a Mossberg will be able to say the same in 60 + years. Even if you want a truck gun, get a Winchester or Marlin in ok condition for about $250-300 and it will serve you well. Just my opinion.[/QUOTE]

How you know a marlin is a pre-remington marlin. Some of the guys on the forum mention this in a listing and some do not. Did the pre-remington marlins not have the gold trigger and pre-safety. Are do I need to ask the seller for the serial number and check on the net. Looking to scope it so a pre-64 is out of the question for me.
 
Any Marlin made before 2009 is a Pre-Remington. They will most likely have a (JM) stamp on the left side of the barrel. The cross bolt safety started in 1983 I believe, so again any Marlin without the CBS is definitely pre-remington.

I don't know if Remington has kept up with the gold triggers or not, but they have been around for a long time. My 336 is a 1978 and has the gold trigger.

The pre/post 64 thing only applies to Winchesters. Marlin's have been factory drilled for scope mounts since 1956, so unless you find one of the 'waffle top' Marlin 336s from the early 50's, or a Marlin 36 it'll be good to go for scoping.
 
To the original poster, I would look at something other than a 30-30 or a 303.

Whats wrong with people today?.

Theres way better rifles out there for about the same cash... with more punch and better distance... yet they are hung up on these old relics.. why..??. Just curious:confused:

Because they work very well within their intended purpose, which is bush dogging for deer.
 
30/30

I think a handi rifle in 30/30 or a bolt action rifle would be fun to build loads for I saw a Ruger #1 in 30/30 at Prophet River web site but now it is sold:( that would have been fun.
 
To the original poster, I would look at something other than a 30-30 or a 303.

Whats wrong with people today?.

Theres way better rifles out there for about the same cash... with more punch and better distance... yet they are hung up on these old relics.. why..??. Just curious:confused:

WoW, you must be a youngster! Obviously you have never danced with a 94! Don't knock 'em til you try 'em! ;)
 
Every Canadian kid's gotta have a dirty-thirty lever action at some point. Mine happens to be a 94 of 1942 vintage. She may not win any beauty pageants but she's solid as a rock and shoots plenty straight enough for this cowboy kid! Maybe not up to the level of my modern bolt rifles but hey, it's a hobby. It's supposed to be fun, not all business.
 
Any Marlin made before 2009 is a Pre-Remington. They will most likely have a (JM) stamp on the left side of the barrel. The cross bolt safety started in 1983 I believe, so again any Marlin without the CBS is definitely pre-remington.

I don't know if Remington has kept up with the gold triggers or not, but they have been around for a long time. My 336 is a 1978 and has the gold trigger.

The pre/post 64 thing only applies to Winchesters. Marlin's have been factory drilled for scope mounts since 1956, so unless you find one of the 'waffle top' Marlin 336s from the early 50's, or a Marlin 36 it'll be good to go for scoping.


Yes, the 336W currently produced has a gold trigger, so they are still being made. I have held and cycled the action on several new 336W's and having done so, I'll never give up my 1964 manufactured 336W.
 
There you go then, I guess the gold trigger is not necessarily something to look for (though it does make the Marlin's stand out from other guns on the rack, like the bullseye on the stock).
 
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