Home Forums Lever Action Central Marlin 336 Lever Actions Marlin XLR SS 30-30 anyone?

Was looking into one of the newer Marlin XLRs in 30-30 cal since Hornady has the newer ammo out- LeverEvolution in 140gr weight.. probably shoots faster and flatter than the 160s Ive been shooting. Anyone have one or have any thoughts or experiences... pros/cons... I would like to hear it. Thanks!

The XLR is designed to take full advantage of the LE ammo. Longer ranges need a different twist rate than found in the standard microgroove barrel and the longer barrel gives you max velocity out of the LE ammo.

Now, if long range out of a lever is your goal, another option might be a 308 Marlin Express. You'll shoot a 160 gr farther and flatter than the 30-30 will shoot the 140gr. Plus, Hornady has already announced the 140 gr monolithic FTX for the 308ME.

Bigsupplyshop.com has the 160 gr LE ammo for $18 a box.

You can get one with over $200 of upgrades (a WW trigger and big loop) from one of the members here:
FS 308MX with upgrades

If I hadn't just spent money getting my truck fixed, I'd be telling you how that rifle shoots instead of pointing you to it

A very brief experience with this exact model and I didn�t even shoot it. Played with it and then sold it NIB.

Was enamored with the idea of a �fast� .30-30 and bought one on more or less impulse. Got it home and the more I played with it the heavier it got. You do get a velocity increase with the 24� barrel and the Leverevolution ammo, but it seemed more and more like this was the wrong answer.

The .30-30�s forte is being a good medium range chambering in light, handy rifles. IMO that�s why it has lasted 116 years or so against so much other competition, i.e., the Model 94 and the Marlin 336 kept it alive, not vice versa. Trying to make it into a 300 yard cartridge is fine in theory but the implementation just doesn�t work out in reality. You end up with an 8 pound plus (scoped), long firearm that is still only going to get you into low .300 Savage range at best. You can get the same big rifle in a .308 ME if you really want to stretch the distance.

Bottom line is it's a nice thought but it�s not the best way to achieve the goal.

All this is of course, JMHO.

Jim, I feel like you do. The .30-30 has it's niche, and it does it's job well. If I want to venture outside of the capabilities of the cartridge, I look at another cartridge rather than change that one.

Thanks for the replies fellas... I guess for me hunting with a levergun is more for nostalgia/romance than for a 300+ yard firearm. I have one of these high powered rifles for long shots.. Just was looking to have a newer 30-30 in my collection as most of my 30-30s are over 90 yrs of age. At our family ranch my shooting is limited to about 185 so I think one of these rifles would do the work required, plus I reload for 30-30 as well. I really appreciate yalls input. As for the weight is the only draw back I can think of, but I already lug around an 1899 Savage w/ 26" barrel that probably weighs the same-and I love to hunt with it. Thanks again!

I understand what you mean Smokey. And the guys are right about trying to turn the 30 or 35 into something they aren't. I thought long and hard before I got my XLR in 35 because of that. But I love the caliber for deer woods and I really wanted the XLR marlin. I wanted as much knock down power as I could get out of the good ole 35 and I need very good accuracy and a bright scope for woods hunting with my old eyes. It seems just the ticket for stand hunting where I don't worry about weight.
So, it's a gun with a specific purpose. I will be in the stands with it until I can't climb up there anymore!!!!!

cheers