Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Never had a 30-30, if I want to try one, which maker is the one to try

Not a bucket list item, but I'm wanting to try a 30-30 one of these days. Hell I've never even shot one..

So which one and why - I'm not worried about doing it cheap as much as buying one I won't hate because its low quality.

So Marlin / Remy ?

Any specific model ?

Thanks,
Spot

get an old model 336.

I like the old pre-safety Marlin 336

I think it will be a lever action. The only 30-30 I ever had was a single shot Break action. I traded it off without even shooting it.

Win 94 with a peep. Ct made marlin if scoped.


If you have a choice I would go older. The old gold trigger marlins were great. For the win 94's older in good condition is better.

easy answer is that there are only two to buy. Winchester or Marlin. With both, eschew the new models, and buy an older rifle.
Then you can't go wrong.
Something like this Marlin 336 would do nicely

If you get a Winchester, I'd get a pre-64. Some don't like the Marlins after Remington took over. IMO, Winchester if you don't need a scope, Marlin if you want one.

I have no experience with the newly made Marlin rifles so can't comment on those.

The older Marlin rifles have an advantage if like me, you need a scope for anything over 50 yards Most are D&T'd for scope mounting from the factory.

They are also easy to clean from the breach. Every one of the Older Marlins I own (5 in different calibers) are quality guns and have given me no problems over the last 30 years.


A Winchester model 94 was my first gun, Dad bought it for me the day I was born in 1960.

I still have it and it still works perfectly all these years and rounds later. I just wish I could see the buckhorn sights like I used too.

The Winchester is much harder to mount a scope on unless you find one of the AE models. There are some good peep sights available for them though.

Either is a quality rifle imo and depending on personal preference either is a good choice.

Spotshooter;
Good morning to you sir, hopefully this finds you well and keeping sufficiently warm in this first blast of winter.

While I'm by no means an expert on all things .30-30 - I am going to assume from your OP that you meant a lever rifle?

If not then I'd say that a Savage 340 or Remington 788 would most likely give the best accuracy potential IF that's what you're after.

I've played with a few older Winchesters - 1901, 1903, 1958 and a couple from the '60's and '70's. My current truck/camping rifle is a 94 from the mid '70's and while it is OK, I've played with a couple others made then that were not great in craftsmanship or material.

If possible then I'd say if you want a Winchester and your budget can stand it, then a "shooter" from the late '50's would be my first choice.

Just this past year I played around seriously with my first Marlin 336 - from the mid '70's as it turned out and overall it was a pretty fair rifle.

As an aside, when I say played around - there's a number of things I do to lever actions that stay here to make them work better day in and day out. I can maybe find a link to a thread I did on it years ago if there's interest - but anyway the older Winchesters pretty much came that way from the factory and didn't need any mods - I can't say about the older Marlins.

Shot of both truck/camping guns this spring.


Oh sorry - if you'd like to use a scope then the 336 is the way to go.

Anyway that's just one guy's experience with some samples of lever guns. Hopefully it was useful information for you or someone this morning.

Good luck with your rifle search whichever way you choose and on your remaining hunts this fall/winter.

Dwayne

Agree with the others, get an older Marlin 336. Pre safety if possible.


maddog

Pre rem marlin. Pre safety if possible. Be sure it has "jm" stamped on the barrel.

I'd look for one with a bolt handle on the side and chambered in something different.




Travis

Agree to look at something older - it's only right. Felt same as you, just curious, hefted a few and wasn't sold until stumbled on a Marlin Model 1893, octagon, full length, est. 1906-15 vintage. *That's* a 30-30, I said. Sure it's heavier and longer than necessary, but it feels just right and it's one of the rifles the cartridge debuted in. Just got it cleaned up and itching to try it.

If you can find one of the old Savage 99's in .30-30 in good shape, with a good bore....you're golden...puts all those other leverguns to shame.

love the thutty thutty


hate to guess how many levers we have or have passed through our hands here


haven't used one on a hunt since a kid hunting whitetails

but don't think they won't get er done


bestest pard's son used my old truck gun (early win 94) to take his first moose, 46 incher

ime they're handier than a pocket t'shirt or sliced bread

Without question a pre-64 M94. I picked up my mint 1957 one whilst living in Alberta. They were relatively inexpensive up there.

That's serious truth right there! Not as easy to find though, I finally bought one on GB a couple days ago and I'm really looking forward to getting my paws on it.

I'll need to use a scope

Then a Marlin is your rifle.

Those are nice Dwayne.