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

I've got a pre-64 model 94 with open sights and a 1957 Marlin 336 with a vintage 4X scope. I find myself grabbing the Marlin more often than the 94. I love the classic look of the 94 but the 336 is simply an easy and accurate shooting lever.

I've threatened to buy one of these in the past...

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=453509646

Sounds like me, I am using a 1961 model 336 now in .32 WS....

I worked for an Indian Reservation for about 10 years. Some of those guys, one in particular with a reputation as one of their best hunters, shot the heck out of all kinds of game with the old 30/30, including plenty of moose and certainly whitetail deer, along with the occasional black bear.

I started deer hunting up there in 1989, having hunted bow and shotgun zones previously, and borrowed one of the venerated 336s from one of the indians. I shot a deer with it opening morning and liked it so much I bought one for myself and killed half a dozen deer with it, including some dandy bucks, before perceiving my reduced accuracy with open sights out past 100 yards, which doesn't come up too often in the woods, but missing a nice buck out in a clear cut from the other side of beaver pond got me into my current deer hunting weapon.

This past year after shooting my buck with the 06 out of a stand, I carried the 336 for my scouting and still hunting in off and on snow showers. I still really like for that type of thing.

Every time I think I've got a good bead on things you guys give me something new to think about - thanks!

I need to reread the thread and do more think, then get a few of these in my hands and see which way I want to go.

Lots of valuable experience out there.

I have one, a takedown, also have the .410 barrel for it. I've killed deer, caribou and spruce grouse with it. It'll never be for sale either.

ya I,ve only got bout 1030-0s and 14-15 303 Savages not enough yet

norm

The post-64's were good rifles, just ugly. The stamped shell riser was actually an improvement to the design, but people hated it because it looked cheap (and it did). But shell risers often break on Winchester 94's, I've replaced more than a couple. But I've never replaced a broken stamped shell riser because the stamped design was lighter and stronger...but it did look cheap.

I put a Butler Creek synthetic stock set on that rifle, and I would be surprised if it weighs much more than five pounds. I spray painted it black and it is pure ugly. But it carries like you don't even know it is there and out to 150 yards, it is money.

Once off of prone rest, I shot a group at 300 yards that I'm not even going to bother telling anyone about because they wouldn't believe me. But, with a rest and time to line them up finely and correctly, most people would be amazed and what can be done with open sights.

Older Model Winchester 94

I don't think I've ever met a gun owner that hasn't shot a 30/30...growing up I knew a lot of people who only had one gun and a shot gun....

The gun was usually a 30/30 and bought at either Western Auto or Sears...

Micky funny you should mention the 45-70. Years ago I was Elk hunting out near Forks, WA. I met an old boy hunting Elk with an old '94 Winchester chambered in 45-70. He said it was the perfect Elk gun. He could shoot an Elk with it in either season or out of season and the game warden wouldn't even come out and check him as he would think it was some logger out there blowing stumps.

I sold my �ugly gun� which was a 1971 Winchester 94 with a Williams FP rear sight and a brass bead front sight. The gun was nothing to look at, but like you said, anything inside 150 yards was dead meat. With my �nice� �94 I turned in a 3 shot group at 225 yards shooting with the factory iron sights from a prone position, group measured .90 inch�I just couldn�t believe it. So I shot it again, 1.25 inch; hell, maybe it wasn�t a fluke�for the rifle that is, I don�t know that my eyes are still that good (that was 10 years ago). But I don�t doubt the accuracy of a Winchester 94. They�re very accurate for 3-5 rounds, and then things start to open up and string, but high volume isn�t what it was intended for.

Nothing carries like a 94, and it�s my favorite rifle to hunt with just because they carry so well, shoulder so naturally, and shoot so well.

I had one that would do stuff like that too, but it was post 64 with the rattling trigger and a 4x scope. A Dimocrap lifted it from my truck in my drive one Sat night.

Now I have a proper pre-64.

If I need a heavier, more accurate, longer range gun I have them. I use them more than the 94, living in west Texas, but nothing can beat it for easing through East Texas river bottoms full of palmetto and oin oaks or the surrounding pine, white oak, red oak ridges.

It's easy to hold in one hand down by my right thigh and parallel to the ground with the muzzle forward for long periods of time. Easing along and not having to move the gun a lot going through undergrowth and held low reduces movement that alert deer.

I guess I have to buy a damn lever gun now.....

So - 30-30, 35 Rem, or a 99 or BLR in 308 or 7-08 (BLR only)????

I have a 99 and I've had a BLR. They are fine rifles, but to me they are just that, rifles. When I want a lever gun, it is a Winchester 94 or a Marlin with a heavy preference for the Winchester.

Why a lever? My Savage .30-30 over 12 gauge puts a 125 grain Nosler BT and a Brenneke rifled slug within 2 inches of one another at 75 yards. The 125 gr Nosler BT is a wonderful deer bullet if you can shoot. I also use a 165 gr Sierra BTHP on occasion - both take down deer as quickly as my .308 or .30-06 at similar ranges. Of course the Savage is a single shot rifle - that - so far - has not been a problem!

Terry

I would choose, in the following order

1) savage 99
2) marlin 36 or early 336







3) Winchester 94 ( distant third )

I had a Winchester 94 "XTR" in 30-30 years ago a friend traded me a Lew Chidre graphite fishing rod for the gun...I kid you not. The rifle would shoots the lights light with Winchester 748 powder and a 150 gr bullet. I felt the rifle wasn't classy enough and traded it off for God knows what.

Fast forward and got bit by the Marlin Bug and have 5 now. Being a lefty the Marlins just works....loading gate is in the right place.

A 30-30 should be in every one's "Bug out" kit....plenty of ammo supply every where and will handle anything the 30-30 has been used for since 1894.

Doc

If the S ever really hits the F you'll be surprised how fast the thutty thutty ammo dries up.