I've never owned a 30-30 until this week. I found one made the same year I was and had to have it. I bought 6 different boxes of factory ammo to see if there was anything it liked before I bought a bunch of reloading gear. The target on the left is the first 3 rounds @ 100 after zeroing @ 50. Remington 150gr core locks. the target on the right is Federal 150 in the blue box. 3 shot group and 4th shot after moving the crosshairs. I didn't fire a 5th round.

I'm a pretty happy camper tonight, although having one shoot factory like that takes some of the load development fun out of it.

I would be a happy camper, too, What year is the rifle?

68. Serial # is AD****. That picture of yours with your buck this year really kicked my search into high gear.

That aught to kill some deer. My Marlin really likes the blue box Federal stuff too.. One inch groups at 100 yards and it does a fine job killing deer.

Mine is 1969 and when I saw your pic, my first thought was there is a twin.

Did you intend to scope it from the start or did you try open sight options?

I scoped my rifle first to see what factory ammo it preferred, then tried factory sights and aftermarket options. I did ok with Williams peep and Firesight out to 75 yards from the bench, but when I practiced offhand from different positions I experienced front sight distortion from sunlight angles. I can't make my eyes do what they did years ago, so I scoped it.

I have a 1894 in 44 I bought here on the fire and knew I was going to need a scope. I actually have 3 marlins now and they all wear Leupold 4X compacts. I just got a RF special for my 39A.

Nice shooting!

When you get set up to reload for it don't forget to try cast bullets. They are perfect for the 30-30.

Holy cwap Batman! That's awesome! This gets me going because I'm in the process of getting my first. I am helping a friend sell some old pieces - one includes a Western Tool Supply Model 200 - basically, a Marlin 336. This piece cleaned up so beautifully, that I may end up buying it myself. If it shoots like the rifle above, it may find a permanent place in my safe!

Nice to have a Marlin 30-30 shoot so well and with core-lokts. NICE SNAG..both times. The 30-30 is one cartridge were trying to improve on factory ammo and bullets is some times fruitless.

Doc

hard not to like an ole classic Marlin lever gun..

in any caliber....

I have one made in 1951 that is my favorite rifle. My daughter is falling in love with it too. I also have a 51 model in .35 Remington that is quickly growing on me. Now I just need the .32 Special!