While at Wal-Mart looking for some bore brushes I past the gun case and noticed they had two lever action rifles a Marlin in 30 30 and a Henry in .22 and it just kept my interest in the lever action.
So my question is, is the Marlin 30 30 any good? Is it a good round? Main use target, because I don't hunt and don't live on a farm to shoot wildlife that maybe endagering my livestock. If I did get into hunting what is this round good for? Deer? Black Bear? Other?
I know you'll probably say stay with a .22 for target, but I already have a damn fine .22LR bolt action rifle so that is taken care of. I want something bigger and the price of this gun was amazing compared to what Gallery of Guns sells it for.
I just bought a Marlin 30-30 Lever Action at Walmart (Probably that same one) Saturday. I have only shot it one time but after just 40 rounds through it I love it. I am pretty new to rifles myself but just about everyone I spoke with talked highly of Marlin and also said 30-30 is a great round for deer, hogs and other medium sized game. So far I am very happy with it. Easy to shoot, low cost ammo and very accurate.
The 30-30 has probably taken more deer than any other caliber of ammo. It is older, but Hornady has some modern loads that make it even better than it has been over the years.
the Marlin lever action rifles (including the .30-30) are built somewhat along the theme of the new German main battle tank (the Leopard).
Quality and toughness are just not issues with these guns.
When I was younger Winchester had ads that their model 94 in .30-30 caliber had taken more deer than any rifle/cartridge combo in American history and I do not doubt that statement.
The .30-30 round is not a true long distance round but if you are shooting deer especially within in the 100 yard range it is a great round.
Also, it is plentiful and readily available at most retail outlets.
I will just copy what the others have said that Marlin IS the lever action standard. I still have my Model 30AS it was the first centerfire rifle I ever bought back when Monkey Wards was closing their doors here in about 1982 or 83.
I do have a Winchester 30-30 but only due to it being an NRA 100th anniversary issue rifle. Its a good shooting rifle but I just like the feel and handling of the Marlin better. Now don't no body scold me for shooting the commemorative, I bought it knowing it had been a shooter not a safe queen, and too boot its just one of what had been a like serial numbered two gun set.
For ammo, reloading is the cheap (economical wise) way to go. Used to be even Kmart sold 30-30 ammo for about 6 bucks a box sometimes less on sale. Its now 15.00 ish bucks a box for your everyday SP ammo. As mentioned Hornady brought out the Leverlution line of ammo which employs a polymer tipped bullet to make it safe for the tube magazine with a bullet design that gives them a nice boost in performance over the standard blunt SP ammo normally associated with tube magazine centerfire rifles. They also sell just the bullets for reloading as their FTX line.
I bought the Marlin 30-30 a few weeks ago. Last week after shooting a few rounds to dirty up the barrel to make sure I didn't have any fliers, I shot a 4 shot group. It was dead center and 2 1/2 inches high at 25 yards. I could cover the 4 holes with a quarter. I was using the rifle's open sights and thought this was a good statement of the rifle's accuracy as well as my eyesight - I am 63 years old.
I bought the Marlin to use with open sights in early deer season when where I live, at this time of year, you are lucky if you can see 30 yards in the woods because of the foliage.
With the new Hornady LeverEvelution ammo the 30-30 will become even more versatile if mounted with a scope. At distances you would shoot with open sights I don't think the new ammo would be needed, and the standard ammo for the 30-30 is probably the cheapest you can find for a high powered rifle.
The 30-30 should be good for deer, hog, and maybe black bear. If you were to buy the new 338 Marlin Express then you would have even larger game you take. You would have enough gun for Moose and Elk.
The Marlin is a good rifle and for the price I don't think you can beat it.
While the venerable Thutty-thutty is NOT a 'target' cartridge as such, still a good rifle can hold a decent One MOA group with good ammo. It'll do anything you need within 200 yards.
Brass is very plentiful at my range, as this caliber is extremely popular, so handloading is a natural for it. The 160 grain Hornady FTX bullet used int he Leverevolution ammo is available to us reloaders. It is showing excellent promise.
It'll take any game here on the east coast - deer, hog, black bear. I might be reluctant to use it on moose or grizzlies though.
Another advantage - not using military type components, it didn't get as scarce as other rifle ammo during the recent 'panic buying spree'.
I love my Marlin 336 - it can be scoped decently, whereas that's difficult for the Winchester.
cartridge and rifle that has been around for about a hundred years pretty much speaks for itself. The 30-30 has taken just about every game animal on the North American continent.
Marlin makes a good quality rifle while keeping consumer cost down.
The 336 is one tough gun.
__________________ If ya don't know where I've been and ya don't know where I'm going, your opinions of me don't count.
One difference you'll notice between the Marlin and the Winchester is the Marlin has a pistol grip built into the stock where as the Winchester, model 94 anyhow, is straight.
For some people, they prefer the pistol grip. Some people can shoot better having the pistol grip. It gives them a better feel. My brother, who prefers the pistol grip, says he can bring the gun up and line up the sights more comfortably then with the straight stock on a Winchester...
If the price is right, and you have the money and you want a Marlin, get one.You definitely won't regret it...
I bought the Winchester. Primarily because that's what I wanted and I also wanted one that said Winchester on it because they don't make them anymore. It's not an old one, but it was new and never shot.
If I get the chance, I will buy a Marlin. If for no other reason but to say I have one of them also., But it won't e until all other stuff is off my wish/want list and I have the money and all other things/project are also done on and with our own personal money pit I call our house. lol
__________________ "My next door neighbors two dogs have created more shovel ready jobs then Obama has." - Gary Johnson
Reading this thread makes me feel very good about my purchase. I liked my Marlin the second I shot it but now I like it even more after seeing all the posative feedback.
My Marlin 30-30 is one of my favorite firearms. They are classics for a reason. Get one, shoot it, keep it, and never sell it. You can't go wrong with them.
Be aware that most the ones you see in "discount" outlets like Walmart and Academy have the cheaper birch stocks on them. Nothing wrong with that, but I prefer the look of the nicer walnut stocks and I was able to find one online at GunBroker.net for the same price that I would've paid for a birch stock version at the local box store. Plus, I didn't have to pay the local sales tax, so I actually came out better on the deal.
A Marlin leveraction is the best built rifle in America. I've owned 2 model 336's in 30-30 and currently own a Big Bore model in 375 caliber.
If you buy one, with each passing day you'll fall more and more in love with it.
__________________ IN GOD WE TRUST NRA MEMBER
Last edited by ArkansasHunter; 03-27-2010 at 01:34 PM.
I don't mean to be condescending in my response here, but I'm almost dumbfounded that the Marlin 336 (and 30/30 in general) is not part of common firearm knowledge.
The 336 and Winchester model 94 are legendary American deer rifles. Three generations of my family have taken deer with the same pre 64 model 94.
