30-30 or mini-30

[Jason_W]

On my to buy list is another, light, handy, fast handling rifle chambered in a round of moderate power. Both the .30-30 and 7.62x39mm fill essentially the same ballistic niche, though the .30-30 offer more load options and the last time I checked, factory ammo can be had for less than the russian round. The rifle will be used as an all around fun gun, sometimes deer rifle, and personal defense weapon if needed.

so, here's what I have so far foe pros and cons

.30-30 pros
costs less than the mini-30
ammo is cheaper
more handloading options
can deliver heavier bullets
I'm very familiar with operating and maintaining leverguns

Mini-30 pros
More firepower (not that I need it, it's just cool)
Shorter barrel and overall length than all current production .30-30 rifles
Faster re-ire rate (once again, not that I need it, but it's cool)

Anything else I'm not considering?

 

[UT PROSIM]

the 30-30 is going to be quite a bit more accurate, my marlin 336 groups about 1.5-2.0" at 100 yards with cheap Winchester power points. my buddy has a mini 30 and it will only shoot about 6-7" at 100 yards. for me thats the biggest selling point. I shot a doe yesterday with the lever-evolution rounds from hornady and she didnt take a step, it took a apple sized hole when it exited another ballistics plus for the 30-30.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

my buddy has a mini 30 and it will only shoot about 6-7" at 100 yards.

Which is where most of the "inaccurate" Mini reputation comes from. My Mini-30 was a189 series and would do 2''@ that range. The Mini is capable of 1.5"-2" with good ammo. The Mini offers semi-auto function with detachable box magazine,making unloading fast and easy without running the live round through the action. Basically it will come down to your action preferrence.

 

[jmr40]

SOME Mini-30's shoot well, most do not. Most Marlin 30-30's are capable of shooting 2" or often less at 100 yards. I'm not dead set opposed to the Ruger, and if you get a good one you had better hang onto it. But you can buy 2-3 used Marlin 30-30's for the same money and have a much better chance of getting an accurate one.

 

[DannyinJapan]

I say go for the 580-series mini in 6.8

 

[Badlander]

I recomend you get the 336 30-30 and cut it down to 16" for A super handy rifle that will out shoot the ruger. It' not hard to do. Or you can look around for A 336 SDT. Stainless 16" barrel from the factory.

 

[NCsmitty]

If you do not reload, then the 30-30 would be the best choice as the factories have been producing the same consistent, reliable ammunition for decades.

If you reload, then either caliber would suffice, as you can select proper bullets for each and tailor them for accuracy and the game being hunted.



NCsmitty

 

[Jason_W]

I was leaning toward the .30-30 anyway. I figure if I run into any problem I can't solve with either my brain, or my brain plus the seven rounds a 336 usually holds, I'm probably screwed no matter how big the magazine is.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

Sounds as if you already have a semi-auto. I used to shoot semi autos quite a bit. Then, I tried a lever action and fell in love with them. If I ever had to go down to one firearm, it would be my lever action in 30-30. I never thought I would say this. I don't think you will be disappointed with either. I was just surprised at how much I really like the lever action for social plinking at the range and hunting deer. It wouldn't be my first choice for self-defense but if that was all I had, or that plus a back up pistol, I would feel confident in my ability to defend myself.

 

[sansone]

if accuracy was my choice, the 336 // for coolness I would say mini 30

 

[W.E.G.]

Definitely the 30-30.

A Marlin 336 does what it tries to do very well.
A Mini-30 does what it tries to do only mediocre.

"Cool" is a matter of perspective.
Some people think accurate, well-aimed shots are the height of cool.

 

[Zanad]

my mini-30 digests only mfs2000. why? becasue it doesnt like the berdan primed stuff i try to feed it. the mfs stuff can be bought for about what brass cased .223 costs.

 

[Jason_W]

Sounds as if you already have a semi-auto.

I don't, and I'm on the fence about buying one. I know I don't find AR style rifles comfortable so that limits things on that front.

I do love lever actions, a lot.

 

[crazyivan]

I cant remember the name of the thread but it shows the mini-30(580) getting 1-2" groups with Brass ammo.
For those 1-2" groups you were not useing Russian ammo which is what most people shoot in a mini-30 and the new minis do 3" 5 shot groups with Russian. Of course a SKS does 2" 5 shot groups with the same Russian ammo so the gun does play a role in the accuracy.

 

[CornCod]

Mini-Thirties are decent rifles, but why spend 600plus on a Mini-30 when you can get an "unmodified" Saiga in 7.62X39 for $350.00?

 

[HOWARD J]

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This is a 5.5" target @50 yds. using home reloads for my Mini-30
I took 6 deer with this rifle---all shots under 75 yds.
Give it the ammo it likes--it shoots good/////////////////

 

[Blue Brick]

+1 Ruger

 

[kludge]

.30-30 ammo is NOT less expensive than 7.62x39 ammo. Not by a long shot.

Also you can buy two SKS's for the price of one Mini-30. They are just as handy and just as accurate. If you believe some of the stories about the Mini-30, perhaps the SKS is twice as accurate as the Mini.

I got my SKS pre-Clinton for $99 (Chinese, milled receiver) and I wouldn't sell it for $500.

 

[AStone]

336 in .30-30 with a 16.5" barrel
and a set of Skinner sights.

 

[HOOfan_1]

.30-30 hunting ammo is usually cheaper than 7.62x39 hunting ammo.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

.30-30 ammo is NOT less expensive than 7.62x39 ammo. Not by a long shot.

Actually,here Remington and Winchester factory 7.62x39 ammo is considerably more costly than 30-30 ammo by the same manufacturers.

you can buy two SKS's for the price of one Mini-30.

An SKS isn't nearly as handy as a Mini. It doesn't feel as good or look as good either.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

In the lever actions,I really like the 1894 Marlin in .44 mag. Plenty of power and a 10 round tubular magazine.

 

[unwise11]

I would get a Mini in 6.8 spc.
those are good, and I can tell you the synthetic and stainless will have you feeling alot better on those rainy days than a wood stocked gun.

 

[cataway]

i own a SKS a mini 30 and a AR in 7.62X39 the AR is hands down the most accurate. mostly because i have worked up a load that work extremely well . the mini can be made to shoot better if ya hang a bi pod on it ,it seams to take the wipe out of the barrel. the caliber does work very well on deer even out to 200 yd. to be honest the mini is way over prised
for what ya get

 

[lonestardiver]

If you are not set on a lever action for 30-30 consider a stevens or savage bolt
action in 30-30.... You can then use the same bullets you use for other .308 rifles in your 30-30. You'll get better ballastics and terminal performance. This is of course if you reload. You can pick up a used stevens bolt for $200ish and with a rifle basix trigger and a little work on the stock to pretty it up of even a cheap aftermarket stock you can have a good shooter for cheap.