I want to get back into .30-30

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ClaymoreAKM

ClaymoreAKM

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For one I have a stack of boxes of .30-30 that I've had since I sold my old 336 years ago. I am curious about the new side-gate from Henry. I've got a few bolt guns and far too many black rifles, lol. Kinda want to get a lever gun to add to the fold. Any experience with the new offerings?

Until Ruger fires up the old Marlin line, I'm not looking to pay $800 for a remlin, or more for a pre-2002 Marlin. And I can't afford a 94. The Mossberg looks cheap and I'm leery.
 
If you want in for cheap, roll the dice on the Mossberg. I havent heard anything bad about them.

You might be able to find an old store brand Marlin or Mossberg as well. Glenfield, New Haven, Western Field, etc. These tend to not bring as high of prices as their name branded brethren. Not for long though. These have been rising in price lately just as swiftly as any other firearm.
 
earlthegoat2 said:
If you want in for cheap, roll the dice on the Mossberg. I havent heard anything bad about them.

You might be able to find an old store brand Marlin or Mossberg as well. Glenfield, New Haven, Western Field, etc. These tend to not bring as high of prices as their name branded brethren. Not for long though. These have been rising in price lately just as swiftly as any other firearm.
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I think I'm gonna hunt for a pre-Remington Marlin or Glenfield as you sugegsted
 
My buddy picked up an older 336 for only $350 just a couple months back. Lucky dawg.

I have a winchester 94 from the 70s. I gave bout the same for mine 6 years ago. Lucky me!

I say pay whatever you have to and get a 30-30 of either variety.
 
The mossbergs are not bad guns, but the Henry is pretty great.
Ruger has job fairs like once a week trying to staff the marlin leverguns production lines, so they’re working on it. Give it some time. Or buy a mossberg. Or buy a Henry. You’ve certainly got options.
 
While certain Marlins command higher prices you can still find good deals on pawn shop variety Marlins. I would hit the pawn shops and see what you can find!
 
I’ve been tinkering with a 1981 JM Marlin for about 2 years. It’s been pretty entertaining if not frustrating.
 
I just picked up my first 30-30 yesterday. 336 CB made in 1999 and never shot or even loaded. I’ve spent the last couple of weeks trying to find ammo or brass. Ammo and components are in short supply in this chamber. 308 is plentiful by comparison. Varminterror is correct, you can get a great ROI if you’ve got ammo to sell.
 
The Marlins and 94's are overpriced on the retail shelves. The Mossberg have some feed problems reported, there's a couple You Tube reviews of them.
The first Gen Henrys without the side gate are the most value on the retail shelves right now. Wal-mart has them for $695. As mentioned I cruise the pawn shops, or get a Henry.
 
My wife has a micro groove Marlin. It's accurate. But I had to work on the trigger so she could shoot it well. The fit and finish were nothing to brag about.
Don't pay a premium just because it's an old one.
 
I would buy what you can find. I like my Henry's, not sure the fixation with the side gate that people have. I like being able to unload mine without running ammo through it myself. And, I'm not doing a "tactical reload" needing to top off a lever gun.

That said, everything is a bit hard to find now and if you hold out for that perfect one you may be waiting a few years.
 
I bought my Mossberg 464 three years ago and its a genuine keeper. Features include grey laminated stock, 16 inch barrel, and marine-coat finish. I mounted a VORTEX 2-7X scope and it shoots any brand of 30-30 ammo into a 2 inch group at 100 yards.

TR
 
Why not sell the ammo for a healthy return on your investment and be merry without a Dirty Thirty in your life?
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Good advice right there.

I've owned a bunch of 30-30's over the years, and still have 3 but only keep them for nostalgic reasons. I can't think of a single thing I can do with a lever gun in 30-30 that a 308 bolt rifle doesn't do better. If you choose carefully a 308, even scoped, will weigh less and be more compact than a lever 30-30 un-scoped. I can buy one for less money and get far more accuracy for about the same recoil. 308 impacts at 500 yards with about the same velocity and energy as 30-30 at 100 yards.

BUT.... If I had to have a lever action 30-30 I'd hold out for an older version made by Marlin or Winchester cost be damned. There are about 14 million of them out there. You're buying for the history, might as well have the real thing instead of a copy.
 
Varminterror said:
This sentiment elicits a visceral response in me, anywhere I ever read or hear it.

Buying what you “can find” seems much less productive than buying what you actually want or need, or what is objectively better for your needs, or what you can afford...
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Because a bird in hand beats two in the field. Been about 24 months since I could buy "what I need", so I buy "what I can". I started shooting 12 gauge since its available at the same price as 9mm
 
My old Marlin 336 has im assuming Walnut stock but my grandsons newer model seems like synthetic.
Both shoot ok and definitely fast cycling rounds.
I like it for white tail and black bear
 
ClaymoreAKM said:
For one I have a stack of boxes of .30-30 that I've had since I sold my old 336 years ago. I am curious about the new side-gate from Henry. I've got a few bolt guns and far too many black rifles, lol. Kinda want to get a lever gun to add to the fold. Any experience with the new offerings?

Until Ruger fires up the old Marlin line, I'm not looking to pay $800 for a remlin, or more for a pre-2002 Marlin. And I can't afford a 94. The Mossberg looks cheap and I'm leery.
Click to expand...

I have seen newer used Winny 94's for around $400...
 
In my part of the country farm auctions are the place to go. Though 30-30 prices have been high at those also.
 
T.R. said:
I bought my Mossberg 464 three years ago and its a genuine keeper. Features include grey laminated stock, 16 inch barrel, and marine-coat finish. I mounted a VORTEX 2-7X scope and it shoots any brand of 30-30 ammo into a 2 inch group at 100 yards.

TR
Click to expand...

Thats good to read. I just bought one of the Trapper Mossberg 30-30s and haven't shot it yet. And the 2x7 Vortex was the scope I would put on it if I did scope the gun.

To the OP I like your idea of getting a 30-30. I have 3 of them and I could have killed every deer and the two elk I have killed with a 30-30. I have always said I could get by on just 3 guns. A 22lr, 20ga shotgun and a 30-30. That combo would have supplied me with all the game meat I ever needed. My last deer kill and first 30-30 kill was with a Winchester 30-30 at around 70 yards. I was impressed with how well that Remington 150gr bullet worked.

I have shot my Marlin 30-30 all the way out to 300 yards. I found a couple of bowling balls at the curb and set them out at 300 yards and shot them to pieces. A 30-30 still hits surprisingly hard at that range. Good luck on your hunt for a new gun.
 
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