Lever-Action Cartidge w/ Lots of Load Possibilities

[savanahsdad]

I have two 35rem in old pump guns (Rem 141's) and lots of brass , the only lever gun I have is Marlin 1894 in 44mag but for your needs/wants I thought the 35 was a better pick, but I had no idea ammo was so hard to find as I'm set for many year to come , hope you have fun with you new 30-30

 

[FROGO207]

I think that you will be happy with that 30-30. There is a large selection of bullets that will work in it if you do not mind only loading one in the tube. There are several round nose lead/plated flat nose bullets that are inexpensive as well.

 

[jmr40]

Marlin tweaked the stock design slightly over the years. I really like the ones made in the 1970's and early 80's the best. Good choice and it is pre-safety which makes it even more appealing.

The 30-30 is a good choice, and the way I'd have gone. The 45-70 would have been a distant 2nd choice simply because it is just too big for most uses. But it probably has the most options from mild to wild loadings. Just not as practical as the 30-30. There is only 1 north American animal I'd hunt with a 45-70 and not a 30-30, and I'll never hunt brown bear.

The only advantage 35 would offer is the ability to shoot pistol bullets. For big game, including really big game, the 30-30 equals or beats anything the 35 will do. If a 30-30 isn't big enough, a 35 isn't going to make a bit of difference.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Wanted to follow up to the thread and thank everyone for the advice and thoughts. Today I purchased a Marlin 336 in .30-30 at a local gun show. Got it for a great deal. Based on the serial number, it's a 1979 manufacture. Needs a good detail cleaning and the stock needs a little TLC, but the action is nice and tight.

I also happened across a 1lb can of Hodgdon Leverevolution powder that I picked up too. Not sure I'll start out using that but it'll be great to have on the shelf.

The 30-30 is a good cartridge. Even though it's not a favorite of the younger generation because it's not a high velocity cartridge it will still do the job it was created to do.

As for LVR powder, there is good news and bad news. The bad, there is a different formulation of LVR for every cartridge it's used for. The good, the formulation being sold by Hodgdon is the 30-30 formulation so you will get the most advantage from LVR in your reloads.

I was using IMR3031 almost exclusively for my 30-30 ammo before I tried LVR. Now LVR is all I will be using in the 30-30 and not only because of the added velocity but because it has been accurate for me. I like shooting a 170gr jacketed bullet over a 150gr bullet and LVR is the most accurate powder I've tried.

I have not yet tried LVR with a 165gr Cast bullets I'm shooting but as soon as the weather turns it's on the list. I just started shooting Cast bullets in the 30-30 and the only powder I have tried so far has been H4895 which worked well. I'm hoping LVR will work just as well.

 

[Airgead]

The 30-30 is a good cartridge. Even though it's not a favorite of the younger generation because it's not a high velocity cartridge it will still do the job it was created to do.

This is a great point. I originally started this quest looking at a .338 Marlin Express because I wanted "new and cool". However it was quickly apparent when I really looked into that cartridge there wasn't much of a range of loads there to experiment with. Plus cartridge history is littered with interesting cartridges that fail to catch on and I wanted something that will last as I don't spend a tremendous amount on guns (as much as I'd like to!).

I have to admit I was initially against the .30-30 because it was "old" but some serious research quickly proved to me what a great cartridge it is.

If I got rid of my one .40S&W, then I every other cartridge I own a gun in would have been originally designed more than 100 years ago.... hrmm....

 

[ArchAngelCD]

This is a great point. I originally started this quest looking at a .338 Marlin Express because I wanted "new and cool". However it was quickly apparent when I really looked into that cartridge there wasn't much of a range of loads there to experiment with. Plus cartridge history is littered with interesting cartridges that fail to catch on and I wanted something that will last as I don't spend a tremendous amount on guns (as much as I'd like to!).

I have to admit I was initially against the .30-30 because it was "old" but some serious research quickly proved to me what a great cartridge it is.

If I got rid of my one .40S&W, then I every other cartridge I own a gun in would have been originally designed more than 100 years ago.... hrmm....

Yeah, cartridges like the 30-30, 45-70, .38 Special and 45 ACP are old but there is probably a very good reason why they are still around after over 100 years...

 

[Vern Humphrey]

When I look at my gun rack, I see very few cartridges that are less than 100 years old -- I tend to favor .22 LR, 30-30, .30-40, .30-06, .38 Special, .45 ACP, .45 Colt and so on.

The NEWEST cartridge I have is a .35 Brown-Whelen, a wildcat developed in the 1960s.

 

[GooseGestapo]

Look really close at the Browning BLR. I only post this as I didn't see it mentioned.
I have one in .358. It's not my favorite rifle, but it's a "keeper".

It handles any .35cal bullets from .38spl to 300gr or so. I've found that with my rifle, I prefer the Hornady 200gr PtSpt (inexpensive for jacketed, and accurate, and effective at .358win velocities).

However, I prefer the Marlin "rifle". My M336 in .35rem has a ~3lb crisp trigger. I didn't need to "make" it that way either; it came to me that way...
It is also more accurate with cast bullets (go figure!!!). It's also not as "flashy" as the Browning either.

With the cost of .35cal bullets, either pistol or rifle, I don't "buy" them anymore. I have hundreds of brass for either, and probably more than a ton of lead... I only buy "gaschecks" for now... May start making my own, too.

I do have a Marlin.45/70 guide-gun. It's not for the recoil timid, even with light cast bullets loads...
I also think you ought to look real hard at the Marlin compact M336 in .30/30. That would be the best choice, imo...

 

[Officers'Wife]

Thanks for the thoughts so far everyone. I must admit I'm slightly surprised at the responses about the .30-30. My understanding was there wasn't much in the way of creative loading of that caliber but I need to take a second look at that one, obviously.

Hi Airgead,

I wish I could put you in touch with my brother, he has a 30-30 that our Gramps gave him when he was in Jr High that he has loads for that range from rabbit gun to bear bumper. He also has a basement full of reloading equipment and can make his own projectiles.