Marlin 30A .30/30

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I've been looking for a rifle for my daughter to use and had decided on a 7mm-08 but my father-in-law suggested a .30/30. She will be ten next year.... currently 4' 10" and 115 lbs. I live in Wisconsin, so most of her shot opportunities would be <100 yds.... I don't think I'd let her shoot over that anyway.
I found a Marlin 30A today for $230 otd. Is that a respectable price? Should I stick with the 7mm-08 (lack of) decision? Thanks!
 
Gobbler, those two calibers - .30-30 and 7mm08 - are two of my favorites.

I own .30-30 (Marlin 336), even if I have yet to take a deer (or anything else but paper) with it. It's very conceivable that I could wind up with a 7mm08 some day, also, but in addition to, not instead of, the .30-30.

Oh, btw, that price of $230 for a 30A is quite good assuming the rifle is in good working order, reasonable bluing and at least functional stock. That model isn't produced anymore, but the Marlins that replaced it - 336 of various flavors - start new in the $300 range and go up.

Much of your decision depends on where your daughter will be hunting. If in wooded lands where shots will be in the 25 to 100 yd range, out to 150, the .30-30 will do fine. People on here will also tell you that with proper practice, you can go longer.

If, otoh, she's going to be shooting in more open country, like plains or big mountains where shots may exceed that, the more flat shooting 7mm08 that will hold energy over longer distances may be desired. (Having said that, only if she's going to practice a lot with good optics should she be taking shots over 200 yds anyway, IMO.)

One potential other factor: is your daughter recoil sensitive? If so, the .30-30 may be perceived as having a punch just a bit less than 7mm08, which is just one step below the more stout .308 win.

If you want more opinions on the .30-30, click on "levers" in my sig line and come over to the 336 "club"; bunch of folks in there that will offer advice, even if you can count on it being biased towards .30-30.

Good luck with your decision. Hard to go wrong with those two calibers.
 
my wife is 5' 2" and 125 lbs. and she killed her first deer with my 30aw. the only thing is that the stock was too big for her. i ended up buying her a h&r youth model in .243 and she has menaced the deer world ever since.

while the price on the .30-30 is quite good, i paid $225 for the h&r with a bushnell.
 
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