Marlin 336, 1911, and an 870. good all-around combo?

[Sulaco]

It's funny you bring this up. I've been contemplating the same thing for some time now. I own a 336 in 30-30, an 870 12 gauge with a field barrel and a short barrel and a Ruger SP101 in .357 Magnum. I also own a Marlin 39A in 22LR so I feel I am covered for just about anything.

The next gun on my list is a CZ 550 American in 30-06.

After that, it's whatever fits, but I think these 5 are the perfect setup for me.

 

[doubleg]

At the moment I have,

Springfield (Savage) 840 30-30
New Haven (Mossberg) 610AT 12 Gauge
Kimber Custom II 1911 .45 ACP
Remington 597 .22LR

Which is a decent collection for someone my age. Sure I like to obsess about my next gun purchase but I realize this is all I will ever really need. Aside from a CCW (S&W 25 .45 ACP) revolver when I get around to it and a new .22 that can actually hit what I aim at. All a man really needs is a Shotgun, Rifle, Pistol and a 22.

 

[Houston Tom]

I think it is a good combo, I like the lever action adn the pump for a SHTF situation. They are hardy, proven weapons, because depending if something happens to the gun a gun smith may not be around

 

[Nameless_Hobo]

I'd change the .30-30 to a heavy barreled bolt action .308, with a sporter style stock. You can push this out to 1000 yards with practice, and it won't be to heavy to use for self defense like a dedicated target rifle.

You need to either get a conversion kit for the 1911 or add a .22Lr rifle to that list, merely because .22 is so damn common and cheap. You can stack enough to keep your great-great grandkids fed and protected in a EOTW situation.

 

[RoadkingLarry]

As an alternative mix keeping with the OP...Substitute a Marlin 1894 carbine for the 336 in a pistol caliber to match a good DA revolver and stick with the 870(or mossberg 500).

 

[Houston Tom]

If you have a spouse/girlfriend that you are taking with you or staying with you, you can get her a 357 revolver. That is how we have handled the sitution, I carry a XD45 and the wife's bug out/hd gun is a Ruger 357. SO with the 357 you can use 38's small game or rat/snake shot. IF no female to take then it is way cheaper to just buy a second pistol

 

[mustanger98]

...change the .30-30 to a heavy barreled bolt action .308, with a sporter style stock. You can push this out to 1000 yards with practice, and it won't be to heavy to use for self defense like a dedicated target rifle.

The heavy barrel .308 crankbolt, even with the sporter stock, is gonna be heavier than the .30-30 levergun. While 1000yds may sound good, realistically, you'll probably not shoot deer beyond 250-300yds, if that far, and no human attackers past 600yds depending on the situation. For most self defense situations, it'll be up close and personal and that's handgun/carbine/shotgun territory and not as a general rule "sniper rifle" territory.

 

[mustanger98]

As an alternative mix keeping with the OP...Substitute a Marlin 1894 carbine for the 336 in a pistol caliber to match a good DA revolver and stick with the 870(or mossberg 500).

My opinion is that a set containing a Marlin 1894 and any good quality revolver, both in .357, is a good thing. A good DA revolver or even a good SA revolver... IMO, you can't go wrong. It's all in what you like.

 

[Erik Jensen]

well, I suppose this is a positive enough response to goose me to augment my collection. all my rifles are currently WWII or older vintage. I have an Enfield MK4 No.1 to take care of extreme range for now, though I'd like to eventually get some sort of heavy barrel .308 with an absurd scope for fun.

of the weapons I mentioned in the first post, the only one I currently have is the 1911. I sold my 870 a while ago, intending to get either an 870 Police or a Mossberg 590A1. I really need to pick up that 870 or Mossy 500 soon. be picking up a .30-30 within two weeks.

I've considered the .357 or .44 lever with matching revo idea, and it sounds nead to me, but I don't think I'm convinced that even .44 Magnum out of a lever would have superior or even equal ballistics to .30-30, though it would certainly be fun. probably end up with that combo later.

I like the idea of a lever .22. the Marlin may be the way to go, but didn't Ruger used to make what was, in essence, a lever action 10/22? I see they currently make something like that, but in .22Mag. not quite the cheapo plinker I would be looking for. did they used to make the same thing in .22LR, or am I losing my mind?

 

[Houston Tom]

Another thing to remember is what is the situation and the target. Example if you are holding up in your prepared house during a riot or natural disaster then you have the lurury of more weapons, if you have to flee then you need to consider weapon versatility, defense/food. And where you live is also a consideration, if you live some where that the hunting is close range 200 yrds give or take then the lever 30-30 will get the job done if you are on a mountain side in Montana and the shots will be 500 yrds then you have a different need.

My rule is can not have too many guns( lots of ammo for all).

 

[Erik Jensen]

absolutely. for a bug-out situation in MI, either the .30-30 or a .22lr seems to be a good bet. with our extensive tree cover, shots will be short. I don't think much meat will be left on, say, a rabbit after getting smacked with a thuddy thuddy, but it would be better for larger quarry and self defence than a .22. there's always giving the SO a .22 pistol. that would be fine for small game, too.


.22, 12ga, .30-30, and 45ACP seems to be the cheapest and easiest ammo to find around here, aside from 9mm, but I trust .45ACP to do its job more. .308 is common as well, but I think I'd prefer the handyness of a lever.

 

[High Planes Drifter]

I've considered the .357 or .44 lever with matching revo idea, and it sounds nead to me, but I don't think I'm convinced that even .44 Magnum out of a lever would have superior or even equal ballistics to .30-30, though it would certainly be fun. probably end up with that combo later.

Buffalo Bore makes .357 ammo that'll come darned close (if not beat) to .30-30 numbers at the bore. Plenty enough grunt to down a whitetail.

 

[Nameless_Hobo]

Mustanger, The ability to is what makes it worth it to me. The .308 is just more practical than .30-30, in my opinion at least. Your opinion may differ, but that's your right.

What's the point of a .357 rifle/pistol combination if you're going to shoot different ammunition? You loose the versatility of carrying one type of ammunition. I suppose a Ruger could take the rifle loads, but I'd imagine the recoil in a pistol would make it slow to fire.

 

[mustanger98]

What's the point of a .357 rifle/pistol combination if you're going to shoot different ammunition? You loose the versatility of carrying one type of ammunition. I suppose a Ruger could take the rifle loads, but I'd imagine the recoil in a pistol would make it slow to fire.

While a 180gr HP/XTP loaded to run 1600+fps from a levergun would probably be preferable to shoot deer to 100yds, a 158gr HP/XTP running 1300fps from a 4-6" revolver will gain another 300fps from the levergun's 16-20" barrel. It'll be just as deadly.

Sure the Ruger will take the 180grainers... so will a N-frame S&W for that matter... I agree that follow up shots would probably be slower. You have to match your ammo to your overall purpose.

The ability to is what makes it worth it to me. The .308 is just more practical than .30-30, in my opinion at least. Your opinion may differ, but that's your right.

I never said anybody shouldn't have a 1000yd rifle; I have some... M1 Garand, '03A3, No.4Mk2 Enfield, K98k. Just nothing in .308. I'm just saying the .30-30 would be lighter to pack, and more practical up close and personal, if such becomes necessary. I like my long range rifles too. The great thing about opinions is that we don't have to consider what works for one to be gospel for everybody.

 

[1911 guy]

Add a decent .22LR and you're in there.

You've got your bases covered. I'd add a .22 for plinking and cheap practice. Works on small game, too.

 

[ieszu]

With regard to what to bring with you, I guess it depends on why.... SHTF with someone chasing you, or just survivalist mode.

For SHTF I have:
1) custom .30-06 bolt action, heavy barreled
2) CZ-97B (.45 acp)
3) 870
4) Beretta Neos - .22lr semi
5) If I can justify it - .338 Lapua Mag, custom built, kicks like a .223 (19.5 lbs fully loaded) and accurate to about 1400 yards (I am only good to about 900 though).

for survival similar:

1) CZ-97B
2) 870
3) 10/22

 

[frank23185]

There is not much you can't realistically do with a 30-30 levergun.
In actuallity, you probably won't engage any target further than 200 yards.
I do recall in the past that someone made a chamber adapter to shoot 32acp. Might be good for small game.

 

[Houston Tom]

I agree, My Grandfather who raised me and from whom I got the majority of my guns loved this 30-30 lever, it was his favorite rifle. Easy to carry accurate and rugged. According to him every home needed a shotgun (12ga) a 22 for varmits and such, a good rifle and a 357 revolver. Having these items was not optional.

 

[ArfinGreebly]

Adaptor

I do recall in the past that someone made a chamber adapter to shoot 32acp. Might be good for small game.

Actually, Remington produces a line of ".30-30" cartridges (their Express line) that's a 55 grain .223 projectile in a sabot.

I've been told it's effective past 100 yards and does a real number on coyotes.

I have some boxes of this, though I haven't shot it. The guy I talked to goes varmint hunting regularly.

 

[Leanwolf]

ARFIN GREBLY - "Actually, Remington produces a line of ".30-30" cartridges (their Express line) that's a 55 grain .223 projectile in a sabot.

I've been told it's effective past 100 yards and does a real number on coyotes."

I'm not saying they are not accurate in other rifles, but I've shot them off the bench at 100 yards with both my Marlin 336 and my pre-'64 Winchester 94, and the groupings were very poor.

I was using a Williams 5D receiver sight on my Winchester 94 and a Lyman 66 receiver sight on my Marlin 336.

They didn't work for me.

FWIW.

L.W.

 

[ArfinGreebly]

Poor Groupings

Hmmm.

Wish I could say I was surprised.

I'll pick up another couple of boxes -- just to test.

Figure I'll start at 50 yards and see if I can hit a milk jug with it.

If you've got a long sight radius and still get crummy groups, then it's probably not a reliable small game round at anything past 30 or 40 yards.

If it turns out that they just plain suck, at least I'll have some fun finding out.