Marlin medium bore lever gun caliber; .30-30 Win or .35 Rem

[Hobie]

I see some levergun fanatics here. Hi guys!

The .30-30 (.30 WCF) is a fine cartridge but I voted for the .35 Rem. Why? Because you can get the Marlin (that was your question right?) in .35 Rem and it is a more effective cartridge on the game for which MOST of us use these rifles.

However, if you reload, the .30-30 can be more easily loaded down to small game levels using common available bullets and the same powder with which one loads full power "deer" loads. I.e. the Sierra 85 gr. .308" SP for pistols loaded over 27 gr. IMR 3031 shoots to the point of aim but is a light recoiling and usable small game load. So too is any cast 100-150 gr. bullet over 10 gr. (give or take 2 gr. depending on rifle preference) of IMR SR4759.

Frankly, the only reason I posted here is because the leverguns forum is down for 3 weeks now. :banghead:

 

[Aaryq]

Look at the poll.

Read the posts.

Get the 30-30

Nuff said.

 

[chad1043]

Hey Hobie,

You are more than welcome to move over to

http://www.marlinowners.com/board/

There are all kinds of lever lovers over there. I post here and there. I love this forum because I get good information about all kinds of wonderful rifles...

The Marlin site is great for both Winies and Marlin owners. Fromt eh little guns to the big bore blowers... I have to say that I love both these forums...


Peace,
Chad

 

[R.W.Dale]

Just read the responses, People like me who've owned both are all suggesting the 35

 

[rbernie]

People like me who've owned both are all suggesting the 35

And therein lies the true take-away of this thread.

 

[Old Time Hunter]

I dunno...I've got both and would not give up either, but if it is my first, it would have to be the .30-30. It is the unwritten AMERICAN law, first deer hunting rifle should be a .30-30. The next one can be a .35.

 

[aspade]

The .35 Rem has about three things going for it over the .30-30:

1. It's different.

2. You can plink with cheap pistol bullets if you reload.

3. A little bit more killing power inside 100 yards or so. With Leverevolution ammo (at $30 a box), that extends to 175 or 200 yards.

If any of these appeal to you, go for it. Going tangentially off topic a bit, these advantages also apply to .45-70 in an 1895. Bigger is usually unnecessary but it's also usually more fun.

 

[No_Brakes23]

I voted .30-30, but I already own an 1893 take down in .30-30, so if I bought another Marlin and it wasn't a .45-70, I'd get .35 Rem. Everyone I know who owns them can't say enough good things about them.

If I was buying my first Marlin or first lever action, my only question would be which 336 in .30-30 am I getting.

 

[dakotasin]

if i knew then what i know now, i would have bought the 35, not the 30-30.

the 30-30 isn't a bad choice, it just isn't as good as the 35.