Potential lever gun purchase

[Z_Infidel]

I am considering buying another Marlin and am having a hard time deciding between .44 Mag and .30-.30. I have been reading as many posts on this board and others as I can find about both calibers which has given me a lot of info but hasn't made the decision any easier. Here is the way I look at the choices:

.44 Mag ammo is somewhat less expensive and can be used at many handgun ranges. .30-.30 is a true rifle caliber with longer range and flatter trajectory at longer ranges.

Within 100 yds or so both will be effective for deer. Some people claim the .30-.30 always hits harder, others say that within the .44 Mag's range they are a toss-up, and yet others have said the .44 Mag actually hits harder within range. I consider them comparable in the 100 yd range and I would limit my shots to 100 - 125 yds regardless.

I also plan on getting a Redhawk revolver in .44 Mag sometime soon, so having a common caliber could be a plus. I am also thinking of starting to reload .44 Mag next year which makes this even more attractive.

I consider both calibers to be "classics" even though the .30-.30 has a longer history. There is something appealing to me about having a lever gun in a true rifle caliber that will give me the ability to hit targets out further than .44 Mag range, but I don't know if target shooting with the more expensive cartridges is really feasible anyway.

Can anyone give me additional reasons why the .30-.30 would be a better choice? Are there factors I might be missing? Owning both calibers over the long term is not out of the question, but for right now I do not have the funds for both.

Any insights will be appreciated.

 

[Chipperman]

You have laid out the information very well. One thing you did not mention is perceived recoil. IMO, .44 feels softer when shooting. It ultimately comes down to your preference.

I only own 1 lever gun, and it's a Marlin in .30-.30

 

[Alerion]

As Chipperman said, you've laid out the information well. The only thing I see missing is that I've heard (but not personally experienced) that the handgun rounds, .44 mag and .357 mag, don't feed as well as the longer .30-30 rounds. I don't know what that translates into, if they're more prone to jam or if you just feel a little extra bobble when you chamber the rounds.

The problem here is that either choice could be the better one depending on your situation. Like yourself, I feel there's some otherwise intangible satisfaction in owning the "rifle" cartridge. And that was my choice in a lever gun. But . . . You mention a couple of other factors. One is the possibility of adding a .44 mag revolver to your collection. A common caliber is the original reason for the lever guns even existing in handgun calibers. And while you could also reload .30-30's as well as .44's, having the same ammunition for both guns gives you more flexibility when you go out to shoot. Say you take a combined 300-500 rounds with you to shoot. With different chamberings you need to decide on how much you want to shoot either gun on a given day before you go out. With the same ammo useable in either gun you can decide as you're shooting. If it turns out to be a good rifle day you might shoot the pistol very little or vice versa.

Since you apparently want to actually shoot the gun something that could be a decision maker for you is the range where you want to shoot. If they don't allow .30-30 and do allow .44 mag it could be a big factor. I'd check before I made my decision.

If the range allows either or neither chambering, I'd look at the balance of how I intended to use the rifle. For primarily hunting, I'd easily give the edge to the .30-30. For primarily target shooting, I'd go with the .44 mag and it's less expensive (even if you don't reload) ammunition. Although if I wanted to shoot targets mostly at 100 yards or higher I'd probably swing back to the .30-30 to take advantage of the flatter trajectory. It's never a clear cut decision.

However, you've got the logic working right. I suspect that when you make your decision it'll be the right one for you. Either way, you'll have a nice rifle!

Tom

 

[larryw]

Hmm, my 44Mag Marlin 1894 feeds perfectly...

I did the same dance a while back when looking for a new pig rig. As I won't be shooting a lever gun at game much past 100 yards, regardless of cartridge, the 30-30's better long range ballistics weren't an issue for me. Having the rifle shoot the same ammo as my 5 1/2" Redhawk sidearm was.

A warm loaded 240gr bullet launched from a 20" bbl 44 mag rifle still retains over 1000 ft/lbs of energy at 100 yards, more than enough for any armor-plated piggy I'd take.

Here's a picture of my favorite gun.

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

Get the .30-30-----currently have 2 lever guns----a Marlin 336SS and a Browning BL-22.

Had a Marlin 1894 .44---but it would hang up---not on a regular basis---but enough to be disconcerting----so its gone now.

 

[Werewolf]

You did an excellent job analyzing your problem.

It's pretty obvious to me that what you want is the .44 Mag.

I get the impression though that for some reason you feel a little guilty about buying a "RIFLE" in a "PISTOL" caliber.

Don't! The 44 Mag is an excellent caliber out of a lever gun out to the ranges you want to shoot it at. And it's easier to reload and cheaper to reload than a 30-30.

So get the 44 Mag, don't look back and don't feel guilty.

Oh and if you ever decide that Cowboy Action Shooting is your thing you've got the lever gun requirement all wrapped up!

 

[W Turner]

I have three lever guns on my "list". The first one I bought was a .44 mag for two reasons:
1-It was the first I found at a good price, I paid $200 OTD for mine
2- I can always shoot .44 spl. thru it cheaper and with less recoil...this is a good thing for familiarizing new shooters with this gun i.e., my wife.

I will still buy a .30-30, but it will be have a scout set-up whereas my 1894 will just be amended with the XS ghost ring set-up.

Mino

 

[Nathanael_Greene]

One thing in favor of the 30-30 is that you can frequently find a nice used Marlin in that caliber for well under $200; it's pretty hard to get close to that with the .44 magnum. (If I ever find a .44 for $200, it's going to follow me home even if I have to eat macaroni and cheese for a month).

But when in doubt, buy 'em both! Decide which one you like best, and sell the other one.

 

[Z_Infidel]

Thanks everyone for the good replies.

I should have mentioned I already own a 1894C in .357 Mag. At first I was worried there might be some redundancy between the .357 and .44 lever guns but I'm thinking I would really rather use the .44 Mag (or .30-.30) for deer and the .357 for plinking and varmint control.

You have all given me more to think about -- some good points on both sides. I appreciate it.

 

[Kentucky Rifle]

Omaha...

You said that your .44 Marlin would "hang up". Does that mean a round simply wouldn't go on up into the chamber and you had to stop shooting & clear the stoppage?
My 1894C (.357 mag) feels the same when I work the lever---loaded or unloaded.
Just curious.

Thanks,
Will

 

[suntiet]

I often run into these road bumps of life. How I make up my mind is to change the question from whick do I want to get, to which one first? That always makes it easier. Good shooting
Steve

 

[7.62FullMetalJacket]

I often run into these road bumps of life. How I make up my mind is to change the question from whick do I want to get, to which one first? That always makes it easier.

Thank you, Steve

Get the .44 mag to go with your companion side arm. Then get the 30-30 later when inventory expansion is required (as it always is). That way you have the perfect SHTF combo. The 44 mag tube holds 9-12 rounds. And you can have a beltful besides.

 

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

The edge of the brass case---right behind the bullet----would catch the edge of the chamber---and hang things up.

 

[Kentucky Rifle]

Omaha...

Thanks for the reply.
Hummm. I can't remember another stoppage like that in anything I've read. But, I have thought about it before. Some cartridges have quite a high "edge" right behind the bullet and some kinda blend right into the back (or actually mid-way) into the bullet. Running my thumb over the little ridge has made me wonder, but I haven't had "that type" of problem in a rifle or auto-loader pistol. Although it isn't a happy thought, at least now I know that it can happen.

Will

 

[larryw]

Magnum cartridges get crimped, which rolls the case edge into the bullet (helps keep the bullet in place during recoil). Light "special" or cowboy loads often don't get this crimp

 

[Kentucky Rifle]

Thank you LarryW...

For the info. I just looked at three brands and weights of .357 mag and it's like you said. Obviously one of the reasons my 1894C chambers so slickly.
(That, and the Militec-1. )

Will

 

[fourdeuce82d]

maybe a little off-topic, but I just bought a Winchester 94AE in 45 colt. Corbon/Buffalo bore make some hot, hot rounds in that caliber...might be worth a look.

 

[WyrTwister]

Lever gun

The edge of the brass case---right behind the bullet----would catch the edge of the chamber---and hang things up.



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You are talking about .44 Mag ? This is a revolver caliber , should be crimped so there would be no place fro ti to hang up ? At least that is how I reload ( w/ cast lead bullets ) .

Was this a jacketed bullet ?


God bless
Wyr

 

[MeekandMild]

Well, I have a .35 remington which does well. I think that any Marlin is a great gun. As for the .44 I shot a deer this year with a .44 bullet out of a black powder sabot loaded rifle and the critter just laid back and stuck its feet in the air. Hole through and through.