So I want a .30-30

Which .30-30?

  • Marlin 336

    Votes: 85 45.5%

  • Mossberg 464

    Votes: 9 4.8%

  • Winchester

    Votes: 79 42.2%

  • Other

    Votes: 17 9.1%
  • Total voters
    187
  • Poll closed .
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tackleberry45

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In the market for nostalgia and a .30-30. Mossberg, Winny, Marlin? Others? Not afraid to spend the bucks for the right tool that I can have fun with and has a good aftermarket for scopes, triggers, etc. as I have heard some not pleasant things about, for example, the Marlin trigger
 
I voted other, unless you are open to used. I don't care for the current Marlingtons, and everything else is pretty much not up to par with where they were in years past. I would scowar GB for a clean used 94 top eject, pre-safety.

If you want to scope it, I would go with an earlier Marlin 336. You want the JM stamp on the barrel to ensure it is actually Marlin made. The current crop of Walmartmarlingtons are cheap enough, and likely decent shooters, but the cheap wood and poor fit and finish would keep me away.

The only currently manufactured .30-30's that I like are the Henry, and the new FN (made in Japan) Winchesters. Both are pricey. I am not familiar with the Mossberg options, but they may deserve a look.
 
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The Marlin trigger is fine if you obtain one with a 3-5.5# trigger. If its too heavy, it can be lightened fairly easily or replaced by an aftermarket made by Wild West Guns. Buy a pre-safety 336, that is pre-1982.
 
If the safety location/type doesn't bother you (it doesn't me), I'd look for a nice Winchester Model 94 AE (especially if you intend to put a scope on it-though I much prefer having a receiver sight on little, handy carbines). You should be able to find a nice, used one for $400.00 or so.
 
If the safety location/type doesn't bother you (it doesn't me), I'd look for a nice Winchester Model 94 AE (especially if you intend to put a scope on it-though I much prefer having a receiver sight on little, handy carbines). You should be able to find a nice, used one for $400.00 or so.
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I have one with a Nikon 3x9 mounted, and it shoots nice groups. I've found the trigger on the AE's to be pretty heavy, and the safety is just awful. It's personal preference, but I've missed two running pigs over that safety being on when I thought it was off. It protrudes when off, and it is easy to re-engage accidentally. The wood on the AE's is usually pretty low rent but the fit is pretty good.
 
Nostalgia? Winchester. Everyone thinks Winchester when someone says, "I've got a .30-30 lever action rifle." You might as well just say, "I've got a Winchester" and everyone will know what you have - at least they'll assume so.

Just the way it is. I'm not saying anything about any of the others and I'm not saying one is better than another.

I have a pristine, unmolested, Win 94 carbine made in 1942. It still amazes me when I handle it, how slim and trim the receiver is especially when you take into account when it was designed. It handles well, it's about as reliable as you can get, and IF you ever needed a part, they might even have them at your local Bartell's Drug Store (kidding - but it's pretty easy to find parts).

Besides, it's the original, the one, the only, first American assault rifle. :)
 
I've got a Savage 170 pump in 3030 but was having feeding/ejection issues so I sent it away for some maintenance. In the meantime, I picked up a 3030 barrel for my Thompson Center Contender. It's a pleasure to shoot, accurate, mild recoil, kinda loud though, 14" barrel. Looking forward to using it on coyotes/deer this fall. A lot lighter to carry than the blunderbuss I usually carry and I like that I can load ballistic tips in the single shot.
 
If you want to scope it, I would go with an earlier Marlin 336.
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I agree with AKElroy. The Winchester can certainly be fitted with a scope, it's just easier to do on a Marlin. In either case, I prefer the older to the new. In the case of the Marlins, ones without the manual safety made before 1982.

In any event, both are great rifles and it really comes down to preference. The Henry is a great rifle as well, and if I were buying new, I think that's what I get over the Marlin or Winchester.

I picked my 195x vintage 30-30 336RC a year or two ago in near mint condition from a pawn shop for $330. It came with the excellent Williams peep sight. In my hands, this is one of the most accurate rifles I've ever shot.


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As for modern 30-30s, it's tough to beat a Mossberg 464. Bugs have been worked out and they have the best of both marlin and Winny actions built into them. Marlin has taken a step backward with their Remlin lines and Rossi has always been too iffy for me to even mess around with. you may get a project gun out of them, you may not. Henry's are nice, but the price + no sidegate is pass for me.

A spin around the pawns could reveal a pre 2012 marlin 336 which i would probably have no hesitation buying. Winnies can still be had easily enough though i have no attatchement to them. I've owned a pre-remlin marlin 30-30 and a mossy. I gotta say, I like the Mossberg better. Easier mounting, top eject doesn't ping the scope, stronger action.
 
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I voted Winchester before I read your post. If you are going to scope it, an older Marlin seems best suited. I just like the feel of the old Winchesters, in my opinion they are best to carry and shoot offhand at game. If I was looking for a scoped game rifle, it would be a bolt action.
 
I'm a Mossberg shotgun fan but the 464 was a disappointment (mine were fairly early production). I used to own two now I own zero. The wood looks like a Daisy BB gun and it feeds unreliably. I still own a current -production Rossi M92 (granted in .38/.357) and it's even more finicky about ammo than the Mossbergs were. The action is stiff, the magazine is difficult to load, and the feed-door doesn't seat properly, even though it's already made one trip back to the factory to be "fixed", and came back with no improvements.

I own a couple Winchesters and they look cool, but the Marlin 336 is a better piece of machinery in every way. Buy a pre-safety version and put peeps on it. A scope is unnecessary for most any situation a 30-30 is suited for. That's my .02.
 
2 Winchesters

I have 2 Winchesters in that caliber and I love um,fun and accurate to shoot and a HOOT to carry too.

I also have 2 Marlins in lever guns and they are very nice,.45LC and a 45-70.

But as for a 30-30,make mine a Winny :)
 
Go for the Winchester, unless you have to scope it. Old 94's in good shape are easily found for decent prices.
 
I voted for the Mossberg 464. The new ones really are nicely built and accurate. The tang safety is much easier to use than the cross bolt on the Marlin. The cheap model has the same bland hardwood as the model 500 shotguns, but the pistol grip model Walnut stocks are actually quite nice. They also have the Davidsons special model in stainless/gray laminate if you prefer something different.
 
I've got a '67 Win 94 I like a lot. When I think "lever action", I just think Winchester.
 
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