new project
Hello,
For some time I have been thinking about adding a "bean field" 30-30 to go with my 336SS Ltd .35 woods gun. I envisioned something like a 336 Cowboy 30-30 or something like the current blued version of the .308 Marlin Express. I really didn't want the .308 although something like a .270 or .257 Marlin Express sounds nice. That project got waylaid today. I went to a gun show to see what they might have in Marlins and was dissappointed to find very few.
However, at one of the last vendors, I saw a well used, but good, 30TK with hardwood stock and about 90+ % blueing left. No rust and action was very nice. It was priced at $300 and I started thinking that might be a nice little 30-30 to have. Then I looked at the other side of the rack............
I found a pristine 30TK with 100% blueing and two tiny nicks on the bottom left of the action. No rust - everything looked perfect. Although I'm probably wrong it doesn't look as if it has ever been fired (and having worked as a gun salesman part time, I've seen lots.) Even the loading gate looks as if it had not been used. The action is tight. The barrel looks new. As a
bonus it has a like new walnut stock with the current checkering pattern of the 336 and the rubber butt plate. It is, of course, straight stocked and the buttstock looks identical to my 336SS Ltd. The fore-end looks just like the one on a current 336 with the sling stud on the barrel band. The short magazine tube is about an inch shorter than my .35. Barrel lengths are the same at 18.5". The gun absolutely looks great. Using the dating procedure from the Marlin Collectors forum it was built in 1990.
The listed price was $325. I studied it as if I really didn't need it and after a while gave the obligitory offer that is
waaay to low. When I did, my heart almost stood still as I could see in his eyes..."He's gonna take it!"
He did and I'm embarrassed to say what I got it for, but it was
waaay under $300!
He said it had been on a rack in his shop for almost three years!
My camera is already packed and in storage for next weeks relocation (as well as my unmounted scopes) but as soon as I get set up I'll fire up a photo. I have a Leupold VXII 1-4 I may put on it. Just have to see how it looks. I really think a compact 4x might be best.
As I said, my "bean field" project got sidelined. I guess I'll just see if Marlin puts out a .270ME or .257ME next year.