a question for the experienced ones.......

[jimpierce7]

I've been back into shooting again a few years now. I have been very specific on what I own so far.
Nothing but Mosins. Long ones, short ones and some in between.
I want to get a more modernish rifle. Lever action. For some reason I am really stuck on this, maybe a childhood issue or something.
.30-30 is and always has been my target so to speak.
I have heard a lot of good about .30-30s. The Marlin 336 has been highly recommended.
So far most of those I have spoken to really miss their .30-30.
Really miss it, as in no longer have one. lol
Am I going to enjoy a .30-30? I mostly range shoot 100 yards. If ever I go hunt this is my preferred type of hunting. Forest, under 100 yard shots. Probably nothing tougher than a wild pig. Should I ever find someplace to go hunt them that I don't pay somebody to hunt the trough on their property. hehe
Seems the .35 Remington is on the way out.

[Divernhunter]

If you want a lever it is as good as any to start with. It will take deer/pigs/bear and such.

The Marlin rifles are good ones. It is your money and buy what you want. You can always buy something else later should your tastes change.

[Hairball]

Plenty of early Marlins out there in 30-30 and the prices are still very low for that caliber. I say "early" as in pre 2008 when Rem took over. Remlins are getting better and I own one (45-70) but there are a lot of older ones out there so you might as well go for one of the early models. Check your LGS as more are starting to turn up as people that bought them years ago are getting to the age when they are selling them off. I picked up a 30-30 manufactured in 1966 a few years ago and it looks like it had never been fired. The contemporary issue is that all of the game animals in North America must continually be getting stronger as the need for bigger and bigger calibers continues. When I was young it was either 30-30 or 30-06 and that was used for everything. Now, it's all mag or ultra mag.

[jimpierce7]

I'm kicking myself not remembering the name and model. It is an older Taurus at my LGS. Are they worthy? They seem to read up well.

[TMB 1]

Seems the .35 Remington is on the way out.

35 Remington is still kicking. It's just you're not going to get it at CA WalMarts anymore. They only stock the most popular cartridges now days.

[orangeusa]

One thing that is critical.

Do you want a scope? That limits you to Marlin.

.

[Dnele928]

With the new Hornady Leverevolution ammo, the 30-30 has now become a longer range rifle. Cabelas sells a scope specifically tuned for the Marlin with the Hornady ammo. Good times...good times...

[jimpierce7]

So much for that idea. lol Of course it was only one so I won't judge yet. I held a Marlin 336 at my LGS and didn't really like the feel of it. But that isn't a real good test of the rifle. But it does take the excitement down a notch or two.

[SoCal Bob]

If the Marlin is still in contention then you may also want to consider the Glenfield model 30. Marlin produced guns under different names for different retailers, the Glenfield 30 is essentially the Marlin 336 with slightly lesser quality stocks.

[pacrat]

So much for that idea. lol Of course it was only one so I won't judge yet. I held a Marlin 336 at my LGS and didn't really like the feel of it. But that isn't a real good test of the rifle. But it does take the excitement down a notch or two.

I grew up shooting Dad's, now my, Winchester 94, so I'm biased for sure. The Marlin 336 while a fine lever gun, [to me anyway] does feel "blocky" and rough compared to my pre 64-94.

Nothing quite says "Lever Action" like a slick and slim, Winchester.

JM2c

[Sheepdog1968]

I take my 30-30 out to the range more than any other rifle. I've taken it to multi day defensive rifle classes and it holds its own. I love mine. It's a Marlin 336.

[DannyInSoCal]

One of my favorite boar rifle is a Win 88 in .308

You can find them for around $500 if youre patient....

[Sir Toast]

OP, you and I would get along great. I love shooting my Winchester Model 94 30-30. It is really accurate to about 250 yards with open sights. Surprisingly so. It can easily drop a deer or boar at that range. Without some kind of optic, I'd not take a shot beyond that. I love shooting lever actions. I have lever action 22's and I just bought a Century Arms 12 Gauge, lever action shotgun for fun. It is a knock off of the Winchester 1887. Love those levers. Look at the Henry rifles too. They are beauties.

[jwkincal]

marlin 336 == good rifle

I do miss mine

I sold it because it was redundant in a collection that included a semi-auto in 5.56 NATO (when comparing terminal performance). I still have a levergun (Savage 99 in .308 win) but if you're thinking of a first levergun, I cannot recommend the 336 enough. Simple, reliable, ubiquitous chambering, accurate, easy to maintain... usually pretty affordable too.

[Capybara]

Get a lever action .30-30, they are an American classic. This one is smooth as glass and shoots great. Rescued her from a pawnshop in Kingman, AZ a few year ago. It is a 1954, I paid $400.00 for it. Love it. .30-30 is an expensive cartridge to plink with though, even just decent brass alone costs .60-.80 per round, loaded ammo approaches and surpasses $1.00 per round. I definitely reload for this one.