Author Topic: 336 or 1894? (Read 2497 times)

azmark · « **on:** March 07, 2008, 05:55:10 PM »

Which would you consider the most versatile, the 336 in 30-30 or an 1894 in .357 magnum?

McLernon · « **Reply #1 on:** March 08, 2008, 04:28:19 AM »

This could be a great thread. Certainly I have debated the relative virtues of these two guns for years. The 94 as I recall was a little lighter and came in straight stock only AND it had a steel receiver not aluminum like the latest versions. Of course the 94 is at a disadvantage because scope mount is a problem but on a one-to-one basis I would have trouble deciding which is best. I have owned both and loved them both.

Mc

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #2 on:** March 08, 2008, 06:31:16 AM »

I would say the 30-30 is more versatile as it can be hand loaded from 110 grain bullets up to 180 grain pointed soft points and would give you a varmint to Moose rifle. Yes, I know it's a lever rifle and your not suppose to load pointed bullets for the gun. But if you only load 2 in the gun, it's not a problem. One in the chamber and one in the Mag. The 30-30 is more effective out past 150 yards on game. The 30-30 is much knocked when compared to the 30-06 but it is still an effective rifle round on game. The 30-30 puts out twice the energy than does the 44 Mag and the 357 is about half of what the 44 does in Horse power. The 357 is perfect as a saddle/ truck gun but the range is limited to about 150 yards.
I would also say "versatile" is subjective and would depend on what you do, as to what round would cover more of what you do. If you cowboy action shoot. Then the 1894 would do more for you. If you bear hunt, I would go with the 30-30. If you want lot's of bullets go with the 357 for less money. What's the old saying? Beware of the man with only one gun... He probably knows how to use it.
McDuck.

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #3 on:** March 08, 2008, 08:57:47 AM »

Although I love my 1894 I would have to say the .30-30 would be more versatile, Longer range capable being the biggest reason. I've shoot deer with both and inside of a hundred yards I've not seen much difference, Out past that the .357 really starts falling off. I do prefer to shoot the .357 and its alot cheaper to shoot even if you buy factory ammo, I also prefer to carry the .357 because its lighter and faster. both good rifles IMHO.

Rangr44 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 08, 2008, 01:27:23 PM »

[aluminum like the latest versions] ? ? ?

The .30-30 will do anything the .357 can in a rifle, and more - w/o any developmental problems, etc.

mattmillerrx · « **Reply #5 on:** March 08, 2008, 02:55:48 PM »

Man that is tough, really depends on what you need. Have to know the limits of either of them and both would serve you well. Better get one of each just to be safe. What is the scope mount problem? I have mounted a scope on a 357 and a 44 both in 1894 with no problems.

Swampman · « **Reply #6 on:** March 09, 2008, 01:47:49 AM »

There are no centerfire Marlin lever actions with aluminum receivers. The .30-30 is a much better choice if you can only have one or the other. It will kill a moose or an elk. I wouldn't want to try that with the .357.

azmark · « **Reply #7 on:** March 11, 2008, 06:12:03 PM »

It's really a hard decision. Of course, there's the price difference to consider. The 94 costs more than the 336. I've read about some creative handloads for the 30-30 that could make it an affordable plinker as well as a solid hunting round. Anybody play around with 30-30 handloads and want to share their experience?

Rangr44 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 12, 2008, 03:57:29 AM »

Here's a few articles on leverguns/loads:

http://www.leverguns.com/articles/paco/3030varmint.htm

http://www.leverguns.com/articles/taylor/3030longrange.htm

http://www.leverguns.com/articles/fryxell/casthollowpoints.htm

And a whole bunch of levergun articles:

http://www.leverguns.com/articles/Default.htm

coryroc · « **Reply #9 on:** March 17, 2008, 08:15:20 PM »

I've owned both the 94 (in .44 Mag only) and the 336 in .30/30. I've only hunted wild pigs with them but in my opinion there is no comparison. The .30/30 wins hands down every time. Both are fine rifles but the Marlin has a stronger action, is more accurate and the .30/30 has far more knock-down power and longer range than both the .44 and .357.

MSP Ret · « **Reply #10 on:** March 19, 2008, 03:20:05 AM »

I have both Marlin levers and a nice pre 64 Winchester 94 in 30-30. I also have a .357 Mag/Max in a Handi. The Max is a great caliber but I do not know if a 94 Winchester can be converted from a .357 Mag to a .357 Max. All in all the Marlin lever is the better and more accurate gun all around. The 30-30 is a much better all around cartridge than the .357 Mag. I vote for the Marlin in 30-30....OR get my favorite, a .336 in 35 Remington. Shoot light pistol bullets all the way up to HEAVY rifle bullets....<><....

usbone1 · « **Reply #11 on:** March 19, 2008, 05:14:25 AM »

How would the new lever round from Hornady in .357 compare to the 30-30? I assume Hornady's new lever 30-30 round allows for a still longer effective range. I personally want a 2-3 inch group at 150 yards (from my Marlin) using the same ammo for my Ruger hand gun. Know my 1894 currently shoots better than I see at 100 yards.

petemi · « **Reply #12 on:** March 19, 2008, 05:32:26 AM »

My son and I each have 336s in .30-30 I've had mine since 1959. It's killed a lot of deer and smaller critters over the years Mine is a 336T with the straight grip and it gives me the same problem I have with my traditional muzzleloaders, it keeps slamming my thumb knuckle into my cheekbone....OUCH! Other than that I love the little rifle. My son's is a pistol grip and never bothers me when I use it. If I wanted a hunting rifle, I'd go .30-30. Cowboy action, plinking, light hunting the .357.

petemi · « **Reply #13 on:** March 19, 2008, 05:35:30 AM »

As an after thought, if I had it to do over, for what I use it, I would have gone .35 Rem or .45-70.

azmark · « **Reply #14 on:** April 05, 2008, 06:44:08 AM »

Well, the question may end up being moot. I'm having a hard time finding anyone who has any 94s in stock (I should have specified I was looking at a Marlin 94). I worked up some figures to compare the cost difference between the 30-30 and the .357 and found that, using reloads for both, the higher cost of the 94 wouldn't be offset by the difference in ammo cost until I've shot almost 2000 rounds. No more than I realistically expect to shoot, it would take a while to do that. So much for assuming the 94 would be cheaper to own.

coryroc · « **Reply #15 on:** April 06, 2008, 06:25:50 PM »

Never mind, azmark. Go with the 336 in .30/30 and you won't be disappointed. Far from it.

Chris Potts · « **Reply #16 on:** April 10, 2008, 03:53:40 PM »

Just order a 1894 cowboy 357 today. Should have it early next week.

Chris

HEAD0001 · « **Reply #17 on:** April 10, 2008, 04:42:32 PM »

IMO the 30-30 is more versatile than the 357 magnum. But I prefer the 44 Magnum in the 1894. IMO the 44 magnum compares well to the 30-30.

I much prefer the 1894. IMO it is a better rifle in just about every feature. I personally believe it is one of the finest firearms for the money that you can buy. I just bought another one myself. I have been looking for one with some outstanding wood for about a year. I finally found one. Tom.

Chris Potts · « **Reply #18 on:** April 10, 2008, 05:08:04 PM »

Very nice. I hope mine looks like that. What bullets weights do you shoot in the 44. I have heard that they don't stabilize the 300+ bullet weights. I guess that there really isn't much that a 280 wouldn't do anyway.

Chris

HEAD0001 · « **Reply #19 on:** April 10, 2008, 06:21:30 PM »

I cast a 240 grain Boolit. I am sending the rifle to StevesGunz for some work(if I can work it out with him). I asked him to slug the barrel for me when he has it apart. I will order a mold for the rifle once I get the slugging done. Depending on the size I think I will go with a RCBS 240, or a custom mold. Tom.

bilmac · « **Reply #20 on:** May 22, 2008, 08:54:57 AM »

I've owned 30-30,44mag, and 357mag Marlins and while the pistol calibers will kill deer size game it often times isn't pretty. I think the 30-30 is about minimum to put down this size critter reliably. On the other hand if you will be killing tin cans and rabbits then the 357 is a lot more fun to shoot.

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #21 on:** May 23, 2008, 02:37:26 AM »

a 3030 is tough to beat.

Echo4Lima · « **Reply #22 on:** June 22, 2008, 02:23:11 PM »

Some say the .30-30 has killed more deer in America than any other.

Never needed to look for it, always had outstanding wood....

Old Grizz · « **Reply #23 on:** June 25, 2008, 12:05:52 PM »

The best thing you can do is buy both of them !!!!!!

mannyrock · « **Reply #24 on:** June 28, 2008, 03:43:50 AM »

Gosh Guys,a I very respectfully disagree.

The question was, which rifle is more versatile. But, he did not say, more versatile for what.

For, hunting, no question that he answer is the .30-30.

But, as an all-around rifle, for plinking, target shooting, home defense, training women and youngsters, killing varmints from ground hogs to coyotes out to 125 yards, killing deer out to 100 yards, all with readily available factory ammo in boxes of 50, all with less than half the recoil and half the noise of the .30-30, there is no question that the .357 mag marlin is more versatile.

Yes, I know, that if you hand-load the 30-30, you can come up with loads for all of these activities, but personally, I think hand loading is a drag, and I would not want to spend an hour or more hand loading 50 rounds of .30-30 when you could just pick up a box of factory .357s and go?

And lets not forget, ther .357 rifle will also shoot .38 special and .38 special P+, again in boxes of 50 at any Wallyworld. The Remington core-lokt 158 grain round nose soft-point .357 mags, and the core-bon 180 grain loads, are very effective on deer out to 100 yards.

I will guarantee that if the poster of the question buys both rifles, he will end up shooting and enjoying his .357 rifle 10 times more than the .30-30. And, If he needs to shoot a moose, he shouldn't be using a .30-30 anyway. The absolute cheapest item he would have to buy if he went on a moose hunt would be a used rifle in .30-06 or .300 mag. Excellent used rifles in these calibers can be found at any gun show for far less than a new Marlin 336.

Just my opinions. Didn't mean to slam those who love to hand load. (It gives me a migraine headache.)

Best Regards,

Mannyrock

Cayoot · « **Reply #25 on:** July 06, 2008, 06:05:23 AM »

I agree totally with Mannyrock. I've carried a 336 for years in .35 Rem. Really love that gun and I can load it with cheap hand gun bullets in the .35 Rem case and it can be a hoot. My son has a Marlin 336 in 30-30 and it kills deer as well as my .35 and is also very accurate.

However 2 years ago I purchased a 1894 in .357.

I load it with full wad cutters for rabbit hunting. (I can only load them 2 at a time, one in the chamber and one in the tube. The wad cutter cartridge is too short to function in the lever tube and will jam if you have 2 in the tube.) I have to jiggle the lever to get it to feed full wad cutters. However, I have never seen anything else flatten a rabbit faster with less edible meat damage than a .38 full wad cutter.

I load them very light-about 650 fps, so it is almost as quiet as my .22 rifle (but a much better rabbit gun).

My wife loves shooting the 1894 with .38 +Ps (and the action functions great with Golden Sabre Hollow points.

At night, in the corner by my bed, that 1894 stands loaded with the Golden Sabres for home defense.

When we go on the road, I keep the 1894 in the trunk, loaded to the gills and one in the chamber with .357 158 grn soft points (an almost politically correct assault rifle-cuz it is hi cap and fires rapid with minimum recoil). I keep the carbine in a folded over small rug.

If I get a flat tire , I bring out that rug (with the carbine in the fold and kneel on it while I change tires. The carbine is hidden, but all I have to do is slip my hand between the folds to grab that carbine.

When the repair is done, I pick up the folded carpet and put it back in the trunk and nobody is the wiser.

I think the 30-30 would have too much range/penitration to fire it on the express-way. The bullet would go too far down the hiway and would almost certianly hit an innocent vehicle. At least the .357 will loose alot of power if it goes through a bad guy and/or his car and would not reach out so far trying to find an innocent vehicle.

I really believe that, while the .30-30 is a better all around hunting long-arm; the 1894 (in .357) is by far the more versitle all around/all uses firearm.

Just my opinion of course.

Mannlicher · « **Reply #26 on:** July 06, 2008, 10:16:24 AM »

both are fine rifles, and have their places in my gun safe. For overall versatility though, the 30-30 wins hands down.

7-30 Waters · « **Reply #27 on:** July 06, 2008, 02:40:19 PM »

Both have there purpose but I favor the 35 Remington.

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #28 on:** July 08, 2008, 07:50:33 PM »

If you do handload, the fact you don't have to lube and then clean cases can keep you using the pistol rounds alot. However, I have and use both as well as the 35 rem, 44 mag,(not marlin at this time but have owned 2), 444 marlin and will probably keep them all. Out of 3 30-30's I'm having the Win. rebarreled to 7-30 Waters, and out of the 3 357 rifles I have, I have ordered 2 more barrels to fit to single shot frames. So I guess I lean towards the 357, as that will make 5 total. Hell man, you need both. DP.