Marlin 30 AW

[Keith L]

About 10 years ago I traded into a Marlin 30AW, and it remains my primary deer hunting rifle to this day.  My shots are normally less than 70 yards (frequently less than 50).  I cleaned up the trigger, put a 2.5X7 scope on it and it consistently shoots sub 1" groups at 100 yards.  My son and I have taken quite a few nice deer with this gun.

The reason for this post is I am curious as how this one fits into the Marlin family of lever guns.  Is there a site I can visit that shows the whole line thru history?  I see lots of reference to the 336 but rarely anything about a 30AW.

Any information you can share would be appreciated.  I assume that this rifle is not worth much.  I have less than $200 in rifle and scope.  But it is reliable and accurate, and has become a tradition in this house.

Thanks,

[doorgunner]

Keith:  I beg to differ with you.  Your 30AW is worth a whole lot.  It's been the primary deer rifle that you and your son have used for a decade.  Some of my most cherished possessions are the "cheap" rifles that my dad handed down to me upon his death.  There are priceless memories contained within those firearms.  

As you probably are already aware, the 30AW is simply a 336 in a "more inexpensive format".  The barrels are brushed before bluing, rather than polished.  The wood is birch, rather than the more expensive walnut.  The forend is capped, rather than banded.  It's all cosmetic Keith!  The quality of the barrel and action are equal to that of the best 336 that ever rolled off of the line.

None of my business, but I would be willing to bet that your son will reach a point in his life someday, where that rifle means more to him than you could ever imagine. :lol:

[Keith L]

I agree, Doorgunner.  I wouldn't sell it for any price.  And I hope some day it is in the hands of one of my sons.

One of the advantages is that I don't have to worry about the rifle getting "beaury marks" while in the field.  Even so it doesn't look bad, works well, and is as accurate as many rifles I have that I paid lots more for.

Thanks for the information.

[doorgunner]

True statement reference the beauty marks.  Birch is a hard wood, which really helps combat those battle scars.

[dldyer]

I have a 30AW also.  Found it at a sale price a number of years ago at Wally World (aka Walmart).  Can't seem to scratch the birch hardwood, and it actually outshoots many of my milsurps.  I wouldn't make any excuses for it.