New 30-30

[Daman]

Guys

Does anyone still make an economical top eject 30-30?

Daman

[wreckhog]

Dunno what economical means, but Gun Broker and Cabela's typically have a ton of unfired post 64 Winchester top eject 94 Commerative models for about what you might expect to pay for a new Henry. And your local shop probably has low mileage ones for an even better price.

[JW307]

Mossberg makes one that looks a lot like a mod. 94, but it's actually more of an angle eject rather than true top eject to allow for scope mounting.  I've never shot one and have heard mixed reviews, but they are pretty inexpensive.

[mcwoodduck]

Keep an Eye out for an older 94 or a sears 94 ranger.  They pop up in the gun shops from time to time in the $200 to 350 range.
And if you tell you gun shop owner ever so often you want a 94 project gun he may get something he would normally turn away that needs new wood or some metal.
Parts are available, and you can get stocks from Cabela's for a 94.
And Paint covers a multitude of sins and neglect if it is damaged, or it could be a rebluing project.
Thinking of this is going to have me give Jerry a call in Corona and see what he has as a fixer up late winter project.

[Dee]

I see a lot of Winchesters now that the panic for older guns has gone away. I agree with Mr. Duck, an older Winchester 3030 is a better Winchester, and most of the time the older the better. Heck! I've been shootin the same Winchester Model 94 3030 for 52 years, and I ain't even close to wearin it out, and I have shot, and carried it a bunch. Every day for over 10 years in law enforcement, and that is hard on a rifle.
Look around, you'll fine one.

[NickSS]

94s are easy to find and I run into them about every month or two.  I did buy one for a beater a couple years ago in a pawn shop.  It had a mostly rubbed off receiver from carrying it but the rifle is tight and the bore excellent.  In fact I put 50 rounds through it today shooting silhouettes at 200 yards with cast lead bullets.  I hit 35 out of 50 I shot at with it.  The asking price was $275 but I offered and got it for $225 out the door.

[Dee]

I just watched some guys on youtube hittin gallon jugs at 200, 400, and one at 500 yards, with a Model 94 3030. The older ones are the best ones, and most were carried much, and shot little. The finish on the stock, and the bluing on, the metal on mine are wearing thin, but I have carried it all my life, and it still shoots as good as when it was new 52 years ago. I may not though.

[Swampman]

Do yourself a favor and get a Marlin 336.

[mcwoodduck]

Do yourself a favor and get a Marlin 336.

I grew up shooting in the 80's and the Marlins were really cheap and flashy looking then and the Win just had classic lines and looked better without all the plastic, the pressed checkering, and the strait wrist just looked better to me. 
My father's friend Sam had a Marlin 336 in 30-30 set up with a scope for his son and I was allowed to borrow it for my first deer hunt.
I saw the gun as clunky, the scope made it hard for me, 13 and small and fat for my age, to aim in the heavy woods of up state NY, the pistol grip had me really streching to cycle the rifle.
I do have a Marlin 1895 and like it fine but have always liked the lines of the classic M94.  Owning a 308 bolt action and open sights on it.  I never could see the need for a 94 rifle.  But really like the looks of them.  Also with the big open top it is easy to just drop one in and cycle the gun.  Anytime someone has one on the range I weasel a way to shoot one.  i would always make one of my friends that had one of Teddy Rosevelt's 1886 Winchester in 45-70 and would make him take it anytime we went to the range and I could afford the lead 405 -45-70s.
And while the M336 may be a stronger action, easier to mount a scope on, some guys don't want a scope, and standard 30-30 rounds with open sights are just fine to shoot 30 yards to put a deer in the deep freeze.  Open sights are easier to explain and use than a scope for kids and the lever guns just carry better with out the optics.