Author Topic: 30-30 versus .35 Rem? (Read 7615 times)

His lordship. · « **on:** June 20, 2009, 09:22:55 AM »

Thinking of getting another Marlin 336, used to have one in 30-30, traded it for a bolt gun. But I liked the balance and accuracy of it and was looking for something mostly to use as a backup varmint rifle, hogs, and maybe a whitetail down the road. The cost of the .35 Remington is around $10.00 more for the ammo compared to the 30-30, but the extra umph of the .35 might be nice to have.

What do you guys suggest?

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #1 on:** June 20, 2009, 09:29:38 AM »

I have 1 30-30 and 2 35 Rems, guess which one I would tell ya to get. DP

Dee · « **Reply #2 on:** June 20, 2009, 12:06:51 PM »

Quote from: dpe.ahoy on June 20, 2009, 09:29:38 AM

I have 1 30-30 and 2 35 Rems, guess which one I would tell ya to get. DP

I didn't know there was gonna be a test. I thought there was gonna be an opinion.

I likes me 3030. Have had it 51 years.

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #3 on:** June 20, 2009, 01:50:12 PM »

When you toss varmits into the mix, I would go with the Marlin with a 24 in barrel and 1/2 magazine. You can get all kinds of .30 bullets designed for varmits for the little old .30-30, this is something I dont think is available for the 35. I have never shot hogs with the .30-30, but killed a few with the .358, that 35 really did a number on them.

But since I never used the .30-30, I can't say how it would stand up. Fine is am guessing. I like the .30-30 and have both a 94 carbine and longer barreled marlin., I would take it over any .243 made for shooting deer under 150 yards.

Ammo is cheaper for the .30-30, but if I were getting another lever gun, the .35 Rem, would be one of the top contenders.

Dee · « **Reply #4 on:** June 20, 2009, 04:43:50 PM »

WCH, hogs just lay right down with a 150 grain 3030, just like they do with your 35. But they also do with a 223. Hogs ain't hard to kill.

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #5 on:** June 20, 2009, 05:18:46 PM »

Hey, that Hornady LE ammo is made fer vermin and varmits

. All red tipped and pointy like,

alright Dee, yer right the 30-30 makes more sense with the smaller stuff in the equation. I let my emotions get the best of me again on the 35.

After careful consideration and a clearing of the CRS, I guess I have another 30-30 in a single shot and also a 30-30 AI as well.

I do like the extra stopping power against them nasty gophers, why I seen em so big...............

DP

Savage .250 · « **Reply #6 on:** June 21, 2009, 02:37:50 AM »

Marlin 336, .35 rem................Blue collar gun. Put some Hornady Lever-E in it and
it`s bang/flop friendly.

Old English · « **Reply #7 on:** June 21, 2009, 02:59:35 AM »

You'll end up with both of them anyway, so just pick whichever you get first. I started with a 30/30, added a 45-70, then along came the 35rem. Woops, seems I just bought a 44 mag to add to the pile. It is an addiction which will not go away!

jlchucker · « **Reply #8 on:** June 21, 2009, 04:54:25 AM »

Quote from: Old English on June 21, 2009, 02:59:35 AM

You'll end up with both of them anyway, so just pick whichever you get first. I started with a 30/30, added a 45-70, then along came the 35rem. Woops, seems I just bought a 44 mag to add to the pile. It is an addiction which will not go away!

Yup! And they all work very nicely IMO.

45-70.gov · « **Reply #9 on:** June 21, 2009, 05:12:09 AM »

35 will do better with cast

also reload with 357 pistol bullets

a 125 hp might be interesting at hyper speeds

BBF · « **Reply #10 on:** June 21, 2009, 05:46:46 AM »

For cheap plinking/varmint shooting the 35 will handle .357 pistol stuff but then you could load half jackets into the 30-30. Well, just flip a coin.......................................two out of three

mangulator · « **Reply #11 on:** June 21, 2009, 06:07:52 AM »

Well, I like the 30-30 easy to reload and the ammo can be cheaper then the 35 rem. You won't be disappointed if you get either one of them. Better yet get both...

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #12 on:** June 21, 2009, 12:51:44 PM »

Dee, I have only shot a few hogs, I would say maybe 5 or 6 at most. While I used the .358 on a couple, the others were shot with a .45 Long Colt. Some spring I am going to have to journey to Tx. and shoot some hogs with my Marlin .30. When I made one of my last trips for hogs the guy I was with told me he shot 'em with his .22-250. I am sure it is like all hunting. If you live close and have more opportunity, much smaller guns work well. But if one is only able to go out for a couple days, then a heavier gun gives a greater chance of success on longer and less than perfect shots.

Dee · « **Reply #13 on:** June 21, 2009, 01:38:59 PM »

WCH, there might be some truth to your last thought there I suppose, but if you can't put a hog down with a 3030, you most likely can't do it with a 458 Win mag either. A bad shot is a bad shot, regardless of caliber.
I look at such things as I do "buck fever". I've never had it, so I can't relate. I love hunting as much as anyone, and have been hunting since I was about 5. Got my first BB gun when I was 4. Things were different in the fifties.
I don't really judge others on caliber choice, I have killed hogs with a Marlin 94 Cowboy in 4570 with a 405 grain cast hand load. I'm just saying that caliber wasn't necessary to kill that hog. I could have killed the same hog, with the same shot, with my Model 92 Winchester in 357 magnum. It's like the boys out west telling you what "you have to have" to hunt out there. Present company excluded.

They tell you what "they" think you need.
I'm not a trophy hunter, I'm a meat hunter, so I guess that's where my lack of "buck fever" comes from. I don't take iffy shots much anymore. I have owned the same Winchester Model 94 since 1958, and trust me. It will take anything on the North American continent. REGARDLESS of what the gun writers, and bullet salesmen say.
When you come down here to Texas, if you don't get your hog, maybe I can help you get one if I'm in town.

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #14 on:** June 21, 2009, 02:09:15 PM »

Dee, hunting meat is the way of most hunters around here. Myself included. Although I mostly give the meat I take now to friends around town who cannot hunt anymore. My girl friend is not fond of game, why I don't know. Maybe a bad experience when she was a kid. Her bothers were all hunters and she likes to go along, so I won't complain. I understand, that many shots we make could have been made with smaller calibers. I like most rifles and and calibers except for some odd reason the .308. Shot my first deer with my dad's '94 32 spl. I still have it. And haven't shot much more game with it another deer, lion, and an antelope. I don't like using open sights any more. So when I get the urge for my .30-30 style rifles I mostly use my Marlins in .25-35 or .30-30. Scopes permit me a more percise aiming point for my shot. I don't mind killing game, but I want it dead NOW.

So I like the scope rather than irons. But shots here probably tend to run a lot longer than in woodlands. When I was a kid, I associated with a bunch of real gunmen. They were experts at long range shooting at target, varmit, or game. They made a big impression on me. They were experts.I guess since then,my first love is always the bolt action scoped rifle. But as I grow older and have much more time, and guns, I do find hunting with the .25-35 or 30-30 a relaxing and enjoyable style of hunting. But I guess if I go on a trip away from home, the .30-30 often goes, but a bolt action will probably be my weapon of choice, especailly if time is short, or it is an animal I really want to take. Thanks for the offer, I may well take yo u up on it. I used to go to Tx. often. Have many friends there, but haven't been there much since I retired.

223Shooter · « **Reply #15 on:** June 22, 2009, 12:18:38 PM »

Like someone above stated....doesn't matter which one you buy first...30-30 or 35 Rem. I bought my 35 Rem first, then my 30-30....Both beautiful Marlin lever action rifles. Most of us buy more than one Marlin.

petemi · « **Reply #16 on:** June 23, 2009, 12:39:30 PM »

Dee, I got my Marlin 336T .30-30 in 1958------51 years ago also. She's still a good lookin workin girl, and my every day saddle gun.

Pete

mannyrock · « **Reply #17 on:** June 23, 2009, 01:47:04 PM »

Dee,

For what you list, go with the .30-30. Why pay $10 more a box for ammo? Sure, the .35 Remington drops deer dead in their tracks. When shot with a .30-30 using a 170 grain bullet, they prance about 25 yards, and then drop dead in their tracks. So who cares about that 25 yards? Not me. I have no problem walking that far.

Regards,

Mannyrock

petemi · « **Reply #18 on:** June 24, 2009, 10:28:32 AM »

Manny, my old tirdy tirdy has dumped many a deer in its tracks over all those years....well over half I'd say.. The old Winchester 170 gr. Silvertip.

Pete

gstewart44 · « **Reply #19 on:** June 26, 2009, 05:56:49 AM »

I've had no experience with the 35 Rem but I have used a 1950's vintage Winchester 94 in 3030 for over 20 years. I use only the 150 gr bullets (it hates the 170's for some reason), but dozens of hogs have dropped to it over the years. It is the gun/round I used to stop a wounded charging boar. It is very accurate for a lever gun and I've been able to take head shots on squirrels within 25 yds. I can trust the round to do what it needs to.

Halwg · « **Reply #20 on:** July 14, 2009, 01:07:49 AM »

I have 2 30-30s and 3 35 Remingtons...I'm a 35 Remington fan, so I vote for the 35.

OOPs...as of 10/20/2009 I have 1 30-30 and 4 35 Remingtons...the 35 is getting more popular. But I'll definitely keep the 30-30 (it's being reblued) and probably add another 30-30 at some point.

coyotejoe · « **Reply #21 on:** July 18, 2009, 05:27:52 AM »

Lots of folks just have a natural affinity for a certain caliber and are quick to proclaim it "the best" but the ballistic tables don't lie.
I think we can all agree there just ain't that much difference. 35 caliber is bigger than .30 but not a whole lot bigger. 200 grain bullets are heavier than 170 grains but not a whole lot heavier. The 30/30/150 shoots flatter than the .35/200 but the point blank range is not a whole lot greater. No doubt 30/30 ammo is the cheapest you can buy and the easiest to find, likewise for reloading there are many more .30 caliber bullets available and at less cost than .35 caliber. While one can use .357 pistol bullets in a .35 Remington I've never found them very accurate or useful. The only area where I would say for sure go .35 rem would be if I just had to hunt deer with cast bullets, but I don't have to.

45-70.gov · « **Reply #22 on:** July 18, 2009, 08:39:06 AM »

Quote from: coyotejoe on July 18, 2009, 05:27:52 AM

Lots of folks just have a natural affinity for a certain caliber and are quick to proclaim it "the best" but the ballistic tables don't lie.
I think we can all agree there just ain't that much difference. 35 caliber is bigger than .30 but not a whole lot bigger. 200 grain bullets are heavier than 170 grains but not a whole lot heavier. The 30/30/150 shoots flatter than the .35/200 but the point blank range is not a whole lot greater. No doubt 30/30 ammo is the cheapest you can buy and the easiest to find, likewise for reloading there are many more .30 caliber bullets available and at less cost than .35 caliber. While one can use .357 pistol bullets in a .35 Remington I've never found them very accurate or useful. The only area where I would say for sure go .35 rem would be if I just had to hunt deer with cast bullets, but I don't have to.

with the cost of ammo and slugs

casting option may become a bigger factor

the 35 has a reputation for defying and exceeding the ballistics asigned to it

except for flatter shooting and cheaper the 35 is better ..but not alot

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #23 on:** July 19, 2009, 12:22:30 AM »

I love them both but tend to shoot more cast then jacketed anymore and with cast the 35 definately has an advantage over a 3030. If shooting jacketed either with a well placed shot will have no problem taking game up to a 1000 lbs.

wreckhog · « **Reply #24 on:** July 19, 2009, 01:39:24 PM »

For hunting in my area where black bear to coyotes are incidental I'd vote 35. For shooting cast I'd flip flop. For shooting jacketed or lots of blasting of any ammo, 30-30 is cheaper and easier on the shoulder.

rickt300 · « **Reply #25 on:** July 22, 2009, 05:41:31 AM »

I have found the 35 to have better case life and feed much smoother than the 30-30 in Marlin rifles. The 35 is also more effective on game using cast bullets. You can load the 35 to be much more powerful than the 30-30, to the tune of 2200 fps using a 220 grain bullet. I have a 30-30 but seldom hunt with it anymore prefering my 35 marlin.

coyotejoe · « **Reply #26 on:** August 08, 2009, 03:41:06 AM »

I'd like to know where you found the data to run a 220 grain bullet at 2200 fps. I've never seen it listed much past 2000. Not to say that isn't deadly enough but I have tried some pretty hot loads, way over book max, in a Remington pump and never saw 2200 fps with the 220 grain, 200 grain, yes, just barely.

Happy · « **Reply #27 on:** August 09, 2009, 07:14:51 AM »

Quote from: coyotejoe on August 08, 2009, 03:41:06 AM

I'd like to know where you found the data to run a 220 grain bullet at 2200 fps. I've never seen it listed much past 2000. Not to say that isn't deadly enough but I have tried some pretty hot loads, way over book max, in a Remington pump and never saw 2200 fps with the 220 grain, 200 grain, yes, just barely.

Go to Marlin owners forum then look under reloading .
Ramshot@38 grs should get you there and like wise some of the accurate powders
I give the info in a PM

Oldshooter · « **Reply #28 on:** August 17, 2009, 05:29:03 PM »

Well far be it for me to chime in late! When i decided to get my levergun I wanted a 35 rem. cause i had checked and decided that the 35 was a better cartridge than the 30-30 and looking at the ballistics it is. and the leverevolution ammo with the gummi tip is a great bullet. but you can find more 30-30 at a mom and pop country store than you can 35 rem anywhere(down here)! and the leverevolution is available for it also.

Now you'd think i wudda went with the 30-30..................Nope i'm stubborn like that, I own the marlin 35 in rem.
go figger!

Heck when it comes down to it i just like holding the 35 bullet better!

Brian in FL · « **Reply #29 on:** August 28, 2009, 04:41:01 PM »

A 336SC in .35 Remi9ngton was my first centerfire Marlin, and .35 Remington is the one I'd recommend to you. The ability to use bullets up to 220 grains and down to .357 pistol bullets gives the .35 a versatility the the .30-30 can't match IMHO. But, I'm also a fan of the .30-30; I just think the .35 is better.