Author Topic: 30-30 or 35 Rem? (Read 3114 times)

bkraft · « **on:** December 10, 2009, 06:53:33 AM »

After deer season and the holidays I'm going to start haunting the pawn shops looking for a deer rifle for my son. More of a utility rifle; deer and hogs, quick handling in brushy conditions. I think Ive narrowed thins down to a Marlin lever gun, 336(?) in either a 30-30 or 35 Rem. Any and all input, sugestions, coments and experiences would be welcome. May put a small scope or red dot on it. What do you guys think?

NYH1 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 10, 2009, 07:40:36 AM »

I have a Marlin 336C in 35 Rem. I absolutely love it. I shot one deer with it and I couldn't have been more pleased. I currently have XS Sights Ghost Ring Sights on it. If I was going to put a scope on it again, I'd go with a either a Leupold VX-II 2-7x33mm or a Leupold FX-II 4x33mm.

owenv · « **Reply #2 on:** December 10, 2009, 08:22:14 AM »

That is a fine rifle and both rounds will do the job. Cost for 30-30 ammo is less than the 35. When on your search you happen to find a 32 special I'd buy it.

Swampman · « **Reply #3 on:** December 10, 2009, 08:34:35 AM »

I'm fond of the .35. The Nikon Prostaff 2-7x32 or the Bushnell Banner 1.5-4.5x32 would serve him well.

DEACONLLB · « **Reply #4 on:** December 10, 2009, 10:02:14 AM »

I have both and the old 30-30 is hard to beat get them both.

Deaconllb

mangulator · « **Reply #5 on:** December 11, 2009, 03:50:30 AM »

Both calibers are great! I have a Marlin in XLR 30-30. I have taken mule deer, antelope and a cow elk with this gun. I have scoped it with a Burris 2 X 7 German 3P#4. The ammo cost was a deciding factor for me.

Drilling Man · « **Reply #6 on:** December 11, 2009, 05:49:43 AM »

The Rem. 35 is a better game killer, but the 30-30 has cheaper ammo. That doesn't mean the 30-30 doesn't work though, cause it does.

Waaaaaaay back when, my dad went to a Rem. 35 from a 30-30, ask him today about a 35, and his exact words will be, "35, NOW, that's a deer slayer!" Although his all time fav cartridge, is without a doubt, the 30-06.

Dad will be 97 in Feb., and in his life, he has shot truck loads of deer, shooting his last nice buck at age 90.

DM

Siskiyou · « **Reply #7 on:** December 11, 2009, 06:39:53 AM »

In my part of the country the Marlin 336 in 35 Remington is seldom seen. I still kick myself for not buying a used one from a former employee. He was working elsewhere at the time but I felt that I would offered him far less than what it was worth and he would have taken it. I might have lost a couple of nights sleep over it.

If I had the side by side option on a 30-30 or 35 Remington I would go for the .35 Remington because I am a reloader which helps balance out the difficulty of finding ammunition for it in my area. Thirty-Thirty is easy to find.
Another factor that the 35 Remington would have not been a go to rifle, like my 30-30 it would have spent most hunting seasons locked up while I hunted with cartridges that gave me a little more punch over 200-yards.

I marvel at the mechanical soundness of my Marlin 336. It is one sweet rifle, one hundred percent reliable. I love working the lever with the extractor drawing out spent case, the carrier lifting a fresh round up, and as the lever is closed, the fresh round being chamber. I have always appreciated the scope on my Marlin. I started out hunting with a well used, saddle ring Winchester Model 94 in 25-35 and every once and a while a round would slip down in the mechanism and it would take a while to clear it. The next rifle was a very solid Savage 99 in 303 Savage. I loved that rifle with the counter, I would check it every once and while just to make sure the count had not changed. I did not care for the sliding safety down on the lever in sub-freezing weather. I found the factory hammer extension on the Marlin 336 satisfactory. Because I shoot right and left handed I replaced it with one more suitable for ambidextrous shooting.

A critical advantage the Model 336 has is the ability to remove the lever, and pull the bolt so the rifle can be cleaned from the chamber side, and not putting accuracy damaging wear at the muzzle. With care it is a not an issue, I have been cleaning a M760 for years from the muzzle.

A 35 Remington in a Marlin 336 or Remington 760 is a good deer rifle.

Savage .250 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 11, 2009, 09:29:06 AM »

To me that`s almost a toss-up. As I have a 336 in Rem.35 cal, you can guess whick one would be my "pick."
Either way you go if it`s a Marlin 336, reguard-less of whick cal, you`ll do ok. IMO

Catfish · « **Reply #9 on:** December 11, 2009, 10:59:27 AM »

I agree with the majority that the .35 Rem. has the edge, but in reality I would go with the one you find the best deal on.

ironglow · « **Reply #10 on:** December 11, 2009, 11:05:28 AM »

Ditto what most said..best price, best condition..that's the one to get.

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #11 on:** December 11, 2009, 03:48:57 PM »

I have 2 Marlin 35's and 1 Marlin 30-30. You will most likely wind up with both down the road. 35 ammo is more expensive, but I feel it hits harder. It does perform better on game than looking at numbers on paper would have you believe. DP

dgreen · « **Reply #12 on:** December 12, 2009, 03:53:54 PM »

I too have several Marlin 30-30's and a 35 Rem. I reload for both. You can easily improve the 35 Rem with reloads. The 200 grain rem core-loct in the 35 is a real sleeper. However, 150 grain rem core-loct in the 30-30 is also a real sleeper. Both of these are very effective at alot longer ranges than most people think or normally shoot. I'd probably go with the best deal, unless one of them is a G model (3/4 length mag) then I'd go with that one regardless of price or condition. Those G models handle and shoot like nothing you've experienced before. The balance and accuracy is notably improved over the full length mag models.

Mack in N.C. · « **Reply #13 on:** December 12, 2009, 04:25:46 PM »

i would go with the 30-30 beacuse of the price of the ammo......what i can tell righ now is that rem cor loks(30-30) are the cheapest "hi power" round out there.................i have 4 30-30'S....WIN 94......2 CONTENDER BARRELS ...AND AN OLE CHEAP BRAZILLIAN 30-30........that said i would love to have a marlin 35 rem or a barrel for my contender in 35 rem.....i think you can load 357 mag bullerts in it for light loads...........also what i see around here is a 35 rem ammo is alot harder to find in stores than 30-30......i would lean toward the 30-30 but i could see where it maybe a toss up so some of the guys are probaly right and you may be better off just getting the best deal..............the rem does punch a bigger hole...............

BUCKDUSTER · « **Reply #14 on:** December 13, 2009, 01:45:48 PM »

love my 35. it's my old faithful. i just broke the stock on it and am going to try and get a custom one. it was my first rifle and i've shot a bunch of deer with it, all with excellent results.

swordfish · « **Reply #15 on:** December 14, 2009, 03:16:20 AM »

I have several 336's of different models in 30-30 and one in 35 rem. Because I reload, ammo is not a factor. I seem to like the 35 Rem over the 30-30's, but wouldn't hesitate to hunt with ether.

Buckduster, how did you bust the butt stock? I've been looking at some custom stocks, there are some nice ones out there.
I bought a 336 used for $200 a month ago. Described as a "truck-gun." It had a repaired stock on it that looked like crap, 80% blueing (nice older looking patina, in my opinion, and what I really liked about it), no pitting, it was only $200 so what the hell. I got a used stock that took a bit of tweeking to get a solid fit, but not hard, added the missing bullseye, and refinished it, looks great. It's a nice hunter now. Not that I needed it, but I enjoyed shining her up.

P.A. Myers · « **Reply #16 on:** December 14, 2009, 03:35:02 AM »

I wonder why the 35Remington was never more popular. Go with the 35 to hunt, go with the 30-30 to hunt and plink. 30-30 got so cheap a few years back I quit reloading it. A 32special may be a collector piece but they quickly earn a place on the wall.

BUCKDUSTER · « **Reply #17 on:** December 14, 2009, 02:19:58 PM »

not exactly sure ow it broke. it was on my quad in the rack as i was on my was back towards my stand, and it kinda fell in towards the center. it was dark, so i picked it up to reposition it and she was a broken!! ruined my day, but whatcha gonna do. i think my son stepped on it in the soft case when i was getting my huntin stuff together. he's only 5 and my shadow, so i can't be upset with him. stuuf happens. now i got an excuse to spruce her up a bit! lol. i was thinking of a walnut stock on it. i'll shop around til i find what i want. i'm broke right now anyway, so im in no rush

hogwash · « **Reply #18 on:** December 15, 2009, 10:33:08 AM »

I used my dad's ol' .35 when I started deer hunting. Then my younger brother used it. Then my youngest brother. Now my dad is using it again. No telling how many deer that gun has killed. We hunt whitetails in mostly thick woods. Always shot 200 round nose Core-lokts out of it. I love that gun. It will drop the hammer on a deer out to 150.....maybe further, but I've never used it much further. 30 30 is cheaper, but i would go with the .35 all day. Just my opinion....

Brewer

Old Fart · « **Reply #19 on:** December 15, 2009, 10:38:14 AM »

Down around our neck of the woods if it's a lever gun it's probably a 30-30.
That being said I came across a 336 in 35 Rem a while back and I really like it.
Like others I reload so ammo price becomes less of an issue.

I guess if you don't reload or don't want to start the 35 could be problematic.
In which case I would definately go with the 30-30.
But it really boils down to what you can find, and just as important find a bargain on.
They both will perform well on almost all the same game.
A couple boxes of ammo a year isn't going to bankrupt you.

bearmgc · « **Reply #20 on:** December 30, 2009, 06:07:36 PM »

Finding factory ammo for the 35Rem is sometimes difficult, and it costs more than the 30-30. I have both, and my preference is for the 35Rem. But the 30-30 is more than adequate for deer, and there is more variety of factory ammo readily available. That is a big plus.

jlchucker · « **Reply #21 on:** December 31, 2009, 03:53:18 AM »

I like them both. If I was only limited to one, though, it would be the 30-30. Both work very well, but it seems almost part of Americana to have at least one 30-30 levergun. Your best option if money permits and good deals come your way, though, is to have one of each. My 35's surprise me with their accuracy every time I take them to the range--particularly with the RCBS 35-200 cast bullet (which will not bounce off game animals, that's for sure).

WyoStillhunter · « **Reply #22 on:** January 01, 2010, 06:01:29 PM »

I have both. I shot my.30-30 at the range today. The .30-30 is the one to get first because you can probably get it for less cash and ammo costs less. Everything said about the effectiveness of the .35 Rem. and the options that handloading gives you is true, also. Marlin 336 is a great gun even compared to other rifles I own that are worth upwards of $1000.

guns-o-fun · « **Reply #23 on:** January 06, 2010, 06:30:46 AM »

Have folks really had that much trouble getting the 35 rem ammo? The price difference is not huge. I have a relatively new 30-30 and a sweet old 35 rem - both marlin 336s. The 35 is so old it has a different stock set - looks a lot more like an old Winchester - but it has that strong, smooth Marlin action. Both are dead-on accurate. The 35 hits harder and mine shoots really tight groups with the Hornady Leverevolution ammo. You can't lose either way. That old 35 is mighty slick, though.

deerhunter87 · « **Reply #24 on:** January 30, 2010, 02:03:59 PM »

I guess my vote is wit hthe majority. i have both in marlin and i love my .35rem. have a bushnell 3-9x40mm. and iv taken deer at 150-200 yrds no prob. the 30-30 kept way i got it just open sights. best of luck with your hunting. and like everyone else said you can't pass up on a good deal.

BBF · « **Reply #25 on:** January 31, 2010, 11:33:16 AM »

Dunno about your neck of the woods, around here you will probably find 20 or more 30-30's before you see a 35 Rem.

Given the choice i'd go with the 35.

Drilling Man · « **Reply #26 on:** January 31, 2010, 11:55:06 AM »

What do you guys do, wait until your down to your last few rounds before buying more??? If i have a rifle i like, i keep at least a few boxes of ammo around for it, usally 5 to 10. Then as they get used, i replace them THEN, not when i'm out.

DM

wreckhog · « **Reply #27 on:** February 02, 2010, 11:46:00 AM »

I just order from Cabela's. If it is on backorder they send it when they get it.

cybin · « **Reply #28 on:** February 02, 2010, 05:25:50 PM »

I've had a .30-30 since 1970--shoots one inch groups all day long no matter what bullet I put through it at 100 yda. 170 grain bullets hit dead on--150's hit one inch high--every deer I have shot the bullet went through it. One deer I shot at 220 of my paces--I'm 6 foot 2--so each pace is about a yard or a little more. The bullet went trough the deer hitting ribs going in and going out.

The .35 hits harder, and kicks a bit harder too--for a kid the kick may be a bit much, for an adult--it isn't all that much to be concerned about. Hate to see a kid develope a flinching habit.

cybin

Oldshooter · « **Reply #29 on:** February 02, 2010, 05:50:58 PM »

Don't have a 30=30, Its not that i don't like em. Its just not a priority. I do have a 35 Rem Marlin 336. I love that rifle but my youngest son wont give it back!!!!!!

Actually it breaks one of my rules about rifles. Buy the one that has the most ammo available.
Buuuuuuuut I really like "our" 35 Remy!

I have about 8 boxes of leverevolution hornady for it and some of the gummy tipped bullets powder and dies to start reloading for it, so I'm fixed up , if I ever get it back, confound it!