Author Topic: which lever 30-30 (Read 3274 times)

mattmillerrx · « **on:** February 08, 2010, 02:35:04 AM »

I have been looking at used levers at the gun shows for awhile now. I have been wanting a 30-30 for years but have passed them up. I have looked at both marlin 336 and the winchester. I would be fine with either gun and have likes and dislikes with each, but am curious what you guys like and dislike about each.

Old Grizz · « **Reply #1 on:** February 08, 2010, 02:46:51 AM »

That's kind of a " is ford better than chevy" question. In my opinion I think a Marlin is built better than a Winchester. If you can compare them side by side you would see the difference. I own both Marlin and Winchester levers and actually like the Marlins a little better. The newer ones are drilled and tapped for a scope and there are many options out there for different styles of sights and scope set-ups. I'll say it again, as I have many times, this a personal prefence thing. You need to look at the type of application best fits for what you are going to do with that rifle.

hillbill · « **Reply #2 on:** February 08, 2010, 02:59:07 AM »

if you are going to scope it you will prob be happier with your averge marlin.the winchester is quite a bit lighter, thats nice if you do a lot of walking while hunting.the marlin is a better built gun in my opinion. handle them both and see which one trips your trigger!

zoner · « **Reply #3 on:** February 08, 2010, 03:34:45 AM »

I love my m94 winchester....and don't own a Marlin. If you plan on scoping a levergun go with the Marlin

Rangr44 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 08, 2010, 04:22:33 AM »

IMHO, a lot of your choice might be influenced by two factors:

1) Scope or sights ?

2) How mechanically-friendly R U ? How often, and exactly how do you clean your gun(s) ? (We don't need dteails, these are questions to ask yourself)

( Q #1) - Scoping Marlins and newer angle-eject (94AE) Winchesters is a no-brainer, due to the factory-prep for top scope mounts.
Both are equally easily adaptable for a receiver or tang peep sight.

( Q #2) - The Marlins are a snap to take apart, remove the bolt, and clean the barrel from the rear - the Winchester less so, requiring much more mechanical ability/knowledge.

IMO, both brands exhibit approximately equal accuracy - i.e., they are "woods-accurate" (not being target rifles) , so it might also drill down to which feels/handles best for you, and YOUR personal ergonomics.

The Winchester action is a little slimmer, tending to hand carry better than the Marlin; The Marlin a tad headier/steadier (but not much - negligable)

.

yellowtail3 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 08, 2010, 05:26:05 AM »

My $.02 similar to others'. I've never shot the Model 94, thought I've handled one. Marlin is slightly heavier, much more solid feel. I'm very happy with my 336. Conventional wisdom is if you're gonna scope, get a 336. It'll be very nice 200 yard deer hunting solution - mine certainly is!

Some say 30-30 is weak. I've owned a 30-06, I've owned a .270 - and I'm not undergunned with the Marlin.

gstewart44 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 08, 2010, 06:24:04 AM »

I own both the Winchester9(pre64) and Marlin in 3030. My Win is open sighted and the Marlin wears a scope. I use the Win in close palmetto cover where the shots are quick and rarely over 50 yds. I take the Marlin where I have shots across clearings of 100-200 yds.

Both are accurate for hog/deer hunting. The Win is slimmer, lighter and easier to carry on a walkabout. The Marlin is about 1 1/2 lbs heavier (with the scope) and is steadier for longer shots.

I pick either one depending on where I am hunting.

mattmillerrx · « **Reply #7 on:** February 08, 2010, 06:59:39 AM »

All good points and I agree. My mind is made up even before posting this on which is better but that does not mean I will go with the marlin. The first center fire I hunted with was dads Winchester. That said I like this gun because it is lighter and a little more iconic than the marlin. Around here they can be had for about 450. If I find one I like it will go home with me. Don't like scopes on my levers but may need them when I get to be 50 or better. The Marlin is heavy, which I both like and dislike. That is what matters most to me in this decsion. I like the extra weight for less recoil and a steadier hold to me but hate it when carring the gun. The Marlin goes for about 250-350 around here. If the wife takes to hunting again this would likely see some use by her--i remember that winchester kicking pretty hard when I was a kid. The Marlin might come home with me to. Just need to see which one calls my name.

Dances with Geoducks · « **Reply #8 on:** February 08, 2010, 07:06:20 AM »

I have one of each also.
Main differences are Marlin is heavier, a tad less recoil (not that you will ever notice)
The only Winchester you want to buy is a pre-64, they are better made. I own a 1967 that has had the cheaper parts replaced.
Do not ever get one newer than 81. Thats when they started the side ejection system, which the experts say is crap.

The Winchester is lighter, slimmer, and ,looser built.

I dont have a scope on either one. Never will.

I use the same rounds in both, they both shoot the same.

MGMorden · « **Reply #9 on:** February 08, 2010, 07:21:01 AM »

I've personally got the Marlin. Bought a Winchester (one of the newer AE models) for my brother. Both wear scopes, and both have had no issues with the scope mounting.

Having shot both mine and his, I'll give a slight preference to the Marlin. They feel a bit sturdier, and overall I like the pistol grip better than the straight grip on the Winchester. Truthfully though, they're both very good guns. If I were buying used, it would merely come down to which one I could find a good price on. Note though that this applies only to the AE model 94. If you plan on scoping something older, I'd avoid it. A cousin of mine has an older 94 with a side mount. It works, and he's killed plenty of deer with it, but it doesn't feel quite right having the scope off-center for me.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #10 on:** February 08, 2010, 07:29:59 AM »

I have owned both . The Marlin is a nice rifle and takes to scope use well . To me it carries bad . The Winchester just feels right . I shoot the Winchester faster and better .

Sixgun · « **Reply #11 on:** February 08, 2010, 08:28:58 AM »

I'll throw in my 2 cents here. This is all my own opinion so don't any of you marlin lovers take offense.

The Winchester is better, hands down. You can scope a marlin easier, but a 30-30 should not have a scope on it. If the origional sights arn't good enough, go to a reciever sight or a tang sight. Even poor eyes will see through an apature good enough for a 200 yard shot and a bit farther if you need to.

Even a shot out winchester barrel will shoot good. A shot out micro groove becomes a smooth bore.

Yes a marlin is easier to get the bolt out, but that is the only advantage they have over a winchester.

Like I said, this is my opinion!

Sixgun

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #12 on:** February 08, 2010, 08:35:44 AM »

I have 2 94's and 2 Marlins...I have shot game with both...For me I prefer the marlins..easier to scope..As age comes along, that is a big thing...While I hear folks talk about irons in the brush, I have shot lots of game in heavy cover, nothing matches a scope for quick alignement and picking a hole in the brush for a clean kill....

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #13 on:** February 08, 2010, 09:11:15 AM »

For me nothing gets in the way of tracking game in close in the brush like a scope on a gun .

gstewart44 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 08, 2010, 09:25:36 AM »

Quote from: SHOOTALL on February 08, 2010, 09:11:15 AM

For me nothing gets in the way of tracking game in close in the brush like a scope on a gun .

+1 on that for me. With my older eyes now I prefer a receiver or tang mounted peep, or on a modern rifle like my Ruger 44 carbine a red dot.

I can't get a scope to come up on target and track anywhere near as fast as a peep or red dot.

demented · « **Reply #15 on:** February 08, 2010, 12:39:34 PM »

Hard question to answer, I finally made a decision that works for ME. Winchester is my choice for close range (under 100 yds) nothing else carries and handles so well. I had considered a Marlin for scoped use, decided that by the time I added the extra weight of a scope to the Marlins already heavier weight, it just didn't make sense for me to own a 8# 30-30. So I looked until I found a good deal on Browning lever action .308, weight about the same as the Marlin, box fed so it can use spitzer bullets, range at least 100 yds. more than a 30-30. I haven't regreted my choice.

MZ5 · « **Reply #16 on:** February 09, 2010, 02:41:17 PM »

A question: Is there a specific reason that the Henry is not part of the deliberations? I only own a Marlin 30-30 lever. I also have a Henry lever .22. I was debating between the Marlin and the Winchester a decade or two ago when I got my Marlin. I think it was the stock that made me choose the Marlin; I don't recall. I like the feel of the Marlin's action, and the metal finish is very good and very tough. My Henry is WONDERFUL. I've been waiting to see the Henry 30-30s in person, but they haven't made it to my part of the country yet. Just curious.

mattmillerrx · « **Reply #17 on:** February 09, 2010, 03:23:37 PM »

I thought of including it but had not seen one before posting this. I saw one yesterday when I was in Bass Pro, I did not even get it off the shelf. I think the price tag was around 550 but no one was willing to help me out and show me a gun. Main reason I did not include it is because it is a newer gun (at least to me not sure when these came out) and I am looking at the used market. I guess we can include it here but the shows I have been looking at have not had any even in NIB. The Marlins are pretty numerous and the winchester I have been seeing a lot of lately. If I am back in Bass Pro anytime soon, I will take a look at it but service in there is pretty poor. Being 200-250 bucks over the marlin, it will have to really have some pro's to win out with me. Of course the Henry is at Bass Pro Prices, so may be had for less else where. I do like the loading through the end of the mag tube, not sure why but probably due to the .22's I have had over the years loading the same way.

Anyone with any experience on Henry can chime in here.

Savage .250 · « **Reply #18 on:** February 10, 2010, 01:37:25 AM »

As far as Winchesters go, I`d get me a Pre-64. 94 in .32spl. Nothing else.
In a Marlin 336SC I`d get me the same 32 Spl. Gun shows are a good starting place as you have stated. Save your money cause they aren`t cheap.

Old Grizz · « **Reply #19 on:** February 10, 2010, 01:55:52 AM »

My Henry is WONDERFUL. I've been waiting to see the Henry 30-30s in person, but they haven't made it to my part of the country yet. Just curious.

Your right, no one has menchioned a Henry. I have a Big Boy in .44 mag. and really like it. I have held the Henry in 30-30 and the action is very smooth and the rifle comes up to the shoulder nicely. Very well built rifle also.

wreckhog · « **Reply #20 on:** February 10, 2010, 02:06:19 AM »

Henry 30-30 are heavy. Like 8+ lbs to start.

Old Grizz · « **Reply #21 on:** February 10, 2010, 02:25:50 AM »

Your right, they are heavy but by time you scope a Marlin it weighs about the same. Its that octagone barrel that adds the weight but it helps with the recoil.

Rangr44 · « **Reply #22 on:** February 10, 2010, 03:04:38 AM »

Yes, a scoped Marlin would weigh about as much as an UNSCOPED Henry FatBoy; but adding a scope to the FatBoy too (no mean feat) means you'll also need the training wheel set for it.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

[ I do like the loading through the end of the mag tube, not sure why but probably due to the .22's I have had over the years loading the same way.]

That might fly at the range, or for plinking, but doesn't work well for hunting or HD - the reason why Winchester dropped that method and has used the "King's Patent" (receiver side loading gate) on alll their leverguns ever since it was invented.

The side loading gate allows replenishing ammunition in the magazine w/o taking the rifle off the shoulder and out of aim/action - via just sliding more in by feel.

.

Old Grizz · « **Reply #23 on:** February 10, 2010, 03:25:17 AM »

Hey Rangr,
Very true statement but I think most guys would stay with the buckhorn sights on one of these things. Scopes just don't look right on a Henry Big Boy.

Sixgun · « **Reply #24 on:** February 10, 2010, 05:15:08 AM »

For that matter, scopes don't look right on any 30-30 lever gun.

Dances with Geoducks · « **Reply #25 on:** February 10, 2010, 05:39:16 AM »

Scoping a lever gun defeats its purpose.

Old Grizz · « **Reply #26 on:** February 10, 2010, 07:31:08 AM »

Quote from: Dances with Geoducks on February 10, 2010, 05:39:16 AM

Scoping a lever gun defeats its purpose.

No it doesn't. Some of us at our withered ages need a scope to see at distances. These days the levergun will hit up too 300 yards, try to do that with iron sights and poor eyesight. This is why scope manufactures make compact scopes. They are made for levers!!!!!

wreckhog · « **Reply #27 on:** February 10, 2010, 08:32:18 AM »

I love the idea of unloading via the magazine tube. After a morning of hunting, it is safer IMHO than levering them out.

Dances with Geoducks · « **Reply #28 on:** February 10, 2010, 08:50:27 AM »

Griz,

My eyes are past the 1/2 century mark myself.

The saddle gun was made for close in and fast target acquisition. Anything that slows this, defeats its purpose
If your using a lever gun for what it wasn't designed for, more power to you.
You can not get on target within 75 yards as fast as open sights can.
We took pop bottles filled with water at 50 and 75 yards, and shoot against kids with red dots and 4x powers, and they cant hit them as fast as us older codgers do.
When I cant see the rear sight any more, I'll knock the rear sight out, slide it up the barrel until it comes in clear, then cut a new dovetail.

Old Grizz · « **Reply #29 on:** February 10, 2010, 11:59:02 AM »

I agree with what you are saying but I have never seen any rules on how to outfit a levergun. I own 19 levers and half have scopes on them. I've hunted woodchuck to grizzly bear with levers and all with compact scopes on them. So if that is hunting the wrongway with a lever, so be it.