Author Topic: Buy the .35, or get a .30-30? (Read 1257 times)

BradCoPAHunter · « **on:** December 27, 2005, 05:57:41 AM »

I know, I know the .35 Remington vs. .30-30 Winchester debate has been hashed over ad nauseum, but here's my particular dillema. A local gun shop has a J.C. Higgins model 45 chambered in .35 Remington. Birch stock, hardly a knick or blemish anywhere EXCEPT where somebody engraved a number right next to where the lever meets the stock. The engraving isn't sloppy, but it very obviously is not from the factory. There is no serial number stamped on the top of the tang (I think this is the right word), but I think that there are 5-6 characters stamped on the bottom of the tang. The barrel is not marked "micro-groove". When I peered in the muzzle, I counted 8 grooves, I think. So it looks like it has more than the standard number of Ballard grooves, but less than the typical number of micro-grooves. The receiver is drilled and tapped for both scope mounts and receiver mounts. Front sight is a brass bead, the back is a non-folding model. There is no cross bolt safety.

So, here's my question: Given the condition and peculiarities of the rifle, do I go for the .35, or do hold out for a non cross bolt safety Marlin 336 in .30-30? I know that reloading allows the .35 to be much more potent than factory loads, but I don't reload now and don't know if I ever will. If I'm just going to shoot factory loads, the .30-30 and .35 sound like they're practically identical in killing power for hunting black bears and whitetails. However, I can buy a dozen different loads for the .30-30, but I have to drive 50 minutes to even find a box of 200-grainers for the .35 Rem. Practically speaking, buying a .30-30 seems to make a whole lot more sense to me, 'cause it'll do everything the .35 will do, PLUS more range and less recoil. But there's just something about that model 45 on the rack that speaks to me. And, no, I can't afford to buy one of each. I'm way too poor for that.

Cottonwood · « **Reply #1 on:** December 27, 2005, 09:39:27 AM »

When I spotted my 336CS in .35 Remington I could of sworn it was saying something like... I'll never shrink to .30 cal and I'll hit game like Thors Hammer.

Just having fun, but I did buy the .35 Remington and even if I had to drive for the ammo, I would purchase enough in one shot, so I didn't have to make another trip real soon :roll: and in reality the recoil is nothing compared to a 45-70

victorcharlie · « **Reply #2 on:** December 27, 2005, 11:38:13 AM »

I really don't notice the recoil on my Marlin 336 in .35 Remington.........and side by side with my friends straight stocked winchester 94 in 30-30, it feels like less recoil on the Marlin .35.........both me and my friend agree on this........You probably won't be able to tell much difference between the two.....all things equal.

You won't be under gunned with either......and if money's tight, then the 30-30 might be a better choice. I sure like my .35 though!

Lloyd Smale · « **Reply #3 on:** December 27, 2005, 11:49:38 AM »

they both will kill any deer you hit properly with them. Neither kick enough for it to matter. The only advantage i can see is the .35 is a better killer with cast bullets in my experience anyway.

Old Griz · « **Reply #4 on:** December 27, 2005, 08:39:18 PM »

:cb2: OK, I know this is not going to help but . . .

First of all, I do not have a .35. However, the .35 is probably the most underrated cartridge of all time. All of the .35 shooters I have talked to love it and don't shoot anything else. Fantastic round for deer & black bear, especially if in the woods. I have a .30-30 & a .45-70, and haven't felt the need to get the .35, but if I didn't have the other two, I'd get the .35.

But I do have a .30-30, and love it. Very low recoil and ammo is everywhere. A friend of mine used to live in Alaska, and he killed his first moose with a .30-30. He was just 14 at the timetoo young and stupid to know you can't kill anything that big with a mere .30-30, so the poor boy went and did it anyway.

Bottom line: life is short, so get the gun you like! If ya don't like the number in the stock, get some wood putty and stain it or something. And like The Montanan said, just save up some $ and stock up on some .35 ammo the next time your at that store 50 minutes away. Buy a case.

Or, if you want to be overly sensible, get a Marlin .30-30 and the cheap plentiful ammo. The deer won't know the difference.

See . . . no help at all.

Old Griz · « **Reply #5 on:** December 27, 2005, 08:41:50 PM »

:cb2: And by the way, that 14 year old kid is 62 now, and he still has that .30-30!

BradCoPAHunter · « **Reply #6 on:** December 28, 2005, 03:54:41 AM »

Thanks folks. The person who engraved the numbers on the gun did it in the metal not the wood, so I couldn't just sand them out. I think I'm making this way too difficult. I just need to go to the shop and handle the gun side by side with a couple of other levers and see which one feels right.

mr.frosty · « **Reply #7 on:** December 28, 2005, 04:53:54 AM »

I have all 3; 45/70,30-30, and the 35!!
Got the 30-30 when I was 15 for CHRISTmas.
got the 45/70 2 years ago and love it.
This past christmas dad gave me his 35 to keep.
The 35 has more sentimental value than any of the others cause it was
handed down from his father then to me.
You will enjoy either one very much for whatever you do.
And there all Marlins tooo...

35Rem · « **Reply #8 on:** December 30, 2005, 03:36:20 AM »

35Rem · « **Reply #9 on:** December 30, 2005, 03:41:40 AM »

Well, The 35 Rem is a faster killer, in my experience. The larger frontal diameter of the 35 seems transfers the energy faster. The best bullet is the 200 grain roundnose. The 30-30 can't shoot a bullet that big. I don't hear a lot of people recommending the 30-30 for bears, like they do the 35. Recoil is pretty mild, too.

As for obtaining ammo, since you are posting on this site you have access to the best prices on ammo around. Check out sportsmansguide.com for the Remington 200 grainers. Look at Midsouthshooters.com for the new Hornady ammo (it looks pretty darn good!) Might have a short wait for it, though. Reeds might offer some good deals on some loaded ammo, too, he's a site sponsor.
Just order a few boxes at a time and it'll be worth it. I think most walmarts carry the Remington stuff, too, if that's an option.
If there's a local shop, just ask em to order some and keep some on the shelf.
You will like the 35 Remington if you get to use it on game. Period.

(Another reason to get it is 2006 is the 35 Rem's 100th Birthday. No better birthday present than to use it and keep it going.)

BradCoPAHunter · « **Reply #10 on:** January 02, 2006, 04:57:37 AM »

Thanks for all your replies. I bought the .35 Remington. I went back to the shop, and compared it to a new Marlin and to a Winchester Model 94. The JC Higgins just felt better, and the trigger pull was so light and crisp. Plus, I really like knowing that I have a gun that has a history and that I can give it more time in the field. It's too nice of a gun to sit on a shelf unused. :grin: