Opinions on the Marlin 30-30

Some Beach · 11-28-2007, 09:57 PM

I'm considering a Marlin 30as 30-30 w/Tasco scope. Anyone here have 1st hand experience with this rifle? Does anyone know what the market price might be (only shot a handful of rounds). I'm wanting to shoot whitetail in TX.

Thanks

bowhunter747 · 11-28-2007, 10:37 PM

what kind of yardage do you plan to shoot with this rifle? i own one and love it. i use mine to hunt in the woods the majority of the time.i have shot a deer with it at 210 yards, it never took another step. i normally shoot it at 100 and 150 yards on paper and like the way it groups at those yards. mine is sighted at 2 inches high at100 yards.i shoot winchester 150 gr. hollow points. mine is 37 years old. i havent really shot any of the newer productionones. if your looking for something on the lines of a brush type gun, go for it. around here, for aused rifle and scope i see themin the local flyers for around $250.

Some Beach · 11-28-2007, 10:47 PM

Thanks for the info! I haven't gone deer hunting in Texas (yet); I'll be going next season 2008. I don't know much about the terrain outside of the greater Houston area but I do know out towards San Antonio & Austin it starts getting into the "Hill Country."

I Googled the rifle and I'm finding a lot of good information. Someone else mentioned their sight was 2" high, like yours. They were also saying Hornaby makes a good round. I'll keep looking around as well as listening to everyone's advice here.

TUK101 · 11-28-2007, 10:47 PM

Great gun, can't go wrong with it. It is about as proven of a gun design as you will ever find. For long range shooting, sure you could do better with a bolt action more modern style of gun, but for a do it all, fun to shoot and easy to pack rifle the Marlin levergun is where its at. For deer, the 30/30 is pretty much the old reliable round and probably 85-90% or the hunters out there havetaken a deer with one at one time or another.

FA · 11-28-2007, 10:48 PM

Got lots of Marlins but my two favorite are the 336C in 30-30 and the 1895G in 45-70. The 30-30 is a great shooter and with the new Hornady Leverevolution ammo, I can take shots at 250 yards and hit what I'm aiming at. Like 747 said, what type of terraine are you hunting? Texas usually seems like it could be super long distance shooting, if so, maybe the 30-30 is the wrong application for this type of shooting.

whitetaildreamer · 11-28-2007, 10:48 PM

Good gun for the bush. I bought one for my son as his first deer rifle. I would loose the Tasco scope though. Although it is simply my personal opinion, I believe that Marlin makes one of the best 30-30 lever guns and it would be a great reliable gun that you will use for many years. I'd put a Bushnell or Nikon scope on it.

FA · 11-28-2007, 11:05 PM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: whitetaildreamer

Good gun for the bush. I bought one for my son as his first deer rifle. I would loose the Tasco scope though. Although it is simply my personal opinion, I believe that Marlin makes one of the best 30-30 lever guns and it would be a great reliable gun that you will use for many years. I'd put a Bushnell or Nikon scope on it.

I agree, loose the Tasco which is problably a 3-9 power and put on like a 2-7 power in a compact scope model. Marlins look way over scoped with a full size scope on it.

RugerM77.270 · 11-29-2007, 08:04 AM

I have a Marlin 30-30 and I have a Tasco scope mounted on it. It is a deer killer. I use Hornady Leverevolution ammo in it and wouldn't hesitate to shoot out to 250 yards with these bullets. Sighted in 3 inches high at 100 its dead on at 200.

If you can loose the scope I put mine on because it was what I could afford in college and it turned out to be a great scope that has never given me any problems could be clearer though.

retrieverman · 11-29-2007, 09:05 AM

Here are some links to some Marlin 30AS rifles on Gunbroker that should give you an idea of the "going price" of that model. As others have said, I would sure "upgrade" the scope and try the LeverEvolution ammo.

Where are you hunting in Texas?
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=86118224
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=85246193
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=86037563
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=86057340
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=86136877

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Some Beach · 11-29-2007, 09:15 AM

Thanks for all these EXCELLENT replies everyone! I knew everyone here would have an answer! Awesome forum and great group of people here for sure!

I haven't picked a lease since I won't be hunting till '08 season. I'm in the Houston area so I'll be staying around the approximate vicinity, give or take a couple hundred miles (or so).