Howdy,

A friend just loaned me his JC Higgins .30-30, purchased long ago from Sears & Roebuck. I suspect it may actually be a rebadged Marlin. He has never fired it; inherited it from his grandfather long ago. He has kept it clean.

Does anyone know anything about these old lever-action rifles? It's very similar to a Winchester or Marlin Model 94. I am concerned about reliability and accuracy for short-range whitetail hunting in heavy, East Texas woods.

I feel privileged to be loaned this heirloom and will try very hard to care for it as if it were my own. I also don't want to buy a new gun as I already have a bolt-action .30-06 that's not as well suited to the woods.