northslope nimrod

I know many people have opinions on the big bore lever actions but which company makes the best 30-30...Winchester or Marlin? Why? (But don't say that Marlin's have side ejection which allows for easier mounting of scopes ---IMO scopes can be mounted very easily on the Winchesters) I'm looking for other reasons.

Rebel Hog

Marlin!

handloader1

Marlin!! Good luck.

bigbulls

MARLIN !!!!!

StrutnBPS

Good question. I would also like to hear some reasons behind these answers?

Virginia7

MARLIN!

Why? Because I like 'em better. I like the look & feel better than the Winchesters, and yes, I like that side ejection too (scoped or not). And, from the experience I've had, I think the Marlins are a little better built, and more accurate.

bigbulls

The Marlin is a stronger design, much smoother, looks better, scope mountable, is more comfortable (imo), side eject.

C. Davis

I don't have any experience with the Winchester, but the Marlin has been my woods rifle since about 1982. I have spent many hours in the woods with the Marlin in my hands, and when I hold a Winchester, It just does not seem as substantial as my model 336.
A lot of people give the 30-30 cartridge a bad rap as far a accuracy and ballisticsgoes because they look at the round nose of the bullet and don't think it possably could be that accurate. I am amazed at just how accurate it really is. It is also a very easy gun to handle and shoot well. IMO.I don't know about the Winchester, but in the woods from a tree stand, the Marlin30-30 might as well be a laser beam. Who cares about energy at 200 yards. I can rarely see 100. I have a bolt action .270 for the open country, but I don't use it that much because I love being in the woods.

Again, I can't really say many bad things about the Winchester, I just know that the Marlin has done everything I have asked it to do and more.

C. Davis

m.t.hands

i have fooled around with both, and the above statement is on thing most would agree on, the bolt/action on the 94' appears for lack of a better word flimsy, they are however very good shooting guns, that i don't think anybody would dispute, but the apparent week looking and sounding (when cycleing)action, and the scope deal are the biggest complaints i've heard and seen......

btw not saying this in a bad way, just like the time i let my best friend shoot my belgium made auto-5, and he comes back with " man did you know your barrel is loose, this thing feels like its fallin apart" he hated itand i love it, so do alot of other folks

Tom_L

I own a Marlin 336 and a Winchester Ranger.

I agree with the earlier comments about the "feel" of the guns.

But at the range and in the woods both guns shoot exactly the same.