Marlin 30/30...Thoughts?
 

The wife asked me tonight what I wanted for christmas, so I picked up the Dicks Sporting Goods ad that was in the Sunday paper and saw a Marlin 30/30 lever action with a scope for $319. it sounds like a good deal to me. And I like the new Hornady ammo they recently came out withfor this gun.

I'm curious as to what the limitations would be for this gun? I would want to use it for deer, coyotes and possibly bear. Is it enough for the deer and bear, or is it too much for coyote? I want to reach out too about 200yrds. What if I get a bug up my arse and want to go to texas and hunt boar...is it enough? as you can see, I want a gun that will work for a variety of game.

Any help with this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Adam

RE: Marlin 30/30...Thoughts?
 

Wow... The ol' .30-30.... [8D];) A timeless classic. Probably dropped more deer over the past 100+ years than any other cartridge with exception to the .30-06 - maybe.

The .30-30 is a 150 yard gun. Maybe 200 but that's stretching it, even with the Hornady LeverEvolution. It's best used in the heavy woods and thick brush, where it's quick to come up on target. The 170gr rounds are fine for deer and bear (depending on the size of the bear), and will also drop a coyote instantly with 150gr rounds.

Some guys put a scope on the .30-30,others (like me) don't. I did have a small 4x32 scope at one time, but took it off. It just didn't "look right" to me. Putting a scope on a lever gun is like putting hiking boots on a ballerina, you know? I can be done, it just doesn't look right. {just my opinion folks, just my opinion....}

If you want a do-everything rifle for coyote, deer, bear, and boar, I would look past the .30-30 and get a .270 or .30-06- maybe even the classic .308 round.

Don't get me wrong, the .30-30 is an excellent round - as long as you know its limitations and stay within them. I love my .30-30 and only use it in the thick brush on man drives, if I happen to jump a deer. For longer ranges and different situations, I use my Savage .308 with scope.

RE: Marlin 30/30...Thoughts?
 

Well, I have found a great deal ona Remington 710 in .270. I think I may go with this gun.[/align][/align]Which one would you guys recommend?[/align][/align]30-30 or .270?[/align]

RE: Marlin 30/30...Thoughts?
 

Personally I would go with the Marlin over the 710. Most people worry about having to shoot over 200 yards when the majority of shots are actually under 75 yards.

RE: Marlin 30/30...Thoughts?
 

You may want to do a search on these forums for "Remington 710", before you put your money down.

Either caliber will do what you're looking for, and do it nicely.

Here are a couple o' good reads:

http://www.chuckhawks.com/leverevolution.htm

http://www.chuckhawks.com/270family.htm

http://www.chuckhawks.com/marlin_336_444_1895.htm

enjoy!

FC

RE: Marlin 30/30...Thoughts?
 

I agree... The Rem 710 is a nice rifle, but not as nice as the 700. The 710 has been rumored to have had issues, but don't know if they have improved it and/or fixed it yet.

A .270 would do everything you need. It would blow the .30-30 out of the water, I mean, no question... ;)

Slap a 3-9 scope on it and you're all set to hunt anything that moves on this continent! Put the scope on "3" and take the .270 into the brush and you'll be fine. Put it up on "9" and take long shots out to 200-300 yards and drop a nice 8 point buck in its tracks.

RE: Marlin 30/30...Thoughts?
 

Ok Guys, he's asking about the Marlin 30-30 not the Remington 710.

I have a Marling 30-30 and I use the Leverevolution ammo so I will speak from experience. It will do what you want and then some. 200 yards no problem mine shoots 1.5 inch groups at 100 yards. Deer bear boars will all drop in there tracks. Put a 3x9 40mm scope on it and you're ready to go.

I have killed many deer with mine and once I put the Hornady ammo in it was like a new gun get it you will be happy you did.

If anyone needs convincing look at the scrapbook on hornady's website there is a special section for Leverevolution.

RE: Marlin 30/30...Thoughts?
 

Ruger,
Actually he did mention he was thinking of getting the 710 in a subsequent post on this thread.

I agree though that the 30-30 is a great gun and will do what he needs

RE: Marlin 30/30...Thoughts?
 

I will be going with the Marlin, I have done some research, and by what you guys are telling me, it sounds like the way to go. Thanks for your help.[/align][/align]Thanks[/align]

RE: Marlin 30/30...Thoughts?
 

adam,
I have had both the Marlin in 30-30 and the Remington 710 in 270. The Marlin is a great gun and i would use it for anything you had described.
270 is a great cartridge but the 710 is not a very good gun. I had one and defended it originally. But then the bolt started jamming on me, wouldnt close, wouldn't eject rounds all the time etc..

The Marlin is still in my safe and is my favorite gun. The 710 has been traded in for a 700. couldn't be happier