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

RE: Marlin 30/30...Thoughts?
 

Thanks Danny for clarifying that for me I just read the post to fast without looking at the sender.

Adam good choice with the Marlin.

RE: Marlin 30/30...Thoughts?
 

Sorry double post.

RE: Marlin 30/30...Thoughts?
 

Ruger...ehhhh it happens.
adam... I agree with Ruger.Good choice

RE: Marlin 30/30...Thoughts?
 

It really depends on what type of situation you are hunting it as to what I would recommend. If you're hunting in area where its flat and shots are long then I would go for the the .270. You won't find a better flat trajectory bullet than that. If you're in an area where your hunting in thick woods and short shots are going to be the main thing that comes up then go with the 30-30. I've killed plenty of whitetail with both but because where I hunted required shots ranging any where from 30 yds to 350 yds. I bought the .270

RE: Marlin 30/30...Thoughts?
 

I love my Marlin, and I love the 30-30 cartridge. I do have a .270, and I use it when I hunt in open country. In the woods, the 30-30 will work on every animal you mentioned, and as far as ballistics go, in our thick woods it doesn't really matter. It is pretty much see deer, shoot deer, and eat deer. The Marlin never fails.

I'm a pretty practical guy, and I think the Marlin is the best value out there. To me the most important thing in a gun is can it be depended on. I not only depend on mine, but have a lot of confidence in it. Between the Marlin 336, and the Rem. 710, I believe the Marlin is the one that is tried and tested. I think the Rem. 700 is the testedRemington gun.

You will get your money's worth and more with the Marlin.

C. Davis

RE: Marlin 30/30...Thoughts?
 

I have the Marlin 30-30 and I will never part with it. This rifle has so much history that I am proud to have it in my cabinet. As for the 710, I had it once and sold it for a 700 BDL. Glad to hear you chose the Marlin.

RE: Marlin 30/30...Thoughts?
 

Caliber-wise, I love my 30-30's, but I would go with the 270. From what I have heard and read though, I would definitely NOT buy the 710. If your only two choices were Marlin 30-30 or Remington 710 270, I would go with the Marlin 30-30.

RE: Marlin 30/30...Thoughts?
 

I have a Marlin 30-30 and couldn't be happier with it. I'm a huge lever nut. Its a great bush gun and I'd trust it through anything. .270 is a great round, but overkill for coyotes. If you value the fur and would like to have at least one whole piece, I wouldn't choose the .270 ;)

The 30-30 will git 'r done.:D

RE: Marlin 30/30...Thoughts?
 

Go for the Marlin, check ammo prices to. The 30-30 will win hands down. For your type of hunting it would be fine. I would own a .270 only long enough, if it was given to me, to sell it and buy a 30-30 or 30-07.

RE: Marlin 30/30...Thoughts?
 

That Marlin levergun is a great choice for hunting all of the game that you have mentioned. Ammo is cheap (except the Leverevolution ammo) and even the cheapest ammo will give you descent groups. The 30-30 may not be the hottest or flattest shooting bullet out there, but it gets the job done and doesnt ruin much meat doing it. (Something that I cannot always say about the .270). I own both, and for woods or even small open area hunting I would choose the 30-30 over the .270. I just got done with an elk hunt where I packed my Winchester 270 for about 15-20 miles in a day and I am wishing that I would have just taken my Marlin 44 Mag levergun instead, its lighter, easier to carry do to it being well balanced and with the close shots that I would have had it would have dropped the animal just the same as the .270. Leverguns just have a feel to them.

RE: Marlin 30/30...Thoughts?
 

This feedback is great guys. It's kid of funny, I posted on another gun/hunting site and they are saying to get the .270. With the overwhelming majority telling me the 30/30 on here, thats what i'm going with. I trust you guys. Thanks again for all the great feedback. [/align][/align]-Adam[/align]

RE: Marlin 30/30...Thoughts?
 

You can certainly use a .30/30 for deer, coyotes, and black bear with no problems at all. I know some Canadians who have killed grizzly bear with that caliber also, but personally I'd prefer something a little more powerful for grizzly and brownies!

I would use 170 grain bullets for bear and boar/wild hogs. 150's are fine for deer and coyotes. I don't think it is overkill for coyotes.

A scoped Marlin in .30/30 will be effective to at least 200 yards, if you zero it to hit+2" @ 100......

NOW! The .270 Win. is MUCH SUPERIOR to the .30/30 for ALL North American hunting-BUT the Marrlin lever action is a much higher quality rifle than that Rem. 710, which is basically a cheapie piece of junk! UGH! I wouldn't give one of those things houseroom! If your choice is limited to one of those two, get the Marlin. (Personally, I like the Marlin .35 Remiington calibera little better than the .30/30.)

RE: Marlin 30/30...Thoughts?
 

I would have to agree. I have all three of them and as far as a caliber the .270 is great though I still like my Marlins. Also the .35 is a great caliber and most people will tell you that you can't shoot over 100 - 150 yards with it. I've personally shot a deer at 200 yards with a 200 grain bullet which my gun prefers and it dropped in it's tracks. I missed the biggest deer of my life because I was carrying my .270 instead of the .35. The safety was broke on the .270 so I carried it without a shell in the chamber and I jumped a huge mule deer about 30 yards away and as it walked away the gun jammed. It went over a ridge and I was going to ease over the ridge and shoot it but as it went over the ridge it spotted my buddy about 300 yards away and went straight up over the top of the mountain. I hunt some places where we could take a 300 - 350 yard shot but it is not required. Most of the deer we shoot are less than 75 yards away.

RE: Marlin 30/30...Thoughts?
 

Sounds like missing that deer due to a broken safety was more of a gun problem than the fact that the gun was a .270! I used two .270's for three years in Alaska, with 1`50-grain Nosler Partition bullets, and it peformed well on everything except I never tried to shoot a grizzly or brownie with one. When I returned to the lower 48 (Ft. Carson, CO) I switched to the 130-grain Nosler Partition, and shot some big mulies with that bullet. The .270 was a good performer with bullet weights.

I once had a Marlin lever action in .35 Rem. It was one of those sold by Sears, and stamped "J.C. Higgins". I believe it was called a Model 45, but it was actually a Model 336 Marlin. Inever shot anything with it, but my son killed several deer in TX with it. My load was 43 grains of IMR 3031 with the Speer 180-grain flatnose. MV was 2400 FPS-this load did a good job on the small Texas whitetailshe shot with it.

RE: Marlin 30/30...Thoughts?
 

Yes it was a problem with the gun not the caliber. Though if I would of carried the .35 like I was going to instead of the .270 like a friend talked me into saying we would have to make some long shots I would of had it. I replaced the safety the following year and shoot one out there around 100 yards. It is in far West Texas and you can shoot 400 yards there but most of the time you have to kick them out of their bed so most shots are less than 50 yards. We've had them jump up less than 10 yards from us only because we stopped to rest a minute. If you keep walking they will aly down and you'll walk right past them and never see them.

RE: Marlin 30/30...Thoughts?
 

Depending on where you live and what type of shots you usually encounter,I miggest more food for thought. instead of 30-30,why not .308 marlin express,or a browning bLr which is chambered in almost any cartridge you might desire,and very accurate in lever rifle.For these reasons.that makes the blr the most versaitle and all round lever rifle.Another factor is how deep is yall's pocketbook?

RE: Marlin 30/30...Thoughts?
 

My pocket goes to about $350.

I went and looked at the 30/30 today, and love it. It fits me perfect, and the scope is pretty nice too.