30th Birthday Rifle

If it were me I’d get an older marlin 336 and deer hunt with it! A JM real marlin not a Remlin

I like the idea of a lever 30-30 for deer stalking. I bought a used Winchester model 94 which was like new last fall and I like it as is, with iron sights only.

For target shooting, my .223 bolt action I enjoy a lot more. In fact, I even prefer my .22 LR rifles to my 30-30 for target shooting, a CZ and a Cooey. CZs are easier to find now. To each his own. Happy birthday!

As Frostbite stated, .30-30 for stalking (I prefer to call it still hunting) I would look for an older Marlin with the JM stamp. I have heard the new Remington/Marlins (Remlins) can be bad and good. More bad than good I've read... No clue on the Winchesters. Probably $400-$500 for a used Marlin 336.

For paper work and varmints a .223/5.56 bolt is good fun at 100+ yards and for up to a 100 yds. or so a .22 is fun too... Savage bolts are supposed to be good and I've heard lots of good about CZ. I prefer American made firearms but it's your $$$.

Horsemen61 speaks the truth. A 336 Texan (straight stock) is a beautiful rifle and a handy one for hunting. Nothing at all wrong with a similar era Winchester, though avoid 1975 up to New Haven closure as the tooling got tired and QC dropped off. The Leverevolution ammo or components for handloading make it a 200 yard proposition. Or, you could treat yourself to a Savage 340 in 30-30. Suffix C onward were drilled and tapped for a Weaver side mount. Not a lovely trigger, but 160 grs at 2500 is quite effective on deer and, like most Savages, they are accurate.

Maybe a 336 made in 1989... you can age together.

Marlin if you want a shooter, Winchester if you want a lighter, better handling gun, and Mossberg if you are on a budget.

Honestly, the Mossberg is pretty good for what it is. Handles like a Winchester and you can scope it like the Marlin. It's not a classic like the first two, but it's a very good design IMO

Newtosavage said:

Marlin if you want a shooter, Winchester if you want a lighter, better handling gun, and Mossberg if you are on a budget.

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Yup.

The Winchester 94 is classic, but if you care about accuracy, and especially if you think you might ever use optics, the Marlin is the clear choice.

When it comes to leverguns, aside from some very specific vintage models, Marlin is my go-to. I have a 336 .30-30, an 1895SS .45-70, an 1894 .44 mag and a 39A golden. None of them are leaving my collection while I'm still alive.

I got a 1976 20” Marlin Texan for $350 and a 1980 18” for $400 6 days apart from one another.

Good deals on great guns. Should be on your radar.

The Liberal said:

So I’m turning 30, and considering getting a 30-30 rifle of some variety to mark the occasion. Any advice? Looking at the Marlin 336, Mossberg 464 or Winchester. New or used. Uses are for target shooting, maybe some deer hunting this fall.

What sort of costs am I looking at, what should I get, and is it a good idea?

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While it isn't a 30-30, I have a Marlin .44 (ammo compatibility with my Anaconda) circa 1970 I picked up used. Works great and will drop most deer. As for pricing, when I price guns going out for sale I use Gunwatcher for a guideline.

How about a Henry Single Shot 30-30? They run around $400.

Pat Riot said:

How about a Henry Single Shot 30-30? They run around $400.

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Didn't know Henry made theirs in .30-30, I learned something new. Those new Henrys sure do look nice...
https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/107377
Also, while the .30-30 might not be a "target" round, I'll bet being able to neck-size-only for a single-shot would go a long way toward improving it.

Unfortunately, you gotta REALLY want a 30-30 levergun to make much sense buying one. But if you do want one, I live by the 3 M’s:

Make Mine a Marlin.

Do you reload? I'd highly recommend a Savage/Stevens bolt action, even if you don't, but especially if you do. They are great workhorse rifles, and Richards makes a walnut stock in whatever grade you can afford that would really make one pop! A Savage 99 would be a great addition also in a classic lever, but they're pricey and somewhat rare in this caliber.

My experience with them is superb accuracy and rock solid reliability in an interesting rifle. They are starting to develop some collector's interest as well. Benefit if you DO reload is you can shoot interesting pointy bullets such as the Nosler 140BTHP and the various lightweight varmint and frangible bullets for some really fun target shooting, especially on leftover vegetables after harvest time, and a good flat based 125-130 Spitzer soft point will extend your deer range a bit over the lever shuckers.

https://www.gunsamerica.com/944125384/240X-SPRINGFIELD-SAVAGE-840-30-30.htm?isPartner=false Based on what I've seen on the shelf, I'd call that a BUY at that price. I'll admit they're a bit homely, but so is a good skunk dog, and a good skunk dog is a wonderful thing if we're talking nostalgia!

Your best bet for finding a low price 30-30 is a good gun show. Usually plenty there and some can be very affordable.

I believe that the Savage 99 was made in 30- 30 but you might also look at the TC Contender Carbine or H&R singles. If you hand load a single gives you a lot more options as would a Savage or a bolt gun.

Ironhand

If the OP is leaning towards a 30-30 lever gun I'd say to also compare a steel frame Henry lever in 30-30. Nothing wrong with Marlins ( I like mine) but include the Henry in your comparison shopping. A buddy of mine is currently contemplating a 30-30 steel framed Henry lever gun. A LGS just got some in and he's going there this week to see one up close and personal. Cost wise IIRC they had them for $650. which is a good bit less than MSRP.

Ironhand54 said:

Your best bet for finding a low price 30-30 is a good gun show. Usually plenty there and some can be very affordable.

I believe that the Savage 99 was made in 30- 30 but you might also look at the TC Contender Carbine or H&R singles. If you hand load a single gives you a lot more options as would a Savage or a bolt gun.

Ironhand

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The 99 Savage was available in .30-30 for most of its very long production run. Indeed, it is the only one of the pre-WW2 chamberings which is still generally availble today.

Marlins are quite nice. The Winchester’s are nice too but I don’t really care for the feel of the action because it’s just not as smooth as what I am used to in my marlin. The Savage 99 idea is nice too, but it’s going to run double the price of a used 336 or an older glenfield 30. $400 should do for a nice one, but don’t expect a deal much cheaper.

Funny, because my well worn pre-64 Win is much smoother to me than any Marlin I've ever worked. And a much shorter throw, which is probably the one thing - aside from the weight and too-fat forend - that I don't care for in the Marlins. Great rifles, but just a bit clumsy in my hands after growing up with the Win 94.

That long lever throw always gets me though. I have always wanted to like Marlins but I just can't get over that.

I just can’t abide a rifle which pukes it’s guts out every time I cycle the lever. But hey, Win 94’s used to be really popular.

Sure you want a lever action?
Some of them can hold a great deal more than 8 rounds.
I think for the spirit of your 30th birthday, you should buy a muzzleloading firearm, one that takes at least 30 seconds to reload.

The Liberal said:

So I’m turning 30, and considering getting a 30-30 rifle of some variety to mark the occasion.

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My dad was stubborn, as well as a Winchester and a "anything 32" type of guy. He would have waited for his 32nd birthday, and got himself a Winchester 94, 32 Special. Then if he was still around, he would have got himself another Winchester 94, 32 Special for his 94th birthday.

Newtosavage said:

Funny, because my well worn pre-64 Win is much smoother to me than any Marlin I've ever worked. And a much shorter throw, which is probably the one thing - aside from the weight and too-fat forend - that I don't care for in the Marlins. Great rifles, but just a bit clumsy in my hands after growing up with the Win 94.

That long lever throw always gets me though. I have always wanted to like Marlins but I just can't get over that.

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I am in the same boat. Marlins might be great but slipping and squeezing down deer trails in thick stuff. I like the slimmer lighter and fast handling of a 30-30 Winchester. Nothing beats it for that. Also you can put a sidemount scope on a '94.

silicosys4 said:

Sure you want a lever action?
Some of them can hold a great deal more than 8 rounds.
I think for the spirit of your 30th birthday, you should buy a muzzleloading firearm, one that takes at least 30 seconds to reload.

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He believes 8 rounds should be max for civilians.