earlthegoat2
Member
I have several but no longer one in 30-30. A lever action has a place in a well rounded collection but it doesn't have to be a Marlin.
For dangerous game, I thought a large caliber double rifle was preferred. That is if you have the money.I can't really think of any hunt where I'd use it.
The advantage of lever guns is speed, which is really only attractive if the game is dangerous. If that's the case I'm not using a small bore.
My wife has a micro-groove Marlin that sits very well.
I prefer pistol caliber leveractions. They're lighter and are a dream to shoot.
Naw, make mine a 7-30, .375, .38-55or a PCC.
Classic lever guns are sort of a novelty for me, they arnt ment to be scoped, and i scope everything.
In good light I can shoot them well enough with peep sight, but unless im running fiber optics or illumination, Im very limited in poor lighting.
Lack of a magnified sight also dosent allow me the confidence when shooting thru holes in brush and trees, or when making that last identification before the shot.
Thus, if I'm gonna have a novelty, lets chamber it in something amusing.
They balance well like their big brothers, but the reduced weight and length makes them faster to get on target.I shoot a lot of Magnum revolvers as you may know everything from 357 up to 460.
Why are the pistol caliber level actions lighter and a dream to shoot?
I could definitely see going that direction with a 357 or even better of 44 but some of them seem to be pricier than the 30 30s.
That's certainly an option. In Africa doubles and Mauser actions are traditional. Lever actions were almost unknown. But levers offer speed on par with a double (recoil is the limiting factor for both) and much faster than a bolt and as much or more capacity as a bolt. The problem is the cartridges as in original form none of the .405win or bigger options had good bullets or as much horsepower as desired for thick skinned stuff. That's largely changed with new bullets, stronger actions, and better powders.For dangerous game, I thought a large caliber double rifle was preferred. That is if you have the money.
Got two in trade for a scope a while ago, they are what actually started my love/hate relationship with straight gripped stocks.No, but everyone should own at least one Pre-64 Winchester 94 at some point in their life.
To loonwulfs point
I do have lever action 1895 SBL 4570 Governor
Now That is an awesome rifle w a great deal of Gravitas built to last forever and meet the elements head on
Despite the solid thump and mild groan it elicits whenever fired I'll never be selling that.
I just can't see carrying a gun as heavy as the 30-30 to go deer hunting or hog hunting when there are so many lighter options. The Marlin 30-30 is just so heavythere are so many more capable scout style rifles including semi-autos that don't weigh anymore that I can be using.
but I realize it's a classic and it's always kind of appealed to me so that's why I bought it.