which 30-30
01-06-2005, 08:04 AM
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Ellerbe NC USA
Posts: 1,396
RE: I just purchesed one of these..help!!
I have a WIN 94 that was purchased in 1985 that was angle eject and have had a scope on it since then. 
It is a sweet shooting gun and has taken 69 deer so far. 
I've never shot a Marlin, but I hear they are just as good. As for being dropped, bounced around on the back of a 4wheeler, dropped in the creek (tree I was walking on broke....LOL[
] ), and all kinds of othe little mishaps, I don't think any other gun would take such a beating!! Just my opinion tho...
It is a sweet shooting gun and has taken 69 deer so far. I've never shot a Marlin, but I hear they are just as good. As for being dropped, bounced around on the back of a 4wheeler, dropped in the creek (tree I was walking on broke....LOL[] ), and all kinds of othe little mishaps, I don't think any other gun would take such a beating!! Just my opinion tho...
01-06-2005, 01:32 PM
#22
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 3,224
RE: I just purchesed one of these..help!!
The help Im needing is a site that can help me find more info on how to find the guns age.
01-07-2005, 05:35 PM
#23
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: MD
Posts: 57
RE: I just purchesed one of these..help!!
A Marlin 336 .30-30 is a great lever gun, and if I were going to scope a .30-30, that would be the one I would use. Its action has withstood the test of time.
Having said that, and having read all the negatives about the Winchester Model 94 .30 WCF, I feel I must speak up in defense of what (IMHO) is THE definitive lever-action rifle made today. I finally purchased a Model 94 a few years ago, after a lifetime of bolt-actions. I wanted a little carbine that was handy to tote in the woods, but also, something that was a pleasure to hold and to hunt with. I did not want a scope, simply because putting a scope on a lever-action takes away from the qualities that make lever-actions perfect woods rifles. Instead, I installed a Williams receiver sight (a peep sight if you are unfamiliar with the Williams), and I was rewarded with 2-1/2" groups @ 100 yards with factory 150 grain cartridges. I have worked up handloads with 150 grain Speer bullets, but haven't had the time to test them. Regardless, 2-1/2" groups with factory fodder is A-Ok in my book.
I really like that slab-sided receiver, which is exactly where the center of balance is located, so carrying the little carbine is both easy and enjoyable. No sling studs, please. This rifle looks too good in the hand to be wearing a sling-it's meant to be carried at the ready.
Now none of this is meant to take anything away from the Marlin. As I said, the 336 is a darn fine rifle. But if I was going to hunt with a .30-30, I would opt for the Winchester, hands-down.
Brian
Having said that, and having read all the negatives about the Winchester Model 94 .30 WCF, I feel I must speak up in defense of what (IMHO) is THE definitive lever-action rifle made today. I finally purchased a Model 94 a few years ago, after a lifetime of bolt-actions. I wanted a little carbine that was handy to tote in the woods, but also, something that was a pleasure to hold and to hunt with. I did not want a scope, simply because putting a scope on a lever-action takes away from the qualities that make lever-actions perfect woods rifles. Instead, I installed a Williams receiver sight (a peep sight if you are unfamiliar with the Williams), and I was rewarded with 2-1/2" groups @ 100 yards with factory 150 grain cartridges. I have worked up handloads with 150 grain Speer bullets, but haven't had the time to test them. Regardless, 2-1/2" groups with factory fodder is A-Ok in my book.
I really like that slab-sided receiver, which is exactly where the center of balance is located, so carrying the little carbine is both easy and enjoyable. No sling studs, please. This rifle looks too good in the hand to be wearing a sling-it's meant to be carried at the ready.
Now none of this is meant to take anything away from the Marlin. As I said, the 336 is a darn fine rifle. But if I was going to hunt with a .30-30, I would opt for the Winchester, hands-down.
Brian
01-07-2005, 05:39 PM
#24
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Virginia,CSA
Posts: 31
RE: I just purchesed one of these..help!!
Winchester has a bigger name as far as lever actions,but I like the marlin actions more than the winchester.The only thing that I can think of that may bother some people is the micro groove rifling in the marlin barrels.But thats it,and really it doesnt bother me.Your girlfriend made a great choice.
01-07-2005, 07:24 PM
#25
Spike
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location:
Posts: 42
RE: which 30-30
Me, I like Marlins better than Winchesters 94. You hold that Marlin & your holding a design that first saw light n 1889. All Marlins lever guns are made on this design & even with its round bolt the 336 is closer to an 1889 than a Modern Win 94 is to the orginal designed by John Browning.
I own both. If I seriously go deer hunting with one of them, I take the 336. If I throw in an extra gun in case I see a coyote while pheasant hunting, I take the '94. I shoot the 336 far more accurately then the '94. Not sure why. The 336 just seems a lot steadier.
01-09-2005, 04:55 PM
#27
Typical Buck
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Norwalk, CT
Posts: 599
RE: which 30-30
ORIGINAL: RemMod1100
I'm no gunsmith so I won't argue. But I've looked at end of the 19th century Marlins and end of the 19th century Winchester '94's and it doesn't look to me like the '94's have changed much (this is compared to my 1947 made '94 though).
I own both. If I seriously go deer hunting with one of them, I take the 336. If I throw in an extra gun in case I see a coyote while pheasant hunting, I take the '94. I shoot the 336 far more accurately then the '94. Not sure why. The 336 just seems a lot steadier.
Me, I like Marlins better than Winchesters 94. You hold that Marlin & your holding a design that first saw light n 1889. All Marlins lever guns are made on this design & even with its round bolt the 336 is closer to an 1889 than a Modern Win 94 is to the orginal designed by John Browning.
I own both. If I seriously go deer hunting with one of them, I take the 336. If I throw in an extra gun in case I see a coyote while pheasant hunting, I take the '94. I shoot the 336 far more accurately then the '94. Not sure why. The 336 just seems a lot steadier.
The Winchesters might look the same but theyre not. Yours made in 47 is but in the last 15 years or so they ruined it IMO. They machined away the reciever to achieve angle eject, they altered the action to a rebounding hammer wth no half cock & a couple other things. Cant say theyre bad guns as they sure sell alot of them but they lost apeal to me.
Guess I'm a traditionalist so to speak. Theyre way more complex than a Marlin as well. Its a snap to take the bolt out of a marlin for cleaning from the breech & total disassembly is also very simple, not so with John Browning designed lever guns.
Somebody asked about finding the age of their gun. If its a Marlin you should check out Marlinowners.com or the Marlin collectors site. If its a Winchester I suggest you pose your question on Leverguns.com.
01-11-2005, 07:09 PM
#28
Dominant Buck
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 25,116
RE: which 30-30
I have the exact gun. It's the best I've ever had. Patterns in a nickel at 50 yards. I shot a buck that died instantly. Without a scope I was in a 2inch circle. If you mount a scope get the see through mounts. Awesome gun for an incredible price.
Chuck
Chuck
01-13-2005, 05:04 PM
#30
Fork Horn
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location:
Posts: 422
RE: which 30-30
Shot a deer this weekend with my 1962 open-sight Model 94 at 87 yds. Two steps was all that it was able to muster. This rifle has downed around 30 deer since I bought it in 1974. I try to take it out at least once a year to keep the 'luck' charged up. Marlins are nice but I have not seen any reason to switch.