I have a Winchester 30/30 from the early 70's that I loaned my son for deer season. If I was going to purchase a new lever action which would you guys look at and why? In line with that Walmart has a Henry in 45/70 for $720 seems steep. They have a Marlin in 30/30 for mid $300's.
Thanks Ed
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Posts: 3743 | Location: Northwest, In | Registered: December 03, 2004
Originally posted by Valpo Fz: I have a Winchester 30/30 from the early 70's that I loaned my son for deer season. If I was going to purchase a new lever action which would you guys look at and why? In line with that Walmart has a Henry in 45/70 for $720 seems steep. They have a Marlin in 30/30 for mid $300's.
Thanks Ed
Marlin. All the way. But I would try to source a pre-Remington model 336 in good shape. There are tons of them out there in like new shape for less money than a new Remlin. Perhaps even with optics already on it, if it is in the plan.
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Look for a JM stamped Marlin or Glennfield on the used market. The older the better.
I think Henry makes decent rim fire arms, but I'm not a fan of their center fire pieces.
As a guy who gets a lot of his stuff at cost, I'll say I recently spent too much - even at cost - on a new Marlin 336BL in .30-30, and I would advise against new.
An older variant in the family - 1971 336 in .35rem - is twice the rifle the new version is.
Posts: 10831 | Location: missouri | Registered: October 18, 2009
I own some older Marlins nice guns and a Winchester 94 lighter also but for a smooth butter action Henry. They make a 1st rate product fit and finish. The Marlins and the Henry shoot like tack drivers in 30/30 now the Winchester not as nice but then my rifle has been risen hard and put away wet. Henry's Golden Boys series are super nice also. Chris
But, in general, Miroku (which supplies some Winchester guns) makes a gun that competes with anything. We have a Miroku O/U that is a Citori with different markings. Miroku makes Citoris for Browning.
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Posts: 53361 | Location: Texas | Registered: February 10, 2004
I have an older Win 94 (40's) and a JM Marlin 336. The Marlin is easier to scope and has a tighter lever (smoother) function. The Win is good with iron sights and easy to carry (a shotgun sling works ok with a tube sling band)
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Posts: 624 | Location: Idaho, west of Beaver Dicks Ferry | Registered: August 22, 2012
Originally posted by YooperSigs: Haunt your local pawn shop for a good used Marlin 336.
^^ This right here. I own two Marlins....one an '82 that my grandda passed on to me, and the other is an 87' that I picked up a couple years ago for a song & $200. Both are outstanding rifles.
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Posts: 1783 | Location: The Northernmost Broadcast Point of Radio Free America | Registered: February 24, 2012
Marlin. They are easier to scope than a Winchester, easier to dissasemble, and they don't throw brass at your face. The older ones are nicer, but newer ones can also be acceptable...just look it over good before you buy. The nice thing about .30-30 is that its a very popular chambering, so good deals on used ones are out there if you're patient.
Posts: 9461 | Location: In the Cornfields | Registered: May 25, 2006
I have Henrys in .30-30 and .357 mag. The only thing i don't like is that stupid magazine tube loading system. Much easier with a Winchester or Marlin with a loading gate
There is something just so right about a good old iron sighted Winchester 30/30. Take the time and adjust the iron sights for around 1 1/4" high at 100 yards it is a formidable weapon.
Older Marlin 30/30! Solid, easier, faster action to cycle than the 94 and if need be, easier to mount a scope.
Although not as “iconic”, Marlin is a functionally better rifle for the cartridge.
You may also want to peruse a .35 Rem chambered 336.
I’ve owned many of both.
Henry are nicely made, scratch my head everytime I see one... Kings patent expired a century+ ago.This message has been edited. Last edited by: BillyBonesNY,
