I'd start off with the 30-30, but thats just me!

 

I know whay you mean. I've been wanting an 1894 in 357 mag for a long time. In my opinion, I think it would make a great all around rifle, especially if you have a 357 handgun to go with it.

 

For hunting I would go with the 30-30. For home defense the 357

 

Matt,

There are a lot of 336's out there, here in my neck of the woods every shop has five or six on the shelf. I don't see any 1894's/357, if it were me I'd be all over the 357, IMO

Joe

 

Matt,

There are a lot of 336's out there, here in my neck of the woods every shop has five or six on the shelf. I don't see any 1894's/357, if it were me I'd be all over the 357, IMO

Joe

For the price of that 357, you could have a decent 30-30 and a few yrs practice ammo.

 

Whichever one you run into first thats a good deal, then get the other one later.

 

Yep, that's how I'd do it.

 

That's a pretty deep subject and there are going to be many answers to that question.:hmmmm: What are your specific variables? Is cost an issue? How much are you going to use it for hunting? How much time will it sit next to your bedside or favorite chair waiting for the bad guys to show up? How close are your neighbors houses? Are you hunting Deer, hogs, smaller critters or larger? Are you using open sights or scoping it? My suggestion is to define what you need. That will help make the decision for you.
A good 30-30 used Marlin is both a reasonable and good investment. Most popular rifle around, better than average supply of inexspensive ammo and accessories if you feel the need, reliable history and readily available repair parts just in case. Easily handled in the woods or around the house. A 30-30 is a good all round rifle, depends on how good you are with open sights or you could put a quick release scope on that you could take off when in its home defense role.
Iff'n it was me I would get a good used shotgun for home defense, and a 30-30 Marlin lever action for an all round hunting gun. The shotgun is probably not going to go through all of your home walls and those of your neighbor's like a rife will. Plus there's nothing like the sound of shotgun being racked putt'n a load in, that lets everyone know you mean business. Just my 2 cents worth. Good luck

 

30-30. Folks can show me all the ballistic charts in the world but I will remain eternally unconvinced that a .357, great round that it is, will ever be the equal of a 30-30. I'm also one of those folks who more often than not believes that rifles should be in rifle chamberings. Now, don;t get me wrong, I think an 1894 is a great gun and one of these days I will have one, preferably in .357. But it would never take the place of my 30-30's.

And for what it is worth, I personally believe that for an urban dweller, a centerfire is not a great choice for home defense. If it is all you have or what you can get to then so be it, but a 12ga with bird shot is a much more viable defensive weapon within a home where there may be say kids sleeping in other rooms or houses nearby or what have you. I'm partial to my Stoeger Coach Gun.

You could pick up a used 336 and a 500 or 870 for pretty close to the price of a new or even used 1894C.

 

+QUOTED+

Hunt 30-30; defend with shotgun.

 

I'll throw my hat in for the .30-30. It's substatially more versatile in the hunting field, and just as good as a .357 if you have to use one or the other for home defense. Hard to argue with a combination over a century old and still going strong.

 

If we're talking used and not Remlins, the 357 will not come along for a much longer time. They're a lot harder to find, in my experience. The 30-30 will be easier to find whenever you want one. I'd be very surprised if you didn't eventually end up with both. Marlins seem to grow in storage.

I personally would take the 357 only because of its scarcity. I would plan on the 30-30 down the road when you came across a deal you couldn't walk away from.

 

The OBVIOUS! answer is NEED BOTH!

 

I have to agree with Erik, a 30/30 for hunting and a shotgun for home defense. A 12 ga. pump gets everyone attention when it's racked. Good luck in your quest and take care, John.

 

I live in the country and could probably shoot at clay pigeons with a 30-30 and not hit anything. But I do not. I feel responsible for each bullet I launch to it's final resting place. Where ever that may be. And yes, I do have a 30-30 or similar round in one comner or another quite often.
But given the experiences I have had with the 30-30 on deer, a coyote, opossums and other assorted creatures - excessive penetration - I have gravitated more to the rifles that shoot pistol caliber bullets. Laugh if you like, but 3 of the 4 rifles I seem to use around the estate the most, are an 1894PG in 44 mag, an 1892 in 38-40 and an 1873 in 38-40. There is a shotgun and an AR around too. But those numbers change from day to day and everybody needs a breather from the safe.

 

I have both models and we love to shoot them all. I choose a 12 gauge pump for home; the .30 gets my vote for bigger game. But as Bestboss stated, for running around your property the 1894 could be perfect, big critters not withstanding. If I found a nice 1894 for a good price, would be hard to pass up.

 

It also depends on if you reload. I worked up a 30/30 with 5 grs of Titegroup and a 165 gr cast bullet at 950 fps. It's like shooting a 22 but it hits pretty dang hard. I also worked up a load for the 357 with 16,5 of H110 with a 158 gr JSP at close to 1900 fps that is darn close to 30/30 performance. I haven't tried the 140 JSPs yet pushed to 2000+, If I was picking just one right now I'd go with the 357 for the facts stated above, there getting scarce and the 30/30 will be around for a very long time. The 357 for HD can be loaded down without having to roll your own either because there is a whole bunch of 38, 38+p and 357 in every velocity you'd like to to choose from.
Just to add a little fuel to the fire though if you go with the 357 instead of the 30/30 look hard at the 35 Rem. Does everything the 30/30 does but hits harder and makes quite a impressive hole in game and hand rolling them you can use many of the same bullets you can use in the 357. I became a 35 convert this year and the 30/30 is the loaner gun now. And for a little more kindling there's the 44 mag 1894 and the 444 marlin but that's a whole nother thread.

 

Its alot easier right now to find a 30-30. Let the .357 be your next purchase.

 

Of course you need both, but if you can only have one right now I would side with the men who have suggested the .30/30 because it's the better hunting round in almost every situation.

 

30-30s come and go I have two at this time have bought revamped and sold at least a dozen in the past ten years.

I recently sold my .357 CB and do miss it. I was getting to the point where I just don't have time to play with all my toys. I have less components I need for reloading.

Hunting up to deer and hogs, I see no difference they both do that job well. Home defense, ditto they will both do that well. For me there is an old side by side 12 ga double that I can reach from my bed when my dog alarm goes off.

Now back to the original subject which one to have. If you have neither then go with either, you will not be disappointed in any choice you make. The .357 is one of the most fun guns I've ever owned and used, plinking with light loads is fun, recoil up to the highest power loads is manageable. Range makes it a 125 yd gun though I have shot two bucks at over 150 and one at slightly over 200 but then I knew the gun and it's capabilities.

The 30-30 make no mistake will out perform the .357 on every need, the 336 action has proven reliability and strength beyond that of the 1894, my last deer was shot with my 30-30 at a range no 30-30 should be used but then I knew it would do what I was asking of it.

Bottom line, buy either, trust either, and learn what it is capable of in your hands. Home defense that sound a 12 ga pumps action racking a shell in has avoided more confrontations than any other firearm bar none.

 

Thanks for everyone's input.

 

If for deer hunting, I would definitely go with the .30-30. But my .357 1894 pictured here makes a great year round 'companion' rifle for use in the woods, canoe floats, and daily carry in my ATV. I don't deer hunt with it, but could if an unexpected situation arose.

 

Well I have FOUR 336 .30-30s -

and TWO 1894CSS .357's - pictured here with my 1894SS .44 Magnum on top -

Well I am not a hunter and I love to shoot both calibers - just a paper shooter - you can not beat the .357 for shooting fun - you can shoot it all day and there is no shoulder pain. I love the .30-30 to feel a nice kick and hit the big gongs out at 200 yards.

I am a firm believer in BUY BOTH - just watch out for that MARLINITIS STAINLESSITIS - once it gets into your blood your are DOOMED!

GB45

 

The 30-30 for hunting, if you live around other houses nearby please don`t use a rifle for home defence, be aware your responsible for your shots,if you shoot a bad guy and kill a neighbor kid your going to prison.

 

I agree completely with Eli about a 12ga for home defense (indoors) but that may be ignoring a factor of home defense for which I keep a centerfire rifle handy. If you are a city dweller the 12ga is all you want outside too. But if you are in the country then you may need something with a little distance. If for some reason something stupid goes outside or starts outside then the 12ga birdshot may be a bit short on effectiveness. We use handguns for inside the house and concealed carry because we are proficient with them and have dogs for early warning devices. We keep a 45LC short rifle handy for the offending coyote, meth-head, etc. from the porch. That being said, I'd opt for the .30-30 to fill the bill you posted. You didn't mention collector or investment desires so the argument on availability, etc. doesn't really enter into the equation. At least for now.

Good luck with your choice and send us some pics when you get it!

Jeff

 

One more thing in case you haven't been exposed to the information. Advice from my LE friends and legal acquaintenances would strongly suggest to always use store bought ammunition for personal defense. It offers one less question about your motives if your ammo is commercially available. Especially if the manufacturer labeled it as "for personal defense".