Paint the wood black and call it tactical.

 

You can easily find a regular 336 and have it chopped down and you would still be well under $1,000. The last gunsmith I used to shorten two charged me $200 a piece. Little more work than just cutting and crowning a barrel because the magazine tube has to be shortened and the barrel band reworked to fit on a fatter location, but any half decent gunsmith with a lathe can do it with ease.

 

Kind of surprised Henry hasnt made a 16" 30-30. I would wait out a Marlin or Winchester but if not cut one like NickMc suggested. Give you a chance to upgrade the front sight at the same time.

 

I bought my Mossberg 464 a few years back and have been very happy with it. No problems at all. - TR

 

That Mossberg 464 sounds like the Davidson's exclusive with the 16.25" barrel and Marinecoat finish. I have been looking for one for several years. How much were they asking?

 

$569. It could be the Davidson‘s order. I‘ve only found 1 pic of a similar Mossberg. It has fiber optic “iron” sights and scope mounts… rails attached I should say.

 

I would go with the Rossi. If you must have a 16-inch barrel, and I don't know why some people like this barrel length in a lever gun. Better to butcher a Rossi than a JM Marlin. Just my opinion.

 

The Rossi R95 Trapper comes with a 16-1/2” barrel. No butchery required.

Why? Because it’s a blast to shoot. Good truck gun Or in really thick brush.

If I get the Trapper, I need to chronograph identical .30-30 hand loads out of the Trapper, my Guide Gun (20-1/2”), and my Winchester Model 64 Deer Rifle (24”). My guess is that going from 16” to 20” will make a significant difference. I doubt the extra 3-1/2“ inches will though.

 

I have a 464 and ended up cutting off s chunk on the magazine follower as it was hanging up. Worked. Trigger pull is kind of strange.

DEP

 

Agreed about the short barrel, very handy in the field and a literal blast to shoot. Have you considered a 336Y? There are plenty of Remlins out there for under $1000 and it would be easy to swap a full size stock if desired. Or you could find a cheap pawn shop donor and have it modified for less than a grand as mentioned above. They made millions of them and it is silly to put a JM stamp on a pedestal. Life is short, do what you want.

 

I have a JM marked Marlin with hardwood stocks. MG barrel. Would not bother me to modify it. W model.

DEP

 

I’d forgotten about this thread:

The jury is still out on the optic - Primary Arms GLX 2x prism. Very forgiving eyebox, long eye relief, clear glass, and a surprisingly useful reticle. However, it sits high in the rifle. I added a cheek riser on the stock after taking this photo (and taking it out to shoot).

Although I went full retard on this build, the forward cartridge quiver gets in the way of my support hand sometimes. The RPP replacement tenon didn’t fit well in the barrel’s dovetail (tenon is too short). I do like a sling cup on the side of the forearm; however, I think I’d just go with the “paint it black” suggestion if I did it again.

OTOH that articulating stock is the bees knees! Especially with an optic.