Absolutely! I agree on every point. But you just had to start another one of these threads didn't you?!

Jeff

 

Absolutely! I agree on every point. But you just had to start another one of these threads didn't you?!

Jeff

Here we go again!!

 

My opinion of the old cartridge has changed over the years, from a close quarters brush gun for whitetail, to a formidable long range rifle used in several diciplines of silhouette shooting, not to mention the wide variety of cast bullets one can stuff in it, with pretty pleasing results.


I used to think of the thirty thirty...as one of the old worn out cartidges that had been replaced by newer better caliber rifles, giving way to the 270, 243, 308, type rifles....however, due in part to more recent events, I have been quite impressed with its versatility, and quite happy with its performance.

C45

 

I have to admit, that 30-30 is one of my favorite calibers. Nothing worn out about that round, that's for sure. Marlin levers must have been built around this cartridge, a match made in heaven. People like to talk about a SHTF rifle..... well, this is it. :biggrin:

 

The Marlin 336 in 30-30 is, IMHO, the best general purpose center fire rifle money can buy. Given the criteria I use for that assertion, I've yet to see a convincing argument otherwise.

 

The Marlin 336 in 30-30 is, IMHO, the best general purpose center fire rifle money can buy. Given the criteria I use for that assertion, I've yet to see a convincing argument otherwise.

It probably does the one rifle thing better than any other centerfire firearm. If you are equipped to take full advantage of it's attributes. I like mine and will not make the mistake of selling my .30-30 ever again. EVER! :shot:

Jeff

 

Yes, but does the .30-30 feed and eject as reliably and smoothly as the pistol cartridges with lever guns? Maybe better?

 

Mine do.

 

OK Erik,I'll bite. Tell us about the criteria. Make it as entertaining as you can!
Robert

 

1. Cost of the rifle
2. Availability of the rifle, new and used
3. Simplicity of design (easy to improve and repair and rugged)
4. Overall rifle design (largely ambidexterous, natural feel, quick follow-ups, etc.)
5. Round availability (almost everywhere and in a variety of options)
6. Round cost
7. Round effectiveness - Almost no one practices beyond 200 yards where the spitzer rounds come into their own. The 30/30 has been putting big game down for 100+ years.
8. Overall shootability (can be handled by folks from 8 to 80 - recoil is not excessive)
9. Aftermarket support and versatility to personalize

 

I have a fondness for the 35 Remington, but there is nothing wrong with the 30-30. The availibility of store bought ammo is a big advantage for someone that doesn't reload. Go into any country store around here, and there are 2 cailbers that you can always find...30-30 and 30-06. Most places have never heard of the 35 Remington (what are they thinking?). Handloaders can always do better with the 35 Remington when they load it to it's potential. But, I wouldn't feel the least bit at a disadvantage if I had to go into the deer woods with my Glenfield 30A in the venerable 30-30 cartridge.

 

whoa. let's see a .35 do that!

 

Im in, i like it because its cheap to shoot {dont reload yet}, and it just plain does what its meant to do!!! Plus its Great when your the only one totin an "old timers" gun in a camp full of super fast whizz bang rounds and your the ONLY one to connect with the "Antique", HAHAHA :biggrin:. Plus its a dream to carry...

Thats it.
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For now, :flute:

 

Not really cheap these days at a dollar a round for Hornaday lever evolution and other brands

 

It's funny, I have several bolt guns. Some are pretty expensive examples of our gunmakers efforts. When I go to the range, I drag out the Brownings, Weatherbys etc. Then I go hunting and out come the lever guns. They are in all shapes and sizes and range from the lowly 22's, to the booming 45-70's. Somewhere in the middle of this mounting pile of hardware, boardered by pistol caliber guns on one side and 32's, 35's and a slew of big bores on the other, are several 30-30's.
I have to admit, that I spent many of my younger years, unappreciative of the 30-30. I am not sure if it was because of other more powerful guns out there, or if it was because so many others already had one. Probably both.
Now the tide has turned for me and I find those middle of the road - often unappreciated - 30-30's to be a good "go to" gun, when walking out the door. In fact, I have spent many a year with one (or two or three) scattered about the estate. And I don't expect that to change any time soon!

 

So how long before we start slinging rocks and eggs in this thread??

 

It's Sunday for gosh sakes. We're all warm and fuzzy today aren't we?

Besides, it's hard to find a legitimate rock to sling at a .30-30!

Jeff

 

Have I ever told you guys that my 30-30 is EXTREMELY fun to shoot ! Maybe thats the reason I shoot it so well. I would love to add a 336SC to my safe, in 30-30 of course.

 

This is making me want to go to the gun cabinet and fondle mine.

 

UMMM..TMI...do we need to school you on the old cadence "This is my rifle,..This is my gun,..one is for fightin'...etc.???? ..gosh at our age I hope not!

 

Actually, I was bad the other day. We were walking out to the range behind the pole barn and without thinking, I spun my old model 36 in 32 special (empty) around like Chuck Conners did with his '92 in the Rifleman. Been doing it for 30 plus years.
I did it for my own amusement and didn't realize at first, that my nephew saw me do it. Well there went the shooting session. He grabbed an 80's vintage 336 and (after triple checking the rifle) tried to imitate the move. He could not understand. He has a taller frame, longer arms and better dexterity, but could not make it work every time. Then I let him try it with that old 36. It's all in the action and I'm off topic.

 

Actually, I was bad the other day. We were walking out to the range behind the pole barn and without thinking, I spun my old model 36 in 32 special (empty) around like Chuck Conners did with his '92 in the Rifleman. Been doing it for 30 plus years.
I did it for my own amusement and didn't realize at first, that my nephew saw me do it. Well there went the shooting session. He grabbed an 80's vintage 336 and (after triple checking the rifle) tried to imitate the move. He could not understand. He has a taller frame, longer arms and better dexterity, but could not make it work every time. Then I let him try it with that old 36. It's all in the action and I'm off topic.

I havent tried the Chuck Connors move, But this one works good for a hoola hoop :hmmmm:. Its my latest 30-30...

 

Join the group :ahhhhh: :beerglass: :biggrin:

 

Oh heack.... I will throw alittle gas on the fire.....My Browning B92 is better than your.........................:ahhhhh:

 

Last evening at the VFW I asked myself why I was there drinking when I should have been home smithing on Annie's 1895G. :cheers:

Just one more vote in support of the OP's topic.

Jeff

 

is its versatility.
From small game (100-120 gr bullets @1,100 f.p.s.) to varmints (110 gr.H.P @ 2,700 f.p.s.) to big game (150 - 190 gr bullets) it covers a wide range of applications. In addition, it is a great cast bullet cartridge with bullets weighing anywhere from 85 -220 grs.

Ammunition is available just about anywhere and is more economical than most other rifle calibers.

As far as shooting games go, it is the most popular rifle caliber used for NRA Cowboy Silhouette.

Pretty darn versatile, I would say......


w30wcf

30-30?! What is this mythical caliber you speak of?:biggrin:

 

I use to have a bunch of levers in various calibers.
30-30 is what i have keep.

 

The .30-30 is the quarter horse of the ammo race. It comes with the American Heritage that can't be beat. It has always served me well.

 

An hour and 18 minutes to get 35 posts. Is that a record or something? Not bad 30wcf. :congrats:

 

Comon' John...jump in there...give us a pic or two of your 788's in thutty thutty...to really get the discussion going!

Chris

 

Ok, a challange...........

I am going outside and use up a big handful of assorted ammo in one of my 30-30's. When finished, I will come in with the barrel still smoking so to speak and offer some FRESH thoughts. Anyone else have a range where they can join me? Be back in a few...........

Bestboss

 

Actually, I was going to say my 32 special is a much superior in every way to the 30-30, I mean yea...you can shoot a deer with a 30-30...but come bear season leave that old thing at home!....i'm taking my 32 spl, for Bear!

C45

 

BFPGW

Ya cant rush perfection, hahahahaha :marchmellow:

 

Well, the .30-30 is pretty versatile, not so much as a good .308 or .30-06 perhaps, lacking as it does the long range capability, and most rifles don't have the gilt edged accuracy that a good bolt gun possesses; that said, I'd still prefer, at least in the Pre-Remington Marlin era, a good .35. For the OP's stated reasons too. Loaded with any good .357 handgun bullet, it'll offer astounding accuracy, and velocity for pestiferous applications; and at 200 grains, it's the Zoot Capri of deer and black bear cartridges in a neat, easily carried carbine, and if you're budget limited and hunt elk in the timber, it'll do nicely out to 100 yds or so and still offer 1500 ft-lbs of knockdown energy (a good marker for elk suitability).

In my 336 .35 chambered 336 carbine, yesterday, in sub-freezing temperatures, the largest group that I fired (of six before the cold wind ran me off) went into a satisfying 1-3/8" (and that was for 5 shots with cooling in between!). Three bullet types (200 gr Remington Core Lokt's, Hornady 200 gr Rnd Noses, as well as their Leverevolution XTP's) shot beautifully. Cold barrel two shot groups were right at an inch for all three types; impact points within an inch of one another at 100 yds, and shot off my porch rail with a 2.5x scope to boot! It's truly a great gun..handy..and beautiful to the eye for an old wood's loafer like me.

I've owned several .30-30's over the years, but none would compare to this old .35, for heavy and light bullet versatility, let alone accuracy. Hold on to those puny 170 gr Core Lokt's you .30-30 shooters, but I'll stick to my fat 200's for all of my big game chores here, east of the Mississippi.....and no offense is meant to any of you small bore aficionadoes either...LOL Rod