It has taken a while but I've read everyone's entry to this thread. Some really great storis.

I was 12.. It was the day before opening day of deer season, my brother in law had just purchased a new deer rifle. I expected a shotgun and then he pulled this fabulous Marlin 30-30 out of the case and handed it to me. I'd seen Roy and Gene dispense of a ton of bad guys with a rifle like this, not in a million years did I ever dream I'd see one much less hold one.

that was 48 years ago, next month I'll be 60 and just bought my first 30-30 a few weeks ago. I own plenty of. 35s and bolts but now I have the caliber that started me on a journey I've yet to complete.

My brother in law is 74 now, in poor health. I'm gonna try my darnedest to get him in the deer woods one more time with that old 30-30. Maybe he can write one more chapter before he hangs it up for good.

Ss

 

Because I read too many post on Marlin Owners. First the 30-30, then the 30-30 Texan, then a 35 it goes on and on. You folks should be ashamed.

 

Hot date on my 27-foot sailboat, returning very late at night from a romantic dinner in a secluded anchorage on Puget Sound. Approaching the marina with very little wind, no gas in the tank, the spinnaker sail up, a rope in each hand and steering with the tiller between my legs. Still 1/2 mile offshore. This is the 1970's: no cell phone, not that it would have helped, and nothing that resembles a weapon. 3 obviously drunk guys in a small outboard (only other boat moving for miles around) drop off plane to take a closer look and circle my boat 3 times. I hear one of them say "Purty one, ain't she?" I don't know if he means the boat or the date. Then they drive on. No harm, no foul.

The next day I go to the local gun store and ask for something big enough to blow a hole in a fiberglass hull, rugged enough to kick around a sailboat and by the way, I don't really like bolt actions.

Never shot any boats with it but I still have it and love it.

 

In 1957 I wanted to scope my Winchester model 94 30/30,took it to my local gun shop/smith to have it drilled.He said "Why not just trade it in on this nice side eject Marlin with a scope already on it?BINGO!!

 

so what attracts you to the marlin 30-30 ?

Well, I didn't buy mine. My dad found a barely used one somewhere at a good price and with some pretty interesting figure in the stocks. Being a sucker for wood, he and my mom bought it for me for Christmas in 1976.

I wanted a Ruger No.1 but they never were exactly cheap and when my dad asked me what I might want for my first rifle, I said I wanted a light bolt action .243. I really didn't have any independent desire for the .30-30 lever action. But that's what I got.

My dad reckoned that when I got older and bought my own guns, I'd still find a use for a "thutty-thutty" and he was right about that. During a period when it wasn't my main squeeze huntin' rifle, I still found a use for it from time to time and was glad I had it when I did use it. Mostly, and probably not surprisingly, I used the hell out of it when hunting from my mare that I had back then. In my adulthood, I wound up taking seven of the 14 elk I've shot with center-fire rifles with that Marlin, mostly because it "rode on the horse" so well.

I'm really grateful that I DIDN'T get the .243 bolt action I THOUGHT I wanted as kid. The .30-30 very clearly does have limitations and few would have used it on the open terrain I generally hunted on as a kid, opting instead for flatter-shooting rounds with more range. But I firmly believe that having to work within those limitations made me a much better hunter than I would have been otherwise, and most definitely a "cooler-headed, more calculating" shooter in the field. While it had limitations, I can't say that they caused me to not fill a tag because they never have.

The .30-30 proved really, really versatile, too. When it was the ONLY rifle I had, I used it for all kinds of hunting, including shooting cottontails and pigmy hares on the California high desert. The point of that was to have something left to eat, and here, the .30-30 was awesome because I could shoot reduced loads in it capped by cast bullets that punched .308" holes but didn't ruin much of a bunny for eating. I thought the ability of the .30-30 to take small edible game with the right load was just uber-cool and it made the rifle really versatile to me.

The more I used it, the more I liked it. It was always fun to shoot. And even though magazine pundits said a .30-30 lever action wasn't accurate, mine was. It had a really crisp, light, creep-free trigger, too. That made it easy to shoot accurately. It was a joy to carry without being so light as to be hard to aim in the field. And it got on target like nothing else, having very shotgun-like handling dynamics.

Being in .30-30, it shot flat enough most of the time and hit hard enough all of the time. One thing I came to never worry about with the .30-30 was penetration. 170 grain bullets with their relatively high sectional densities and modest impact velocities would penetrate better than a glance at a ballistics table gave them any right to. When I started hunting pigs around the age of 16, I gained a whole other level of appreciation for .30-30 penetration and killing power.

Still, when I turned 18, I wanted just a little more range and power.... A max range of 300 yards, instead of 200.... A little more thump for bigger critters like elk...

I spent a lot of my life thinking the 336 might well be the perfect hunting rifle if it only had a little more range and a little more power....

And with the advent of Hornady's LeveRevolution rounds and components to duplicate them through hand-loading, the .30-30 now has the trajectory and terminal ballistics to let me take deer-sized game as far off as I care to shoot at them, which for me is about 300 yards. Where I wouldn't think of using it as an elk gun absent hunting from a horse, I definitely would now. Those gummy-tips and that LVR powder give me just that little bit extra in terms of performance that I wanted for so long. And I still enjoy the relatively mild recoil, ease of reloading, and rifle and cartridge symbiosis that I always have.

So I have come full-circle. I started with the .30-30 in a 336 and used it a lot when it was my only rifle. Now, it is not my only rifle, but with the LeveRevolution loads, it's all the rifle I really need in terms of range and killing power and nothing I don't in terms of recoil and muzzle blast. I use my .30-30 a lot more than my other big game hunting rifles (Ruger No.1 in .30-'06, Ruger M77RL in .250 Savage) during the hunting seasons.

 

I'm an odd duck here. I wasn't raised with hunting and firearms.I was raised in flat farm country near Memphis, Tn., and Dad was always farming and never made any time to take me hunting or fishing. The only hunting I did was in my 8th & 9th grades when my family moved here to Batesville, Ar. and my Father and his Dad were trying to re-open a Black Marble quarry business that Roy, Dad's Dad, had owned & operated way back in the 1930's & 1940's. My Dad started taking me hunting on the 200 acres of quarry land which was almost all woods and had one of the primary deer trails on that side of the mountain. I took a lot of squirrels but never got a deer, but just being out there instilled a love of being in the woods, surrounded by Nature and lots of trees and animals. Being out there meant more to me than killing any game; which was just a bonus, if & when it happened.

Granddad died during my 8th grade and so did any hopes for re-opening the quarry...and my hunting. The family moved away. I made a silent pledge to myself that one day I would move back to this area, these Ozark Foothills that I fell in love with as a teen-ager. We left about 1966 ( I think )...and finally in 2000 I brought myself back here, back Home..back to where my ancestors go back 200 yrs.


After a few years of being back, I realized that I hadn't gotten around to getting any type of firearm, so I talked with my friend that worked for the FFL dealer and told him that I was thinking about getting a "deer rifle" in a Remington pump .270 since that was what my Grandfather used when we went hunting during those 2 yrs. from long ago. Darren suggested I get a Marlin 30-30 instead. I didn't know anything about any particular brand name; I was just going on what I knew my Grandfather had. So...I got my first Marlin.

Thank you, Darren.!! I may not have ever learned about Marlins if not for him. And now I have a hand-full of them.

I still haven't taken a deer. Ya see, 'hunting' never got a hold of me...it's not part of how I grew up...and that's okay. There are lots of deer all around me...some nice bucks too...they come into my front yard and eat apples form my apple trees. If harvesting a deer was the only way to get meat ( it may very well come to that...), then I could and would take my Marlin 30-30 and get what I needed.

So...I came very late to the Marlin family...but I sure am glad I finally made it here..!!

 

Yep the marlins bread. If you dont watch it they are worse than rabbits. Heres a picture of all mine hiding behind the couch. It started in 1976 with a 336 in 30-30 cal. All was good for years till a few years back. Then I picked up a project old 39a to fix up. Well i put them in the same gun cabinet. Well the next thing I know there is this over welming urge to have a big bore 1895 45-70 it was. Then the next thing I know Im seeing glennfields show up at my door. And wouldnt you know it all during this theres these auto loading 22s model 60s showing up. And I cant forget the old pre war model 80 bolt that needed some TLC. Now I got a hole mess of marlins hanging around the house. But I wouldnt have it any other way. Oh yes I cant forget the newest addition this sweet little model 60 stainless steel

 

I like the 30-30 because it's so versatile, Winchester hit the sweet spot when they designed that round, that's why its still so popular today. It's just enough powerful to take down just about anything out to around 200 yards but not TOO powerful with unnecessary recoil from more power than you need, the cartridge is a real rifle round but not too big to make the ammo heavy or bulky. It comes in a sweet nimble and quick pointing lever action carbine that is super reliable and has a quick follow up shot if needed and you can load it on the go. The Marlin 336 is easy to field strip and maintain.
My Marlin 336 in 30-30 is a rifle I could pick up and step out anywhere in the world and feel pretty comfortable. It will get the job done, no matter what.
It gives me the reliability of manual feeding and extracting much like a bolt action but also gives me quick follow up shots much like a semi auto, it's the best of both worlds.
When I pick it up I feel ready for any situation.

 

Well, my first 30-30 I picked up a few months ago, it's a Custom Marauder with 16"bbl, couldn't resist, then I saw a Marlin 30-30 cowboy become available, and....well....couldn't resist! I reload for the 30-30 and honestly, I can make it shoot better than the 35Rem factory ammo...faster, hit's harder with a heavier bullet(173gr LRNFPGC)....however, that said, I can make the 35Rem shoot better than the factory 35Rem as well...so...the 35Rem with my reloads will again, hit harder(250gr LRNFPGC) and shoot faster than most 30-30's....so....I guess it all comes down to...because I like the rifles I bought in that caliber?

 

This is a really great thread!

I got a Marlin 30-30 because I wanted a big brother version of my favorite .22, the 39D, but it wasn't til I got my second 30-30, a 1950 Waffle Top, that I matched the 39D. The first 30-30 was a 1967 Texan with a Saddle Ring, that I just could not pass up.

Here are the big and little brothers.

 

The first rifle I ever owned was a Marlin 336 .30-30 that I bought new in 65', I sold it to my brother in 68' when I went into the USAF and he still has it. So to replace it I found a 336SC 59' model and bought it. I don't hunt with a rifle but like the way it handles.

 

First rifle I bought with my own earned money was a winnie 94 in 30-30. I've owned alot of gun's over the year's, but keep going back to lever gun's. That is all I use to hunt with and will be all I have, along with a.22 rifle when I have nothing else.I've shot alot of different arm's as well, from .177 pellet's to crew served MG's, and other various small arm's up to 90mm recoiless. The .30-30 for me is the best fit and most versatile of the bunch in every requirment that I can think of.

 

When I was a kid back in the '60s most every one hunted with Winchester and Marlin 30/30 lever actions, Remington autos,punps and bolt actions in 3006 with a few other calibers here and there and old military rifles and shotguns and that was pretty much it.Well being a youngster I leaned towards the cowboy guns.They just made the hunting and treaking through the woods that much more fun and adventurious.I started out with a borrowed Marlin and after that I could not wait to get me my very own.At the time all I had was a New Haven bolt action 20ga shotgun that Santa had brought me for Christmas when I was 10 and let me tell you I loved that gun.It was the gun I learned to hunt with and the gun I killed my first deer with but I dreamed of owning a Marlin lever action 30/30 rifle.My biggest reason for wanting a Marlin was because I wanted to put a scope on my rifle and every Winchester that I had seen with a scope was offset to the left side of the reciever and you had to hold your head at an uncomfertable angle to shoot it.But the Marlin you could install the scope over the top of the action where it is supposd to be.The other reason was I could easely clean the barrel and action from the breech end.I finally save up enough to buy a Glenfield model 30a with the deer and leaf stock.And that my friend was the beginning of a life long love affair with Marlin lever action rifles.

 

Best 30-30 out there. Ive owned the winchester 94. A great gun but just couldnt get use to the guts coming out to work the action. Then I got a marlin. Have had it for a very long time. I simply love the rifle. Like I said best made rifle around.

 

When I was 15 (1974), I wanted a deer rifle but couldn't afford a new one. We went to a neighboring town to a LGS that we had done business with before. I saw this Marlin 336 in 30-30 on the gun rack at a good price and gave my stepfather the money to pay it. Between the rifle, a new Bushnell Banner 1.5-4x, some factory ammo, Lee hand loading kit, and reloading materials, I spent almost everything that I made that summer.

 

Bought my first rifle to hunt deer with in 83. It was a 336 in 35R. Had it a good many years and sold it. Got an 1895GG in 45-70. Hunted it for about 13 years, then a friend of mine had a 30-30 he wanted to sell. I bought it for a good price. It was a Westernfield made in 67.
A year latter I bought another 336 in 35R. Had it a couple of years, the I decided to sell the Westernfield. I soon wished I hadn't of done that, and inquired on here of the whereabouts of another Westernfield. One of the good members here directed me to one on Gun Broker... a 69 model. I bought it, then sold the 35.

There's just something about those old Westernfield's that I really like. The rifle is built like a 30AS or Glenfield, except it has walnut stocks. The 30-30 is a good round, and kills the game I hunt here in Ga. just as well as the 45-70 and 35R ever did.

I don't collect guns, and only care to have one hunting rifle to get as profecient as I can with it. I've got a very accurate handload worked up for it now.... 170gr HDY going a bit over 2300 thru my chrony.

I do have other firearms, but they are for defensive purposes.

 

Bought my first Marlin 30-30 because four weeks before deer season my wife claimed my 1894C for herself. I needed a rifle fast that I could trust, chambered in a cartridge that knew its way around a deer kill zone, and wouldn't take long to sight in and get comfortable with. Easy choice. Took my first deer with it that year. Sold it to finance the purchase of an 1895CB that took a few deer. Saved up to get another 336 but with a straight stock. After a little looking I found a good used 336TS with the same length barrel as my old 1894C. Now the Texan is my deer rifle and it is very comfortable and proficient.

Two years ago I found a pre-safety 35rem Texan for my wife. The 35 was fine but I found a new 18.5" 30-30 barrel for it and swapped it out. Now we both have short barreled Marlins with straight stocks in 30-30.

There is something to be said for comfortable fitting, mild recoiling, deadly on deer, and stone reliable deer/whatever rifle. Both of ours feel like a dry, well broken in pair of boots because you don't have to think about 'em. They just plain do their job.

 

Because I needed one, and it was my turn!

 

My reason for buying a Marlin 336 30-30 was not for hunting as I already have a 336-A in .35. When Obama was elected in 2008 and the shortages started it was time to re-think my gun rack both in guns and calibers. I decided I only wanted calibers in the top ten of of ammunition and components sold and I do hand load for all my guns. I was not going to get rid of my guns what were not in the top ten of ammo but made sure I had several hundred rounds in storage for each rifle....25-06, 250 savage. 300 savage and .35. These are hunting rifles and not intended for other purposes.

I decided to add the common calibers for home defense, bug out or collapse of society scenario. Now in the rack is a Marlin 336 in 30-30, and Marlins in .357 and .44. Now 5 years later the ammo and component supply is actually worse...but who knew this would happen??

Chocdog

 

my reason for buying a marlin 336 30-30 was not for hunting as i already have a 336-a in .35. When obama was elected in 2008 and the shortages started it was time to re-think my gun rack both in guns and calibers. I decided i only wanted calibers in the top ten of of ammunition and components sold and i do hand load for all my guns. I was not going to get rid of my guns what were not in the top ten of ammo but made sure i had several hundred rounds in storage for each rifle....25-06, 250 savage. 300 savage and .35. These are hunting rifles and not intended for other purposes.

I decided to add the common calibers for home defense, bug out or collapse of society scenario. Now in the rack is a marlin 336 in 30-30, and marlins in .357 and .44. Now 5 years later the ammo and component supply is actually worse...but who knew this would happen??

Chocdog

sound wisdom !

 

I had liked Marlin 30-30 s ever since I borrowed one for a week long camping trip on private land in South Dakota when I was in my early 20's. We shot coyotes and prairie dogs with it. Wish my eyes were good enough to do that at this point with open sights. Twenty years later I thought I'd like a woods rifle to hunt deer with along with my 06 bolt action. I was looking for a 30-30 when I came across a young guy just out of the army who wanted an AR and was trying to sell his Winchester 94 AE in 307 Winchester. The price was more than right so I ended up with sort of a 30-30 on steroids. I had lots of fun with that rifle and killed quite a few deer, but still wanted a 30-30. A friend who always seemed to find deals called me to say he found a Marlin 336 in a pawn shop for $160, and did I want it? The birch stock has some scratches and missing finish, but the action is smooth and tight and it shoots great. It's become my favorite center fire plinking rifle. I haven't taken it deer hunting yet. Something else always seemed to get in the way, like Savage 99s in 250 and 300 Savage, my Marlin 444, Marlin 44 mag and this year a new to me Marlin 35 Remington. It will get it's turn in the deer woods though.

 

i like those savage 99s too ... love the .250

 

Grew up with every relative having 30-30's and then the westerns made an impression too. Like you said, they're sweet, they do the job with light recoil but within their range limitations can take anything in North America providing one can shoot accurately. Not to mention, they are just one of the best packing, extremely handy and versatile lever action rifles to own.

I can't imagine not having one to pack as a companion in the woods.

Jack

 

Had one tears ago and foolishly traded it off. That won't happen again. I have several rifles in different configurations, but this is the one I'm most likely to pick up on my way out the door. It just works.

 

I grew up with a Marlin Model 39 and when I finally went from bow hunting deer to rifle hunting them I naturally went with a Marlin 336 in 30-30.

 

The first one. Model 1893, carbine, no saddle ring. sling swivles in the barrel band. It is in about 80%, made in 1895. Price $325.00 about 25 years ago. The other 9 , well. I do like square bolts. WW

 

sure enjoyed all the storys !
soon i will have a marlin 336 in 30 W.C.F.
I'm in my mid fiftys and its a bucket list thing .. i think ?
i just have always wanted one.
yes . i have many many other rifles . two safes full .. (sigh)...
six Remington 1100s .. all pre 1970... see ??
I'm kinda nervous... I've read on this board how they multiply ...
i know for a fact .. surrealist fact... i putt two AR15s in the safe .. now theres almost a dozen..do marlins breed ?
just a little worried.. maybe i should keep the 35R .. in the separate safe ??
thanks guys.