Marlin Lever .44 or 30-30? - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

*SA-XD4ME* · 10-10-2007, 06:57 PM

Which of these guns would you perfer? I am getting one of them. I just can't choose.

Can you share some opinions?

dobbsjv · 10-10-2007, 09:53 PM

I used a 30-30 deer hunting a couple of times. Never messed with a .44. The 30-30 was my dads and he had it since he was in college, never any problems. About all I can tell you, kills deer.

**Majk** · 10-10-2007, 10:00 PM

I have the 30-30 but would like a .44 as well.

BJC · 10-10-2007, 11:22 PM

While growing up, I would deer hunt with a Marlin 30-30. If I remember right, I used it to kill 5 deer. The gun I used was a Marlin lever action, at that time they cost around 100.00, now they're close to $320 depending on where you buy it. It was, and still is, a very nice gun. Relatively light weight, easy to maneuver in confined spaces, negligible recoil, loaded with 5 rounds (I don't positively recall the grain weight), reliable and deadly accurate. The gun was sighted in at 100 yards which covered 99% percent of the shots on the lease - most were well within 75 yards. Ranges beyond 100 yards were easily compensated for because the 30-30 round itself is a flat shooting round. All in all a great gun for hunting deer and other prey in the same weight category and fun to shoot. Hope this helps, if you have any questions feel free to ask.

robinsre · 10-10-2007, 11:24 PM

What do you want to use it for?

Do you have a .44 magnum revolver?

If you want to take larer game go with .30/30

If you want something to shoot for fun and already have a .44 magnum revolver get the .44 magnum.

*SA-XD4ME* · 10-11-2007, 05:37 AM

Hey, All.

I grew up with a marlin gold trigger 30-30. It was stolen from my apt when i was 23 year old. I am 32 now. I have shot deer with the 30-30, but in trying to replace it I was thinking of a .44 lever action.

I might go with a 270 or 308, but I sure would like to replace that gun. My Dad bought it for me, and Pop's is a 30-06 man. He is steering me towards the 308 and 06.

Anyway. I doubt I will ever hunt anything bigger than a 30-30 would kill, and here in AR we have a lot of brush.

I don't own a .44, but it seems that reloading would be a lot easier for the .44.

ichy_trigger · 10-11-2007, 05:47 AM

The .44 is easy to load and can be worked up with very mild loads for target use or beefed up for hunting. Using hard cast bullets, the .44 can be loaded to take many of our north american game if shot from a reasonable range. With the .44 your going to be limited to 100 yards, with the 30-30 you may be able to do 200 but I would hold it to 150. Both calibers are good in the brush but if were me and I was hunting heavy cover at close ranges, I would go with the .44 loaded hot.

cmcarlile · 10-11-2007, 06:24 AM

I have the Marlin 1894 model 44 and I have hunted with it since I was a kid. Never a complaint. Guess it just depends on your environment. Hunting from the ground in dense brush with shorter target distances, I'd go with the 44. GREAT hog gun. More open space, the 30/30 is going to give you better accuracy at distance.

Brickboy240 · 10-11-2007, 09:19 AM

I have both - a 336 in 30-30 and a 1894S in 44 mag (I also have an 1894 in 357...you could say I love Marlin lever guns!).

Depends on what you're going to do with it. Since Hornady brought out their LeverRevolution ammo for the 30-30, which puts the 30-30 in the 300 Savage, 40-40 Krag power class, this makes the 30-30 more appealing for whitetails. With this load, you definatly have more range than any 44 magnum load.

That said, I have used my 44 mag Marlin for hog hunting and the Hornady 300gr XTP is VERY effective on piggies. Its also easier on the shoulder than the 30-30. If you're not plannign on shooting over 100yds, I'd say the 44 mag Marlin with the right bullet will do everything for you.

Another great use of the 44 Marlin is close range varmint control. With the light 44Spl cowboy loads in the 200gr range, its VERY effective on taking out raccoons, skunks and feral dogs. The 44Spl out of the Marlin lever gun has no recoil and is about as loud as a firecracker. It is also fairly accurate. You can also load that 44 Marlin with 44Spl Silvertips or 200gr Cor bons and have a pretty effective home defense gun. With its low noise/recoil and fun factor, it is also a good choice for weening young ones off the 22 rimfire into a centerfire without scaring them with recoil and noise.

I really, really like the 1894 Marlin in 44 magnum. I have found it to be very accurate for a lever gun and pretty darned versatile. In fact, its probably the most carried levergun I own out of about 7-8 in my collection. If it sounds like it will fit your needs...I give a big thumbs up for the 44 mag Marlin lever gun. Its one lever action I would never sell or trade away.

- Brickboy240

LUVMYSIGP225 · 10-11-2007, 09:24 AM

.45-70

10-10-2007, 06:57 PM	#1
SA-XD4ME XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 209	Marlin Lever .44 or 30-30? Which of these guns would you perfer? I am getting one of them. I just can't choose. Can you share some opinions? __________________ "The 9mm has survived every modern world conflict in history." -- Me

10-10-2007, 10:00 PM	#3
Majk XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Nebraska Posts: 2,638	I have the 30-30 but would like a .44 as well. __________________ --------------------------------------------------------- majkthreads Psalm 28:7 "The Lord is my strength and shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped."

10-10-2007, 11:24 PM	#5
robinsre XDTalk 2K Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 2,793	What do you want to use it for? Do you have a .44 magnum revolver? If you want to take larer game go with .30/30 If you want something to shoot for fun and already have a .44 magnum revolver get the .44 magnum. __________________ Zeroth law of thermodynamics : If you have 1 six pack of beer and your neighbor brings 4 beers over, you will each end up drinking only 5 beers. First law of thermodynamics : There's no such thing as a free beer. Second law of thermodynamics : Even if there was such thing as a free beer, you couldn't drink it all anyway. Third law of thermodynamics : The colder it gets, the less beer you will have.

10-11-2007, 05:37 AM	#6
SA-XD4ME XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 209	Hey, All. I grew up with a marlin gold trigger 30-30. It was stolen from my apt when i was 23 year old. I am 32 now. I have shot deer with the 30-30, but in trying to replace it I was thinking of a .44 lever action. I might go with a 270 or 308, but I sure would like to replace that gun. My Dad bought it for me, and Pop's is a 30-06 man. He is steering me towards the 308 and 06. Anyway. I doubt I will ever hunt anything bigger than a 30-30 would kill, and here in AR we have a lot of brush. I don't own a .44, but it seems that reloading would be a lot easier for the .44. __________________ "The 9mm has survived every modern world conflict in history." -- Me

10-11-2007, 05:47 AM	#7
ichy_trigger XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Dayton, Ohio Posts: 7,525	The .44 is easy to load and can be worked up with very mild loads for target use or beefed up for hunting. Using hard cast bullets, the .44 can be loaded to take many of our north american game if shot from a reasonable range. With the .44 your going to be limited to 100 yards, with the 30-30 you may be able to do 200 but I would hold it to 150. Both calibers are good in the brush but if were me and I was hunting heavy cover at close ranges, I would go with the .44 loaded hot. __________________ "The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself." http://militarysignatures.com/signatures/member2645.png

10-10-2007, 09:53 PM	#2
dobbsjv XDTalk 100 Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: alabama Posts: 179	I used a 30-30 deer hunting a couple of times. Never messed with a .44. The 30-30 was my dads and he had it since he was in college, never any problems. About all I can tell you, kills deer.

10-10-2007, 11:22 PM	#4
BJC XDTalk Newbie Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: here, there, everywhere Posts: 1	While growing up, I would deer hunt with a Marlin 30-30. If I remember right, I used it to kill 5 deer. The gun I used was a Marlin lever action, at that time they cost around 100.00, now they're close to $320 depending on where you buy it. It was, and still is, a very nice gun. Relatively light weight, easy to maneuver in confined spaces, negligible recoil, loaded with 5 rounds (I don't positively recall the grain weight), reliable and deadly accurate. The gun was sighted in at 100 yards which covered 99% percent of the shots on the lease - most were well within 75 yards. Ranges beyond 100 yards were easily compensated for because the 30-30 round itself is a flat shooting round. All in all a great gun for hunting deer and other prey in the same weight category and fun to shoot. Hope this helps, if you have any questions feel free to ask.

10-11-2007, 09:19 AM	#9
Brickboy240 XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 9,264	I have both - a 336 in 30-30 and a 1894S in 44 mag (I also have an 1894 in 357...you could say I love Marlin lever guns!). Depends on what you're going to do with it. Since Hornady brought out their LeverRevolution ammo for the 30-30, which puts the 30-30 in the 300 Savage, 40-40 Krag power class, this makes the 30-30 more appealing for whitetails. With this load, you definatly have more range than any 44 magnum load. That said, I have used my 44 mag Marlin for hog hunting and the Hornady 300gr XTP is VERY effective on piggies. Its also easier on the shoulder than the 30-30. If you're not plannign on shooting over 100yds, I'd say the 44 mag Marlin with the right bullet will do everything for you. Another great use of the 44 Marlin is close range varmint control. With the light 44Spl cowboy loads in the 200gr range, its VERY effective on taking out raccoons, skunks and feral dogs. The 44Spl out of the Marlin lever gun has no recoil and is about as loud as a firecracker. It is also fairly accurate. You can also load that 44 Marlin with 44Spl Silvertips or 200gr Cor bons and have a pretty effective home defense gun. With its low noise/recoil and fun factor, it is also a good choice for weening young ones off the 22 rimfire into a centerfire without scaring them with recoil and noise. I really, really like the 1894 Marlin in 44 magnum. I have found it to be very accurate for a lever gun and pretty darned versatile. In fact, its probably the most carried levergun I own out of about 7-8 in my collection. If it sounds like it will fit your needs...I give a big thumbs up for the 44 mag Marlin lever gun. Its one lever action I would never sell or trade away. - Brickboy240 __________________ The top 25% of wage earners in America pay 86% of all federal income taxes collected. (according to 2007 IRS website data) Es mejor morir a pie que vivir arrodillado Volvo...the Swedish Brick!

10-11-2007, 09:24 AM	#10
LUVMYSIGP225 XDTalk 5K Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Crackron, Ohio Posts: 5,573	.45-70 __________________ "The hippies got high, and the hippies are dead. I went hunting, and I am still Ted." - The Nuge, 2006.

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