Getting ready to own my first ever lever gun

[cajuntec]

Kinda crazy thing just happened last week. I have been trying to sell some fishing tackle to prep for my near-future move to TX (San Antonio). One of my supervisors and I were sitting around the other morning over coffee and he mentioned he had seen my ad on the bulletin board, and that he was interested. Well, we got to talking about fishing, hunting, and the like, and he brought up the fact that he had a brand-new, never fired Marlin .30-30 lever action that he won in a raffle several years ago, and it was gathering dust in his closet. I've never owned a .30-30, or any lever action for that matter, but he got my interest really quick, so I offered a straight up trade - sight unseen by both parties, as I know this guy is very straightforward and honest. He accepted, and I dropped off his rods and reels the next day. He can't bring the gun to work, of course (we are in the Navy to top it off... so definitely "NO" ), so he is going to meet me one day outside of work. He doesn't know much about guns at all - but he does know it's a Marlin .30-30 lever action, and it has never been fired, or even chambered a round.

What can I expect from this firearm? I currently own a Remington 700ADL chambered in .270 as my primary deer rifle. From various sites, I gather it doesn't kick near as much as my .270, but doesn't shoot as far either.

What about those new rounds available for it? Lever-Revolution I think they are called. Hornady I think. Anyone have a recommendation?

Good trade? New .30-30 Marlin for 4 saltwater rods/reels valued at approx $400?

All the best,
Glenn

[Jim]

Originally Posted by cajuntec

Kinda crazy thing just happened last week. I have been trying to sell some fishing tackle to prep for my near-future move to TX (San Antonio). One of my supervisors and I were sitting around the other morning over coffee and he mentioned he had seen my ad on the bulletin board, and that he was interested. Well, we got to talking about fishing, hunting, and the like, and he brought up the fact that he had a brand-new, never fired Marlin .30-30 lever action that he won in a raffle several years ago, and it was gathering dust in his closet. I've never owned a .30-30, or any lever action for that matter, but he got my interest really quick, so I offered a straight up trade - sight unseen by both parties, as I know this guy is very straightforward and honest. He accepted, and I dropped off his rods and reels the next day. He can't bring the gun to work, of course (we are in the Navy to top it off... so definitely "NO" ), so he is going to meet me one day outside of work. He doesn't know much about guns at all - but he does know it's a Marlin .30-30 lever action, and it has never been fired, or even chambered a round.

What can I expect from this firearm? I currently own a Remington 700ADL chambered in .270 as my primary deer rifle. From various sites, I gather it doesn't kick near as much as my .270, but doesn't shoot as far either.

What about those new rounds available for it? Lever-Revolution I think they are called. Hornady I think. Anyone have a recommendation?

Good trade? New .30-30 Marlin for 4 saltwater rods/reels valued at approx $400?

All the best,
Glenn

Dirty Thirty rules. And the Marlin is great out beyond where I'm comfortable with my '94 Saddle Carbine.

[m9fan]

I've always wanted a Marlin lever-action 30-30. You lucky dog!

[texas_rebel_1980]

you're gonna love it. i have a winchester 94 in 30-30 and it is a blast. doesn't really kick all that much, loud as hell though. fun to shoot, though i haven't hunted with it yet, i'm waiting to get down to my cousin's property to slaughter some hogs with it. one thing that stands out in my mind is my grandpa when he gave it to me saying now only use the round nosed bullets in it, if you use pointed ones it will blow up in your face.....i have never seen anything but rounded bullets in 30-30. maybe they had something else years ago who knows. but all in all it is a fun gun to shoot!

[XD 9 Loaded Sub-Compact]

I've got a Marlin 30-30 and LOVE it. There are some haters out there that say things like "the 30-30 is too slow" or "it's out dated" I challenge those opponets to pull some matrix action since it's so slow and old.

Anyway, enjoy and ignore the haters.

[TacoMalo]

Originally Posted by XD 9 Loaded Sub-Compact

I've got a Marlin 30-30 and LOVE it. There are some haters out there that say things like "the 30-30 is too slow" or "it's out dated" I challenge those opponets to pull some matrix action since it's so slow and old.

Anyway, enjoy and ignore the haters.

Pull some Matrix action! hahahahaha.....

cajuntec: You will not be disappointed with that Marlin 30-30 it's a nice shooter.

[ichy_trigger]

Its a great all around rifle and caliber combo for 150 yards and less. It will make the longer shots but other calibers like your .270 would be better for those ranges, IMO. If your going to Texas, you have a find pig rifle now!

[Wild Rice]

I have a new Marlin 1894 in 357 mag that is a handy carbine for plinking and self defense. I am allowed to shoot it at my indoor range. The 1894 comes in 44 mag too. The side ejection permits a scope. I don't have many places to shoot a 30-30.

A lever action can be reloaded fast IF you insert each round 7/8ths to prop open the loading gate for the next round. Only the last round needs to be fully inserted.

It is safest to store it completely unloaded and secured. If someone stumbles across it, the natural tendency would be for them to work the lever, which will load the chamber if there are rounds in the tube magazine.

[Caribou]

Originally Posted by m9fan

I've always wanted a Marlin lever-action 30-30. You lucky dog!

+1

Now you've got me thinking again!

[danp]

I killed deer with a .30-30 for 5 years before I got my first .30-06. The only reason I went to the '06 was to get greater range. I recently decided that I wanted more challenge while hunting and went back to the .30-30 and .38-55. I had almost forgotten how much fun they were!