I've recently learned that ohio is most likely going to allow certain rifles next season.
I think I might try to find a 30 30 maybe a Marlin or something. Problem is- I don't know anything about them. Need some advice here. Ammo, sighting in, scopes, etc. any knowledge you're willing to share.
Thanks,
A Model 336 Marlin 30 30 is hard to beat. Ejects from the side compared to the top ejection from the winchesters. Hornady has a new ammo called Leverevolution. Very good Ammo. Good luck !
vaturkey :newmascot:
Hard to beat 150 grain Remington core lokts out of a 30-30. Hornady's leverevolution ammo is supposed to be great out of lever guns.
If you can find one, Savage (or stevens, cannot remember) made a bolt action 30-30, you could reload with pointed nose bullets and achieve similar accuracy as the hornady loads.
As far as sighting in, when I had one, I was comfortable to 150 yards.
Quote from: jblackburn on February 11, 2013, 10:05:46 PM
Hard to beat 150 grain Remington core lokts out of a 30-30. Hornady's leverevolution ammo is supposed to be great out of lever guns.
If you can find one, Savage (or stevens, cannot remember) made a bolt action 30-30, you could reload with pointed nose bullets and achieve similar accuracy as the hornady loads.
As far as sighting in, when I had one, I was comfortable to 150 yards.
:agreed:
I have one of those old Savage bolt actions in 30-30. And you are exactly right -- the Remington 150 grain shot great out of that barrel. Even with a makeshift bench rest, I could make three holes touch at 100 yards. Topped that gun with a 3x9 and a side mount (shell ejection is 3-4 degrees to steep for a traditional mount) though the side mount was nearly directly over the centerline of the action.
It had a detachable magazine that held three rounds plus one in the chamber. Perfect whitetail gun.
I never shot the pointed nose bullets, as good as the flat nose shot I bet they would be awesome. Miss shooting that old gun.
What ashame.
Rifles are the worst thing to ever happen to the trophy deer population.
Ohio has really taken to screwing up a good thing.
Quote from: VaTuRkStOmPeR on February 11, 2013, 10:21:31 PM
What ashame.
Rifles are the worst thing to ever happen to the trophy deer population.
Ohio has really taken to screwing up a good thing.
Actually I might be wrong. Its just something I read on a gun trader page from Facebook. Hope it is and hope it isn't at the same time.
Had one once (a winchester, model NA) and it ejected from the top. I can honestly say thats the only thing I didnt like about it (mounting scopes was odd). I will say that the 30-30 is one heck of a brush gun. If you are hunting in thick woods you cant beat it IMO.
If you get one, make sure its a newer one with the push button safety, those older models with only the hammer safety can be dangerous.
In my opinion, a scoped 30-30 is the near perfect woods gun for deer. i have hunted first in the early 1970s with a Winchester 30-30, then as my eyes began to age, I used a scoped Marlin 30-30. That round is easy to find most anywhere, and they are about the most inexpensive deer cartridge out there. Because 90% of my shots are 75 yards or less, i could put a bullet where i wanted to almost without fail. That round will DROP a deer too, especially if you go for a neck shot. As a meat hunter not concerned with saving a head for mounting, I learned early that I NEVER had to track any deer i shot in the neck with that (or any other) deer rifle. I would be very careful about long, 150+ yd shots with that round though.
I'd be shocked if that is the case. It would be nice to have a lever gun either way though.
We riflle hunt a lot here. have to to keep the population in check and we are losing that battle. That said this year produced more bucks that grossed over 160 than any year in TN history. I collect lever guns and the Marlin 30-30 is hard to beat. I have one that will shoot the lever evolutions under an inch at 100 yards. My son shot a big doe with the lever evolutions at 281 lasered yards. reflex264
Quote from: vaturkey on February 11, 2013, 10:02:06 PM
A Model 336 Marlin 30 30 is hard to beat. Ejects from the side compared to the top ejection from the winchesters. Hornady has a new ammo called Lever Revolution. Very good Ammo. Good luck !
vaturkey :newmascot:
This is the best advice you got. If your going lever with a scope get the Marlin. You do not want a top eject with a scope. And while your at it get an offset trigger spur.
My dad has a Marlin 336 lever action 30-30. He took 2 deer this season with it. He is shooting ammo that I reloaded for him about 15 years ago. Some were 110 grain Speer hollow points and some 150grain hollow points. Both are deer killing rounds within that gun's intended range.
Myself? I shoot a Marlin 336 in .35 Remington. I'm shooting the 200 grain LeverEvolution rounds from Hornady. I've only had a little over a year and have taken 1 buck and 1 feral hog with it. It doesn't have much different recoil than the 30-30. I love the look and feel of a lever action. Lot's of folks say to buy the older Marlins... prior to Remington buying them out. The quality control went south when they changed hands. The reviews are mixed on the "Remlins".
I've got to disagree on the push button safety... Mine was built in the 70's and doesn't have the push button safety. Carrying the rifle with the hammer in the half-cock position is rock solid.
I also would advise against a neck shot on a deer... from my own experience. My dad is a "neck-shooter". Due to his physical condition (2 knee replacements, 2 shoulder replacements, quadruple bypass) I am the one that has to bloodtrail and drag the deer out. He shot a decent buck a few years back with his muzzleloader in the neck. The blood trail was a drop here and there every few yards. The deer ran 1/4 mile or more down to the base of the mountain where we were hunting before it died. He tried it again this year on a button buck... He grazed the bottom of the neck and the little buck jumped and ran about 5 yards and stopped broadside. I told dad to take the vitals shot behind the shoulder. He did and the deer only ran about 50 yards and piled up. His second deer this year he shot in the spine. That one dropped where he stood. From my experience, the neck shot is not the highest percentage shot and can result in lost game. Just my 2 cents worth...
I often wondered why we couldn't use pistol caliber rifles if they were in the same calibers that are legal now in ohio for deer in pistols.They have slugs that are advertised at 2000fps that are legal but a 44 mag at 1600 /1700 out of a carbine are not.Sure would be alot easier on wallet and shoulder!
Quote from: VaTuRkStOmPeR on February 11, 2013, 10:21:31 PM
What ashame.
Rifles are the worst thing to ever happen to the trophy deer population.
Ohio has really taken to screwing up a good thing.
Actually disease is the worst thing. Like Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease and Bluetongue wipe out large populations with no available control.
Rifle seasons do take a large number of trophy deer, but it is a management tool that when managed correctly, works. Here in Nebraska at the end of rifle season one would wonder how big bucks could possibly survive with very little wooded areas. But they do, and every year there are new monsters out there.
Quote from: VaTuRkStOmPeR on February 11, 2013, 10:21:31 PM
What ashame.
Rifles are the worst thing to ever happen to the trophy deer population.
Ohio has really taken to screwing up a good thing.
Please explain. How is rifle hunting going to wipe out your trophy deer? You have shotguns and muzzeloaders capable of reaching out to 200-250 yds accurately. Most hunters can't hit the broadside of a barn past 100, whether rifle shotgun etc.The worst thing for trophy deer populations is gun seasons opening during the rut. We have always had a rifle season in Missouri, and produce some good deer but we would be 5 times better if we had a gun season that opened later like Iowa or Kansas. Kansas is rifle country too and is known for monsters. The weapon doesn't matter, its the timing of the gun season. I believe you in Ohio have a later gun season too. You'll be fine. Contrary to popular belief, hitting something with a centerfire rifle is not a sure thing especially past 200 yds. Buying a rifle doesn't automatically make someone a sniper. The average deer hunter who takes his gun out of the closet and wipes the cobwebs off the night before opening day is still going to be the norm, and not many of those guys can hit anything at any real distance.
I have my Grandads Marlin 336 in .30-30.My wife took her first deer with it.It was made in the early 50s.I loaded it with 125.gr.hollow points.
I have a 336 in 30-30 cal. that I bought about 40 years ago. It's my favorite rifle. I tried the Hornady's out of this year and they shoot great. Good luck.
I meant to add that the newer Winchesters have Angle Eject which allows the use of a scope. If you can find a Win.Ranger it is a decent little 30 30 .
Quote from: tomstopper on February 12, 2013, 06:33:54 AM
Had one once (a winchester, model NA) and it ejected from the top. I can honestly say thats the only thing I didnt like about it (mounting scopes was odd). I will say that the 30-30 is one heck of a brush gun. If you are hunting in thick woods you cant beat it IMO.
winchester 30 30 also comes with a angle eject, model AE. I like the marlin 35 lever as lights out does, it was one of my favorite guns to hunt with until recently stolen, i had it 28 years. i will buy a used one not the new model.
Wendell, what I meant about the push button safety was that the hammer only safety is dangerous because of how you have to set it. No question it is rock solid when set, but pulling the trigger while your thumb is on the hammer with a live round in front of it is dangerous no matter how experienced a person might be. I have seen a miss fire when setting this safety a few times. It never happened to me personally but it happened right next to me. No question, setting a hammer safety on a 30-30 is dangerous and should be done with great care.
I'm not sure I understand why your finger would be on the trigger when setting the safety. If you fully cock the rifle in preparation for firing then decide not to you would need to release the hammer while pulling the trigger. That does take a practiced hand
Quote from: redarrow on February 12, 2013, 04:56:59 PM
I'm not sure I understand why your finger would be on the trigger when setting the safety. If you fully cock the rifle in preparation for firing then decide not to you would need to release the hammer while pulling the trigger. That does take a practiced hand
Once you decide its time to load, when you work the lever to chamber a round, the action automatically pushes the hammer back in a fire position. The only way to get it to half cocked is to place your thumb on the hammer and let it down while squeezing the trigger . All done with a live high power rifle cartridge right in front of the hammer.. dangerous in my book. That being said, with a push button safe, once a round is chambered, and the hammer is back, you engage the push button safe and there is no fooling around with the hammer. The whole reason why the push button safety was put on newer 30-30s is because of the danger of setting the hammer safety. Otherwise it never would have been changed.
Quote from: vaturkey on February 11, 2013, 10:02:06 PM
A Model 336 Marlin 30 30 is hard to beat. Ejects from the side compared to the top ejection from the winchesters. Hornady has a new ammo called Leverevolution. Very good Ammo. Good luck !
vaturkey :newmascot:
Good advise. If I were you I would look around for an older marlin in 30-30 or 35. These are both good deer rounds and actually I prefer the 35 but they say that more deer have been killed with a 30-30 then any other round.
As for the marlind the older ones are a bit better. In 2007 when marlin sold to Remington there quality went down a bit. Not that there to bad just not as well built as before.
As for scopes I usually dont put scopes on a lever gun but a low power would work nice maybe 1-4.
The Marlin 30.30 is a great shooter for sure. That was my first deer gun.
I think I found one. Nearly new, scoped. Seller wants $425. Bite?
Quote from: Spring_Woods on February 13, 2013, 11:50:22 AM
I think I found one. Nearly new, scoped. Seller wants $425. Bite?
[/quote
Between me and you. No. the nearly new part is what I dont like. Like I said the quality fell off in 07 when Rem took over. And 425$ no bargain. Dont rush they are everywhere.
Quote from: mikejd on February 13, 2013, 09:50:54 PM
Quote from: Spring_Woods on February 13, 2013, 11:50:22 AM
I think I found one. Nearly new, scoped. Seller wants $425. Bite?
[/quote
Between me and you. No. the nearly new part is what I dont like. Like I said the quality fell off in 07 when Rem took over. And 425$ no bargain. Dont rush they are everywhere.
I guess I should have been clearer on the condition of the gun. I haven't seen the gun yet, but the buyer claims its 99% like new condition with decent enough scope.
I called wal mart today and a new one is $513 before taxes. I need to check my other gun shops price.
Quote from: captin_hook on February 12, 2013, 05:28:45 PM
Quote from: redarrow on February 12, 2013, 04:56:59 PM
I'm not sure I understand why your finger would be on the trigger when setting the safety. If you fully cock the rifle in preparation for firing then decide not to you would need to release the hammer while pulling the trigger. That does take a practiced hand
Once you decide its time to load, when you work the lever to chamber a round, the action automatically pushes the hammer back in a fire position. The only way to get it to half cocked is to place your thumb on the hammer and let it down while squeezing the trigger . All done with a live high power rifle cartridge right in front of the hammer.. dangerous in my book. That being said, with a push button safe, once a round is chambered, and the hammer is back, you engage the push button safe and there is no fooling around with the hammer. The whole reason why the push button safety was put on newer 30-30s is because of the danger of setting the hammer safety. Otherwise it never would have been changed.
Absolutely right. i wasn't thinking about when you first rack one into the barrel. :icon_thumright:
HAVE A MARLIN 30-30 336
love it.. put a nikon scope on it an it loves the rem core lokt ammo.. one of the best deer guns ever made didnt try any of the hornady ammo.. but i will say this
hornady does go into most of my guns..
they make awesome ammo
Never hunted with a 30 30, but over time have killed more deer than any other gun. In all my time of hunting I have had to guns set off when unloading both were 30 30's.Luckly both times the people unloading them had them pointed in the right direction. Never liked that every time you jacked a shell out the hammer was back on your older guns.
336 can be a good gun...But, I've had two that couldn't hit a barn from the inside... I have seen some that were very accurate and they will kill a deer just as dead as any other round inside 200 yards. I would check local gun and pawn shops and pick up an older model. I don't have anything positive to say about the Remington lever guns. Try both 150 and 170 grain bullets. A low power scope is a nice addition. Last I checked I could get coreloks for like $14.00 at Wally World...
Nice deer Gitzit. When you say smoother,do you mean you had to have help pulling the trigger on that 336. Exaggeration on my part,but it has the stiffest trigger I have ever seem.
My 336 was my Grandads and was made in the early 50s. Worse trigger ever.
had a 35 Rem and a 30-30 Marlin 336 loved both of them
Winchester Silvertips in the 30-30 and Federal 200gr bullets in the 35
2 of the best ever deer rounds made
Quote from: Gitzit69 on February 15, 2013, 11:30:06 PM
Quote from: redarrow on February 15, 2013, 11:12:36 PM
Nice deer Gitzit. When you say smoother,do you mean you had to have help pulling the trigger on that 336. Exaggeration on my part,but it has the stiffest trigger I have ever seem.
Trigger was stiffer but I was talking about it cycling rounds. The Marlin I had was the 336XLR stainless. It shot very well and was accurate but I just kept reaching for my 94 over it. I sold it and bought an AR15.
Dave
I called a gun shop nearby and they had a model 94 Winchester 30-30. I was excited until I heard the price. $499 used and blued up. No thanks for that price and condition.
First off Do Not buy one that was made by Remington. Their quality control is terrible when it comes to Marlins since they bought the company. There is a Marlin forum on the web that has alot of info about
Remington since they bought out Marlin. As for me I own 3 Marlins a 336 in 35 caliber a 45/70 guide gun and a 1895 model in 45/70. All are very good working guns but the guild gun is made with stainless steel and has a little stiffer action. I've had my 35 for 40 years and I swear that gun action is getting smoother the more I use it.
Marlin 336 is a fun gun to shoot. Its short and light and easy to carry. I prefer a 35 rem over the 30-30. I have one in the 35 and shoot the Hornady bullets. I feel confident out to 200 yards with it all day long.
the gun seasons aint what effects the quality of big bucks. we have some deer in tn that people would pay big $ to go to IL to kill. poaching has some to do with it here where i live but another factor here is that there are some spots you cant even get to because the terrain is so rough. my buddy is on a lease here and brings out a booner every yr but it takes him all day just to get it out because you cant even get a 4wheeler there. but this past season i bow hunted the whole season because i was huntin in city limits and i couldnt close the deal but there were 2 bucks in there i know of that was 160 or better and if i could of had a gun i would had 1 of them
That is a spine shot. I have studied deer anatomy. The spine is lower the closer it is to the head.
Quote from: Gitzit69 on February 15, 2013, 10:40:18 PM
I've owned both Marlin 336 and Winchester 94. My Winchester had a lot smoother action than the 336 but the top eject is a pain if you want a scope. Always shot Remington 170 grain bullets but three years ago I switched to the Hornady Revolution ammo. Very accurate and hard hitting ammo. I shot this Blacktail with it at 198yds. I know it was stretching the limits of that round but I shoot that 94 a lot at that distance. High shoulder shot dropped him in his tracks.
(http://i696.photobucket.com/albums/vv322/Gitzit69/2009568.jpg)
Found a Marlin, not a Remlin. 336w I haven't shot it yet but the scope is too big. I need to get a smaller one.
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/02/27/ga9u7egy.jpg)
Nice. You need to spend about $10 and get a hammer spur extension for it.
Quote from: goldenhunter on February 27, 2013, 01:55:23 AM
Nice. You need to spend about $10 and get a hammer spur extension for it.
Okay. I will look into that. Thanks!!
Marlins for the win lol. Absolutely love the things. I think Im addicted, we call this syndrome Marlinitis. Come visit us over at marlinowners.com
heres mine:
Top: 1970 Marlin 336 .35 Rem
Bottom: 1970 Marlin 336 .30-30 Win
(http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e322/mebe007/IMAG0272.jpg)
Marlin 1895 GBL .45-70
(http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e322/mebe007/IMAG0635.jpg)
Marlin 1894P .44Mag
(http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e322/mebe007/2012-08-30_21-23-33_150.jpg)
+ Fall Turkey
(http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e322/mebe007/IMG_20121103_233007.jpg)
Marlin 444P .444 Marlin
(http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e322/mebe007/2012-09-30_19-20-17_352.jpg)
Marlin 1894M .22 Mag
(http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e322/mebe007/2012-11-27_19-03-12_162.jpg)
(http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e322/mebe007/guns/IMG_20130112_133001_300-1.jpg)
Marlin 39M .22LR
(http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e322/mebe007/guns/IMG_20130108_171528_901-1.jpg)
that's what I'm talking about
some fine looking firearms there
Quote from: vaturkey on February 11, 2013, 10:02:06 PMHornady has a new ammo called Leverevolution. Very good Ammo.
Excellent ammo if you go with the .30-30!!
Quote from: VaTuRkStOmPeR on February 11, 2013, 10:21:31 PM
What ashame. Rifles are the worst thing to ever happen to the trophy deer population. Ohio has really taken to screwing up a good thing.
Depends on how long the gun season is, and when it is. Ohio has traditionally had the rut during bow season, then a post rut, week long mzzl season, followed by a week long shotgun/mzzl season later in the season.
Quote from: surehuntsalot on February 28, 2013, 08:16:54 PM
that's what I'm talking about
some fine looking firearms there
Thanks bud, I have what some would call marlinitis others might say its a lever gun love affair
Quote from: Spring_Woods on February 26, 2013, 09:55:29 PM
Found a Marlin, not a Remlin. 336w I haven't shot it yet but the scope is too big. I need to get a smaller one.
(http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/02/27/ga9u7egy.jpg)
Nice Rifle. Scope looks fine to me.