How do y'all rate the Marlin 30.30 lever action rifle? I am looking for something for wilderness survival that is rugged, powerful enough for white tail deer, and can easily be strapped to a backpack.

Very suitable. I do suggest putting one of those exension pieces on the hammer that are made so you can reach it with a scope on it- I find it is easier when you are wearing gloves. I'd add a light sling, and a buttcuff with a cover flap, and call it good. Maybe put light glass on it, but not likely.

Be careful- I've been bit by more Marlin loading gates than by Winchester, but they've never bloodied my thumb yet. I put that mostly up to my own clumsiness.

You talked about carrying the gun and Marlins are noticeably heavier than the Winchester. That said, they are a stronger action, though no complains about the Winchester. Also, the added weight will reduce recoil. Again, not than most complain about the 30-30 recoil. But less recoil generally means the shooter generates better accuracy.

I like the idea of the side extension for the hammer and might grab one myself.

Another idea, which I added this year but haven't tested, is a peep sight. This should increase accuracy a good bit and I don't expect it to be a hinderance, such as snagging on things, etc.

Thanks for the information. I used an older 30-30 Winchester for deer hunting in the 1960s and really liked it. The Winchesters at that time were also well made. I'm not that impressed with the new models. That is why I am looking at the Marlin.

The old 'dirty 30' has the happy distinction of being #2 in cartridge popularity behind the .30-06. Ammunition is virtually everywhere. These carbines were designed to be hand carried or secured in a scabbard. Sings are more hassle than help, especially in heavy brush. You can always tie off a paracord sling if it's really neccessary. Scopes also defeat the fast handling and compactness of this rifle. You could put a forward relief scout type of low power. Peepsights will give an additional 25 meters of effective range with teh ballistics. The practise is to remove the aperture and use the threaded hole as a 'ghost peep' in which you look through and line up the front sight and target.

That's why I gave the glass a maybe. I know people who scope anything with a stock and a rifled barrel. *shrugs* Thier call. I wouldn't do it, but I wouldn't say it is a bad idea.

But for a rifle with this kind of usage expected, I would say a scope is a disadvantage, particularly if it gets smacked. At best, you could loose the zero. At worst, you could have a non-quick release scope mount and a busted scope.

Don't even think about putting glass on a fine lever action (Blasphemy!!!) A ghost ring sight is the only way to go. The best made are from a company called "XS Sight Systems" (formerly AO- Ashley Outdoors). It is called an express sight. Fast, accurate, light weight and rugged. Unfortunately when I pull up their web site is a dead link. I hope it is only off line and not out of business. The only working link I found is:

http://www.xssights.com/

If XS Sights has gone "teats up" there is a decent lever action gunsmith in Montana that has some really nice peep sights as well.

http://www.brockmansrifles.com/

If you insist on glass, Brockman will customize your lever action with a forward mounted LER scope, ala "Scout Rifle" concept.

I just did a bit more surfing and it looks like XS Sight Systems (aka AO- Ashley Outdoors) also makes a do-it-yourself scout scope mount for the Marlins. The Outdoor Super Store, http://www.outdoorsuperstore.com, sells the AO scout scope mounts and the express sights.

I think a properly set up Marlin Lever is one of the finest survival rifles around.

Good luck,

TR (Lever Lover)

Have you considered the Savage? Not sure what model I'll have to find out but it's a single shot shotgun/rifle. The shotgun barrel was below the rifle barrel. I know it was available in a variety of combos. 12/223, 20/22mag, etc. IIRC, it broke down just like a single shot shotgun does which would be ideal for shoving in a pack or? Found it, here's the link.

http://www.savagearms.com/24f12.htm

I have a Model 24 .22 LR/20 ga. 3" Mag. It was my first gun back in the early 70's. It's a bit heavy for backpacking but is about the most versatile gun going. I recently shot slugs through it and it was reasonably accurate (4" @ 50 yards or so.)

Yesterday I bought a friends spare .303 British for 75 bucks. That and a box of ammo will be stashed out in the RV which serves as my "long-term" (2 weeks) remote survival cache.

Regards, Vince

I am a self proclaimed lever action expert and junkie. I have Winchesters and Marlins. I have 30-30, 45-70, 38 and 44 calibers. I have had just about every weapon I can think of from 50 Cal BMG to 22LR and in between. All of the people that I know around here who are into hunting and military have all these high tech rifles and I can outshoot them easily with my lever action. Maybe that is why I am a cowboy or perhaps I shoot one because I am a cowboy. They are fast on the trigger, have easier target acquisition and are small enough yet have enough power to hunt anything. I heard a rumor that some units in Texas carry them in the patrol leaders car in 45-70 to penetrate front windshields. Does anyone know this for real? I want to get a 35 rem caliber next and see how that shoots.

You'll love the 35 Rem. You can load to to most anything, from subloads with pitol bullets all the wat up Barnes solids. Have fun! One of my favorite bolt gun calibers is 35 Whelen, and I've long thought of the 35 Rem as the lever paralell.

The business about 45-70s in south texas is just a legend, no more. These days, unfortunately, it's all about firepower down here. The durg and people runners have gone full auto. You are just as likely to see a tactical weapon in 308 or ever 300 win mag, or a few M1As around.

I like my SKS, but I've heard nothing but good things about the .30-30 <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> go for it!

What are the differences in quality between the Winchester and Marlin 30-30? The older Winchesters were well made, but the new ones don't seem to be up to that standard.

I found their web site and did a search on gunbroker. The prices are up there for the new models. I know they've been around for a while. My cousin had the same model (22/20) you speak of we shot when we were kids. They probably are a bit heavy especially the older version (wood stocks) but are a versatile gun. I've seen them go used in the $200.00 price range.

The Winchesters seem a bit sloppier when levering. The Marlin has a solid top receiver and side eject. My first was a Winchester but my best is a Marlin.

I have the lighter weight Savage 24 C "camper special" in .22/24 and with a set of .22mag/20gamag barrels. Mine is light, and a great pack gun. I made a sheath in my pack for it, and carry it muzzle down. P{ull it out, cock it, and it's ready to fire. No need to sling it.

I don't know - I think they are philosphically different. The standard 336 with a pistol grip stock is just a lot more, oh, robust than a 94 saddle gun. I think you've just go to hamndle them both, consider yoour application, and buy accordingly. I must asmit that I have paid no attention to the latest 'improvements' of the 94, however.

Here's a good article on the Marlin Rifle by Massad Ayoob.
http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/ayoob95.html

That was a very good article. Thanks.

Your welcome. I enjoyed it, glad you did also.

I know this has been on here for a few weeks but I just came across it. I've had one since I was about 15; I'm 51 now. I really like it. I like the side discharge of the Marlin as opposed to the top discharge of the Winchester as you could top mount a scope if you wanted, although the group bias seems to be against that. With that caliber it wouldn't be essential, but might make for more certain shotplacement. Anyway, for what it's worth. Duke

I'd take an sks, any day. 4x as cheap practice ammo. Same deer-capability (with 150 gr CorBon Softpoints. A bit more wt,but if wt bothered me, I'd carry an M4 instead.

Reconcowboy,

What are your thoughts on the .30-30 Winchester 94 versus Marlin 336? I had a Winchester 94 .30-30 when I was in the army in 1974. It had a hard plastic but stock and was painful to shoot. I loved the look and the feel of the gun. The Marlin seemed a little thick and heavy to me. I am thinking about getting another .30-30. Is the Winchester worth looking at? What are your thoughts on sights for the lever actions? I’m 51 am wondering if I can still use an aperture sight.

Thanks!