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.