Gun choice

Just a little info: the straight stock is called "English Style" while the pistol-grip is called a "Western style".

I've owned Marlin 30-30 levers for 35 years or so. Scoped or just iron sights, they're fantastic guns and you shouldn't be disappointed. Good Luck!
 
I got a Marlin 30-30 with the western stock in 1971 when I was in the Navy. I gave 68.00 dollers for It. It has taken a lot of deer and is a great gun. I put Lyman pep and a white front bead on it,that has helped my old eyes.
 
Talked with the shop owner again last night. Going to go with the Marlin. It's used but not abused. An early model before safeties. I already hunt with my chamber empty before I need to shoot with my shotgun, so I don't imagine there will be a problem. $275 for the gun, 2 boxes of those new flex tips (anyone tried them?) and a box of standard rounds. I'll get to use it for 30 days and return it for full price if I'm not happy.
 
Darteres, sounds like you scored an awesome find! Marlin lever guns are great. Didn't mean to imply you didn't or did hunt in transport mode but rather making a generalized statement about one of the trade-offs of those particular designs relative to a survival or self defense application. But like I said "what the heck do I know anyway?"
 
anyway to handle both see how they feel in comparison to each other....? I would probably go with a new gun
 
I could be wrong , but I think a 30-30 170 gr. bullet has a better coeficent then a 7.62x 39 ?
 
I didn't have time to verify my numbers so I could be incorrect...I just crunched them on the calculator and didn't have time to run them through my ballistic's lab software...but a 122 spire point 7.62 is roughly in the upper .2's around .282 whereas a 170 flat nose 30-30 is going to be in the .180 range. You can obtain better "high tech" projectiles (better BC) these days for the ol' thurdy-thurdy but they are extremely expensive and if the economy collapises then these high-tech rounds will either dry up quickly and/or prices will go through the ceiling. Besides all I was saying is for hard core battle rifle the 7.62 x 39 gets close to 30-30 ballistics if that is critera.
 
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I was just thinking a 30-30 170gr bullet is a longer bullet then a 30 cal 122 gr bullet. So I was thinking it would maybe have a better coeficent. I could be wrong.
 
I just did a google. The 30-30 170gr win is .254 and the 7.62x39 122 has a .257. I would rather use a 30-30 on big game then a 7.62x39 because of the bigger bullet JMO. But the 7.62x39 is a good round for military& Law enforcement. Also ammo is cheaper.
 
Quirt, no offense taken. The reason we all post on here is to get feedback! I've got the gun leaning against my desk right now at home. Think I'd scare off the squirrel hunters if I take it out to the woods tomorrow and blow through a box or three? Will post some pictures in a bit if anyone is interested, but really, it's a Marlin 30-30 with an English style stock. It's nothing fancy, but it sure does feel good. After a get a larger lever for my mitts and possible an aperture sight, I'm going to be dancing happy with this steal.
 
Hands down the Marlin action is much smoother than the Winchester '94 action. The side eject and pre-tapped receiver (should you decide to add a scope) are also advantages of the Marlin.

I've shot whitetail with the 30-30. In looking at the ballistics on paper, the 30-30 does not seem impressive. It's performance on soft tissue is devastating.
 
Not sure if I should go with a scope or a peep sight. Never used either. I've only used a shotgun. The action is really really smooth. Anyone know where I can find when this gun was made? No safety of any kind. No letters behind the model number. There's a small JM inside a circle stamped on the barrel.
 
You are happy.

Then you got the right rifle. :)

Nice price, especially with ammo and warranty.

Something about a levergun...might be my background, but...something about a levergun...it's just "right."

Good work.
 
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