Marlin vs Henry/ 30-30 vs .44mag question.

Grateful said:
I dont load my own, at least not yet. How do you suppose a 45-70's recoil would compare to my 12 gage 870?

Jim
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You owe it to yourself to reload / load your own. Nothing accurizes a rifle quicker and better than a tuned load. Message me and I can give you good advice on money well spent and where you can save (from someone starting out a few years ago).

Big advantage cost wise if you shoot a lot too. My buddy loads his 45 colt cheaer than rimfire.
 
In MHO if you reload it doesn't get any better than the 375 win (used marlin).

If you dont reload, very hard to beat the 30-30.

if you do, 35 rem is just as good, maybe better.

If you like the pistol caliber, 45 colt.

If you want a do-all rifle (including griz) 45-70. Period.

Any of them are fine for game out to 100 yards.

Personally, my next rifle purchase will be a Henry in 45-70.
 
DanH45 said:
You owe it to yourself to reload / load your own. Nothing accurizes a rifle quicker and better than a tuned load. Message me and I can give you good advice on money well spent and where you can save (from someone starting out a few years ago).

Big advantage cost wise if you shoot a lot too. My buddy loads his 45 colt cheaer than rimfire.
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Thanks for the info. Sending you a e-mail now.
Jim
 
I own a couple of Marlins and have shot a friend's Henry. They both are very nice rifles, the Henry (IMO) was a smoother shot than my Marlins, but I like both. As for the caliber, I don't think you could go wrong with either, although I would give the nod to 45 over 44 for reasons stated above.

Good luck with your decision, post pictures that we can drool over when you make the purchase!
 
If you're considering the Marlin put the word out to friends and family. You could be surprised by someone having one put away that they don't need and willing to sell for a great price. A friend of mine was looking for a 357 revolver. He passed the word around and ended up with a really nice Colt for less than the price of a used Taurus.
 
fishiker said:
If you're considering the Marlin put the word out to friends and family. You could be surprised by someone having one put away that they don't need and willing to sell for a great price. A friend of mine was looking for a 357 revolver. He passed the word around and ended up with a really nice Colt for less than the price of a used Taurus.
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Thats a great idea and something i will do. Last couple of days i have been eyeing the Marlin 336 all weather stainless model. It has a stainless barrell and nickle parts. Is there any reason not to but a stainless rifle? Any problems with them?

Jim
 
Yes, 45 Colt can be loaded to surpass .44 Magnum.

You just need the right strong gun for it - A Freedom Arms or something equally as strong.
 
DanH45 said:
45-70 is not as unfortable on recoil as many might think. It is relatively slower impulse, and straight wall cases tend to be more comfortable. Also can be loaded down (or up).
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I find the .45-70 downright comfortable even in stout loads. Its doesnt have that snappy kick to it, its more like being pushed at by someone determined:D

I shoot hogs in brush with a shortened MagnaPorted Marlin. It gets the business done and puts them down. Its noisy but manageable. I like that short fat gun a lot.
 
Love my "Remlin" 1895 SBL, I'm against the grain I know.....

Very very accurate, did have to go back for a feed issue but perfect since.

Recoil is mild with the nice factory butt pad, a deer killing machine, furthest kill shot to date was a lasered 142.

Replaced the safety with a saddle ring.

Also currently have a Win 94 30/30, love the looks but prefer Marlins. Have had 30/30 Marlins and one .35 that kicked harder than my 45/70 believe it or not.

Of the 2 I'd have the 30/30 Marlin, it's been "the" deer killer of the century for a reason.

Buy both and your problems are solved!

Extend your range with LeverEvolution ammo and 200 is easy, 300 if your good with the 30/30.
 
Yes to the OLDER Marlin 336, and yes to the .30-30 cartridge for hunting in dense woods. That rifle and that cartridge make for a very handy combination in the Eastern woods here.

I'd avoid the new/newer 336 especially since the merge with Remington and also since the advent of the Marlin cross bolt safety. Buy used on the secondary market. Here you can easily find many .30-30 chambered Marlin 336 made prior to the cross bolt safety in excellent condition for $325-$350.

My son's 1978 Marlin 336 in .30-30 and 1979 Marlin 39. He paid $320 equivalent in cash and trade (his cash, my trade) for that 336 three years ago at a local gun show when I was showing him the ropes in dickering/negotiating. First rifle he bought himself. We could get that same deal here in this area today.
Marlin%252039A%2520%2526%2520336.JPG
 
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i am glad i found this thread. i have a similar quest this spring, so it was good reading all the responses here.

anyone have a date for when the Marlin 336 went to the cross-bolt? that was the rifle i was looking at.

i would prefer to get the .44 just to have the ability to match a .44 revolver for ammo needs (as someone said). BUT, with that said, i do not currently own a 44 revolver, and they ain't cheap. so, i will most likely get the "older" Marlin 336 in 30-30 first.

i looked at several the other day at a local gunshop. i found it interesting that some models didn't fit me well, while others did. they appeared to have the same length of pull, barrel length, etc... but when i mounted them, with some i could i have an immediate sight-picture while others were off. know what i mean?

the two that fit me the best were the marlin 336 and a Henry 45-70. again, oddly enough, not all the Henry's mounted the same. so check them out in person if you can.

we have our big VT gunshow the first weekend in Feb. can't wait!

thanks for the post Grateful

EDIT: looks like Marlin made them until 2010, at which point Remington took over manufacturing. so, when y'all refer to an "older" model Marlin...am i looking at any pre-2010?
 
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leghog said:
Yes to the OLDER Marlin 336, and yes to the .30-30 cartridge for hunting in dense woods. That rifle and that cartridge make for a very handy combination in the Eastern woods here.

I'd avoid the new/newer 336 especially since the merge with Remington and also since the advent of the Marlin cross bolt safety. Buy used on the secondary market. Here you can easily find many .30-30 chambered Marlin 336 made prior to the cross bolt safety in excellent condition for $325-$350.

My son's 1978 Marlin 336 in .30-30 and 1979 Marlin 39. He paid $320 equivalent in cash and trade (his cash, my trade) for that 336 three years ago at a local gun show when I was showing him the ropes in dickering/negotiating. First rifle he bought himself. We could get that same deal here in this area today.
Marlin%252039A%2520%2526%2520336.JPG
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and see, this is why i have been thinking about getting a lever gun. those are beautiful leghog. :thumbup:
 
DanH45 said:
My friend spoke to one of the engineers at Henry; the brass receivers are equivalent in strength to their steel receivers. I don't think the design / dimensions are exactly the same, and apparently Henry is using a very advanced (proprietay?) brass alloy.
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The reciever cover is made from Zamak 5; which is a zinc alloy with 2-3% aluminum and 2-3% copper. It is supposedly a step up from pot metal.

Posted on rimfirecentral.com:

".....the barrel band is the same material as the receiver cover which is Zamak 5. You can "Google" Zamak 5 for descriptions of it. In addition, Andy Wickstrom, General Manager of the Wisconsin Henry factory, submitted this information on this forum in 2012 regarding the Zamak 5 alloy they use for the receiver covers and barrel bands: 'First, the metallurgical standard for this metal is Zamak 5. Inside of the Zamak 5 spec we maintain even tighter control of certain elements to further improve physical properties. Second, the metal is cast using the ultimate in high pressure die casting equipment. The power and speed of this process is impressive. The process used to control the quality of the product consists of countless variables that are finely tuned to produce the very best physical and cosmetic properties.'"


n2s
 
A step up from pot metal? That doesnt sound good at all. I have been looking around here for some older used JM stamped 336's, $650 seems to be the going rate for them. I handled a new one Sunday at a local sporting goods store, it felt ok but I'm not sure, $400 out the door...
I have also been looking at them on a online gun auction site, i have my eye on a nice pre safety 336, i might bid on it if the price is right. The hunt continues.

Jim
 
TPVT said:
i am glad i found this thread. i have a similar quest this spring, so it was good reading all the responses here.

anyone have a date for when the Marlin 336 went to the cross-bolt? that was the rifle i was looking at.

i would prefer to get the .44 just to have the ability to match a .44 revolver for ammo needs (as someone said). BUT, with that said, i do not currently own a 44 revolver, and they ain't cheap. so, i will most likely get the "older" Marlin 336 in 30-30 first.

i looked at several the other day at a local gunshop. i found it interesting that some models didn't fit me well, while others did. they appeared to have the same length of pull, barrel length, etc... but when i mounted them, with some i could i have an immediate sight-picture while others were off. know what i mean?

the two that fit me the best were the marlin 336 and a Henry 45-70. again, oddly enough, not all the Henry's mounted the same. so check them out in person if you can.

we have our big VT gunshow the first weekend in Feb. can't wait!

thanks for the post Grateful

EDIT: looks like Marlin made them until 2010, at which point Remington took over manufacturing. so, when y'all refer to an "older" model Marlin...am i looking at any pre-2010?
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Marlin introduced the cross bolt safety on the 336 in 1984. So by "older" I suggest you look at pre-1984.
 
The way I see it:

.30-30 is a great round and has no problem blowing a good sized hole in deer. Today, it's really an underappreciated round.
.44 Mag has a bunch of options for factory ammo and can be loaded for great effect if you handload.
.45 Colt can be loaded to way pass over the .44 Mag in the right guns.
.45-70 Gov't is really a pretty awesome round and can be had in all kinds of variations. For factory loads, the 325gr Hornady Leverevolution has a bit of kick to it (but not like some of the Buffalo Bore Hot stuff).... The Remington 405 gr semijacket (maybe corelokt?) is a good bit easier on the shoulder.

All are great rounds.

As far as rifles:

I seriously prefer the Winchester 1894 to the Marlin 336, but both are great guns.... The Marlin design is stronger, but the Winchester is lighter and a joy to tote in the woods. If I was wanting a .30-30, I'd rather have the Winchester. If I was wanting a .44 Mag or .45 Colt, I'd want something like an 1873.

As far as Henry, I think they make a good rifle, but they are kind of on the heavier side for a levergun.... at least the models I've handled. Many are tube magazine loading instead of a loading gate.... so that's something to consider. Also, if I was really wanting a "Henry" in brass I'd probably want something more like the 1860 or 1866 and would have to opt for one of the ones that are more true to the design (Meaning Italian Replica). The Henry rifles of today kinda look like the old ones, but they aren't the same.


Then you can look at the Winchester 1886, Savage 99, Browning BLR to get a spritzer bullet lever gun. I really need to get me a Savage 99.
 
https://www.henryrifles.com/

https://www.henryrifles.com/rifles/the-henry-3030/

Snippet:

Like every Henry rifle, it’s 100% American made, with its select American walnut stock and forearm, it is a masterpiece of finely crafted gunsmithing. The Henry H009 has a steel receiver and a round blued steel barrel that is machined with state of the art multiple groove rifling.

~~~

We have sweet Made in CT Marlin rifles and some sweet Henry rifles in our home too.

We sold, gifted and downsized many of our firearms due to massive caliber consolidation, our ages and due to my arthritis issues.

I would NOT suggest a NEW non made in CT Marlin rifle to you. There have been major issues with them since they MOVED and closed up the CT Marlin plant years ago. I do not know what is going on with them now.

Right now, I shoot a CT Made Marlin 336C in 30-30. He owns this one now but I still use it.

My husband usually shoots his CT Made Marlin 336SS in 30-30 and his CT Made Marlin classic rifle in 45-70. (He shoots lever action rifles and BOLT action ones too.)

Now, both of us have said that IF we got another 30-30... we would get the HENRY blued steel receiver one - walnut stock. The Henry is offering this in several types right now, not only in two versions, but we would get the plain blued/walnut one. They LOAD differently than the Marlin rifle too.

My husband prefers the Marlin loading gate but I like the HENRY tube loading due to my hand arthritis.

I know about the Henry Big Boy (357Magnum) and the Henry large loop carbine in 22lr too. We owned them in the past.

Great guns but we got out of ALL of our 357Magnum, 38Special Plus P and 38Special firearms.

Right now, I shoot the Henry Golden Boy rifles in 22lr and 22wmr aka magnum. Great rifles - tack drivers! They still look sweet too.

(I shoot a couple of bolt action rifles too.)

I think that you can't go wrong with a good 30-30 rifle for woods/wilderness protection and if you hunt. I do not hunt but my husband does hunt and he has hunted since he was a kid.

Whether you choose to reload or not... you have a nice choice in 30-30 ammunition until the next ammunition 'scare' or shortage (Real or not!).

We had several Wins in 30-30, 45Long Colt and in 357Magnum in the past too. (22lr too.) I think that my MT husband or a friend of his had a 44Magnum in a lever action rifle too. I know about the handguns that both of us owned in that caliber (44) but I do not remember any rifle of his since I moved to MT.

I personally think that the HENRY rifles have a smoother action even though the CT made MARLIN rifles are fantastic too.

My husband said that he could get used to a tube loading Henry rifle too.

He would BUY a Henry lever action in a 30-30 if he did not own two Marlin rifles now. He told me that he is still thinking about a HENRY 30-30 rifle for both of us to use.

He reloads (Over 40 years.) and I still have some factory loaded 30-30 ammunition here too.

I would choose a 30-30 over the 44Magnum if I had to choose only one caliber for hunting and for woods/wilderness protection.

Best wishes to you.

Cate

Added more.
 
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