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Lever-action 30-30 opinions #5736378 05/09/15 10:35 PM
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I am looking to get my son a lever-action 30-30 (new) for his birthday. Have a max of $750 to spend.

What do you think is the best lever-action 30-30 under $750?

Thanks!

Re: Lever-action 30-30 opinions [Re: TurkeyWhisperer] #5736385 05/09/15 10:39 PM
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A pre-64 Winchester. If you're dead set on new, get a Marlin, but even then I'd buy one that it's a few years old and is JM stamped. The Remington-made rifles that I've handled are crap.


The secret to a long life is to try not to shorten it.
Re: Lever-action 30-30 opinions [Re: Tactical Cowboy] #5736388 05/09/15 10:41 PM
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Originally Posted By: Tactical Cowboy
A pre-64 Winchester.


My vote for that kind of money.


Shoot. Eat. Repeat.
Re: Lever-action 30-30 opinions [Re: TurkeyWhisperer] #5736397 05/09/15 10:50 PM
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In a lever action, I might think about a Browning in mebbe 7-08 or 308 with your budget. Young son doesn't need any drama in the reliability of his 1st Rifle, and the Browning is a NAME product he can ID with and be proud of ....and get Low Recoil ammo for until he grows into it... for a very accurate lifetime shooter. One of the few things I like a lot in Brownings.

Jury's still out on the re do of Marlin's production line's QC after the move to Remmy's Illion NY plant. I'm hearing that the bugs have been worked out but I'd want to confirm by serial # what date the gun in my hands I was looking at was made with Marlin Cust Svc. 2015 production s'posed to be OK. Ummm??? Really???
JMHO & YMMV


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Re: Lever-action 30-30 opinions [Re: TurkeyWhisperer] #5736401 05/09/15 10:59 PM
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How old is your son? I shot my first buck at 11 with Dad's 30-30 and, in hindsight, with full strength ammo it stomps too much for a youngster. Took me years to confidently avoid a flinch. I have the rifle now (early 60's era Marlin 336) and I can shoot it with confidence, but I'm 217lbs. Go lighter if he's young.


...and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Gen. 1:28
Re: Lever-action 30-30 opinions [Re: TurkeyWhisperer] #5736408 05/09/15 11:06 PM
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I would buy him a Pre-64 Winchester also. Their feel cannot be duplicated.


Originally Posted by Russ79
I learned long ago you can't reason someone out of something they don't reason themselves into.


Re: Lever-action 30-30 opinions [Re: Creekrunner] #5736416 05/09/15 11:15 PM
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Originally Posted By: Creekrunner
How old is your son? I shot my first buck at 11 with Dad's 30-30 and, in hindsight, with full strength ammo it stomps too much for a youngster. Took me years to confidently avoid a flinch. I have the rifle now (early 60's era Marlin 336) and I can shoot it with confidence, but I'm 217lbs. Go lighter if he's young.


He's 13. He's pretty big for his age though.

Re: Lever-action 30-30 opinions [Re: TurkeyWhisperer] #5736439 05/09/15 11:34 PM
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After looking a Gun Broker just now, new Browning BLR prices have gone thru the roof with lots of jillyfrasse add on's IMO not necessary.

However I did see several of the older Japanese made all steel Model 81's that could be bought in your budget in 308 & 243's in outstanding to just average condition & these were the guns I remembered respecting back in the day and was suggesting to you.

I could see owning one these all steel M81's my own self, in a 308 or a 358 for sure, even though BLR's now come in calibers from 223 to 7Rmg & another old school favorite of mine, in 358's.
Ron


It is TIME for Term Limits, cause Politicians are like childrens diapers and for the same reasons...Robin Williams

"These are the times that try men's soul's"...Thomas Paine

"Those who fail to learn from History are doomed to repeat it" ....Santayana
Re: Lever-action 30-30 opinions [Re: TurkeyWhisperer] #5736446 05/09/15 11:39 PM
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New I'd try to find a deal on a blr, if it can be used I really like the older Marlins since putting a scope on them is much easier than the Winchester. I can stack bullets with my Marlin so accuracy is not a factor

Re: Lever-action 30-30 opinions [Re: TurkeyWhisperer] #5736479 05/09/15 11:57 PM
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At that price range you're awful close to a new Henry .30-30, which is a wonderful rifle and one any kid (or adult) would be proud to own. The Henry's are already drilled and tapped for a scope. Not a fan in particular of scoped lever guns myself, but I have no complaints against those who choose to. I know unwrapping a present to find "Henry Repeating Rifle" on the box would have just about made my decade at that age. Happy early Birthday to your son, and good luck in your rifle quest!


"I have no idea what WW-III will be fought with, but WW-IV will be fought with sticks and stones."

A. Einstein

Re: Lever-action 30-30 opinions [Re: TurkeyWhisperer] #5736653 05/10/15 01:17 AM
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Forgot about the Henry but that would also be a good option

Re: Lever-action 30-30 opinions [Re: TurkeyWhisperer] #5736836 05/10/15 02:42 AM
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Pre-safety Winchester 94 trapper.


Originally Posted by unclebubba
Just to make sure that it is done thoroughly, I go both ways.

Re: Lever-action 30-30 opinions [Re: TexFlip] #5736867 05/10/15 02:53 AM
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As others have said, pre-1964 Winchester 94. Most probably this will be a rifle cherished for a life time. Not only will it be a great keepsake, it will be a a valuable rifle. Despite the advantages of the side eject Marlins I never much cared for them as being a bastardization of the original '94. As he gets older he'll graduate to another rifle but he'll keep the ol' '94 in reverence & perhaps hand it down to his son.

JIMHO...

...Pertnear


"Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past.” - George Orwell
Re: Lever-action 30-30 opinions [Re: TurkeyWhisperer] #5736902 05/10/15 03:12 AM
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I like Marlins. Savage 99 is another vintage choice not mentioned here.

Is your son a lefty or righty? Cross-eye dominance? If you want a rifle to be a lifetime companion, you might want to make sure it fits him.

A new Browning BLR 81 lightweight in .308 for $775 listed at Buds Gun Shop. Free shipping.

Re: Lever-action 30-30 opinions [Re: TurkeyWhisperer] #5736905 05/10/15 03:14 AM
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Pre-64 winchester 94 would get my vote. I've got one that I inherited from my granddad. Great rifle.

Re: Lever-action 30-30 opinions [Re: TurkeyWhisperer] #5736931 05/10/15 03:37 AM
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Originally Posted by unclebubba
Just to make sure that it is done thoroughly, I go both ways.

Re: Lever-action 30-30 opinions [Re: TurkeyWhisperer] #5737057 05/10/15 07:02 AM
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I killed my first deer (and a truckload after) with a Ted Williams model 100, which is a Winchester 94, at 9 years old, and never had an issue with recoil. Of course, I shot alot, so that may have had something to do with it.

I forgot about the Henry, too. They seem like nice rifles.


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Re: Lever-action 30-30 opinions [Re: TurkeyWhisperer] #5737059 05/10/15 07:17 AM
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Someone in classifieds selling several levers.

Re: Lever-action 30-30 opinions [Re: TurkeyWhisperer] #5737171 05/10/15 12:53 PM
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Thanks for all the suggestions guys! I will into all of them. I appreciate it!

Re: Lever-action 30-30 opinions [Re: TurkeyWhisperer] #5737267 05/10/15 02:18 PM
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You can buy good used leverguns all day for $400 or so. I would skip Winchesters made from 1964 to 1973. I would also skip any Marlin not stamped JM.


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Re: Lever-action 30-30 opinions [Re: TurkeyWhisperer] #5737406 05/10/15 03:42 PM
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1st choice, Browning BLR
2nd choice, Pre-64 Winchester
3rd choice, Henry 30-30
4th choice, JM stamped Marlin

I owned a Henry 30-30. It was a great rifle, fit and finish was excellent. I ended up selling because I now need to shoot 200+ yards on my deer lease and didn't have a use for a 30-30.

Re: Lever-action 30-30 opinions [Re: TurkeyWhisperer] #5737622 05/10/15 07:08 PM
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Browning BLR - though I don't know if the budget fits and I think OP said he looked into them and confirmed that it doesn't.

Marlin if the Browning doesn't work out.


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Re: Lever-action 30-30 opinions [Re: TurkeyWhisperer] #5737801 05/10/15 10:04 PM
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OP's budget on a new BLR needs about 50% more ceiling. OTOH I'm seeing good looking older BLR's on GB at well under his budget.

Strokes and folks, but I'd get an all steel 81 series BLR, or same song 3rd verse in a Savage 99, in a heartbeat over a lever 30-30 as long as it was in the caliber, condition and price I wanted to pay from $450/$500up to the $700 OP sez was his top price to pay. Gotta shop, but they are there on GB today. Just Sayin'
Ron


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Re: Lever-action 30-30 opinions [Re: TurkeyWhisperer] #5737847 05/10/15 10:47 PM
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I am leaning towards a new Henry 30-30. He just got the Henry .22 lever action and loves it! I like the Browning BLR and Winchester 94 as well.

But, are the Marlin 336 30-30's at Walmart junk. Being only $367.00, they obviously they are not as good as Henry, Browning, etc.

What pros and cons do Yall know about them? Thx!

Last edited by TurkeyWhisperer; 05/10/15 11:33 PM.
Re: Lever-action 30-30 opinions [Re: TurkeyWhisperer] #5737878 05/10/15 11:16 PM
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Marlins...I haven't tried the last couple years' productions, and can't comment on the newest ones. As mentioned before, look for a JM stamp on the side of the barrel just forward of the left side of receiver. These are the last of the Marlin productions before Remington took over. The really good ones have no crossbolt safety. These are about 1982 and older. There is lots of info to find on the net regarding Marlins.

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