Kinda crazy thing just happened last week. I have been trying to sell some fishing tackle to prep for my near-future move to TX (San Antonio). One of my supervisors and I were sitting around the other morning over coffee and he mentioned he had seen my ad on the bulletin board, and that he was interested. Well, we got to talking about fishing, hunting, and the like, and he brought up the fact that he had a brand-new, never fired Marlin .30-30 lever action that he won in a raffle several years ago, and it was gathering dust in his closet. I've never owned a .30-30, or any lever action for that matter, but he got my interest really quick, so I offered a straight up trade - sight unseen by both parties, as I know this guy is very straightforward and honest. He accepted, and I dropped off his rods and reels the next day. He can't bring the gun to work, of course (we are in the Navy to top it off... so definitely "NO" :D ), so he is going to meet me one day outside of work. He doesn't know much about guns at all - but he does know it's a Marlin .30-30 lever action, and it has never been fired, or even chambered a round.

What can I expect from this firearm? I currently own a Remington 700ADL chambered in .270 as my primary deer rifle. From various sites, I gather it doesn't kick near as much as my .270, but doesn't shoot as far either.

What about those new rounds available for it? Lever-Revolution I think they are called. Hornady I think. Anyone have a recommendation?

Good trade? New .30-30 Marlin for 4 saltwater rods/reels valued at approx $400?

All the best,
Glenn

You will love the Marlin. They are top of the line lever guns. The 30-30 has killed more game than most other rounds combined. Ammo is fairly cheap, recoil is moderate, and they are deer busters. The LE ammo stretches the effective range quite a bit. If you had no use for your fishing equipment, and do for the Marlin then it was a fair trade for both of you IMHO.

The old 30-30 won't shoot like the 270 does, but it is a very good woods gun for 200 yards or a bit more with the LE ammo.

.

I agree, and the Marlin is as accurate as the average bolt action and faster operating for most shooters.

.

It sounds to me like it was a pretty fair trade. Technically you may have gotten the better end of the deal, but looking at it from his perspective, he traded something he never uses for things he's likely to use quite a bit - he may think he got the better end of the deal. :)

In terms of using the Marlin 30-30 as a deer gun, many like it better than the Winchester because of the fact that Marlins are side eject rather than top (pre 64) or angle eject, and therefore easier to mount and use a scope.

I'm somewhat envious - I have a Marlin model 1893 30-30, but it's close to 100 years old and has seen better days, although I'm quite certain it has taken it's fair share of coyotes and that kind of thing in days gone by.

Good job on that trade! I would have done the same thing! :D

Good trade. You will enjoy the 30-30. The 336 is a super rifle and a lot of fun to shoot. There are a lot of loads available to day that didn't exist when I owned my 30-30 which make it a great alround rifle.

Good trade. You're going to enjoy both the Marlin and South Texas.

Thanks for the replies everyone. I'm receiving it tomorrow morning, right before a fishing trip, so it should be a great Saturday!
All the best,
Glenn

cajuntec, be sure to pick up a couple boxes of shells. You may want to play with your new Marlin if the fish ain't biting. I have had very good performance from Remington 170 grain Core-Lokt ammo for years in all my 30-30's. I do reload my own some, but for factory ammo the Core-Lokts are hard to beat. They have gone up in price a bit lately, but still reasonable when compared to others. The 30-30 is my everyday rifle here on the farm. Have killed many deer, hogs, coyote, groundhogs, a down cow or 3, and a 420 pound black bear with my trusty Marlin, and Core-Lokt ammo.

Thanks for the advice. I haven't had very good luck with Remington Core-Lokt rifle bullets out of my .270. For some reason, it prefers the cheap Winchester Power Point 130 grain offerings above anything I've fed it. Odd, I thought. I do shoot Remington slugs out of my H&R Ultra Slug Hunter though, and that is it's preference. I'll give the CL's another chance in this new rifle, but I really want to run some of the newer rounds through it after I get her good and broken-in. I'll make sure I pick up a good variety to test out.
All the best,
Glenn

When you get to San Antonio, take the short drive up to Canyon Lake. Scenery is VERY nice in the summertime, and you might catch a fish or two. Otherwise, enjoy the Marlin.

Deck

I can assure you of one thing.... If you point that Marlin 30-30 just behind a hogs ear you'll be enjoying some nice barbecued pork.:D

Bienvenidos a San Antonio. Despite what some will try to tell you, the .30 WCF will take anything in South Texas. ( So will the .270, but it doesn't have the class of the .30/30, IMO!)
Canyon is fine for play, but for fish try Braunig, Calaveras, and Choke Canyon.

Thanks for the replies everyone. I have already fished "Bourne" lake during my last visit - but only from the shoreline, as I didn't have my boat. Beautiful looking small lake.... but I'm dying to put my Triton on Choke Canyon. I'll also be trying out Canyon, Braunig, Calaveras, and every other one that I can drive to. I'm looking forward to the move.

I received the new rifle this morning - just as described. Pristine condition - looks like it has never even had a cartridge inserted into the magazine. Model 336AS. There was a safety lock cable inserted through the barrel that he said had been their since it was new. I'm seriously considering leaving this one "sans scope". All of my other rifles / slug guns have scopes, but this one just seems to beg to be used with iron sights.
All the best,
Glenn

They are great with iron sights. I think you will soon be infected with Marlinitis. Kida like Lay's potato chips. One just ain't enough. Enjoy your new iron.

Come on over here to learn about your new rifle-

http://www.marlinowners.com/forums/index.php