.30-30 or .35 Rem?

N

Nightcrawler

New member
I've been thining of selling some members of my small collection (probably the Maadi AK and the Winchester 94 trapper) to have money for some really nice "keeper" firearms. I want no less than three Marlin lever rifles, the 1894P in .44 Mag, the 336, and the 1895 (haven't decided which looks cooler to me...the 22" barrel or the 18.5" barrel).

Anyhoo, The 336 is available in .30-30, which you find everywhere, and .35 Rem, which they sell all over around here (if they have it in Harder's Party Store, I know it's a common sporting round. They don't, however, carry 7.62x54R) I hear .35 Remington is superior in every way to .30-30, but I'm a little worried about ammo cost and availability. I prefer to buy my ammo in bulk, and I can get bulk .30-30 from Cabela's.

Also, I intend to put a scope on this rifle, and want see-through mounts. What would be a good scope/mount combo?

Any suggestions?
 
Either the .30-30 or the .35 Remington will do you fine.

If you are going to hunt heavy deer, rather than our skinny Southern Whitetails, and don't plan to shot long ranges, consider the .35 Rem. I sort of have a fondnes for both .35 calibers and for the old .30 WCF.

Let me urge that you forget the see through scope mounts, They are a good idea that does not work out so well in parctice.

To use your scope, you will have to hold your head at an uncomfortable angle. This really does not aid in accuracy.

If you want the iron sight capability, get a set of QD scopemounts and take the scope off if you want or need the iron sights.

Doc Hudson
 
thing is..

I don't actually hunt. I might someday, though. Anyway, I'd like my Marlin levergun to be my basic all-rounder rifle, and for that, I'd need a scope and iron sights, I think.
 
Have you ever used a rifle with see-thru scope mounts? Makes me feel like I'm trying to focus my danged bifocals.

Like i said, a good idea that doesn't work so great.

With the QD scope mounts, your Marlin M336 can still be your all-arund rifle, with or without a scope.

BTW, have you considered the Ashley Scout Scope Mounts? I plan to order a set for my M-336 and for my Guide Gun.

Doc Hudson
 
Well...

I haven't got the 336 yet. I'll have to sell my 94 Trapper and my Maadi AK to get one right now.

What about a sight replacement? Experience with my M94 has taught me that semibuckhorn sights make decent accuracy difficult.
 
Do what you want, but Doc is giving some good advice. I used the see-thru mounts for years and just never used them. I finally got tired of my scope sticking up an extra 1" and started mounting my scopes down on the barrel, where they should be, and it's ever so much better. Average priced scopes these days are much more robust than in years past. I recently got a Tasco World Class 1.5-5x20 from The Sportsman's Guide for $50. I got two of 'em. That's a good scope for a .30-30 or a .35 Rem. One of mine is on a .30-30 and the other is on a .30-30 necked up to .358, a .35 Rem ballistic cousin. Mounts are simple Weaver 1" detachables on a Weaver rail, total $20. For an anywhere, anytime rifle, the 35 Rem is difficult to beat. The QD mounts are your best inexpensive answer.
 
Hmm..

Good advice. I'll have to see what kind of mounts I can find around here.

I don't know if the higher scope would bother me or not. I'd want to try it first. I learned to shoot on the M16, and that thing's line of sight is high above the barrel.

I'd really like to get the semibuckhorn sight replaced with a peep sight.

So, you think I should sell the trapper and the Maadi to get a really good Marlin (my first true keeper)?
 
I dunno...

If my AK is going so is the trapper. I don't like the trigger and would very much prefer one in .44 Mag over .357.

Besides, A) I plan on getting a Marlin 1894P in .44 Mag one of these days, and B) my AK was only $350 when it was new; I don't know that if I sell it with 1000 rounds through it if the money will be enough for a new Marlin .30-30.
 
Well, I'm willing to sell...

But I *don't* want another trapper. I like the Marlin's better. That wouldn't be a big deal, but the Winchester's have that nasty spring loaded trigger, and it just bugs me to no end.

'Sides, I've got to get the trapper back together before it'll go anywhere. :)
 
Nightcrawler,

E-mail me, we might be able to work a trade.

I have a Marlin .44 Mag, and a Marlin .30 WCF that don't get much use.

Doc Hudson
 
I have a 336 in 35rem that was made in 1989 and I prefer that cal to 30WCF. Ammo is about $2.00 a box more for 20. Don't put a scope on a lever action.
 
Another vote for no see-thru mounts..

Had them on a .30-06. Problem is that the see-thru is so small that it's about useless in hunting situations. It's like looking through a soda straw. As said above your head is off or nearly off the stock. Maybe OK on a .223 AK but not so good on a deer rifle...rattles your teeth.

My .35 Whelen falls in the range of what you're looking for. I have a 1.5x6 B&L 4000 on Leupold (IIRC) quick detach mounts. Can take the scope off and on and hold adequate zero for hunting. Wide enough field of view for woods work.
 
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