30-30 or 44 magnum PC defense lever rifle?
- Thread starter TCW
- Start date
I guess it depends upon how you want to qualify "better", tho the 30-30 and .44 will shoot through fewer numbers of adjacent homes than an '06 if ever used for defense around the house, so that may be something to consider depending on the proxmity of, and your fondness for, your neighbors. Both the 30-30 and .44 pack plenty of power at modest distances for most defense scenarios.
I have both a Marlin 336M (the stainless one) and a 1894P .44, and I like them both immensely. The 1894P is smaller and somewhat easier to handle (makes a great car/truck gun as well), and the ports don't seem to add too much to the noise factor. The Marlin sights will have to go, tho; a peep sight arrangment is much better than the factory semi-whatevers they put on them, but both are solid shooters.
I have no experience with Winchester, but others will and you can find a good bit of previous discussion about the pros and cons of each brand if you search previous threads. Some say the Winchesters (at least the older ones) have a somewhat stronger action, but being able to clean the Marlins from the breech end is a huge plus IMO.
I have both a Marlin 336M (the stainless one) and a 1894P .44, and I like them both immensely. The 1894P is smaller and somewhat easier to handle (makes a great car/truck gun as well), and the ports don't seem to add too much to the noise factor. The Marlin sights will have to go, tho; a peep sight arrangment is much better than the factory semi-whatevers they put on them, but both are solid shooters.
I have no experience with Winchester, but others will and you can find a good bit of previous discussion about the pros and cons of each brand if you search previous threads. Some say the Winchesters (at least the older ones) have a somewhat stronger action, but being able to clean the Marlins from the breech end is a huge plus IMO.
Country Boy
New member
I would go for the .44 mag. There are quality defensive loadings out there for that. Magazine tubes being equal, you could pack more 44's in a length of magazine than 30-30's.
TCW, what kind of defense? Home defense in a crowded area, or rural defense? I only ask because I am going to get the 30-30 Winchester 16" soon for my rural situation.
Both the 30 and 44 have enough power to stop a fight, but the 30 has better range for those long shots on deer, which may not even be pertinant to your requirements.
Both the 30 and 44 have enough power to stop a fight, but the 30 has better range for those long shots on deer, which may not even be pertinant to your requirements.
I'm not sure why you'd want a rifle for home defence, in capable hands a scattergun is by far the best weapon. If you're on a budget why not just buy slugs? Although I really can't figure out why anyone would ever want anything other than 6 or 8 shot for HD.
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bullet placement is gun control
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bullet placement is gun control
If you're looking for "something that can reach further than a shotgun", buy the .30-30. There's probably very little difference in knock-down power between the two, at shorter ranges..., but the .30-30 has a far higher ballistic coeffient, and will be far more effective at 125 yards than will be the .44mag.
OTOH, if you're looking for "something that can reach (WAY) further than a shotgun", get the .30-06. It'll have at least twice the effective range of the .30-30.
OTOH, if you're looking for "something that can reach (WAY) further than a shotgun", get the .30-06. It'll have at least twice the effective range of the .30-30.
.30-30 is more PC than .44Mag. Remember the Clint Eastwood line?
On second thought just scratch him with your keys. That is PC.
If I was to need a rifle on a budget for Defense, it would be a SKS. Cheaper rifle, much cheaper ammo for practice, and more likely to survive to see the courtroom being a semi-auto combined with the more practice.
On second thought just scratch him with your keys. That is PC.
If I was to need a rifle on a budget for Defense, it would be a SKS. Cheaper rifle, much cheaper ammo for practice, and more likely to survive to see the courtroom being a semi-auto combined with the more practice.
IMHO the .44 is the superior round if you are thinking about a gun for home defense. While it has less energy than the 30-30, it makes a bigger hole and has a better selection of defensive ammo available. You can find some MASSIVE hollowpoints for the .44
Also depending on the model, you have an ammo capacity of 8+1 or 10+1. A convience in a tight corner. Oh, short barrels are better!!
Treeprof is dead on about the sights. Marlin sights suck! I have an Ashley ghost ring rear sight and a Trigicon front bead.(Night sight) You can see it in any light.
I always have a handgun within reach or on me but a rifle is what I like the best.
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"Carry" on
Rick
I prefer armed combat to unarmed combat. It's easier on the knuckles.
Also depending on the model, you have an ammo capacity of 8+1 or 10+1. A convience in a tight corner. Oh, short barrels are better!!
Treeprof is dead on about the sights. Marlin sights suck! I have an Ashley ghost ring rear sight and a Trigicon front bead.(Night sight) You can see it in any light.
I always have a handgun within reach or on me but a rifle is what I like the best.
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"Carry" on
Rick
I prefer armed combat to unarmed combat. It's easier on the knuckles.
Yanus, I have a Winchester Saddle Ring Trapper, in .30-30. Very handy and that 150 gr round is very effective. I've killed one medium muley deer with it. Broadside shot, about 90 yards. It made an exit hole about the size of a golf ball, and the deer took a step or two and was dead.
I love the handiness of the Trapper. By the way, mine is a "real" Winchester, not U.S. Repeating Arms. They're dandies. The Marlin would be, also. FWIW. J.B.
I love the handiness of the Trapper. By the way, mine is a "real" Winchester, not U.S. Repeating Arms. They're dandies. The Marlin would be, also. FWIW. J.B.
Thanks, Jay.
I looked at a new Win 94 recently and was not impressed. It looked very cheaply made. The Marlin, on the other hand, appeared to be very well made. I just wish Marlin made a short 30/30. Oh well, as my grandmother used to say," If wishes were horses, no man would walk".
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Never do an enemy a minor injury. Machiavelli
"Stay alive with a 45"
I looked at a new Win 94 recently and was not impressed. It looked very cheaply made. The Marlin, on the other hand, appeared to be very well made. I just wish Marlin made a short 30/30. Oh well, as my grandmother used to say," If wishes were horses, no man would walk".
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Never do an enemy a minor injury. Machiavelli
"Stay alive with a 45"
Shin, I think it's the PMC Starfire.
Hornady also makes a "Light Magnum" load in 30-30 which they claim adds up to 200 fps velocity without excess pressures.
I will be trying them both eventually for my own 30/30 defense piece.
Hey Yanus, what's wrong with U.S. Repeating Arms, anyway?
Hornady also makes a "Light Magnum" load in 30-30 which they claim adds up to 200 fps velocity without excess pressures.
I will be trying them both eventually for my own 30/30 defense piece.
Hey Yanus, what's wrong with U.S. Repeating Arms, anyway?
Legionnaire
New member
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Speedy:
Treeprof is dead on about the sights. Marlin sights suck! I have an Ashley ghost ring rear sight and a Trigicon front bead.(Night sight) You can see it in any light.[/quote]
Speedy,
Have you a part number and source for the Trijicon front sight you have on your Marlin? I've already installed a Lyman receiver sight on my 1894S; remove the peep and it makes a workable ghost ring. But I'd like to replace the front sight as well.
Treeprof is dead on about the sights. Marlin sights suck! I have an Ashley ghost ring rear sight and a Trigicon front bead.(Night sight) You can see it in any light.[/quote]
Speedy,
Have you a part number and source for the Trijicon front sight you have on your Marlin? I've already installed a Lyman receiver sight on my 1894S; remove the peep and it makes a workable ghost ring. But I'd like to replace the front sight as well.
MP Freeman
New member
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="arial,helvetica">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by TCW:
What should I get for something that can reach further than a shotgun?[/quote]
You seam to be interested in the 30-06 round. I would recommend a Garand. You've already got the shotgun, Why mess around and get a lever gun for longer ranges? Get a good 308 or 30-06 rifle. Ammo cheap, and lots of choices. BTW, I have an 1894 Marling in .44 mag. Fun gun to shoot, but not a long range shooter. Only good for about 100-150 yds.
Regards,
MP
What should I get for something that can reach further than a shotgun?[/quote]
You seam to be interested in the 30-06 round. I would recommend a Garand. You've already got the shotgun, Why mess around and get a lever gun for longer ranges? Get a good 308 or 30-06 rifle. Ammo cheap, and lots of choices. BTW, I have an 1894 Marling in .44 mag. Fun gun to shoot, but not a long range shooter. Only good for about 100-150 yds.
Regards,
MP