.30-30 or .45-70?

Am I missing any advantages of either caliber?
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Will anyone but you shoot this rifle? A son, daughter, niece, nephew, wife? The .30-30 will be kinder to their shoulder, at least while learning. Otherwise, .45-70 gets MY vote.
 
When that quip was stated years ago.> Beware of the man who only has only one rifle. Common knowledge. That rifle was indeed his >30-30 being talked about.
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Actually, that rifle was typically a Winchester 1873 in 44-40, but it matters little. 30-30 is the one. When it hit the scene in 1895, it obsoleted a whole generation of larger bore rifles. Flatter trajectory, less recoil, less resources downrange, and easier to carry than a 45-whatever. Shoots flat enough out to 300 yds and can take deer, antelope, elk, and black bear, or whatever the flavor of the day is wherever you may be.
 
45-70

been looking for a decent used one for a while. not something i need and not beating the bushes but if it comes along we will see.
 
I agree with mehavey in terms of the large scale concepts:

You already have a gun which will take any game you want (unless you want something for brown bear defense, and then for sure a 45-70 would be the ticket). So get whichever gun is the funnest. The suggestion of a pistol caliber rifle sounds really good to me, but between the two stated options, I think I would go with the 45-70 for 'cool factor'. I'd either get the guide gun, or the cowboy.
 
And the advantages of a 45-70 are:
-More damage
-Cool factor

Am I missing any advantages of either caliber?
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Add "straight walled case" (for ease/simplicity of reloading) to the .45/70 column...... I seem to buckle the shoulder of at least one 30/30 case when I go and get in a hurry and try to seat and crimp in one operation.....
 
Simple don't seat and crimp on the 30-30. I was never successful at it and it felt like wasting brass. So now I seat and use the factory crimp die after. At least it was a cheap learning experience.
 
Simple don't seat and crimp on the 30-30. I was never successful at it and it felt like wasting brass. So now I seat and use the factory crimp die after. At least it was a cheap learning experience.
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Agreed. ..... but like I said, when I get in a hurry and need to knock out 50 practice rounds when the kid wants to go ...... before she changes her mind. They do that, you know?
 
Yeah I know. But the FCD only takes a few minutes. My wife changes her mind all the time which means that I should really reload all the lead she uses to shoot. Got 300 pieces of 30-30 brass calling my name.
 
Dr. Buchenrad said:
I am aware of the whole Marlin quality issue. I was hoping if possible to get a quality used one from before the Remington escapade. Is there a way to tell the difference ie serial number or visual differences (other than the wood falling off)

I am leaning toward the 45-70 but the practical side of me is saying "You dont need a 45-70 when the 30-30 will do pretty much everything you need to get done in a more efficient manner" I also dont NEED to put gravy on my potatoes in order to fill my stomach.

My understanding of the advantages of the 30-30 are:
-Less bullet drop
-Lighter felt recoil
-Cheaper ammo (both store bought and reloaded)
-Cheaper to buy
-Easier to find

And the advantages of a 45-70 are:
-More damage
-Cool factor

Am I missing any advantages of either caliber?
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Pre-Remlin guns are proof marked with "JM" whereas the Remington made Marlins are marked "RP" . The newer Remlins also start with MR serial numbers
 
I own both a 336 Marlin 30/30 and a 1895 45/70. Both are old models. These are nice rifles but when you go to purchase one make sure you are getting old model gun.
BR ( before Remington ) ever since Rem. took over Marlin the quality has been terrible.
I think 30/30 is probably more practical, I don't know why I still have the 45/70. I'm
64 and have just started to off some hunting rifles that I won't be using anymore. I started with the big stuff but still have the 45/70. It is fun to shoot and I used it last year for 1st. Ohio rifle deer season. We have limited choice of cals. and 45/70 was leagal. The 30/30 would probably get more use, but that's only my opinion.
 
45-70

I don't own one, but I would buy the right one; a used older Marlin 1895 is tough to beat ! you can load it down for plinking fun, or take it up to Grizzly stoppers!
A very versatile cartridge for sure. Can't do that with the ol 30-30. :D
 
To take advantage of the .45-70 you're going to need a heavy duty gun with a longer barrel. Those tend to bite your wallet a lot.

There are lots of lever actions chambered for the .30-30 and a standard off the rack model is all you need.

afaik there ain't no grizzlys in your neck of the woods so there ain't a need for a 405gr bullet.
 
There are lots of lever actions chambered for the .30-30 and a standard off the rack model is all you need.
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"standard off the rack model"?

Just what is that? I take it to mean that you are saying that a .30/30 is a .30/30 ..... A 94WIN Carbine and a Marlin 30A, though both leverguns chambered in the same cartridge, are whole different cats when it comes to shooting them.
 
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