Opinions on 30-30 Project

[six 4 sure]

About a month ago I acquired a top eject 1894, and as much as I like the gun I'm wanting to do a few things to it and wanted a few opinions.

The gun is in great condition, and I no complaints except for the scope mounted to it. It's a 2x Redfield 824? that is mounted to the barrel. For those not familiar, the neat thing about this scope is that it is removable and the base is then used as a rear sight. However, what I don’t like is that three holes were drilled into the barrel to mount the base.

So, here are a couple of plans, tell me if I’m crazy or not, or if I should try and trade it for another top eject.

Plan 1 calls for removing the scope and trying to find a rear sight that will cover the holes. I’m leaning toward a Marbles full or semi-buckhorn.

Plan 2 is a bit more radical. I’ve found a couple of older 30WCF barrels, and I am therefor considering replacing the whole barrel. So what do you think am I going to waste my time and energy?

FWIW, I also plan to fit a curved butt plate to the stock, and sometime in the future mount a tang site. I'd just like my gun to be a little more exciting than the average lever action.

 

[AC]

That is one of the earliest scout scope rigs and dates to the '60s. I hate to see you replace it because imho that is what a scout rifle should be. In a lever action that forward low mounted scope is just perfect and doesn't get in the way of loading or carrying the rifle. Looking at the same set up you have motivated me into setting up a lever action .30-30 scout with an '80s version Burris mount and scope. It is an ideal whitetail rifle.

If you get rid of it please sell it to a hunter who will appreciate it.