30-30, which one to buy

Seeing the 30-30 ammo thread got me to thinking about picking up a new to me 30-30 rifle. I used a Winchester model 94 to take my first buck. Also owned a Savage bolt action. My dad had Savage model 99’s in 30-30 and 308. I had Savage 99’s in 250-3000 but always meant to buy one in 30-30 but never did.

Which 30-30 rifle would you by today and why? Thanks

I myself would watch for an older Marlin Model lever action. I was told that more recent ones were prone to issues but the ones they were making in the 90s were hard to beat IMO

Winchester hands down. The savage 99 really needs to be a 250 savage.

I'd grab a Savage 99 and load it with 165 grain Nosler Partitions. I had one in 300 Savage that shot that bullet into tiny groups when loaded down to a maxed out 30-30. Bad medicine!

I have an older Marlin, the best gun I have ever fired.

It just seems a .30-30 should be a lever gun. Marlin, Winchester or Henry, if you can find one you like the looks and feel of, I don't think you could go wrong.

Sounds like you have a soft spot for a savage 99. Go with that it will make you happy. Between Winchester 94 and marlin I like the older Marlins pre saftey if can be found over the Winchester . But I like low power optics even more now I'm getting older.

Marlins are easier to take apart to clean. YouTube taking a Marlin 336 apart vs Winchester 94.

I have a Winchester Model 94, vintage 1911. It is a different gun than a modern Model 94. Crisp sights, lovely trigger pull, plenty accurate, smooth and solid. They were doing something different and better in the factory way back then. A Model 94 was a top shelf rifle. If you have a chance to check out an old 94, and probably old S99s and M336's as well, jump at the chance.

I'd find one in a Savage 99. Why? Because they are a beautiful gun. One of these days I'll have me a 250-3000 in a 99,

Marlin 336

I own a pre-64 Win 94.

I own several pre safety Marlins.

Get a Marlin.

336 or 94

if you plan to put a scope on it 336

I think about parts most guns die not because of the barrel wearing out be because of some small part that is no longer being made or is available

I think in not much longer the savage 325 and 340 are going to be a parts issue , they are making the magazines again but extractors , ejectors and firing pins may prove to be the issue numrich has some but more and more go out of stock

What Leftlane said. Top quality, side ejection, easy to clean.

Savage 99 is a lever gun Jaime.

99 or 336 is easier to scope, unless you're gona use a peep.

And is the only one designed so it can shoot pointy aerodynamic bullets. Personally that's why I would get a different cal in a 99 and a marlin if I wanted a 30 30 or 35 rem.

Savage 99, 300 savage, you won't be disappointed. Light, fast handling and shoots pointy bullets (125-130gr. are my choice).

I had a Savage pump action 30-30 when I started deer hunting. I really like that rifle

I have some Win. levers, 92 94 64 71. Hard to beat.

I have an older Marlin 336.Its my go to deer rifle.I would get the Marlin over the Wichester if you think you will ever want a scope on the gun.Winchester has top eject,,that is not scope friendly,,Marlin has side eject.I had killed dozens of deer with the iron sights on my gun,,and at the time,,figured there would never be a need for a scope on it.Well,,fourty years later my eyes aint what they used to be,,and my Marlin has a Leupold scope on top of her now.Get an older model if you can,,because when Remington started making them,,the quality and finish went way down in my opinion.

Not so fast there. The 95 Winchester has a box mag and handles spitzers.

Also the Winchester 88 and BLR.

Marlin 36 or 336 is what my dad said because you wouldn't need a side mount scope.

Yes, it will be a lever gun. Just never handled Marlin or Henry.

I had 3 Savage Model 99 in 250/3000, gave one to my son and sold the other two before moving earlier this year. We can’t use rifles for deer here in Illinois but neighboring states I can so now wished I had kept one of the 250’s for myself, oh well.

Had one of the 250’s with a peep, two with scopes. Guess I’d prefer to have a peep on the 30-30. Hard to find them for the Savage 99. Is it easier to find/mount peeps on the Marlin or Henry?

Why has no one mentioned the Henry? Do they not make them in 30-30?

Thanks guys and saying “Hi” to Steve and Jaime!

Pre safety Marlin but new enough to be drilled and tapped in case you want to do an optic or receiver mounted peep sight. Skinner sights from Montana makes a great receiver mounted peep sight
I like Savage 99's also but prefer the 250-3000.
If you are into unusual calibers you might consider a 99 Savage in the 303 Savage round. It's ballistics' are real similar to a 30-30. Ammo and brass is available from several sources. I get mine from Graff and sons from Mexico Missouri. Last time I looked at Gunbroker.com there were some real nice old 99's at reasonable prices.
I really enjoy having older non traditional calibers from the past.

Kelly, Henry makes several fine rifles chambered in 30-30. I have sold lots of Henry's thru my shop in the last 15 years. Skinner make's a full line of very quality peep sights for most Henry rifles also. You can't go wrong with a good ole American made Henry.

Pre 64 ...Winchester model 94....30-30....they don’t make them like they use too

Take the stock off a Savage 99 so you can see the internal parts of the action and you will see why so many people love them. They are built like tanks yet extremely simple. One of the best lever guns imo. Although they were chambered in 30-30, the 300 savage is the way to go with the 99s......unless you are lucky enough to find one in 358 or 7mm-08 that is.

So my pick for a lever action 30-30 is the Winchester 94 hands down. They were a favourite with the Cree Indians I grew up with. Ive seen some incredible shots made with those beat up old guns. One time I watched an old fellow that worked for my dad on our ranch drop a grizzly bear with one shot at 300 yards. The bear was facing us and he hit it right in the centre of the chest. I dont think those old Indians ever cleaned their guns, yet they always worked. I remember one Christmas my dad bought the old guy that worked for him a brand new Parker & Hale 30/06. Didnt impress the fellow at all and he continued to use the Winchester until the day he died. The Marlins were not as popular as they were prone to ejection problems in the cold.

My boy has a Henry in .44 mag. He's killed 3 deer with it and we're very happy with it. They are certainly worth taking a look at. His has the big lever so its very nice looking as well. He has a Leupold scope on it but you can get peep sights for it. They sell 30-30's as well as .38-55 Win. that would be legal under Iowa's new regulations for deer. Stupid they don't allow .30-30 or .35 Rem. but allow .500 Nitro Express!

I was just given a older 94 Winchester and just looked on Midway for ammo, All 30-30 is sold out. Looks like some federal coming soon.

Out of the 3 that were listed.

online ammo is sold out there is a little hunting caliber ammo in small stores , check around local bait shops , hardware stores and small places that would carry a little ammo

You moved to Illinois?

Kicking and screaming I hope

Still the Best !

Marlin hands down for me. Parts everywhere, not that you'll need them, and scoping options. Stainless also an option. If your not in a hurry, Ruger bought Marlin recently, so rumor is they may come out with some of the older calibers.

My brother got a "remlin" 336 and was very disappointed. I know lots of guys who had pre Remington takeover ones that are nice though. Personally I'd go for a Winchester. pre 64

Yes, but was outvoted! We are not missing the weather you all are having up north, tho.

Am actually farther from Chicago now than before the move, but not by much. Less than an hour to KY, IN, MO AR and a couple hours to TN.

So my pick for a lever action 30-30 is the Winchester 94 hands down. They were a favourite with the Cree Indians I grew up with. Ive seen some incredible shots made with those beat up old guns. One time I watched an old fellow that worked for my dad on our ranch drop a grizzly bear with one shot at 300 yards. The bear was facing us and he hit it right in the centre of the chest. I dont think those old Indians ever cleaned their guns, yet they always worked.

I need more of these stories

Which county?

Buy the oldest model 94 you can find

I've not handled a Henry centerfire rifle but the trigger on the .22 my neighbor had was absolute crap.