What Would Be The BEST 30-30 Lever Rifle

[Lynyrd]

New, or used? Iron sights, or scope? Pretty or rugged? There are lots of qualifiers to your question. One size does not fit all.

[cheezit]

If your in the used market you can sometimes come across a JM stamped marlin. Don't know if I would buy a newer one.

I think that is what I want in a 16” barrel.

A JM 336 with a 16¼" barrel in 30-30 or .35 Rem is a particularly hard rifle to find. The Model 336LTS Carbine (made 1988-89; only in 30-30) or the 336 Marauder Carbine .35 or 30-30 (1963-64). Not a lot of them made and them that gots 'em tend to keep them, even though they do come on the market from time to time on Gunbroker. They command a premium price; 2-4x the price of a decent 336. Maybe your best bet is to have an 18 or 20 inch model cut down. I sold Marlin 336's back in the 1960's and early 70's (probably a couple thousand rifles), never saw a single Maurauder. They were probably marketed in deep woods states, more so than Texas. The Marlin Glenfield Model 30 would be a perfect model to reduce the barrel length since the early ones have shorter magazines. You can find them for $250-350. There's a Marauder and an LTS on GB.

Any idea what a never fired marlin 30aw (checkered stock/ gold trigger) with a JM stamp is going for these days?

[carlson1]

It is obvious I am not the only one wanting a lever rifle and they are proud of them. Does anyone have a good opinion on a Marlin 336 Big Loop .30-30 18.5-inch 6Rds?

[The Annoyed Man]

Mine is a 18" Marlin. I checked out the 16", 20" and 22" models, and settled on the 18" because I wanted a carbine length rifle, I didn’t want the velocity loss of a 16" barrel, and I didn’t want the additional weight of a longer barrel. 2" may not sound like much of difference, but with my rifle, I still got a chronographed 2,360 FPS with Hornady's 160 grain LEVERevolution FTX cartridge. This was very close to the velocities of 150 grain offerings, and was one of the two most accurate loads too—the other being the Remington Core-Lokt 170 grain Jacketed Soft Point at 2,159 FPS. The two 150 grain load I tested were nowhere near as accurate.

With the FTX load, allowing for a 6" diameter vital zone, Maximum Point Blank range is 226 yards, 3" high from 105-115 yards, and 3" low at 226. At 226 yards, the load still produces 1,808 FPS/1,162 ft-lbs, which is plenty enough for anything you’re likely to shoot from 226 yards in Texas. That makes it a point and click rifle at that range. BTW, the 170 grain Remington load performs almost exactly as well, with a MaxPBR of 217 yards with a 6" diameter vital zone.

.30-30 LEVERevolution 160 grain FTX ballistics (my rifle)

[The Annoyed Man]

It is obvious I am not the only one wanting a lever rifle and they are proud of them. Does anyone have a good opinion on a Marlin 336 Big Loop .30-30 18.5-inch 6Rds?

That’s the one I have.

[carlson1]

It is obvious I am not the only one wanting a lever rifle and they are proud of them. Does anyone have a good opinion on a Marlin 336 Big Loop .30-30 18.5-inch 6Rds?

That’s the one I have.

Well you need to allow me to be a blessing and help you have a little more space in your safe.

[gtolbert09]

Here I ya go.

[puma guy]

If your in the used market you can sometimes come across a JM stamped marlin. Don't know if I would buy a newer one.

I think that is what I want in a 16” barrel.

A JM 336 with a 16¼" barrel in 30-30 or .35 Rem is a particularly hard rifle to find. The Model 336LTS Carbine (made 1988-89; only in 30-30) or the 336 Marauder Carbine .35 or 30-30 (1963-64). Not a lot of them made and them that gots 'em tend to keep them, even though they do come on the market from time to time on Gunbroker. They command a premium price; 2-4x the price of a decent 336. Maybe your best bet is to have an 18 or 20 inch model cut down. I sold Marlin 336's back in the 1960's and early 70's (probably a couple thousand rifles), never saw a single Maurauder. They were probably marketed in deep woods states, more so than Texas. The Marlin Glenfield Model 30 would be a perfect model to reduce the barrel length since the early ones have shorter magazines. You can find them for $250-350. There's a Marauder and an LTS on GB.

Any idea what a never fired marlin 30aw (checkered stock/ gold trigger) with a JM stamp is going for these days?

Used prices I see are 200 fair to 400 VG so I'd think new in box would be at least 475-500 maybe a little more to the right buyer. Collectors are usually who look for NIB and unfired, so it's a limited market. I don't have any crystal ball, I just peruse a few websites. Shooters and hunters usually won't pay a premium for a rifle they are going to put to use. One question... how have you resisted shooting your Marlin?

[The Annoyed Man]

One question... how have you resisted shooting your Marlin?

The man is a veritable oak, a positive bulwark of rectitude....

[puma guy]

One question... how have you resisted shooting your Marlin?

The man is a veritable oak, a positive bulwark of rectitude....

No doubt!

[cheezit]

If your in the used market you can sometimes come across a JM stamped marlin. Don't know if I would buy a newer one.

I think that is what I want in a 16” barrel.

A JM 336 with a 16¼" barrel in 30-30 or .35 Rem is a particularly hard rifle to find. The Model 336LTS Carbine (made 1988-89; only in 30-30) or the 336 Marauder Carbine .35 or 30-30 (1963-64). Not a lot of them made and them that gots 'em tend to keep them, even though they do come on the market from time to time on Gunbroker. They command a premium price; 2-4x the price of a decent 336. Maybe your best bet is to have an 18 or 20 inch model cut down. I sold Marlin 336's back in the 1960's and early 70's (probably a couple thousand rifles), never saw a single Maurauder. They were probably marketed in deep woods states, more so than Texas. The Marlin Glenfield Model 30 would be a perfect model to reduce the barrel length since the early ones have shorter magazines. You can find them for $250-350. There's a Marauder and an LTS on GB.

Any idea what a never fired marlin 30aw (checkered stock/ gold trigger) with a JM stamp is going for these days?

Used prices I see are 200 fair to 400 VG so I'd think new in box would be at least 475-500 maybe a little more to the right buyer. Collectors are usually who look for NIB and unfired, so it's a limited market. I don't have any crystal ball, I just peruse a few websites. Shooters and hunters usually won't pay a premium for a rifle they are going to put to use. One question... how have you resisted shooting your Marlin?

Good question, my father bought it in around 92 or so right before his health went rapidly down hill. He gave it to around 96, it's been a safe queen. No box but was/is a deluxe Wal-Mart rifle with the checkerd stocked and gold trim and a scope. One day I'll pull out some of my new in box stuff that's been sitting in the back of the safe

[puma guy]

If your in the used market you can sometimes come across a JM stamped marlin. Don't know if I would buy a newer one.

I think that is what I want in a 16” barrel.

A JM 336 with a 16¼" barrel in 30-30 or .35 Rem is a particularly hard rifle to find. The Model 336LTS Carbine (made 1988-89; only in 30-30) or the 336 Marauder Carbine .35 or 30-30 (1963-64). Not a lot of them made and them that gots 'em tend to keep them, even though they do come on the market from time to time on Gunbroker. They command a premium price; 2-4x the price of a decent 336. Maybe your best bet is to have an 18 or 20 inch model cut down. I sold Marlin 336's back in the 1960's and early 70's (probably a couple thousand rifles), never saw a single Maurauder. They were probably marketed in deep woods states, more so than Texas. The Marlin Glenfield Model 30 would be a perfect model to reduce the barrel length since the early ones have shorter magazines. You can find them for $250-350. There's a Marauder and an LTS on GB.

Any idea what a never fired marlin 30aw (checkered stock/ gold trigger) with a JM stamp is going for these days?

Used prices I see are 200 fair to 400 VG so I'd think new in box would be at least 475-500 maybe a little more to the right buyer. Collectors are usually who look for NIB and unfired, so it's a limited market. I don't have any crystal ball, I just peruse a few websites. Shooters and hunters usually won't pay a premium for a rifle they are going to put to use. One question... how have you resisted shooting your Marlin?

Good question, my father bought it in around 92 or so right before his health went rapidly down hill. He gave it to around 96, it's been a safe queen. No box but was/is a deluxe Wal-Mart rifle with the checkerd stocked and gold trim and a scope. One day I'll pull out some of my new in box stuff that's been sitting in the back of the safe

The rifles were made for and sold by WalMart, but you probably know that. During it's long history Marlin produced firearms for most big box stores and chains; many of which had proprietary model numbers. These 30AW (aka 336W) were probably the last special deal Marlin had with a big box store. After Marlin was sold to Remington and the manufacturing was moved to Ilion, NY the 336 and all Marlin lever guns suffered from extremely poor quality. It has improved somewhat, but still can be hit or miss.

[carlson1]

I found me a Winchester 94AE with a gold trigger. The Wood is a dark color and looks to be in great shape. I haven’t decided 100%, but I think it will satisfy my needs. Not going to put a scope on it so I think it will be great.

[puma guy]

I found me a Winchester 94AE with a gold trigger. The Wood is a dark color and looks to be in great shape. I haven’t decided 100%, but I think it will satisfy my needs. Not going to put a scope on it so I think it will be great.

[carlson1]

Well the Winchester deal didn’t work. I am new to lever actions, but learned quickly I am not fond of the cross bolt safety. The same man who had the Winchester had a Marlin 336 pre-lock. The Marlin is a little heavier than the Winchester. I am guessing it from the 1970’s or 1980’s. Not a mark on it. I am not to for sure how to go about deciding the year etcetera. Here are a few pictures and thanks to everyone for your help.