[user4]

What is the effective range of a 3030.
Is $300 too much for a used Marlin?

[freefall]

Depends on the condition and where you are. I'd rather spend about $250, but really, what's $50 nowadays, half a tank of gas? Yeah, I'd spend $300 if it's a very nice one. Recently bought a Marlin .44 mag for $300 and am very pleased with it. Effective range they tell me with LeveRevolution ammo is 200-250 yds. Luck.

[RL357Mag]

Originally Posted by Ineffable

What is the effective range of a 3030.
Is $300 too much for a used Marlin?

With standard ammo and a scope, a 30-30 is effective out to whatever range you can cleanly hit a deer! For most people with an unscoped lever action that would be about 100 yds. Add a scope and you can gain another 50-100 yds. if you know your gun. With the new Hornady LeverEvolution ammo you can gain another 50 yds. I have a very old Marlin 30-30 with a small 4x scope that I can shoot 1" groups at 100yds with my reloads on a bench. With factory ammo it shoots about 2" at 100 yds. Even if it opens up to 4 or 5" at 200 yds that's still a dead deer anywhere inbetween. $300 is too much for a used Marlin considering Wal Mart is selling brand new ones for $340. The Marlin is probably the best lever action currently made, andIMO was better than the Winchester. I have both, and the Marlin is like a swiss watch compared to the Winchester - much smoother action, more comfortable to shoot, and a little more accurate.

[user4]

I appreciate the info. I just need to find a Wal-Mart that sells 'em. The ones in my are don't. But then I live in the only dry city in Texas, methinks.

[RL357Mag]

Originally Posted by Ineffable

I appreciate the info. I just need to find a Wal-Mart that sells 'em. The ones in my are don't. But then I live in the only dry city in Texas, methinks.

WOW! A WalMart in Texas that DOESN'T sell guns? I didn't think it possible...here in Hillary country most WalMarts still sell guns - until you get closer to the city, where you really NEED guns! I think the Marlin is a real nice gun for the price, although that price has gone up almost $75 in the last year or so. The 30-30 is a good gun to reload for also - fairly cheap and good accuracy potential with standard components. Good luck!

[user4]

The irony was not lost on me. Maybe I'll buy one at Bed, Bath, And Beyond... or Starbucks.

[RL357Mag]

Originally Posted by Ineffable

The irony was not lost on me. Maybe I'll buy one at Bed, Bath, And Beyond... or Starbucks.

LOL - I wouldn't doubt you could down there. 15 years ago I got a full carry CCW in less than 3 months.... in NY - that wouldn't happen today.

[Lupo]

The dicks sporting goods in Enfield CT sells them for 350 with some sort of scope.

[Jack 08]

Only a few of the Walmarts "close" to me (Cleveland, TX area) still sell guns. All carry ammo however.

If the 336 is is in nice shape $300 sounds reasonable.

[c3shooter]

RL- C'mon over to Virginia. My CCW took 3 DAYS.