I have been out of the lever gun area for while, what is your pick for the best 30-30 under $1,000

thanks

I’ve always had good service from my JM Marlin Texan version 30-30. I happen to like it’s styling and side ejection.

Forget any new rifle; for that money you can get a very nice pre 64 Win 94, or if you have to have a scope, a Marlin as Grinch said. Can't go wrong.
Now, also you might get a Winchester 54 bolt action in 30-30. I had one, works well and quite rare.
New 30-30? Yuck. Get an old one.

$1000 for a new lever gun ? There are only three still made that I know of Winchester,Mossberg 464 and Marlin the Marlin 336 is the slicker action and easy to scope or peep/tang.
Davidson has some of a special run Mossberg Brush Gun 30-30 in grey laminate left as of this typing nice little brush gun 16.5" barrel $479 to your dealer

Henry also makes a 30-30 which I believe is well under your $1,000 limit.

Find you a 1960's-70's Marlin 336.

quote:

Originally posted by dpcd:
Forget any new rifle; for that money you can get a very nice pre 64 Win 94, or if you have to have a scope, a Marlin as Grinch said. Can't go wrong.
Now, also you might get a Winchester 54 bolt action in 30-30. I had one, works well and quite rare.
New 30-30? Yuck. Get an old one.

This is the correct answer! Also, if you buy a pre64 or JM marlin, you can recoup your money at resale. Probably will not with a new purchase.

Marlin

I agree with those that suggested vintage Marlins. You can still find them in good shape in the $300 to $400 range. New ones I've seen don't seem well made.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Sense

Hog Farmer... see above.

Well, my favorite 30-30 is a Glennfield made by marlin. Have magazine and is just right for me. I do have a model 94 angle eject, but the Glennfield seems to fit me better. Next year I might go for the 94 AE. I am fickle (lol).

I've seen a couple people who have new Marlin 336's and while they aren't finished as nice as my 1975 vintage 336 they functioned and shot fine. They seem to have gone through a few bad years but are much improved now.

If you are set on a "Brand new" .30-30...I'd look into the side gate Henry as well as the Curly Maple stock Marlin 336. Both are beautiful firearms. I think the Curly Maple Marlin is around $700 and the Henry is about $800

I have one of the new Marlins in 35 Rem. I ordered it, and the checkering was all screwed up. They sent me a post-paid label and fixed it quickly and at all their expense. And it's the most accurate lever action I've shot. I think you'll be okay with a new Marlin, and the old ones are pretty uniformly great as stated.

The Henry's are the same design as the Marlins, I believe, so they ought to be good guns also.

New Winchesters cost a lot, but I've read good things. Old Winchesters are nice to carry, though in general not as accurate as Marlins.

Go with an old Marlin or one of the new stainless steel Marlins. If you intend to use iron sights altogether, then get a pre 64 win. 94 or 64,, Best "new" is an oxymoron...

I would suggest you get an older Marlin Ballard rifled one in case you want to shoot cast bullets at some point.

quote:

Originally posted by rmb721:
I would suggest you get an older Marlin Ballard rifled one in case you want to shoot cast bullets at some point.

Cast bullets shoot just fine in a Marlin microgroove barrel. You just need to size them right.

new is any of the above but a savage 99 can be found and it is much better than any of the above. just my take on it, love mine

Marlin 336 is a fine rifle. I had one but sold it when I needed some cash a while back. I just bought a new Henry 30-30 with the side loading gate and love this one. Either or, can't go wrong IMO.

quote:

Originally posted by buckeyeshooter:

quote:

Originally posted by dpcd:
Forget any new rifle; for that money you can get a very nice pre 64 Win 94, or if you have to have a scope, a Marlin as Grinch said. Can't go wrong.
Now, also you might get a Winchester 54 bolt action in 30-30. I had one, works well and quite rare.
New 30-30? Yuck. Get an old one.

This is the correct answer! Also, if you buy a pre64 or JM marlin, you can recoup your money at resale. Probably will not with a new purchase.

I definitely agree!! as a late friend of mine used to say Old is Gold!

+2

I like both marlins and Winchesters. With some degree of luck, one might be able to find my favorite 30-30, the Model 64, for under $1,000. Oil field workers are selling lots of nice guns for cheap right now, and demand is currently focused on self defense and the prepper crowd. As DPCD said, the Win model 54 is cool. My pic of the marlins is the 336A with the 3/4 length mag tube, but I would whittle the forend down a bit. Just my take.

I saw a win mod 64 in as new condition in a local Twin Falls pawn shop just before they closed for the Coronavirus crisis for $950.?? I'll check when they open in a week or two I think..A 94 carbine in good shape can be had for $400 to $600. at our gun shows..Win. 54 in 30-30 bring $1000 to $2500 and up depending on shape..Prices do vary according to the geographical loacations however..OLder Winchesters just keep increasing in price, no stopping them..My two SRC 94 in 25-35 I paid $150 for fetch in the neighborhood of $2200 to $3000 depending on condition..beats the stock market.

My current favorite is a Mossberg 464. It has a "stainless" finish, 16.25 inch barrel, and laminated stock. Special run by Davidsons. Paid $400 for mine NIB. You can still find them for sale if you are patience.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYNU9J8M98U

I still own a new model Win 94 as well as a take down model but its the Mossberg that goes hunting deer with me.