30-30 questions

[DrJay1st]

I don't have what would generally be considered a good cast boolit rifle. From what I gather in my reading here and elsewhere is that if one could only buy a single rifle or were buying their first cast boolit shooter...it ought to be a Winchester 94 in 30-30 caliber. Agree or disagree and why?

Jerry

[felix]

Make it a 32 Winnie lever instead and I will agree 110 percent. If you must stay with 30-30, strongly consider a bolt gun, like Savage 340, Rem 722. Accuracy seems to be above the norm in all three of these guns, and making ammo for them a piece of cake because what you scrap load typically shoots well enough to not need refinement. ... felix

[DrJay1st]

Felix, is this what you are talking about?
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=92346515

Jerry

[onceabull]

I'd suggest instead Auction Arms #8467943,but not a lot of time left before decision time..good luck,, !! Onceabull

[felix]

Gosh, man, get both if you can afford them. Otherwise, pick what the pocket book can afford. Yeah, get both, and unload either if you prefer the other. The price on either would/should never drop. ... felix

[w30wcf]

DrJay1st,
By all means, get the .30-30. Many more cast bullet options are available in .30 Caliber. Nothing wrong with the .32, however.

w30wcf

[mooman76]

Beings you did say only one the 30-30 is as good as or better than any. Lot's of bullet options. It shoots at a slower speed than allot of other rifles so you won't need to adjust your bullets to shoot at a slower speed as much as other guns if at all. It is easier in my opinion to cast for and have work out right away especially for someone just starting to cast for rifle. I see no bad in it. Also a economic shooter you can easily make a plinker or a deer rifle.

[jhalcott]

You could get a Handi for a bit less and if you don't like the 30-30 another barrel can be fitted to your action. I like the Tc Contender in 30-30 also.

[mroliver77]

Nothing wrong with a good levergun in 30-30, Winchester or Marlin. I shoot everything including round balls, DEWC, 100gr half jacket, 90gr RN,110gr copper plated lead boolit made for the .30 carbine, many diferent 150gr boolits,160,170,180 and 210grlead in my Wally Wolrld Marlin. What a fast fun gun!!
J

[26Charlie]

If I may interject a different approach, I feel that any gun is a good cast bullet gun. I have been able to get good cast bullet results in every rifle which has caught my fancy, from .22 Hornet to .458 Winchester, and every revolver and auto from .32 S&W Long to .45 Colt. The experimentation is the lifeblood of the hobby. Don't write off what you've got already.

Having said that, ain't nothing wrong with having a (another) .30-30 to play with. My collection contains two different M94 models, 2 Marlin Models, and an H&R Topper singleshot.

[AllanD]

I'd agree that a 32Win Special might be a better cartridge chambering
and a Winchester 94 in 32Win will likely cost you less than a
Marlin in 32Win would (Marlin 336's in 32WinSpl are sought as collector items)

But EITHER small bore has nothing on a 38-55(good) or 45-70(better) or 44Mag(best)
as a cast bullet longarm.

Frankly I'd go looking for a Marlin 1894 in 44Mag new enough to have
their "Ballard" rifling, these make supreme cast bullet carbines.

If you want a heavy hitter repeater than a 45-70 is it.

AD