Which gun to buy

[dale.l]

I want to buy a new gun but can't make my mind up. Im looking to shoot cast, Im not setup to cast now but plan on starting to collect what I need so I will be buying bullets for now.

Heres my choices

marlin 336 35rem ballard
marlin 336 30-30 ballard
winchester 94 pre-64 30-30

If I go marlin I would look for a 336A with a 24" barrel. does any know the twist on the old marlin 30-30 ballard

[Phillip]

I believe the twist is around 1-10" for the 30-30.

My self, i am more of a Winchester fan then marlin, but both are good leavers. So you can not go wrong with either.

As for caliber, I would go with 30 cal over 35, just on the amount of 30-30 components floating around at cheap prices.

[NickSS]

In the future the pre 64 94 winchester will retain and gain value faster if that is a consideration. Most 30-30s have a 1 in 12 twist which works really great with flat point bullets up to 170 gr and may works well with heafier though I have not tried them. As far as your choices are concerned they are all good choices for cast bullets but 30 cal ones are easier to find most places and there is a bigger choice of bullets that will work. However, the 35 Rem is probably the better choice for hunting with cast.

[6pt-sika]

I've owned and used all three you mention for both targets and deer !

The old 50's and 60's Marlin's shot a little better then the Winchesters atleast for me !

I killed deer with all of them using iron or peep sights inside 100 yards and I didn't see any great difference between the effectiveness of the 30-30 , 32 Special or 35 REM with cast bullets on deer if I did my part !

[6pt-sika]

Oh yeah if you go the Marlin route and happen upon a nice later manufacture 336A with the 24" barrel and Micro Groove rifling . Don't let that deter you !

When I was flush with 30-30's I had maybe 6 of the 13 with Micro Groove and they shot cast just as well as the old or new ballard rifled ones !

[Doc Highwall]

The Winchesters have a 1:12 twist and the Marlins have a 1:10 twist. I have both and prefer the Marlins with the solid top receiver being stronger and it also allows you to mount a scope lower to the receiver.

[ReloaderFred]

I have both and prefer the Marlins. The actions are smoother and simpler than the Winchester Model 94. My Marlins will all shoot well, but so will my Winchesters.

You get what suits you the best and never look back.

Hope this helps.

Fred

[Bass Ackward]

I have a 1950 Model 94 and a 1950 Model 336SC. I can see a clearly defined purpose for both where each excels and it is a compromise to use the other in it's place.

Get both.

[northmn]

The arguement about the value of the Winchester is a good one if that is a consideration. I ahve a Marlin cowboy with Ballard rifling and a 24 inch barrel in 30-30 and have used it a bit on deer and really like it. So far I have found the 30-30 to be an exceptional cast bullet caliber and have used them in both Winchester and Marlin. It seems like most loads I ahve tried work.

DP

[helice]

Your choices are kind of like Ford vs Chevy. Chose the gun that fits you best. That one is best for you.
As far as casting is concerned - Well there are a lot of molds made for the 30s and a lot of molds made for the 35s (38s and 357s). Pick one. You can't go wrong.

[missionary5155]

Greetings
If I already had 30-30 stuff I would go that way.
If starting from scratch get the 35. It will do eevrything a 30-30 can and a whole lot more with a 240 grainer. I no longer have a 30-30-- went to 38´s. Some say the 35´s are the optimal cast rifle... I do know this.. a bigger hole is always better.