Gotta make a decision before tomorrow morning, 2 rifles, 1 money

[Brother_Love]

Went to local pawn shop today and found a Marlin New Haven, pre-safety 30/30 for $225. But they also had a Remington 788 in 223 for $375. I can't get them both but she is holding them until in the morning for me to decide. I am thinking the 788 because they do not show up as often. I wish I had the money for both of them.

Pondering, Malcolm

[williamwaco]

I agree.

I would go for the 788 unless I really needed a .30-30

[wool1]

788......Great shooters, the bolt stop is the only major problem I have ever seen with these.

[Uncle R.]

A 788 in .30-30 is the Holy Grail of cast bullet rifles. Well - it's at least a top contender for the title. The .30-30 cartridge is excellent for cast, and the 788 is the strongest and most accurate platform you're likely to find for a factory .30-30 rifle. The 788 in .44 magnum is even more rare, and again a most excellent rifle to own if you're a caster. If that 788 were chambered for one of those cartridges I'd be telling you to grab it and don't let go.
<
However...
<
A 788 in .223 is just a moderately nice .223 bolt gun. The action is not any too slick or extremely reliable and while it's likely to be very accurate so are most Savage rifles in that caliber - along with many others. In my view there's no reason to get excited about that 788.
<
A pre-safety 336 for $225 might be a better deal IF it's in nice shape. I happen to like those rifles a lot, but that's a matter of taste. I think you should choose the one that appeals to you the most. Neither of them presents anything like a once-in-ages opportunity.
<
Uncle R.

[John Allen]

I would jump on the 30-30 that is a good price on an earlier gun. Of course I have admitted to myself that I have a definite addiction to any and all lever guns!! Oh and also Sharps rifles!

I guess I just have problems nothing another gun will not fix.

[Airman Basic]

Have a 788 in .308 that loves cast bullets, also. But I also have that warm feel for old lever actions. Go for the cheaper one, all else equal.

[Doc Highwall]

My vote goes for the Marlin 30-30 without the extra safety. There are a lot of 223 bolt guns out there.

[otter5555]

my 2 favorite calibers...............flip a coin, you cant go wrong with either

[Mk42gunner]

I have a soft spot in my heart for 788's, but I also like the Marlins without the safety.....

If you already have the deer gun covered, get the 788.

With the .223 you will use less components per shot.

Robert

[gmsharps]

Depends on what you are going to use it for. If you do not have anything close to the 30-30 and need a hunting gun in that range then I would go with that. If you have 30 cal or larger already and no varmint caliber then the 223.
gmsharps

[W.R.Buchanan]

I'd go for the Marlin. I have a 1958 Marlin 336 and it is a very nice gun that I paid $250 for. The good thing about Marlins is they are very friendly to work on and respond very well to cosmetic up grades like refinishing the wood, and simple action deburring. Add a $12 spring kit from Brownells and you'd have a very nice feeling gun.

Mine is glass smooth with less than 2 hours inside it.

You could sell it for $4-500 when done if you decided you didn't need it, and have the experience of working on the gun and shooting it to boot..

Randy

[starmac]

Just wondering, What would a guy in mississippi do with a 223 that a 30/30 wouldn't do better. lol
Get the one you want the worst, no one else can decide for you.
Now I have to ask, did you get that 222 you mentioned in the other thread.

[Brother_Love]

The 222 is on the way to me now.

I got the 30/30 this morning because I did have the 222 on the way.

Thanks,Malcolm

[starmac]

Sounds like you have it covered, that is exactly what I would have done, but I am partial to levers. lol
I might own a 223 someday if they ever build one in a lever gun.lol

[TCFAN]

A 788 in .30-30 is the Holy Grail of cast bullet rifles. Well - it's at least a top contender for the title. The .30-30 cartridge is excellent for cast, and the 788 is the strongest and most accurate platform you're likely to find for a factory .30-30 rifle. The 788 in .44 magnum is even more rare, and again a most excellent rifle to own if you're a caster. If that 788 were chambered for one of those cartridges I'd be telling you to grab it and don't let go.
<
However...
<
A 788 in .223 is just a moderately nice .223 bolt gun. The action is not any too slick or extremely reliable and while it's likely to be very accurate so are most Savage rifles in that caliber - along with many others. In my view there's no reason to get excited about that 788.
<
A pre-safety 336 for $225 might be a better deal IF it's in nice shape. I happen to like those rifles a lot, but that's a matter of taste. I think you should choose the one that appeals to you the most. Neither of them presents anything like a once-in-ages opportunity.
<
Uncle R.

I agree with the above.I have a 788 in 222 and it is ugly as the day is long. Does shoot very well both cast and jacket. I would go with the Marlin any day.........Terry

[Mk42gunner]

Sounds like you have it covered, that is exactly what I would have done, but I am partial to levers. lol
I might own a 223 someday if they ever build one in a lever gun.lol

Stirring the pot here (insert manical laughter), but Browning does make the BLR in .223......

Robert

[W.R.Buchanan]

+1 on the above post #17 Browning makes this gun and they are in high demand, good luck on finding one, but they are out there.

Randy

[square butte]

One thing to think about on the 788 in 223 - the twist rate is 1 in12". Which means it tends to stabilize 50-55 grain better than the heavier bullets. If that is a concern for you -It might give reason for pause. I have one in 223 and wish it performed better with heavier bullets.

[45 acp]

I would go for the 30/30 at that price.unless it was in real bad shape.

[starmac]

Stirring the pot here (insert manical laughter), but Browning does make the BLR in .223......

Robert

For some reason, I have never cottoned to the browning, maybe because they are usually too shiny. I really don't have a use for a 223, but have wanted a 358 for a while, which browning makes too. I will eventually find one in a 99 that I can afford though.

[Jack Stanley]

There's lots of Marlins out there just getting them pried loose from their owners can be a chore sometimes . But everybody should have one of the older pre lawyer-switch rifles ...... come to think of it , I don't have a safety on my lever rifles .

The 788 though ..... maybe you can find a way to grab that one too . Years ago a local gunsmith built one of them into an "offhand" rifle . With a Globe front sight , apeture rear , adjustable buttplate , handrest covering the magazine with the magazine made into a single shot adapter . He also cleaned up the trigger considerably and the rifle still shoots incredibly well after four owners having it . It's hard to say how many rounds it's seen but I'll bet my round count is more than the previous three owners .

Jack

[missionary5155]

Greetings
Have a 788 in caliber .243 for well over 30 years now. One of the most accurate rifles I have owned. Most have a beech stock stained walnut. But they will shoot.
MIke in Peru

[colt1960]

I think the 30-30 is a more universal caliber choice if using for hunting. I would choose the marlin.

[searcher4851]

I think the Marlin was the better choice between the two. Just more value for the price IMHO.

[richhodg66]

I've had a few 788s over the years. They've all been good shooters and my 6mm is crazy accurate, though I haven't shot it with cast yet.

That being said, I seem to like the .30-30 and lever guns in general more and more as I get older. I'd have probably picked the Marlin too.

What are 788s bringing nowadays? I ran across a standard one in .308 that was real nice they wanted $400 for the other day. I bought a .30-30 one here six months or so back and it was about the same price. Seems for a while like they were going for more than that. I wish Remington would make them again, much cooler rifles than the 710 and 770s I've seen.

[Doc Highwall]

I would like to have a 700 Remington in left hand with a varmint contour barrel chambered in 30-30 Winchester.

[Dthunter]

I would like to have a 700 Remington in left hand with a varmint contour barrel chambered in 30-30 Winchester.

This in right hand for me!

[Four Fingers of Death]

In Australia, 788 Remingtons seem to be bringing almost as much as it costs for a Ruger American/ Savage Edge.

As you are a boolit caster, if the 788 was in 222, I'd jump all over it, but I wouldn't get too excited about a 223, especially seeing you already have a 222 on the way.

The 788 is a fine rifle, but seeing you can only afford one, the lever rifle would be my choice in this instance.