[ky.shooter]

I am going to buy a 30/30. Which is best, a Marlin or a Henry. Thanks

 

[Merlyn]

An old (closet queen) Marlin is your best but in my opinion......merlyn

 

[Steve W]

Marlin makes excellent LA rifles, Henry has smoother action.

 

[grntitan]

Love my Marlin 336.

 

[C-Money]

That is a really good question....

 

[Dukefan]

What is wrong with a Winchester?

 

[omgb]

If you want a new gun and do not expect to scope it, go with the Henry. It's the best made new 30-30 LA in America today. If you plan on scoping the gun, I'd look for a pre 1980 Marlin in 30-30. If you can find one from the 1930s that's even better. Well made, quick handling and slick as snail snot and you can scope it as your eyes fade over the years. If you want a light quick gun and you never plan to scope it one can't go wrong with a pre-1964 Win M94

 

[o-hale]

I sure second the Winchester, it is just a perfect 30-30.
You can find a older one in real good shape without a whole lot of looking.
If you are set on the 2 choices you listed I would go with theMarlin 336.

 

[School Teacher]

IMO the Marlin 336, especially the older ones, is the better rifle. The design allows you to easily mount a scope low and directly over the bore, especially with the Leupold one piece mount. A 336 is quickly disassembled for cleaning. Remove the lever via removing a single screw, slide the bolt completely out and remove the ejector. You can then use a cleaning rod equipped with a brush or a patch from the breech away from the mouth of the barrel. I have discovered that Stony Point made a bore guide that would fit a 336 receiver. Reassembly is very easy and can be done is a few minutes. Simply replace the ejector into its place in the receiver, insert the bolt, insert the lever into the bolt and replace the lever screw. All parts are steel and rugged. The 336 is IMO the most easy lever gun to thoroughly clean.

I prefer the .35 Remington over the 30-30 Winchester but they are both excellent under 150 yard deer cartridges. Using the Hornady flexible tip ammunition, the trajectory and retained energy of the .35 and 30-30 are both significantly improved.

I have owned 4 different 336's in .35 Remington and each would shoot 1 1/2" 5 shot groups at 100 yards. I gave two of them away to family members and still have the other two. Each wears a Leupold VariX II 2x7 scope and has taken at least an 8 point buck.

I have a 336 RC (Regular Carbine) made in 1968 that will put the first shot, cold bore, dead center at 100 yards to start its 5 shot group. As a 336 warms up, the group starts to open up. They are not target rifles but, cold bore, they are spot on.

 

[happyshooter]

I have never shot a Henry 30/30. Shoulder the Henry first if is any thing like the 22 golden boy I have to lift my head off the stock to see the sights . Too much drop in the stock.

 

[Cowboy Rick]

Marlin if you want a NEW rifle.......Winchester(pre 64) if you want pre-owned.

 

[DandyRandy]

I would go with a older Marlin in .35 Remington over a 30.30.

 

[x73]

Older Marlin

 

[derbyacresbob]

I have never shot a Henry 30/30. Shoulder the Henry first if is any thing like the 22 golden boy I have to lift my head off the stock to see the sights . Too much drop in the stock.

I agree with happyshooter. The Henry Golden Boy 22 rifles I have looked at, the stock is WAY to low. When I put my head on the stock my eye is about two inches below the barrel, I can't even see the sights until I lift my head way up off the stock.

I wouldn't even think of buying a Henry rifle unless I checked it for fit first.

 

[Dickster7]

I am going to buy a 30/30. Which is best, a Marlin or a Henry. Thanks

I have an early model model 1894 Marlin and a Henry H012 in 44Mag. I believe the Henry is slightly better even though they are both good guns. I believe the Henry has a little less recoil.

 

[llukesh]

Henry everyday of the week!!

 

[Catpower]

I have 5 Marlins in various calibers, but I do like the way the tube magazine loads on a Henry, my old thumbs get sore stuffing rounds in the side of the Marlins, but I have also lost the tube "stuffer" on other guns and didn't notice it until too late

 

[bambambam]

Henry any day of the week.

 

[ditchparrot]

Another vote for the Henry. Not only a great gun, but the greatest customer service I've ever seen – in any industry.

 

[George MT.]

I have used Marlin lever guns since I was 12 years old and still have the original 336 that my dad bought me for my 12th birthday My current is a 336 in .35 rem. with a 3x9 trijicon on top. dandyrandy I agree the .35 rem gets it done just fine.