1950's Marlin 30 30

[longwinters]

As I get a bit older I find myself thinking about the "old days" a bit more. I find that I take more joy in the hunt and watching family take deer and no longer feel like I need to put the meat in the freeaer. I have my dad's 1950's Marlin lever 30-30 and was thinking of all the deer I took with that rifle from age 14-27. My grandpa had a 4x Redfield put on it and it worked fine with Rem 170's. That rifle must have had about an 8 pound trigger.

Now after quite a few years of shooting larger calibers in "better rifles" with better scopes and lots of hours at the reloading bench I have an itch to carry that old rifle. Last year I had a Wild West trigger put in it and mounted a Weaver 4x with Weaver mounts.

I can reload for it, but bought a couple boxes of Hornady LeverEvolution 160 gn just to see what the accuracy was. This rifle hasn't been shot for 31 years. I went to my favorite range...it was raining, and so I had it all to myself. Set the target up at 100yds. Settled in and took the 1st shot. 6 o'clock bottom of the bull. Hmmmm......Took the 2nd shot, looked through the spotting scope and there it was, touching the 1st bullet hole. Wow! Thought it must be a fluke, no way shot three would be there....3rd shot.....perfect cloverleaf touching the other bullet holes.

Gotta say I'm amazed. I hunt fields and figure the range for this rifle/cartridge to be 150 yds or so. So if something coves by further out....free pass. It'll be a real pleasure to carry this rifle this year.

Long

 

[Dwh7271]

Sounds like it likes those.
Something to be said about sentimental favorites and taking them out where they belong again. Good for you. Bet you'll enjoy the hunt.

 

[Guy Miner]

OUTSTANDING!

 

[filmjunkie4ever]

There is nothing like the familiarity of an "old" rifle. Just like an old friend.

I have actually not talked to anyone who has not been able to get those Hornady's to shoot out of a .30-30 be it lever or bolt action.

Hopefully this means the old workhorse will get to go hunting again after all these years.

Thanks for sharing this story.

Dale

 

[DrMike]

The lever guns have been real sleepers in the accuracy department. Shot within the effective range of the cartridge, they can account for a lot of game. Some of the new bullets are proving to be game changers. That is a great report of the performance of a fine family heirloom.