.30-30 Mossberg or Marlin

Uncle Ben · November 26, 2008, 01:16 PM

The price is close to identical. Is one any more accurate than the other?
What are your preferences?

By the way, this would be my first hunting rifle, and I do plan to mount a scope for some uses...

hogdogs · November 26, 2008, 01:31 PM

Let me qualify my response first with... I AM A MOSSBERG SHOTGUN MAN!!!
Go Marlin and you will never look back! The Mossberg is a modified Winchester 94. The fact you mention scope SCREAMS XXXXXXXX Marlin. Fully side ejected thru a side ejection port rather than a top ejection port with a little sideways kick to the spent shell.
Another plus is a single round can be dropped in the open side port and action closed and it works like a single shot.
Accuracy... marlins often cloverleaf at 100 yards so they are just fine there too...
Brent

zoomie · November 26, 2008, 01:38 PM

??

Isn't that backwards? Wouldn't scope scream Marlin with its side ejection vs the top ejection with the Mossy?

Mossy 464:

Marlin 336:

hogdogs · November 26, 2008, 01:41 PM

OOPS YES SCOPE A MARLIN!!! Brain Fart while typing!!!

Brent

hogdogs · November 26, 2008, 01:46 PM

Here is my vintage 1977...

Scope is too big but previous owner just had to have a "deer rifle" with a "real scope"

I will remove it after my first deer!
Brent

Inspector3711 · November 26, 2008, 02:47 PM

I only know Marlin... I say go with the Marlin.

Uncle Ben · November 26, 2008, 03:31 PM

Well, I would definitely want the option of a scope, so Marlin it is. Does Marlin currently make them without the checkering/detailing (like your '77)? I actually prefer the more simple look of the Mossberg for that reason, but I won't not buy the Marlin because of that.

Thanks for the input.

hogdogs · November 26, 2008, 03:52 PM

You can scope the mossberg. That is one reason they modified the receiver. Those 2 small sections on top are drilled. According to the Marlin site, all the lever guns are checkered. I would look around for a used rifle. If you are not familiar with buying used ones, find a buddy to take with you. I was the one who inspected this one for PO and he bought it for $179 OUT THE DOOR when $179 was their asking. Upon further inspection and cleaning I found it to be either barely fired with just typical bluing removal on the hammer and lever. Mag tube internally was actually still shiny and follower looked new. It has some less than perfect exterior metal finish and some very small dots of rust on the side plates but for a 30+ year old firearm and in my spartan like hands it is a cherry find! the kid just had to have my Lorcin WORE OUT .380 and I wouldn't put a dollar price on it (not worth selling) so when he offered me his Maverick 88 12 gauge pump with less than 250 rounds thru it and this Marlin I figured it was my duty to give him a simple economics lesson

I was going to let him trade back but he got disgusted with the Lorcin, as I promised he would, and sold it for 50 bucks so the trade back plan was shelved...

Brent

Byron Quick · November 26, 2008, 05:28 PM

What in the world were you doing with a Lorcin to begin with? And how did you get it to work long enough to wear it out?

Oh, wait, I understand upon reflection. It came new from the factory worn out.

hogdogs · November 26, 2008, 05:36 PM

It was given to me by a well meaning buddy when I mucked up my left arm in a roll over crash and I am a left handed guy so he felt bad I wasn't gonna be boxin' my way out of trouble. It was good for one shot point blank. Mag was junk. An unfired round would fit down the muzzle

I never carried it though. Never felt that much safer with that thing. By the time he got it to me i was healin' pretty well. While still not and never will be normal I can push some one off with my left while I draw my knife. Just prior to wrecking I had walked him thru getting good with a pistol and steering him to a GOOD CCP and he chose the XD40...

Brent

jmr40 · November 29, 2008, 06:10 PM

They would have to pay me to take the Mossberg out of the store. If you want a Marlin with no checkering the used gun racks are your friend. They are plentiful and relatively inexpensive. Although I like the Marlin a little better there are also lots of Winchesters on the used racks as well. I cannot see paying what they want for the Mossberg when I can still buy the real thing used for a lot less. Most guns are not used enough to do anything more than get them broken in anyway.

T-Ray · November 30, 2008, 10:36 PM

Marlin, hands down

Uncle Ben · December 1, 2008, 10:35 AM

Marlin it is. Thanks guys. I will definitely consider used as well.

KBG · December 2, 2008, 10:28 PM

If you can find a pre-64 Winchester 94 get one and forget the scope, if you have trouble seeing -get glasses! These are short range rifles and glass'in a shot is insane.

bclark1 · December 2, 2008, 11:16 PM

I also think Mossberg makes great shotguns, I have nicer shotguns than my Mossy now but I still take most of the scattergun game with it. It was my first hunting gun, and will be in use for a long time to come.

But, Marlin is the first name in leverguns as far as I'm concerned. I have an 1895G and can't say a bad thing about it. I believe they all ship with a swap-able hammer or hammer extension to make it that much easier to put a scope on top too.

Sarge · December 2, 2008, 11:24 PM

There's a good article on the Mossberg here-

http://www.gunblast.com/LFCombs_Mossberg464.htm

Uncle Ben · December 3, 2008, 11:20 AM

KBG, aren't these affective up to 200 yards? I can't imagine using only the open sights up to that distance, but I am a beginner...

hogdogs · December 3, 2008, 11:23 AM

If I can see it well in the scope I might exceed 150 but that is due to my limiting my shot for offhand only shots. 200 is still in kill range and with the hornady leverevolution ammo 300..
Brent

Sarge · December 3, 2008, 01:23 PM

The 30-30 with common ammunition still kills well at 235 yards or so. I whacked a forkhorn at that distance with basic 150 grain WW ammo, and knocked a thumb-sized chunk of bone out the off-side shoulder.

November 26, 2008, 01:16 PM	#1
Uncle Ben Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 2008 Location: Southern California Posts: 400	.30-30 Mossberg or Marlin The price is close to identical. Is one any more accurate than the other? What are your preferences? By the way, this would be my first hunting rifle, and I do plan to mount a scope for some uses... __________________ Lazy + Complacent = DISARMED *FIGHT to keep your guns & join the NRA. Contact your representatives about 2A issues at www.capwiz.com/nra/dbq/officials and to be kept up to date on the current issues visit www.nraila.org

November 26, 2008, 01:31 PM	#2
hogdogs Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 31, 2007 Location: Western Florida panhandle Posts: 11,069	Let me qualify my response first with... I AM A MOSSBERG SHOTGUN MAN!!! Go Marlin and you will never look back! The Mossberg is a modified Winchester 94. The fact you mention scope SCREAMS XXXXXXXX Marlin. Fully side ejected thru a side ejection port rather than a top ejection port with a little sideways kick to the spent shell. Another plus is a single round can be dropped in the open side port and action closed and it works like a single shot. Accuracy... marlins often cloverleaf at 100 yards so they are just fine there too... Brent Last edited by hogdogs; November 26, 2008 at 01:43 PM. Reason: Brain fart while typing!

November 26, 2008, 02:47 PM	#6
Inspector3711 Senior Member Join Date: February 9, 2008 Location: Puget Sound Washington Posts: 1,553	I only know Marlin... I say go with the Marlin. __________________ "If someone has a gun and is trying to kill you, it would be reasonable to shoot back with your own gun." The Dalai Llama (5/15/01, The Seattle Times) "That rifle on the wall of the labourer's cottage or working class flat is the symbol of democracy. It is our job to see that it stays there." George Orwell

November 30, 2008, 10:36 PM	#12
T-Ray Senior Member Join Date: August 26, 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 288	Marlin, hands down __________________ In God We Trust. www.texasguntalk.com/forums

December 2, 2008, 11:24 PM	#16
Sarge Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2002 Location: MO Posts: 5,457	There's a good article on the Mossberg here- http://www.gunblast.com/LFCombs_Mossberg464.htm __________________ People were smarter before the Internet, or imbeciles were harder to notice.

November 26, 2008, 01:38 PM	#3
zoomie Senior Member Join Date: January 23, 2006 Location: GA Posts: 1,862	?? Isn't that backwards? Wouldn't scope scream Marlin with its side ejection vs the top ejection with the Mossy? Mossy 464: Marlin 336:

November 26, 2008, 01:41 PM	#4
hogdogs Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 31, 2007 Location: Western Florida panhandle Posts: 11,069	OOPS YES SCOPE A MARLIN!!! Brain Fart while typing!!! Brent

November 26, 2008, 01:46 PM	#5
hogdogs Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 31, 2007 Location: Western Florida panhandle Posts: 11,069	Here is my vintage 1977... Scope is too big but previous owner just had to have a "deer rifle" with a "real scope" I will remove it after my first deer! Brent

November 26, 2008, 03:31 PM	#7
Uncle Ben Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 2008 Location: Southern California Posts: 400	Well, I would definitely want the option of a scope, so Marlin it is. Does Marlin currently make them without the checkering/detailing (like your '77)? I actually prefer the more simple look of the Mossberg for that reason, but I won't not buy the Marlin because of that. Thanks for the input.

November 26, 2008, 03:52 PM	#8
hogdogs Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 31, 2007 Location: Western Florida panhandle Posts: 11,069	You can scope the mossberg. That is one reason they modified the receiver. Those 2 small sections on top are drilled. According to the Marlin site, all the lever guns are checkered. I would look around for a used rifle. If you are not familiar with buying used ones, find a buddy to take with you. I was the one who inspected this one for PO and he bought it for $179 OUT THE DOOR when $179 was their asking. Upon further inspection and cleaning I found it to be either barely fired with just typical bluing removal on the hammer and lever. Mag tube internally was actually still shiny and follower looked new. It has some less than perfect exterior metal finish and some very small dots of rust on the side plates but for a 30+ year old firearm and in my spartan like hands it is a cherry find! the kid just had to have my Lorcin WORE OUT .380 and I wouldn't put a dollar price on it (not worth selling) so when he offered me his Maverick 88 12 gauge pump with less than 250 rounds thru it and this Marlin I figured it was my duty to give him a simple economics lesson I was going to let him trade back but he got disgusted with the Lorcin, as I promised he would, and sold it for 50 bucks so the trade back plan was shelved... Brent

November 26, 2008, 05:28 PM	#9
Byron Quick Staff In Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Waynesboro, Georgia, USA Posts: 2,361	What in the world were you doing with a Lorcin to begin with? And how did you get it to work long enough to wear it out? Oh, wait, I understand upon reflection. It came new from the factory worn out.

November 26, 2008, 05:36 PM	#10
hogdogs Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 31, 2007 Location: Western Florida panhandle Posts: 11,069	It was given to me by a well meaning buddy when I mucked up my left arm in a roll over crash and I am a left handed guy so he felt bad I wasn't gonna be boxin' my way out of trouble. It was good for one shot point blank. Mag was junk. An unfired round would fit down the muzzle I never carried it though. Never felt that much safer with that thing. By the time he got it to me i was healin' pretty well. While still not and never will be normal I can push some one off with my left while I draw my knife. Just prior to wrecking I had walked him thru getting good with a pistol and steering him to a GOOD CCP and he chose the XD40... Brent

November 29, 2008, 06:10 PM	#11
jmr40 Senior Member Join Date: June 15, 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 10,806	They would have to pay me to take the Mossberg out of the store. If you want a Marlin with no checkering the used gun racks are your friend. They are plentiful and relatively inexpensive. Although I like the Marlin a little better there are also lots of Winchesters on the used racks as well. I cannot see paying what they want for the Mossberg when I can still buy the real thing used for a lot less. Most guns are not used enough to do anything more than get them broken in anyway.

December 1, 2008, 10:35 AM	#13
Uncle Ben Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 2008 Location: Southern California Posts: 400	Marlin it is. Thanks guys. I will definitely consider used as well.

December 2, 2008, 10:28 PM	#14
KBG Junior member Join Date: November 25, 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 32	If you can find a pre-64 Winchester 94 get one and forget the scope, if you have trouble seeing -get glasses! These are short range rifles and glass'in a shot is insane.

December 2, 2008, 11:16 PM	#15
bclark1 Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,531	I also think Mossberg makes great shotguns, I have nicer shotguns than my Mossy now but I still take most of the scattergun game with it. It was my first hunting gun, and will be in use for a long time to come. But, Marlin is the first name in leverguns as far as I'm concerned. I have an 1895G and can't say a bad thing about it. I believe they all ship with a swap-able hammer or hammer extension to make it that much easier to put a scope on top too.

December 3, 2008, 11:20 AM	#17
Uncle Ben Senior Member Join Date: January 31, 2008 Location: Southern California Posts: 400	KBG, aren't these affective up to 200 yards? I can't imagine using only the open sights up to that distance, but I am a beginner...

December 3, 2008, 11:23 AM	#18
hogdogs Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 31, 2007 Location: Western Florida panhandle Posts: 11,069	If I can see it well in the scope I might exceed 150 but that is due to my limiting my shot for offhand only shots. 200 is still in kill range and with the hornady leverevolution ammo 300.. Brent

December 3, 2008, 01:23 PM	#19
Sarge Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2002 Location: MO Posts: 5,457	The 30-30 with common ammunition still kills well at 235 yards or so. I whacked a forkhorn at that distance with basic 150 grain WW ammo, and knocked a thumb-sized chunk of bone out the off-side shoulder. __________________ People were smarter before the Internet, or imbeciles were harder to notice.