Should I get a backup 5.56 rifle next or a lever action 30-30?

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Should I get a backup 5.56 rifle next or a lever action 30-30?

Posted: 9/17/2017 8:54:30 PM EDT

I know, those two are nothing alike. I currently only own a Robinson XCR for 5.56.

Pros for 5.56:
I'd like to have a backup 5.56 because some of the classes I want to take involve thousands of rounds, and I don't want to miss half the class because my gun went down(and let's be honest, all guns do at some point).

Pros for lever 30-30:
Not a bad hunting setup, but I already have a 6.8 SPC AR that I built with hunting in mind. Also, I can chew on wheat with a straw hat on while shooting it, and people don't look at me as funny when I shout "yeeehaw!" when I shoot a lever gun as opposed to anything else(aside from 6 shooters). Also, dat nostalgia.

Anyone else care to chime in? All opinions welcome.

Posted: 9/17/2017 9:21:51 PM EDT

[#1]

2 is 1. 1 is none.

Posted: 9/17/2017 9:29:30 PM EDT

[#2]

3030

Posted: 9/17/2017 9:44:45 PM EDT

[#3]

Now is the time to buy ARs and related guns. If it were me I'd get a few 556 guns now and look for a lever action at a later time.

Posted: 9/17/2017 9:46:16 PM EDT

[#4]

At what point in your life will you need to fire thousands of rounds for self protection? If shit is that bad, just shoot your self with the first round and miss the gut wrenching times to follow.

Posted: 9/17/2017 9:49:06 PM EDT

[#5]

Now is a great time to get a 2nd AR, you can't beat the prices right now.

Use one AR for training/classes and those other as a low round count defensive gun. Set them both up the same way.

You will always be able to get a 30-30 lever gun. The appeal wears off quick. Most of my hunting rifles are AR's.

Posted: 9/17/2017 9:51:11 PM EDT

[#6]

Quote History

Quoted:
At what point in your life will you need to fire thousands of rounds for self protection? If shit is that bad, just shoot your self with the first round and miss the gut wrenching times to follow.

View Quote

It's a class. It doesn't' train you to shoot thousands of rounds for self protection. It takes thousands of rounds of training to teach you to fire only a few for self protection and come out of it alive and in tact.

Posted: 9/17/2017 10:02:26 PM EDT

[#7]

You need a couple more 5.56 rifles, they're very versatile.

Posted: 9/17/2017 10:15:46 PM EDT

[#8]

I myself am not really in love with any of the current 30-30 offerings.
Start a search for a good used Marlin or Winchester.

In the time it takes to find a good deal you can likely save up for a additional AR and then you will have Both!

Posted: 9/17/2017 10:28:04 PM EDT

[#9]

Poll fail.

My vote is for 30-30.

Posted: 9/17/2017 11:24:15 PM EDT

[#10]

Who only owns one AR???

Posted: 9/18/2017 1:32:21 AM EDT

[#11]

Quote History

Quoted:
Who only owns one AR???

View Quote

Who knows?

Posted: 9/18/2017 1:48:19 AM EDT

[#12]

Get both?
I have a 30-30 and a couple .556, so I’ve got that going for me.

Posted: 9/18/2017 1:57:13 AM EDT

[#13]

Get the 5.56 next, and then a 38-55 after that.

Posted: 9/18/2017 1:58:31 AM EDT

[#14]

I gave my .30-30 to my nephew. Has a nice Lyman peep sight on it. Probably got 30 deer with it.
I knew I'd never use it again because I love my Grendel so much.

Posted: 9/18/2017 10:33:17 AM EDT

[#15]

Sold my .30-30 some years ago, and don't miss it. That Marlin was very accurate and trouble free, great brush gun.

I found that I preferred a longer range cartridge for big game hunting, so now I use bolt action. If your hunting opportunities are mainly short range, you might like it.

If I were to ever get another lever action, I would probably go with a larger caliber, have thought about .45-70, still a brush gun, but more versatile for my needs.

Posted: 9/18/2017 10:40:57 AM EDT

[#16]

Get another AR or two first. It's funny...I've wanted a .30-30 for almost 10 years now. For whatever reason...whenever I get the extra money for a gun purchase, a lever gun doesn't make the cutoff.

At this point, if I needed something short range to go hunting with...I'd just take my Mosin M44, get a box of soft points, and use that.

Posted: 9/18/2017 11:33:33 AM EDT

[#17]

get both, I did even though I already have one or more of each that are much higher quality.

Savage patrol $519

Marlin 336y $350 after rebate.

Posted: 9/18/2017 11:59:51 AM EDT

[#18]

30-30

Posted: 9/18/2017 12:27:27 PM EDT

[#19]

AR because they can be had for a good price.

Then get your 30-30 when you have the extra money again. Lever guns aren't going anywhere.

Posted: 9/24/2017 9:15:28 AM EDT

[#20]

I would go with an AR now. Prices are so low, no reason not to buy or build a couple extra. You can always keep an eye on pawnshops after hunting season, older, lightly used lever guns fill the racks of pawnshops around here in spring.

Posted: 9/24/2017 9:49:16 AM EDT

[#21]

I snagged a brand new Winchester 3030 right before they stopped making them, now it's basically Marlin or bust, and to me the Marlin is not the original lever gun so I would only want a Winchester (cue John Wayne). Nowadays your likely to overpay for a Winchester unless you can snag a person to person sale, and even then you don't know what your into until your into it.

Personally I would pick up a backup 5.56 over the 3030. Go snag yourself an M&P15 and beat it like a redheaded stepchild.

Posted: 9/25/2017 10:19:15 AM EDT

[#22]

You can build a decent AR in 5.56 and buy a 30-30.

Posted: 9/25/2017 10:30:34 AM EDT

[#23]

There is just something about an old 94 chambered in 32 Win Spl...

Posted: 9/25/2017 4:52:52 PM EDT

[#24]

It's hard to not want a back up 5.56.

Posted: 9/29/2017 8:26:29 PM EDT

[#25]

Quote History

Quoted:
I myself am not really in love with any of the current 30-30 offerings.
Start a search for a good used Marlin or Winchester.

In the time it takes to find a good deal you can likely save up for a additional AR and then you will have Both!

View Quote

The mossberg 464 is a nice rifle. Mine has the traditional hardwood stock, not the polymer adjustable stock.

Posted: 9/30/2017 11:42:21 AM EDT

[#26]

I have a couple of Marlin 30/30's. I like them alot. I had picked up used models at gun shows as they came up, and both are very well made with forged steel components and nice wood.

That said, most hunting rifles will last forever when shot only a few dozen rounds per year. My 1960's Marlin probably has under 300 rounds on it, and similar rifles will be available for a long time.

For now, get an AR. They are available for a great price, and are proven to be extremely durable and long lived. $50 will buy you the spare springs and extractor that will keep your rifle reliable for thousands and thousands of rounds. I happen to like a Bear Creek Arsenal side charging AR I built in 7.62x39. I assembled the complete upper with a free float handguard and BCG for under $400, and it has been a great rifle. I like the simplicity of the side charger, and the 30 cal. x39 round has a nice punch to it, and reasonable hunting ammo is available.

I still keep an eye out for the used Marlin, or Winchester bolt action hunting rifle that comes to market at the local gun shows, but for a readily available, modern sporting rifle, I buy my AR's new, and add an upper to suit.

Posted: 10/2/2017 2:52:37 PM EDT

[#27]

I've got the Winchester 94 (30-30) my Dad was using for deer hunting when I was a baby, and one of the first guns I bought myself was a Marlin .35 Rem.

I like lever guns, but the new only new stuff that's as good a quality is Henry, and they're pricey & heavy. If you're lucky enough to find an older one that's been cared for, they're great.

But if we're talking a SHTF rifle, then an AR in 5.56, 7.62x39, .300bo, 6.8 or 6.5G is a better option. And right now a good brand new AR is probably the same cost as a good used lever gun.

The biggest advantage a lever gun has IMHO is most of them feed cast slugs just fine, which is nice if you're loading your own. For commercially available ammo the cheapest 30-30 I've found is PPU @ 50 cents/round. Brass cased 7.62x39 from PPU is the same cost, and it's easy to find .300bo much cheaper than that.

If I was going to buy a lever gun I'd be looking at one chambered in .44mag. or .45 colt long. But finding an older Winchester or Marlin in a pistol caliber isn't common.

Posted: 10/14/2017 1:45:28 PM EDT

[#28]

Quote History

Quoted:
Now is the time to buy ARs and related guns. If it were me I'd get a few 556 guns now and look for a lever action at a later time.

View Quote

Salad days.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Should I get a backup 5.56 rifle next or a lever action 30-30?

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