Another 30-30 or get .308/30-06?

[ACC]

I am looking to pick up a long rifle for longer distance shooting (out to about 200 yds). I already have a couple .22LR rifles and a, AR-15 .223 rifle. I also have a 30-30 Marlin 336 lever-action which I love.

I am also big into having multiple guns in the same caliber. I have (4) 9mm guns, (4) .22LR guns & (3) 12g shotguns.

This got me to thinking maybe I should find a bolt-action 30-30 rifle to go with my Marlin 336. I know they make a few bolt-actions in 30-30.

Or....do I just need to go ahead and get a 30-06 or .308 rifle? Or should I be thinking about another .223?

Thoughts? Thanks in advance for your replies!

 

[42769vette]

For 200yd shooting really any of the above will work fine. I dont think you will really see the advantages of a 308, 30-06 over your 556 at 200yds except in knockdown power.

 

[sgreen3]

Your AR would serve as a nice platform for 200yrd work with a good scope. Unless your just wanting something bigger, then go with one of the 30cal rifles listed.

 

[w_ADAM_d88]

For 200yds, and staying with a caliber you already have, I'd say go with a .223 bolt action if you are wanting a "new" gun. Heck depending on the rifle and glass you can even stretch the .223 out to 500+ yards if you ever wanted to.

 

[Ngdonut]

A .22 LR can reach out to 200 yards. Like everyone else has said any of those calibers will work at that distance. It is all about preference. Is this going to be a range gun only, or are you wanting it for hunting and what animal would you be hunting?

 

[Manatee]

Why not just get a different upper in a new caliber for the AR?

 

[ruger7722]

there is a 721 rem. 30-06 in classifieds,better made than any 700.it cheap too.if it was in Indy it would go good w/ my 722 222

 

[cosermann]

Except for the .22 LR, they all have a MPBR* in excess of 200 yards.
For the .22 you'd need some serious hold over at 200 yards if it was sighted for typical use at around 90 yards max.

* http://www.chuckhawks.com/rifle_trajectory_table.htm

 

[remauto1187]

I have a marlin 30-30 also and I decided to get a Remington 700 SPS Tactical .308 AAC-SD. Waiting for scope mount to come in and havent decided which scope yet for it. Suppose to be good for 1000yds and it only has a 20" barrel (threaded).
Go with a .30 cal OR grab a 300blackout upper for the AR15.

 

[Leo]

The 30/30 is a great old caliber for what it was designed to do. It falls on its face pretty quickly after that. The weakness with the 30/30 is that it is a low pressure round that is made for weaker lever actions. Also, since the lever actions almost always have tubular magazines, you are pretty much stuck with flat nose, round nose or rubber tipped bullets. You lose a lot with that kind of bullet at those velocities. A more modern .30 caliber cartridge will give you a lot more flexiblilty. Good Luck with whatever you choose.

 

[RedThunder]

My vote would be for the 30-06, simply because it is a great rifle in those distances and I have yet to walk into any walmart/dicks/meijer or other store in the last year and not find boxes of 30-06 on the shelves. I am still considering a 30-06 if I find the right deal.

 

[jurassicnarc]

I note with interest your tendency toward redundancy. A lot of people go to a Chinese restaurant regularly, but order only one or two items. You are missing a lot of terrific experiences. Given the ammo shortages with which we are temporarily confronted, I suggest a single shot rifle such as a Ruger #1 in a caliber other than .223 or .308. BTW, the very concept of a single shot means that used #1's are rarely shot a lot, and make great deals on the used market, and provide the inspiration to really hone your shooting abilities. Break out of the redundancy... if one of your calibers is in short supply, effectively 4 of your guns are out of service!

 

[ru44mag]

I am looking to pick up a long rifle for longer distance shooting (out to about 200 yds). I already have a couple .22LR rifles and a, AR-15 .223 rifle. I also have a 30-30 Marlin 336 lever-action which I love.

I am also big into having multiple guns in the same caliber. I have (4) 9mm guns, (4) .22LR guns & (3) 12g shotguns.

This got me to thinking maybe I should find a bolt-action 30-30 rifle to go with my Marlin 336. I know they make a few bolt-actions in 30-30.

Or....do I just need to go ahead and get a 30-06 or .308 rifle? Or should I be thinking about another .223?

Thoughts? Thanks in advance for your replies!

Are you shooting targets or critters? If critters, how big are they?

 

[ACC]

Lots of good feedback.

1. I am primarily shooting at targets. Only would be shooting at critters if I was in a SHTF scenario and needed food.

2. I have thought about getting another upper in a different caliber for my AR. However, Since I am primarily interested in guns for target shooting and for protecting my property if the SHTF, I am more interested in having another gun for this purpose (and so another family member could arm themselves if need be).

3. I understand the feedback about diversifying my caliber selections. However, this goes against my prep plan whereby I stock up big on select calibers (9mm, .22LR, .223/5.56, 12 gauge) so that I have many rounds for each of my guns. However, after doing a bit more research (and reading your posts), I think I will pass on getting another 30-30 and probably add another caliber to my firearm selection.

4. Since there are lots of options for a .223 in a hunting configuration, I think I may add another .223 rifle to my collection too.

 

[Mgderf]

What you "need" and what you want are two different animals.

Mainly paper, out to 200 yards? Your AR should do that all day long with open iron sights.

In boot camp, we had to qualify with an M16 at 200, 300, & 500 METERS, with only iron sights.

Go buy what you feel might best suit "another family member" in a SHTF scenario, but you need to work on that AR. Unless you're half blind, you should be able to hit a man-size target at a MINIMUM of 300 yards with no scope.
If you're not capable of this, you need more practice.

 

[throttletony]

HI - there's no problem with a 30-30... BUT... I'd say add another caliber to your cabinet. I'd consider .243, .308, or .270, .30-06 in a bolt gun! You'll see amazing trajectories, especially at 200 yds, plus you can reach out a lot further than that IF you ever want/need to.

 

[ru44mag]

Get both. .223 is a good round and reach out and touch at those ranges, but the .308 or 30-06 will reach out and punch at those ranges. Always good to be well rounded.

 

[snapping turtle]

If you like the look and feel of the marlin 336. (Personally I love the lever action platform.) and still want the 223 round browning makes the BLR in 223 now.

They make them from 223 all the way up to 444 marlin so 308 and 7mm mag if you want to go long action with a lever. They have mags not tubes and you can get them in a take down configuration.


Personally i stick with short action in levers. I have 3 308 guns 2 are levers and 2 30-06 of which both are bolt actions. The lever throw is to long in long action rounds for my taste.

The only bolt action 30-30 I am aware or was/is the savage 340.