12 gauge or Lever Action 30-30

[dont tread on me1775]

Hey so I am getting my FID in a few weeks and I am planning on picking up my first firearm as soon as possible. I have shot a 12 gauge before and I loved it, however I have no prior experience to lever action rifles and I was thinking of getting a Marlin 336 30-30 because I have always wanted a lever action. My question is, what is more fun to shoot? It is between a Marlin 336 or a Remington 870. This is just going to be my first personal firearm, not to say I won't have both in the future but I want to make my first buy a real good one.

 

[Boghog1]

the 12ga would be more functional in MA, you can hunt with out down there and shoot clays etc and they are a blast to shoot pumpkins with

 

[theGringo]

Lever guns are wicked fun to shoot.

 

[not new guy]

My question is, what is more fun to shoot?

Yes.

 

[jeffC]

Theyre both a ton of fun, IMO. Totally different guns, function-wise. I prefer the 30-30 because of its action, but its more expensive to shoot.



You can hunt with 30-30 too. Ive taken a couple coyotes with mine, and have brought it on unsuccessful bear hunts.

the 12ga would be more functional in MA, you can hunt with out down there and shoot clays etc and they are a blast to shoot pumpkins with

 

[theGringo]

You can hunt with 30-30 too. Ive taken a couple coyotes with mine, and have brought it on unsuccessful bear hunts.

I bought mine for a bear hunt in Savoy, years ago. We didn't see nuthin' but a three-day old bear turd and some coon tracks. Good thing, too, because 30-30 is as light as you want to go for bear. Although I've heard that 9mm will work.

 

[northny]

Consider getting a lever rifle in either 22 rim fire (you can shoot plenty and cheaply without fatigue) or in a pistol caliber that you could use in cowboy action shoot. (44 mag fun, little recoil, and still half the cost of 30 30 ammo.)

 

[JNP24]

I have both. Id say 12 Gauge. 30-30 is expensive, while 12G is cheap and plentiful. Plus you can shoot clays, birds, deer, paper, steel (with slugs) in MA. With 30-30 you can only hunt coyote, bear, and paper. Did I mention its expensive??

 

[Zappa]

Consider getting a lever rifle in either 22 rim fire (you can shoot plenty and cheaply without fatigue) or in a pistol caliber that you could use in cowboy action shoot. (44 mag fun, little recoil, and still half the cost of 30 30 ammo.)

This^

I'm a huge lever action fan myself, and .30-30 is way too expensive to shoot often.
If you want to shoot a lot (like most newbies do) .22LR is the way to go.
I'd recommend looking at the Henry H001, I have one myself and it's very smooth functioning.
IMHO, it's the best value in a .22 lever gun currently on the market.

 

[derekg0]

reload your 30-30 and it becomes affordable... Depends what you like to do, I enjoy my 336 i bought in the fall, but I also plan on buying a O/U shotgun to get into clays this year. If you are thinking about home defense, obviously the 12 gauge is the way to go.

 

[dhawk69]

I love my model 94 30/30. I'd take that over my 870 all day long for fun factor. Like was mentioned, you won't be able to hunt with it in Mass though if that's what you're going for.

 

[dont tread on me1775]

I love my model 94 30/30. I'd take that over my 870 all day long for fun factor. Like was mentioned, you won't be able to hunt with it in Mass though if that's what you're going for.

No I am just looking to get one just to shoot at the range for now. Thanks for all the replies

 

[dont tread on me1775]

Thanks for all the replies

 

[Mike-Mike]

I love my model 94 30/30. I'd take that over my 870 all day long for fun factor. Like was mentioned, you won't be able to hunt with it in Mass though if that's what you're going for.

WHY NOT?

 

[mark056]

From a standpoint of versatility a shotgun esp a pump with multiple barrels will give you the most versatility.

In uncertain times and if limited to just one firearm, a shotgun would be high on my list for consideration. Small game hunting, medium game, personal defense, even trap and skeet you can do it all with one platform using multiple chokes and barrels.

Lever guns are fun, but we may well be getting past the "I own guns for fun" stage and a shotgun will give you more bang for the buck in the long run.

 

[Zappa]

WHY NOT?

Mass is a shotgun state, no rifles allowed for deer or bear.

 

[mac1911]

You can hunt coyotes all day long with the 30/30 here in mass. Unless things have changed for 2013? You don't mention budget or if you plan on buying new or used. Lever guns can get pricey.
I would get a 870 1st reason being is its just a more versitile platform. There's not much you cant hunt with it in mass. There's a lot more shooting games to play with the shotty. Just overall a good old 870 will be a safe purchase.
I am eager to get a lever gun again I had a marlin in 35 Remington....my dads gun but I used it more. It went the way of needing to pay bills before I had much say or cash to buy it.
I am considering a pistol Cal as mentioned before. More use I think than a 30 30. Is just to expensive unless you reload.
I keep eyeballing a henery in 22lr also. Good luck. Cant go wrong with either. For me 870 would be first. I would get a older wingmaster with Monte Carlo style comb......imho

Its been a while since I read up on bear hunting but I do think you can use rifle on bear in mass also ...by my poor memory I believe they had a minimum Cal you could use....

 

[Mike-Mike]

Mass is a shotgun state, no rifles allowed for deer or bear.

You can use rifle for bear as well as many other animals.

 

[ClickBoom]

I love my model 94 30/30. I'd take that over my 870 all day long for fun factor. Like was mentioned, you won't be able to hunt with it in Mass though if that's what you're going for.

I had a nice Winchester 94 years ago and just loved shooting it, for me it just wreaked of the old west days and had a kick & sound that just screamed freedom, I plan on getting another.

Tim

 

[dont tread on me1775]

I don't plan on hunting just yet, I'm just going to target shoot for now. Expenses are not a problem. I don't really care how much rounds cost

 

[whacko]

This^

I'm a huge lever action fan myself, and .30-30 is way too expensive to shoot often.
If you want to shoot a lot (like most newbies do) .22LR is the way to go.
I'd recommend looking at the Henry H001, I have one myself and it's very smooth functioning.
IMHO, it's the best value in a .22 lever gun currently on the market.

THIS^
Henry H001 is a fantastic first rifle.....and can be had for just under $300. Put 500 rounds through mine with my son yesterday! Put out a few metal spinner targets and have fun for hours! If you are lookng for something that is for home defense and range fun though any 12 guage pump is the way to go if you only have money for one purchase right now.....the 12 guage pump is the swiss army knife of fire arms.

 

[Zappa]

I don't plan on hunting just yet, I'm just going to target shoot for now. Expenses are not a problem. I don't really care how much rounds cost

Oh, well if that's the case, can I have your brass when you're done ???