Welp, it still works.
Though I've harvested my share of deer in my life, today I was able to claim my first whitetail using my Marlin 336A. The Marlin is in .30-30 Ackley, and I was relieved to see that a 170-grain flat-point at middlin' velocity still works. The buck was a fat, thick-necked six-point, and he was no more than 40 yards away. Entry hole in the right ribs, exit hole in the left ribs, he ran about 25 yards and piled up.
I love it when things work like they should.
-AaronB
Congratulations ... but ...
your message really needs photos. 
--
Ele era velho.
Ele era corajoso.
Ele era feio.
Obligatory Photo (improved image)
![[image]](images/uploaded/20241201152918674c80ce468de.jpg)
There he is, along with my cobbled-together hunting rig (Marlin 336A rifle, stock by Treebone Carving, Weaver 1.5-3x scope, well-used leather sling).
This was not only my first successful hunt with this rifle, it was also my first deer taken with ammunition I loaded myself. As you might know, that makes me a little bit backward in that regard.
-AaronB
Congratulations!
by Hoot 
, Diversityville, Liberal-sota, Sunday, December 01, 2024, 08:10 (20 days ago) @ AaronB
Hunting, for us, was suspended this year. But I can live vicariously through all the other reports. My plan was to use a .30-30 in a Savage 219 this year. Oh well, the deer will be there next year I expect.
Savage 219?
I confess, I had never heard of the Savage model 219 until I read your post.
Now that I am aware of this model of long gun, I have added another item to my list of collectibles.
With my luck, the first one I run across will be in .219 Donaldson Wasp.
-AaronB
They're neat.
by Hoot , Diversityville, Liberal-sota, Monday, December 02, 2024, 14:51 (19 days ago) @ AaronB
I had a Marlin 30A which was loaned to a friend and subsequently stolen from him. He replaced it with an equivalent rifle which I sent out to JES and it came back as a .356 Win. It almost seemed like I had some sort of aversion to a lever action .30-30. The only other .30-30 I had at the time was a Husqvarna single-shot bolt action. I added the Savage some time later. When Dad passed away, I 'discovered' a '94 Winchester in his stash. A surprise as he was never a fan of lever-guns. It had a few issues which got sorted out but it will always be 'cosmetically challenged'. That one will stay as 30WCF.
Then there was a Handi-Rifle in .30-30 which got reamed to .30-40 Krag....sheesh.
Oh! And a Star rolling block in .30-30
by Hoot , Diversityville, Liberal-sota, Monday, December 02, 2024, 15:56 (19 days ago) @ Hoot
Forgot that one...
Savage 219?
by Slow Hand 
, Indiana, Tuesday, December 03, 2024, 10:08 (18 days ago) @ AaronB
The 219 I had was very svelte and well balanced. Way better than would be expected from a budget priced rifle. Mine was a .22 Hornet and was a fun gun. I sold it to Cannon several years back.
Savage 219 in the Hornet would be cool.
by Hoot , Diversityville, Liberal-sota, Tuesday, December 03, 2024, 19:37 (18 days ago) @ Slow Hand
I've looked but haven't found one to come home with me yet. Silly as there are a few Hornets here already. But, I'm pretty sure there isn't a limit....
That’s great!
by Slow Hand , Indiana, Monday, December 02, 2024, 04:07 (19 days ago) @ AaronB
Congrats on all the firsts. Good looking deer. Ought to be good eating!