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

your message really needs photos.

--
Ele era velho.
Ele era corajoso.
Ele era feio.

Mobile phone coverage is spotty here in the holler. I’ll have a pic up as soon as can be arranged.

Good eating too and also.

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

.

--
Ele era velho.
Ele era corajoso.
Ele era feio.

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.

I need to get cracking; season has been in a week and I haven't even unpacked my hunting clothes.

It must be a very gratifying experience, congratulations.

Otony

.

Congrats on all the firsts. Good looking deer. Ought to be good eating!

--
https://facebook.com/M2bKydex/

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

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.

Forgot that one...

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.

--
https://facebook.com/M2bKydex/

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....