What kind of rings/base and scope did you mount? I'm looking to put a scope on my 30/30 and start using it as my main rifle. Way lighter and shorter than my 06. Seems like it would be easier to maneuver in the treestand.
It depends on what type of .30-30 you have. Is it already tapped for a scope base? If it's a Winchester, only the angle eject models will be tapped for a scope. Post a picture of the top of the receiver where the scope base goes and we can assist from there....
Shoulda mentioned that it's a Winchester 94. It's a post 64. Doesn't say AE on the barrel. When I cycle a round, it ejects out the top. It has the screw holes on the side where you can mount a peep sight. I've seen pictures of offset scopes and that's fine. I expect that.
If it's a post 64 and doesn't say AE on the barrel it's a top eject gun. I don't believe they made a side scope mount that screwed into the existing Winchester screw holes on a 94 since most of the screws that screw into the side of the receiver serve a purpose with the internal workings of the 94 action. Some folks had top eject 94's tapped on the side of the receivers and put on after market side scope mounts and rings. Some also put on side scope mounts which had a hindge which could be folded and the rings and scope would fold to the left so you could also use the open sights if you didn't want to use the scope at close range. Alot of old Savage 99's used this system which were factory tapped for a factory Savage-Weaver hindged folding side scope mount for open sight usage.
I wouldn't recommend it since you will ruin any value the 94 has or will ever have if you alter it. If it's already been altered by someone tapping it for a side mount peep sight, I'd say it would depend on the condition of the gun and if you wanted to screw with it or not. You can pick up a used 94 AE model .30-30 in great condition for around $300-400, if you know where to look and they are already drilled and tapped for bases on top of the receiver. Additionally, with an AE model you don't have to worry about your ammo jamming like you would with a top eject model with a side scope mount, rings, and scope. The top eject was designed to do just that, eject the spent cartridge straight up. You could run into problems if the side scope mount, rings and scope are not mounted high enough for the ejected cartridge to clear the chamber easily...
Having yours drilled and tapped ($100 plus), the side scope mount and rings ($100 plus) by a competent gun smith. I have seen hundreds of guns which were notdone by a competent gunsmith and "Bubba" got ahold of them and ruined the gun. This is not an easy project IMHO.
I bought a pre-64 Win 94 Top eject .30-30 20" barrel in PA in Nov 2010 in 98% condition for $365.00. Again, you have to know where to find the deals...
