Thinking about a new rifle

I voted for the Marlin 336c with the stipulation that you can inspect the rifle before hand and make sure everything looks fine on it. I would not turn down the winchester either, You could also look at the mossberg 464 (a sort of winchester clone).

For a house gun, I'd consider a .357 levergun which would greatly compliment a revolver. Many folks take deer with these too, albeit not at long yardage.

I'm not a fan of the 30-30, nor am I all too fond of the Rem76 series.
If I had to pick, I'd get a lever gun in .357 magnum, or a Savage bolt gun in either .243 or .270 (actually, I'd opt for .308, but I'm at least tryin to stay in the neighborhood of your chosen 4 options).

Given your purpose a 270 is out: you'll kill the neighbors kids 3 doors down.
The 30-30 is ok: but again for your purpose, the 357 or 44 mag in a Marlin 1894 is your best bet.
Now, as to the white tail: the 270 is best along side a Rem 870 for the two legged varmit: plus you can get a rifled barrel and find a whitetail.
All said: Rem 870.
Greg

What exactly is a "house" rifle? Like home defense?

For deer, any of them would be excellent. Personally, I'd get a 7600 in .243 because I've always wanted a 7600 or BAR in .243.

In all fairness, the 243 and 270 are not for house guns at short range they both will go through 2 or 3 walls. I also have a 7600 but in 30-06 which I would not use in the house either. So by default it comes down to the 336C in 30-30.

Good luck on your choice.
Jim

Out of the guns in the poll, the Winchester is by far the best carrying gun. Great on deer for most folks shootin' ranges and plenty for those two legged turkey shots. To me nothing beats the Winchester 94. But, as others have said, over penetration will be a consideration in the house. Perhaps a 12ga pump would fit the bill. 870 Tactical Express (if you can find one with the sight not drilled off center, Remington has sucked for several years here), one of many Mossbergs, the infamous Benelli Nova.

Not a big fan of Remington's and id save the $ over the 94 and get a rifle that's just as good: marlin 336

Considering the 30-30 is the West Virginia state cartridge I would go with the 30-30.

Isn't there a law that says every West Virginian over 12 needs to own a 30-30 also?

Seriously, I would opt for the Model 94 in the 30-30 chambering and consider what Jim243 posted.

Ron

Marlin 30-30. With a big old 3-9x scope!

As others have mentioned, none of your mentioned guns is really a home defense caliber, due to penetration issues. Depending on what range you intend to hunt at makes a difference too. For home defense and close range whitetail a .357 lever action would be fine. (I own two) It would definitely meet your low recoil criteria. If you need to reach out further, either 30-30 would do just fine. I've never owned a 336, though I probably will at some point, but would never part with my Model 94.

I don`t get a rifle for home defense. Never did but that`s just me.
Besides,they are hard to hide under your pillow.

For home defense probably a .357 lever carbine, short barrel pump 12/20 gauge, or my first choice would be an AR in 5.56. For an eastern woods deer rifle either the lever gun or the AR would be great. If you're not a fan of .223 for deer there is always 6.5 grendel, 6.8 spc, or something similar. Have fun finding something in your flavor.

Winchester 94. Put a peep sight on and screw out the peep so you have a larger ghost ring sight for a fraction of the cost of the fancy ones.

6.8SPC or 5.56 in an AR is what I would do.

Otherwise, you're really just messing around when it comes to home defense.

Older model Marlin 336 30/30.

I voted a Win. '94 in 30/30 because the open top is easier to pick a mis-fed cartridge out of and you don't need to mount a scope.

I don't think you're going to get a round that will reliably exit a deer and not a house.

Well it's hard to pick a good house gun and deer gun so flip a coin

I wouldn't use any of those in a house.

If you live out in the sticks and don't need to worry about shooting someone in the next room or next door your rifle question makes more sense. And in that case for your purposes I would look for a lightly used 10 year old 336.

If you live in town, you need to revise your poll.

don't forget that you can also get 125 gr. 30-30 rounds in a managed recoil box from Remington. I believe they are on the hotter 357 end of the spectrum. The gives you the ability to run full loads for hunting and have the 125 ers for home defense. At least that is my current set up.

I picked the 336. I would consider expanding your field.

Didn't vote. All calibers were too much for a house gun. Also, if you're bent on having a lever rifle for a house gun, consider the Henry Big Boy in 38/357. They're very fast handling, have a trigger guard large enough to work the action without moving or injuring your trigger finger and hold 10 rounds. Loaded with 38, they have no more recoil than a 22, so it stays on target. For deer, the 357 is plenty of medicine within 100 yards. I love my Henry. I'd be curious to hear from 45 LC owners on what they think of theirs.