357, vs 44, vs 30/30. Carbine.

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Marlin 336. It's the levergun he's picturing in his mind and it offers great versatility in factory available ammunition, flatter trajectory and better reach than either pistol caliber, (both of which are very effective in their own ways and either of which might be an equally good choice here in the NE) especially with Hornady's Leverevolution ammunition. More expensive to shoot than either pistol caliber but if he doesn't shoot that often anyway and every now and again needs to drop coyote across an Illinois field, that's the one he's going to be most effective with.
 
I believe that 30/30 is the way he should go. And since someone mentioned that there is a 30/30 big boy, I imagine I know what he will choose. But he is very fond of dads 94, so who knows. I think he is under estimating his needs, and over estimating the rifles capability, but it's his money. I'm just trying to give him the best advise I can before the purchase.
 
I say buy a new 357Mag lever gun.

I actually own both a 44 (Browning) and 357 (Winchester). I shoot the 357 way, way more. It's very accurate and should serve his purposes quite well.

As a side note, I'm always surprised how much felt recoil there is with the 44 when I shoot hot ammo.
 
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Come on man, read the thread. He has a store credit at a store that only sells new.
 
Floorit - I know you have restricted the calibers in question, but I wonder why the 45 long colt is excluded? I love my winchester 94 in 45 long colt and I have a couple of pistols to match it with.

Also have a .454 casull pistol/lever gun combo that is pretty nice.
 
Not my specs, my brothers. He's likely never heard of a 45LC, and would go all glassy eyed if I tried to explain it to him.
 
OilyPablo said:
I say buy a new 357Mag lever gun.

I actually own both a 44 (Browning) and 357 (Winchester). I shoot the 357 way, way more. It's very accurate and should serve his purposes quite well.

As a side note, I'm always surprised how much felt recoil there is with the 44 when I shoot hot ammo.
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Agree. I shoot some 300gr stuff from Underwood out of my .44 Win 94 and you can absolutely feel the recoil.
 
For me a 30-30 would be nothing more than an extra caliber to stock. If I'm going to get a new caliber, I'd go with the 357 or 44 and have a matching handgun.

Quality revolvers in 357 or 44 magnum can be found all day long at reasonable prices. Matched with a rifle in the same caliber sounds just about perfect for 100 yard swamp or woods work for deer or hogs.

As Wishoot said the 44 magnum in a model 94 has a pretty healthy recoil. A friend had one and I thought there was more recoil from his 44 magnum than his 30-30 model 94.
 
New you said? American made? That puts the ball in Henry's court (i personally don't care for them), i wouldn't recommend Marlin (and i love them) with their current quality control pastures (yes they have gotten better but i still saw one here about a month ago missing its tang screw that should have been holding the butt stock on). If used is an option i wouldn't hesitate with Marlin.
A fat as calibers, 357 is a bunch of fun, 30-30 is everywhere and a classic, and 44mag its a big chunk of lead. Good luck with the choices.
 
.30-30 edges the others, but it is pretty darn close. If it matters, the .30-30 is the only one that can reliably punch through intermediate barriers. This is of no use for coyote hunting, of course.
 
Trouble is all the options are poor choices. The 30/30 with standard big game loads will be the least trouble, but really there's no sense to it. Might as well choose whichever tickles his fancy most. If you want to be helpful, stick with it make sure he gets some ammo that feeds well.
 
Based on your criteria that it must be new and US made the only choices are Marlin 336 (30-30), Marlin 1894 (357, 44) and the Henry (in all three calibers). The Henry is more expensive and heavier so I would eliminate it. That leaves the Marlin. The 357s which can also shoot 38 special have less recoil and lower ammo cost, but are harder to find in stores and cost more than the 30-30 models. Since it sounds like he will infrequently shoot this gun I would get the 30-30 because the higher price of 30-30 ammo will not matter if you are only shooting a few boxes a year.
 
Since the primary real-world use will be pest control, I'd go with something in .357. It will be fairly inexpensive to feed and it's a fun, pleasant shooting round from a long gun. A Remington 125 grain JFP load will break 2k from an 18.5" barrel. If you fork over the cash for buffalo bore ammo or handload your own,you can obtain some very deer capable loads as long as ranges are reasonable.

A .30-30 will be easier to find and you have a greater effective range. recoil will typically be greater than with the .357 and I think that the per-round cost is a little higher in most instances.

A .44 mag is really cool and if close range deer hunting was the primary game, I would recommend it. However, for casual shooting and pest control, it's a little more expensive and recoil is greater than what is needed.
 
The 30-30 is much flatter shooting, I doubt your brother wants to estimate hold-over for every shot. Winchester levers are available in 30-30 as well as pistol caliber and are slimmer and lighter than the Marlin. Also the Browning BLR is a box fed lever than uses a variety of modern and classic calibers. Pistol calibers are fun plinkers but I think coyotes need more range but your call.
 
Coyotes like to keep their distance. I would too, if someone was shooting at me. But for your circumstances, that means a 30-30 with Hornady Leverevolution ammo, which would give the range you need for coyotes. You need a decent peep sight, or a scope (a slight sacriledge on a levergun) though, to get the best out of that combo.
 
Not to be argumentive, but the plain facts are that in todays world, the 357 magnum and 44 magnum both can readily be reloaded to almost (but not quite) duplicate 30-30 ballistics.
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As far as I know there are only a couple of niche manufacturers that claim nuclear numbers for their 357 and 44 Mag loads out of a carbine, but there are "nuclear options" (2000+ ft/lb) for the 30-30 too (for example Grizzly Cartridges in Oregon)

Buffalo Bore Heavy 30-30 loads spits 30 cal. 190 gr. drill bits downrange....

Finally, Hornady claim that their 30-30 Winchester 160 gr, spitzer bullets loads (LeveRevolution and Z-Max) have 1025 ft/lb left at 300 yards.....when you can get that knd of numbers out of a 357 or a 44 Mag carbine report back to us....:)
 
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I have to weigh in.

What rifle to get depends on what your brother can get from the store that he has credit.

Do not get a 'new' Marlin unless you can inspect it very close.

Unless your brother puts a scope on the rifle or some sort of peep sight, his range will be covered by the 357. (He is not a practiced shooter) The longer range of the 30-30 would not be used.

The only NEW 357 or 30-30 lever is Henry.
If a used Marlin is out then a Winchester 1892 (Japanese) or 1892 clone (Rossi or Uberti) for 357 and Winchester 1894 for the 30-30.

If you brother can handle and compare the Big Boy and the 1892/94 he can make his choice. Note the Big Boy and 1894 Win can take Skinner sights not the 1892 Win.

I hope this helps.

Matt
 
Shooting a bunch, plinking at all targets of opportunity, become proficient with your rifle, handier, lighter, cheaper to shoot-357
Shooting a little, rifle stays in the barn, house or truck just in case an opportunity arises for varmit control. 30-30.
 
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