Two years ago rifle became legal for deer hunting behind my house. This is mainly woods hunting. I was ready to place the order for a Rock River .458 upper to round out my AR15 collection (25wssm & 6.8spc) till I handled a Marlin 1895GS Christmas shopping. I have read some past threads on the Guide Guns and it is hard to find anyone saying a bad word about them. I am going to make my decision after the holidays but I strongly believe the 1895GS with a top rail will be hunting with me next fall. Woods hunting with max shots 70 yards”ish” caliber doesn’t matter much. What would you do?
AR or Lever
- Thread starter MJR007
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rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Well, if you reload, you won't have to chase those 45-70 cases out of a lever-gun quite as far as $1 buck a pop .458 Socom cases from an AR.
Besides, if you haven't experianced hunting with a lever-action, it's about time!
rc
Besides, if you haven't experianced hunting with a lever-action, it's about time!
rc
ricebasher302
Member
I love my lever! I love my AR! But, for hunting, I like the traditional "feel" I get from using my Marlin. I'd go the lever route.
RockyMtnTactical
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Get a 6.5 Grendel AR15.
I'd just buy a Marlin 30-30. Then I get some Hornady Leverevolution Ammo and call it good!
I like this one...
http://survivalpreps.blogspot.com/2007/08/marlin-336-30-30.html
I like this one...
http://survivalpreps.blogspot.com/2007/08/marlin-336-30-30.html
That's the truth.
I'm not entirely sure why the .30-30 is so readily available, whereas the .35 Remington is only available in one current rifle, and a rifle in .32 hasn't been made for years. Apart from the .30-30's historical place as the first commercial smokeless cartridge, it's nothing all that special. Actually, it's not "Special" at all. The .32 Winchester is.
Badlander
Member
My 1895 GS 45-70 puts A smile on my face every shot. It's even fun to reload for.
greyling22
Member
lever gun all the way! though I went with a 44 mag over a guide gun. more fun to plink with. A light 45/70 and a hot 44mag run about the same bullet weight and velocity in my lee book. now, a hot 45/70 and a light 44 mag are light years apart.
But for hunting I might choose the 30/30, and if you want something a little more exotic and sexy, ream it out to a 30/30 AI just to be different. (though the guide gun and a 35 rem have more punch)
if you do choose the marlin 336, get the C model so you can opt for synthetic stocks some day and stick with the black rifle theme you seem to have going.
But for hunting I might choose the 30/30, and if you want something a little more exotic and sexy, ream it out to a 30/30 AI just to be different. (though the guide gun and a 35 rem have more punch)
if you do choose the marlin 336, get the C model so you can opt for synthetic stocks some day and stick with the black rifle theme you seem to have going.
The AR's I got into because of the worrie that one day I would not be able to. I hate to be told what to do or what I can not do. It is interesting no 450/458/50 AR people have not jump in. The 45-70 is also a complete rifle about $200 less than the 458 upper. That puts a good dent in dies, brass, powder, bullets, & primers.
Z-Michigan
Member
I would have to go with the Marlin levergun here. My answer might be different if you didn't yet own an AR.
Maverick223
Member
I really like the .458SOCOM (the .50Beowulf not so much due to the caliber...I think reloading will cost too much), but I have to go with the Marlin 1895 in one of the many "Guide Gun" flavors (including the .450Marlin version and the new SBL) as well as the "Cowboy" variant with the long barrel and high capacity (though it is less useful for hunting IMO).
The problem was, and is, that a 30-30 with a shot out bore still would shoot pretty well, but a .32WS would start going all over the place as soon as the bore had any wear at all.
No prejudice here though, I have, and shoot, both.
Sav .250
Member
Can`t decide? Flip a coin.
Quoheleth
Member
Get the lever. It's a classic. That it's cheaper to own and shoot makes it a plus. Nothing wrong with hunting with an AR, but there's just something American about a Marlin in the woods.
And something wonderfully obnoxious about touching off a .45/70 out of that Guide Gun at the range.
Q
And something wonderfully obnoxious about touching off a .45/70 out of that Guide Gun at the range.
Q
Victor1Echo
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Since you already have a few ARs, I'd go with a new lever. I personally have been eyeing an older savage in 308. I like the savages because they do not use a tube magizine; thus giving you more ammo types.
bikerdoc
Moderator In Memoriam
Lever gun for me please.
Just added last year another in 357 Marlin 1894C
Just added last year another in 357 Marlin 1894C
Lloyd Smale
Member
if its purely a hunting gun id definately go with the marlin.
Big Russ
Member
I went through the same thing, I eventually just caved in and bought both - but my Marlin was previously owned & in good condition so I got a bit of a break on the price.
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