Help pick my new gun

[shooter78]

Ok Im looking into a new hunting rifle. And im tossed between either a marlin 336 in a 30 30win. or maybe a .308 or a .30-06 Bolt action. I do must of my hunting in thick woods where my longest shot would be 75 100 yards. There are times where i do hunt field edges where i could maybe touch off a 200 yarder. So witch would you recromend.

 

[FlyinBryan]

why i think the 30-30 is the best deer rifle in the world, by flyinbryan.

i voted for the 30-30 because 53 years ago my brother shot a deer with a marlin 30-30 and the deer exploded as if it had eaten a small portion of explosive compound shortly beforehand and my brother said smoke came out of the deer for a long time afterwards.

and thats why i think the 30-30 is an awesome deer rifle, flyinbryan.

 

[bpl]

Do you already have another hunting rifle? This would affect my advise.

 

[FrankieJames7]

if i had a chance i would go with a Steyr SSG 04, 10 round magazine, looks like a boss, i would just tell them to etend the barrel to 26" in a 308 win...

 

[shooter78]

I do not have another deer rifle. I have a 22-250 many 22s but where i hunt in ny its been a shotgun only zone, but rifle just passed so im looking into getting a good deer rifle

 

[beatledog7]

Carbine-sized .308 bolt, followed by 30-30. Nothing wrong with 30-06 either.

 

[jmr40]

If you choose wisely a 308 or 30-06 will be cheaper, lighter with a scope than a 30-30 without a scope, and more accurate. Nothing at all wrong with a lever action 30-30 if you enjoy using one. But a bolt action does every task better than a lever gun if performance is your goal.

 

[wlewisiii]

I'd rather a Winchester than a Marlin lever. That said, any .30-30 lever gun is always a good thing and would be best for what you describe so I voted Marlin 336. Stick a peep sight on it rather than a scope, sight in at +3" at 100 yards and you'll be set for that brush.

 

[dwo357]

Depends on what you hunt and how good is your aim. I hunt deer , bear, and elk. The .06 takes care of them all.

 

[Jay the Plinker]

I chose the 308 because I am getting a .22 and my next gun will be a marlin x7 in 308

 

[kdave21]

Even though there is nothing wrong with any of the choices you provided, I chose Marlin 336, with the caveat that I am referring to the 336 XLR. It is designed to shoot Hornady Leverevolution so you get the enhanced ballistics, but still get to shoot a lever action. I have not shot this gun, nor do I own one, but based on what it seems like you are looking for, I thought this would be a good one, and Ive always liked the concept.

 

[Idaho Slim]

I choose the Marlin, as someone stated earlier i would rather have chosen a Winchester 30-30 wheel gun and shoot the Leverloution ammo, plus open sights. For this particular application it is a perfect fit, and if you get one, then practice ............... and after you are done practicing ............ PRACTICE again.

 

[Bernie Lomax]

.30-30 should be quite adequate for your purposes, and it has a recoil that is considerably less than the other calibers you mentioned. Another cartridge you might want to consider is the .243 Win, as it is light recoiling like the .30-30 and just as effective on medium game, but shoots much flatter. Granted, the scenario you describe doesn't really require a very flat-shooting caliber, but it's good to have a relatively flat-shooting caliber anyway, should the need ever arise.

 

[glockky]

I would say the 30-06 if you dont have another hunting rifle just because it has a wide selection of bullets and enables you to hunt bear elk deer and hogs if the opportunity ever presents itself.

 

[montanaoffroader]

I own a Marlin 336 and a Marlin XL7 .30-06 bolt action. I have also owned other hunting rifles in different calibers, but I have shot more deer with my 336 than all of my other rifles put together.

I hunt in fairly open country a good part of the time, but the .30-30 has done all I've asked of it. If I could only have one rifle, the 336 would be it.

That being said, any of your choices would be good. If you plan to shoot 200 yards or more, you might be better off with something like the Browning BLR or Savage 99 in .308. Lever gun handling in a more modern cartridge.

Have fun with your new toy, whatever it may turn out to be.

 

[35 Whelen]

Any of the three on your poll will work for the hunting conditions you described. So, choose the one you want, not the one others want you to have. You'll be happier if you select your own rifle.
35W

 

[Kachok]

I voted other. I would go with the bolt action, but 260 rem, 6.5x55, or 7mm-08 are better hunting calibers for deer IMHO Nothing wrong with either 308 or 30-06, both are great hunting calibers, but there really is no need for that much power/recoil for hunting deer within 200 yards. If recoil is no issue the 06 is as good a choice as any. I can comfortably handle the recoil of my magnum rifles, but I still perfer to hunt with my 6.5x55, I like watching them drop through my scope
Rifles I recommend.
Marlin XL7 or XS7 Cheap, good trigger, and accurate.
Savage 11 or 110 Great inexpensive rifles, a true workhorse.
Tikka T3 Very nice rifle, best action and trigger money can buy. The lightest of the bunch.
I like the egronomics of the Tikka, but pick what fits you best.

 

[shooter78]

Thanks for your input guys...Quick question hows the hornady leverevolution ammo.? Is it worth a try?

 

[clutch]

The .308 can be loaded to do as little as the .30-30 does or more than it can ever do.

A lever gun tends to be 4 MOA while a bolt gun is often 1 moa or better if you work for it.

I'm not a bolt snob. I have great grandpa's 1894 in .30-30 and a 1895 Guide gun in 45-70 I bought new a decade or so ago. My reason for the .45-70 is I hunt in a swamp that is a bit close to others. If I miss, I want the bullet plowing ground as soon as possible and likely before leaving the property.

Clutch