Hunting rifle choice
- Thread starter dak0ta
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rcmodel
Member in memoriam
The Marlin hands down if I had to carry it all day.
rc
rc
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
With open sights, I would not expect much differance in effective range.
Putting all your shots in a 9" paper plate target determines how far your effective deer range is.
Most deer hunters should consider 100-150 yards about max range with open sights.
The SMLE weighs about 9 pounds empty.
A Marlin carbine about 7.
The other thing is, if you later decide to add a scope?
Easy job on a Marlin.
Not so easy on an SMLE.
rc
Putting all your shots in a 9" paper plate target determines how far your effective deer range is.
Most deer hunters should consider 100-150 yards about max range with open sights.
The SMLE weighs about 9 pounds empty.
A Marlin carbine about 7.
The other thing is, if you later decide to add a scope?
Easy job on a Marlin.
Not so easy on an SMLE.
rc
bkhudmon
Member
303 vrs 30-30 range
It has been my experience that the 303 can when shot accurately has at least a hundred yards more full power reach than a 30-30. My brother has gotten several deer at over 250 yards with a few different 303's and I have yet to do that with any 30-30. He had an old bolt action 30-30 that would reach okay since it had a 22 inch barrel, but still 200 was a stretch. He was a marksman in the Air Force and in the woods.
I have not shot any of the new rounds for the 30-30 such as the Lever-lution or what ever it is called. My brother in law has shot the 45-70 in that ammo and loves it. Three inch groups at 150 yards, 18 inch barrel, offhand, with open sights.
Like our friend said if you have to tote that rifle far, the Marlin is the obvious choice. With a good quality scope set up, the new ammo and of course PRACTICE, the Marlin is truly good for up to mule deer out to probably 200 yards. Maybe more with more practice. I just moved back from Montana and oh yes that reach is important there. If the big toothy critters or the elk decide to fight, then the light fast shooting lever in 45-70 is what you want.
That is of course my opinion, and what others can do might just shame me.
We had this guy bring down a spike in Alabama with a lucky shot with a Winchester 94. Even though two of us paced it off, I will still not tell anyone for it was a LUCKY shot. I could barely see the stupid (and very unlucky) little buck and this city boy pops him in the back of the head. It was as dead as any thing by the time we got to it and maybe one set of prints from where we saw it jerk. Shooting well is the answer to all gun questions.
It has been my experience that the 303 can when shot accurately has at least a hundred yards more full power reach than a 30-30. My brother has gotten several deer at over 250 yards with a few different 303's and I have yet to do that with any 30-30. He had an old bolt action 30-30 that would reach okay since it had a 22 inch barrel, but still 200 was a stretch. He was a marksman in the Air Force and in the woods.
I have not shot any of the new rounds for the 30-30 such as the Lever-lution or what ever it is called. My brother in law has shot the 45-70 in that ammo and loves it. Three inch groups at 150 yards, 18 inch barrel, offhand, with open sights.
Like our friend said if you have to tote that rifle far, the Marlin is the obvious choice. With a good quality scope set up, the new ammo and of course PRACTICE, the Marlin is truly good for up to mule deer out to probably 200 yards. Maybe more with more practice. I just moved back from Montana and oh yes that reach is important there. If the big toothy critters or the elk decide to fight, then the light fast shooting lever in 45-70 is what you want.
That is of course my opinion, and what others can do might just shame me.
We had this guy bring down a spike in Alabama with a lucky shot with a Winchester 94. Even though two of us paced it off, I will still not tell anyone for it was a LUCKY shot. I could barely see the stupid (and very unlucky) little buck and this city boy pops him in the back of the head. It was as dead as any thing by the time we got to it and maybe one set of prints from where we saw it jerk. Shooting well is the answer to all gun questions.
paintballdude902
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- 2,872
either or.
ive shot deer with both my 336 and my ishy 2a enfield in military configuration.
theres alot of time that i just enjoy carrying my enfield out in the field, it makes me feel cool........ shut up i need all the self esteem i can get
ive shot deer with both my 336 and my ishy 2a enfield in military configuration.
theres alot of time that i just enjoy carrying my enfield out in the field, it makes me feel cool........ shut up i need all the self esteem i can get
lefteyedom
Member
If the 303 rifle is in good shooting condition, then it is a much better choice.
The problem with many Lee-enfields is ether they are worn out or butchered in "sporterizing"
A 303 carbine that group well "2-3" at 100 yards is capable of taking anything in the lower 48.
There is nothing wrong with a Marlin. 30/30 is a fine deer cartridge, The leverlution bullets all most extends its range to 20 yards.
The problem with many Lee-enfields is ether they are worn out or butchered in "sporterizing"
A 303 carbine that group well "2-3" at 100 yards is capable of taking anything in the lower 48.
There is nothing wrong with a Marlin. 30/30 is a fine deer cartridge, The leverlution bullets all most extends its range to 20 yards.
BrocLuno
Member
My lever rifles are not happy with Lever-Evo ammo. They both shoot better with good old FN Winchester Silver Tips. The 303 is nearly the equal of the 06 and is a more powerful cartridge with a wider range of effective bullet types currently available.
I have a older pro-built sporterized Enfield in 303 with peeps and a short magazine. It's aftermarket wood, etc. I'd take it, hands down, over the 30-30 if I had to reach out there beyond 125 yds. Inside that, the levers might be a bit handier.
I have a older pro-built sporterized Enfield in 303 with peeps and a short magazine. It's aftermarket wood, etc. I'd take it, hands down, over the 30-30 if I had to reach out there beyond 125 yds. Inside that, the levers might be a bit handier.
dprice3844444
member
a 303 has at least twice the range of the 30-30 lever and can use spitzer bullets
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=364260
http://thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=364260
AABEN
Member
If you can keep your shots in 3in at a hounded yards you are ready to go hunting.
AABEN
Member
You need to be-able to keep your shots in 2 or 3 in if not you need to stay at home. There is a lot of deer that is left in the woods be cows people wound them and are left to die with out being found.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
The heart/lung area of a deer can be covered with a 9" paper plate.
If you can put either a 30-30 or .303 bullet through that 9" area with open sights, the deer will die where you can find it.
rc
Sheepdog1968
Member
Both will get the job done just fine. I'm guessing it will come down to in your heart, which do you want to own more? My approch to this delima is I take my favorite rifle out more frequently but I also take the others out as well.
jpwilly
Member
Both will work I'd carry the 336 if stalking but the Lee Enfield if shooting from a blind or stand.
dprice3844444
member
Hokkmike
Member
Marlin - hands down!
Inebriated
Member
Marlin here, as well.
OP
OP
dak0ta
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I have a commerical FN 98 action chambered in 8x57. Is that superior to .303 british? I might use that as a big game, longer range rifle 200+ yards. And then the Marlin 30-30 can fill that deer or smaller niche in the dense forests where shots are 150 or less. Does that sound like a good combo to cover all situations?
BrocLuno
Member
Sounds fine to me. Looks like you have your bases covered. Now to find which rounds your 336 likes the best 
RevGeo
Member
Why not use both? One day take the Marlin, the next the Enfield. That's part of the fun of having more than one rifle, isn't it?
George
George
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