Lever Action Buying

[Gun_Powder_Greene]

im in the market for a good rifle to go pig hunting with,
im looking into to what type of rifle to get, and everywhere i look is no help,
i have always wanted a leveraction, but i dont know what caliber i should get,
i want to be able to hunt pigs and some times goats with it,
i already own a deer rifle which is a rugar M-77 .243
(Which i got for a steal due to this horrible econ)
i also have a couble .22 semi auto and bolt rifles also a 38 revolver,
so a lever action would be different,

i have shot a couple pigs with a marlin 45-70, but i dont think i need something that big, i do like tha marlin 308, but any sugestions would be very helpful
- thanks
-Gun_Powder_Greene

 

[ClickClickD'oh]

You said the magic word in lever guns, Marlin.

I have a .308mx and an 1895G that I use. My wife has a 336. The .308mx does primary duty on deer and black buck, but has also done hog duty... which is the primary stomping grounds of the 1895G. My wife has taken both deer and hog with her 336.

Honestly, if you are just going for pigs and goats, the 336 is probably the best of the three.. but if you might want to branch out into bigger game like deer or elk, the .308mx would be the way to go. The 1895G is a hoot, but is pretty much overkill for anything but the biggest boar. I really consider my .308mx to be my do everything (except coyotes) gun these days. I've taken to calling it Thor.. since nothing I've ever hit with it has so much a run as step.

 

[DCR]

Don't you think a .38sp/.357 lever action (Winchester, Marlin - lots of 'em in use for CAS), a .44 mag or .45 Colt is plenty for a pig or a goat? Thought I read a thread somewhere about using handgun cartridges in a lever gun for hunting feral pigs down south. Any thoughts?

 

[jmr40]

Hard to go wrong with 30-30. If you need more range for deer size game you have the 243.

 

[ClickClickD'oh]

Don't you think a .38sp/.357 lever action (Winchester, Marlin - lots of 'em in use for CAS), a .44 mag or .45 Colt is plenty for a pig or a goat? Thought I read a thread somewhere about using handgun cartridges in a lever gun for hunting feral pigs down south. Any thoughts?

I wear a 45 Colt Blackhawk (hot loaded of course) on my hip every time I'm out hunting, but I wouldn't want to rely on it as my primary weapon. Yes, the rifle will give more velocity than the pistol will, but if I can get a rifle cartridge in the same package I'd go for the rifle cartridge every time.

 

[Abel]

I wouldn't have a Marlin in 308MX. That cartridge will probably be obsolete in five years. I'd look for a good Marlin 336 in 30-30 or 35 Rem.

 

[Badlander]

I love my 30-30s but if I could have only 1 it would be the 45-70.

 

[wvshooter]

I would vote for the 30-30. I don't know how big the pigs get where you are but a 30-30 should handle almost anything.

Regarding the rifle I don't own a 30-30 but have been doing lots of research lately with the intention of buying a 30-30 for deer hunting in wooded mountainous terrain. I looked at Henry, Marlin and Mossberg. For my use the Henry is too heavy and expensive. I thought I wanted a Marlin but there's the "Marlin Jam" and the pivot point of the lever mechanism makes it inconvenient to carry one handed. The Mossberg on the other hand has a beefed up receiver and Winchester lever styling which was superior to the Marlin IMO. The only problem with the Mossberg was with extractors breaking but I think that may have been limited to the first year of production. Anyway, I've decided to buy a Mossberg.

 

[Badlander]

The Marlin jam happens on the 1894 with pistol rounds. not A problem in the 336 30-30.
A mossberg would be A poor choice in my opinion.
Just my .02

 

[Robert]

I have taken a hog with my Marlin 1895G and plan to take it Elk hunting this fall. 45-70 will serve you for anything from Hogs on up to Moose if you want.

The Mossberg on the other hand has a beefed up receiver

Compared to the once piece of the Marlin. It has been a while since I had the Mossberg in my hands, I thought it was a sliding top like the Winchester. I could be wrong... wouldn't be the first time. I am a Mossberg fan but I was not impressed with their lever gun. The fit and finish is not as good as my Marlin. And like Badlander said, the Marlin jam only applies to the pistol calibers and I believe they have resolved that issue. But mine is a 45-70 so I have not followed that real close.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

Marlin 336 in 35 Remington...that is if you don't want a big bore (444, 45-70)

 

[jmr40]

The older Mossbergs made in the 70's were fine guns that are under the radar. Most people are unaware of them but they made some good rifles. I wouldn't have one of the new ones if they were selling for $1.