Lever action or something else

[ChefJeff1]

I think I found someone to take me deer hunting. I also sold a gun and need to replace before I spend that money on something else. How would a Marlin 1894ss work for me. I live in Central Idaho and haven't hunted before except for pheasant and chukkar. Thanks, Jeff

 

[absolute0]

If your Marlin is a .44 Mag you are definately good to go for deer out to 150 yards or so, longer shots may require you to re-evaluate your options. If you have a .357, do yourself a favor and find an inexpensive bolt or lever gun in a caliber more suited to a rookie deer hunter, something along the lines of a .270, 30-06, 30-30, etc.

For my money, a Marlin 1894 is one of the best rifles to own for all around mischief

 

[dakotasin]

i am a big fan of bolt guns for hunting - but, if you'll be in tight quarters, a good lever gun is tough to beat. a marlin in 444, 30-30, or 35 remington is as good as anything for 125-ish yards and in deer-whackin'.

 

[Art Eatman]

My only oobjection to lever guns is that the "as-issued" sights aren't really good enough for the distances to which the cartridges could be effective. IMO, it takes a good bit of benchrest time to get the sight picture figured out, followed by a good bit of "field style" practice.

A tang-mounted peep sight is an improvement. Or, a square-notch rear sight and a flat-topped front post sight, as well. A shallow-vee rear sight is wretched.

Art

 

[Harve Curry]

The Savage 99 is another good choice. Comes in 308Win. Now you have to many choices

 

[Starter52]

A lever-action Marlin in .30-30 with a moderate-priced scope is THE beginner's deer gun up here in the Northeast.

The .44 magnum is popular too.

 

[Grumulkin]

There is nothing wrong with the Marlin but since you're getting a new gun anyway, you might consider a bolt action rifle for a bit better accuracy. The slightly faster shooting with a lever action isn't really that much advantage hunting. It's the first shot that counts the most. I've harvested all of my big game animals with single shots and don't consider that even much of a disadvantage.

As far as bolt action rifles is concerned, Savage comes to mind with quite a good selection of calibers suitable for deer and bigger.

 

[GooseGestapo]

The difference in accuracy between a bolt action, and lever action is not what conventional wisdom would have you believe. The run-of-the-mill Marlin or Winchester lever action will shoot right with your average bolt-action. If you don't belive me: (I have three Marlin's that will out shoot the 2 Remington's I currently own, and most of the rest of my bolt actions as well. My Winchester m94 in .45colt, will shoot 1" three-shot groups @ 100yds with a Hornady 250gr XTP, WITH IRON SIGHTS !!!) -Check out the "consensus" over at www.marlinowners.com.

What will determine what is best for YOU is what type of habitat will you be hunting in.

Where shots are usually less than 200yds (most everywhere, even out west), the lever in a "traditional" cartridge will serve you well, with only a modest investment.

Where shots will run "frequently" to the far side of 200yds, a longer range cartridge will be more desirable.

However, a good "HUNTER" will not find himself greatly handicapped by a "traditional" lever-action.

My brother got his first Antelope last week in Nevada. He'd been deer hunting most of his life, and had killed both deer and elk. He "hunted" his antelope, and got within 150yds for the shot, -DRT with his pre'-64 Winchester m70 featherweight in .308wcf.

He said he then wished he'd taken the Marlin .45/70 just to be able to say he'd got it with the old buffalo cartridge. However, he was "afraid" he "might" have to pass up his "only" shot if equiped with the "less flat" shooting .45.

Just my thoughts having BTDT, and owning both "flavors" of rifle/cartridges.

 

[30-06 lover]

Lever guns are cool and work great in thick cover because they point and shoot much like a shotgun, but most levers don't chamber rounds made to go past 150 yards. The best advise I can give is get a bolt action 30-06. A bolt just plain works and is STRONG. A 44 mag lever gun will get you deer for years in the brush, but if you want to shoot past 150 yards or for anything bigger than a deer, it is useless. A bolt gun in 30-06 will kill everything in the lower 48 with ease and is every bit as effective on game with mild recoil.
-Mike

 

[uk roe hunter]

30-06, it's the way ahead

Hi,
Over here in the uk most lever action rounds are not legal for deer as they need to produce 2400 fps plus. we all tend to use center fire bolt actions. I think in .30 cal you get a massive choice of ammunition and bullets from 110 grain plinkers to 220 grain monsters. in lighter loads it does not shoot as fast as a .308 which is a bit of a paradox, i think it is becuase the .308 win uses higher pressures and faster powders. But get to 165 and above and the .30-06 looks good. it is fast and flat and doesn't recoil like the .30 magnums and it uses less powder.

I use 150 grain speer spitzers in mine to shoot roe deer. it is superbly accurate, causes little meat damage and they fall over dead on the spot (mostly)

The arguement about point ability is valid, but i have a ruger 77 mk 2 in full wood stutzen. it has an 18.5 inch barrell. This is available in .30-06 and i am sure that most manufacturors will give a carbine offering, taken with a low magnification scope this will give good pointability. also will give you the flexibility that if you get a chance to shoot other stuff to go up to 200s for pigs 220s for bears and moose.

it makes sense to take your time and think about this one, you will have the rifle for years.

steve

 

[redneck2]

My only objection to lever guns is that the "as-issued" sights aren't really good enough for the distances to which the cartridges could be effective. IMO, it takes a good bit of benchrest time to get the sight picture figured out, followed by a good bit of "field style" practice.

A tang-mounted peep sight is an improvement. Or, a square-notch rear sight and a flat-topped front post sight, as well. A shallow-vee rear sight is wretched.

I'd second that. I have a Marlin 1895 in 45-70. IMO, the "rainbow trajectory" thing is a bit overblown for most typical deer ranges. I let a guy shoot it at a big dirt pile with a softball sized rock, maybe 150 yards away. He nearly went over the pile with the first round....believed all the hype. Thought it was going to fly like a bowling ball. After a few rounds he was consistently on the rock.

The bead/v-notch leaves a lot to be desired, particularly in low light.

 

[Old Time Hunter]

Just get a .30-30 Levergun. It is perfectly fine out to and even over a couple of hundred yards, don't believe the loose wristed terd burglars that keep push'n the phallic messagers that require you to pull and twist.

 

[ChefJeff1]

Wow, thnks for te info. I visited a few gunshops in the city and I have reched a decision---ruger .270 synthetic stock, stainless barrel. now how about an inexpensive scope--say under $200. thanks, Jeff

 

[Harve Curry]

Burris has some good scopes and specials.
After a few years and you've executed some critters with that .270 , you might want to try hunting with the Marlin 1894 or a Winchester '94 or any other early metalic breechloader.

 

[bearmgc]

My first rifle was a Ruger .270, and I did OK. Never realized that the trigger was long and gravelly. But you will get the hang of it, if the trigger is like mine was. Just don't jerk the trigger. A Bushnell Trophey or Nikon Buckmaster scope will run you less than $200. Even consider a straight 4x power scope. It will do the trick. For elk, I'm using the Rem 300RUM for field work, and my Marlin 444 lever with iron sights for woods stalking. Its got accuracy and punch with the Hornady light mag ammo. It will be the first gun out in the woods in 3 days, when the early season happens.

 

[wuchak]

Marlin 30-30, or better yet a .35 Rem, with Hornady LEVERevolution ammo. Check out the ballistics, this ammo makes both the 30-30 and the .35 Rem essentially flat shooting to 200+ yards.
https://www.hornady.com/shop/?ps_session=91c9c291b728f82b19cdf75b93c817e5&page=shop%2Fbrowse&category_id=2f7af4cf2fbe021994131c5c629a8115

The 1894 in .44 or .357 is a good choice too, especially if you have, or plan to get a handgun in the same caliber. This is even more true if you decide to start reloading since you can load ammo for plinking cheaply and tune full power loads to get the most accuracy out of your individual firearms. If you don't reload Buffalo Bore sells a .357 Magnum load that will exceed 30-30 energy out of an 1894 http://www.buffalobore.com/ammunition/default.htm#357. The .357 is a whole different cartridge out of a rifle.

If you go with a lever I highly recommend a set of XS Ghost Ring sites. http://www.xssights.com/store/rifle.html

A word of caution for your wallet. If you bring home a Marlin in a centerfire caliber it won't be long before you'll be wanting a 39A to keep it company.

 

[BIGJACK]

In Idaho you are likely to get some long shots so you would be better served by getting yourself a scoped bolt action 30-06.

 

[grizz]

The stainless Ruger .270 is a good choice for the price and conditions in Idaho. .270 is a good caliber too for anything up to elk size.

Scopes under $200: Nikon or Burris are great choices.

Good luck.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I have killed a lot of deer with a .30-30, many of them when I was back on the ranch, looking for lost cattle -- I'd ride up on deer, get out of the saddle on the far side of the horse, and while they were trying to figure out what I was, shoot one. Of course, I deliberately hunted a lot, too.

I still carry a .30-30 in the saddle boot, but when seriously hunting I like a bolt action. In the west, where you have larger deer, elk and perhaps lions and bear, along with the possibility of long shots, I'd take a .30-06, 7mm Magnum, or the like.

If I were buying a first deer rifle, it would be a bolt action -- which is a very versatile choice. The lever action which is more limited, would come later.

 

[halvey]

You can't go wrong with a decent bolt gun or a lever.

If you are worried about "getting out there" that Hornady ammo seems to be the deal.

 

[T.R.]

Top photo is me with my Glenfield 30-30. The other two hunters are friends that know the value of a good hunting rifle. We all started out with carbines as teens and never much saw the need for a heavier outfit.
TR

 

[22-rimfire]

I have been eying up a 1894 in 41mag. I love the caliber and shoot revolvers in it quite a bit. Hence, I can use the same ammo. I suspect it will hurt the wallet more than a revolver. Yes, I know all the reasons to get a 44mag or the 41mag. I just have a soft spot for the 41mag.

I think the 1894 would make a nice woods rig whether it be deer hunting or just taking a walk. I would suggest something larger than a 357mag for deer hunting. But, people use them all the time in handguns, so why wouldn't the rifle do better? If you use the 1894, just don't take 200 yd shots. I wouldn't shoot at any deer over 100 yds with it.

 

[Gohon]

If you don't reload Buffalo Bore sells a .357 Magnum load that will exceed 30-30 energy out of an 1894

No, it will not exceed the energy of the 30-30 by any stretch of the imagination. That is not to say the 357 Magnum properly loaded for a rifle isn't a good cartridge for deer out to 100-125 yards but the 30-30 will out shoot it all day long.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

With bullets of comparable weight (158 gr for the .357 and 160 gr for the .30-30) the .357 will be about 200 to 300 fps slower, depending on the load, from a carbine length barrel.

 

[eastwood44mag]

The Marlin is a gift from heaven. Anyone who tells you otherwise has never had to carry a 9 pound rifle through the brush. The sights aren't great--I'd red-dot. Other than that, it's just wonderful.