lever action

[stalkingbear]

X2 on you get what you pay for! The BLR also comes in pistol grip too,that leads me to believe he's never even shot a blr. They beat marlins hands down on accuracy.

 

[d2wing]

I have a really old .35 and a 30-30 Winchester. I lean to the 30-30 as I like the higher velocity and flatter trajectory. I feel like it has a little more range
but not by much. Some guys like a bigger hole. Can't argue with that.

 

[Old 06]

I have both the 30-30 and the 35 Rem in Marlin 336's. I favor the 35 Rem but enjoy the 30-30 too. I handload the 35 Rem.

 

[xer0]

1894 Win 30/30... Cant beat it!

 

[smee781]

Marlin 336 30/30 all the good reasons are listed already.

 

[Geno]

I have hunted with all of the caliber options that you have listed, and can say, not one hits as hard as the .444 Marlin. The .45-70 with 300 grain HPs is close, but the .444 is a beast, especially with 240 grain or 260 grain loads. Depending on the distance of the shots to be taken, and the tightness of space, the Guide Gun in .45-70 Gov't could be a better option, but that only in close quarters. For what it's worth, I have seen folks at the range keep 1 to 1.5 MOA groups with factory loads in the .444 Marlin.

First Choice, .444 Marlin. Link: http://www.marlinfirearms.com/firearms/bigbore/444.asp

Second Choice, 45-70 Gov't. Link: http://www.marlinfirearms.com/firearms/bigbore/1895G.asp

 

[snakeman]

Thanks I really appreciate that I have actually been looking at the 444 for years and recently a .308 xpress. On the subject of the blr I actually love the guns but can NOT afford one of those without getting rid of my cz and their is no way that will happen. =] This gun will see mostly deer and pigs but possibly elk or caribou in the future. A monster axis is missing from my wall and I would like a lever to fill that hole. I handload and can get a 300 grain 45/70 up to around 2400fps according to hodgdon's manual. I really appreciate everyone's input and can't wait to hear more. I had a 464 which is mossberg's lever option. It in my opinion is a reliable gun but has very poor accuracy capabilities! just throwing that out there so noone suggests it. lol

 

[snowbird]

444 Marlin I guess. One reason is its so versatile. I seen were a guy takes apart 2.5 410's and and loads aprimed 444 case with the shotshell components. He did it for a snake load. On the other end, hard cast loads should take almost anything.

 

[tinygnat219]

336 30/30

Not sure what your range shots are in TX, but it's hard to beat a .30-30 lever action combo for deer.

 

[Coltdude84]

+1

What Shawnee Said Go with the Browning BLR for many reasons, quality different choices of calibers, (I would go with the 243) detachable magazine and well..just because its a browning... Nuff said..

On the other hand if you are on a budget then I would go with the Marlin 336 30 30 great lever action for the money! I own Two of them

 

[snakeman]

Ok i live on the ranch i hunt. It has quite a bit of medium heavy brush. Most shots will be between 80 and 250 yds. BLR too expensive. I occasionally am presented with a 400-600 yd shot but don't take them because the chances are to great to cripple the deer. I limit myself to 350 yards with no wind just to be humane.