I am in the market for a new hunting rifle. It will be used on deer, and maybe a hog hunt, but deer is the primary use. I already have a few bolt actions in various calibers, but I want a shorter ranged, faster, repeater. I just want a nice all-arounder. I am trying to decide first, between to different action types. Lever of semiautomatic. If I went with a lever, it would likely be either a Mossberg 464, or Marlin 336 in 30-30. If I went with a semi, it would be something like a Remington 7400, or the like, in either .308 or 30-06. I don't think a BAR is really in my price range right now. So I am asking, which would you go with, and why?
New Hunting rifle
- Thread starter FMF Doc
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Bobson
Member
I don't know what the terrain is like in NC... what range do you expect your average shot on deer might be? If anything over 100 yards, I wouldn't go with any lever gun (possible exception is a Savage 99 in .308). I think a bolt rifle would be your best bet. Either .308 or .30-06 would be more than adequate, but ammo for the .308 should be less expensive. If you're dead set on lever or semi, I'd take the lever.
Depending on your budget, there are numerous excellent choices (bolt actions), in a variety of price ranges. Just depends what type of features you want and what you want to spend.
Depending on your budget, there are numerous excellent choices (bolt actions), in a variety of price ranges. Just depends what type of features you want and what you want to spend.
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ExAgoradzo
Member
Bobson is right on everything he said except he doesn't like levers ;P.
Bolts are the best 1rst deer/pig gun. Someone will tell me I'm wrong, so be it. But you can get a Ruger American or you can get a Win M70 or something even nicer (or anything in between). Plan on spending $500-600 and get used. a .308 or .30-06 are great rounds and are ubiquitous. My 721 shoots .30-06 all day with no shoulder aching: that is not true for all models of .30-06. You might consider getting a 7mm-08 or a 270 Win. I have the latter and wouldn't trade it (full disclosure...I don't own a .308 either). Any one of those 4 calibers would be great for you; but so would a number of others that are lighter on the shoulder and wallet.
Good luck,
Greg
Bolts are the best 1rst deer/pig gun. Someone will tell me I'm wrong, so be it. But you can get a Ruger American or you can get a Win M70 or something even nicer (or anything in between). Plan on spending $500-600 and get used. a .308 or .30-06 are great rounds and are ubiquitous. My 721 shoots .30-06 all day with no shoulder aching: that is not true for all models of .30-06. You might consider getting a 7mm-08 or a 270 Win. I have the latter and wouldn't trade it (full disclosure...I don't own a .308 either). Any one of those 4 calibers would be great for you; but so would a number of others that are lighter on the shoulder and wallet.
Good luck,
Greg
Bobson
Member
I like levers, but I've never shot one lol. I said I didnt like semi rifles - and thats actually not true. I meant that I dont like semi auto hunting rifles. Well whats a hunting rifle, right? Got myself into trouble on this one.
Bottom line is I like AR15s, AK47s, M1As, etc. I'm not crazy about the BAR, or anything Remington has made recently.
Bottom line is I like AR15s, AK47s, M1As, etc. I'm not crazy about the BAR, or anything Remington has made recently.
quite a quandary. both would work very well for your intended use. both are fast repeaters. but there is quite a difference in power between a 30-30 and a 30-06. you may want to consider a 308 Marlin Express caliber rather than the 30-30. then the power levels would be close. lever guns are my favorite, they are just plain fun to shoot. but semi autos are nice also. the only problem i have with them is you do not realize how easy it is to go through ammo with them. when you have to cycle the action by hand, you get a better feel of how many rounds you are shooting. with just the happy switch, it is easy to empty the magazine and then realize you out when you pull the trigger, and there is just a click.
Halal Pork
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Since you live in NC, I'd suggest a lever action. The main reason being you stand a very good chance of finding an older Marlin in good shape at a very decent price by dropping in at local gun stores. BAR seems to keep a high value. I checked on ArmsList and the prices in NC on Remington semi-autos aren't too bad either. I've been looking at lever guns recently so that's where my mind's at.
(One of the most common rifles in NC, it seems to me, is the Remington 700 in 7mm Rem Mag which strikes me as completely bizarre.)
(One of the most common rifles in NC, it seems to me, is the Remington 700 in 7mm Rem Mag which strikes me as completely bizarre.)
cal30_sniper
Member
Although the levers are going to be limited in range, I'd say 100 yards is selling them pretty short. Even with a 30-30, 150 yards is still a pretty easy shot. 200 is beginning to push it's ethical limits on deer unless you are a very good shot. If you're hunting in the Carolinas, or anywhere else east of the Mississippi, a Marlin 336 in 35 Remington is also a great choice. A little harder on the shoulder than the .30-30 though. If you want more range than that out of a lever, look at a Savage 99 in 250 or 300 Savage, .243, or .308. They are more expensive, but a fine rifle.
I'd stay away from the semi-auto hunting rifles. I don't know about the improvements supposedly made to the newer model 750s, but the 7400 I shot in .30-06 had reliability issues. That's apparently pretty common with the Remington semi-autos. Even with good ammo, it never grouped less than 2MOA, and was usually in the 3-4MOA range. The Remington pump actions are supposedly a different story, and one of those in .30-06 or .270 might make a great choice, as would just about any bolt gun.
Personally, for hunting on the East coast, I'd go with the lever or the pump. Levers are really handy in the brush because they are so much shorter and lighter than any comparable bolt or semi-auto rifle.
I'd stay away from the semi-auto hunting rifles. I don't know about the improvements supposedly made to the newer model 750s, but the 7400 I shot in .30-06 had reliability issues. That's apparently pretty common with the Remington semi-autos. Even with good ammo, it never grouped less than 2MOA, and was usually in the 3-4MOA range. The Remington pump actions are supposedly a different story, and one of those in .30-06 or .270 might make a great choice, as would just about any bolt gun.
Personally, for hunting on the East coast, I'd go with the lever or the pump. Levers are really handy in the brush because they are so much shorter and lighter than any comparable bolt or semi-auto rifle.
Sav .250
Member
You said,"lever of semiautomic." and "repeater." Not sure of your choice of words or what your trying to get at using those terms.
The second part of your question makes sense. I`d go with a Marlin lever . Your choice of cal. Buying a rifle by committee. Hope it works out for you.
The second part of your question makes sense. I`d go with a Marlin lever . Your choice of cal. Buying a rifle by committee. Hope it works out for you.
RPRNY
Member
Well, I do love a lever gun and think a Marlin 30-30 would suit you very well. If your eyes are up to it, the 30-30 will take you out to 150 yards. If you prefer a scoped rifle I would suggest that you take a look at a Remington 760/7600 in the likes of .35 Rem, .308 or 7mm-08 because I discourage people from putting scopes on lever guns and a pump repeater will make for a very fine hog gun with an inexpensive red dot, for example.
hardluk1
member
Don't cut your self short with a limited range rifle. If you don't own a light short bolt rifle get a ruger ultra lite or rem model 6 or 7 or old 788 carbine but in a longer range cartidge. 260, 6.5x55, 7-08, 308 and enough scope to make a shoot at range if offered.
Those lever rifle may be thin but not as light as many bolt rifles.
With a 308 i have killed many deer in thick swamp bottoms from 20 feet to 300 yards with a 2.5-10 scope. Easier to pick a shot thru brush with a little power to help ot.
Might buy a good revolver or big bore semi-auto pistol for hogs up close.
I have kill so many with a 357 mag revolver its crasy when growing up in S.FL. Now I hunt more in NC mountains but love hunting those bigger dear along the NC coastal counties.
Those lever rifle may be thin but not as light as many bolt rifles.
With a 308 i have killed many deer in thick swamp bottoms from 20 feet to 300 yards with a 2.5-10 scope. Easier to pick a shot thru brush with a little power to help ot.
Might buy a good revolver or big bore semi-auto pistol for hogs up close.
I have kill so many with a 357 mag revolver its crasy when growing up in S.FL. Now I hunt more in NC mountains but love hunting those bigger dear along the NC coastal counties.
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