Lever action rifles?

[Fisherman1792]

Hi Guys

Looking at purchasing another rifle from Cabelas. I want a 30-30 lever action for deer/moose when in the rough stuff.
I am looking at the Marlin 336SS Stainless Lever Action Rifle, I like the looks of the stainless steel and the price is right.
Any insight into this gun or others? Only one review for this gun and and it said a great gun.

Thanks

Fisherman 1792.

[Phil T]

Before buying any "new" Marlin, look at the stamping on the side of the barrel. If it says the rifle was made in North Haven , Connecticut, buy it. If it was made in New York, I'd pass on it. The reason is the family that owned Marlin sold the company to Freedom Arms (a.k.a. Cerebus investment group), the production was moved to the Remington factory, the experienced workers were left behind, and quality suffered. It really suffered for a while, to include barrels being out of alignment with the receiver. They even halted production for a while in an attempt to fix the problems. If it's from New York, I'd look for a used one from the old factory.

[Wade B AKA: Ruger2506]

30-30 for a moose? A bit undergunned I think. 45-70 in a lever action is more appropriate. It produces approx 1.75X the Foot pounds of energy at the muzzle compared to the 30-30.

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/firearms/bigbore/1895.asp

http://www.henryrepeating.com/rifle-45-70.cfm

I shoot a 45-70 in a Ruger #1. That is a sweet rifle and a great caliber.

[Wade B AKA: Ruger2506]

http://www.gunblast.com/Marlin-1895SBL.htm

A good read.

[Phil T]

The gunsmith who lives across my backyard from me has a used Marlin 1895 45-70 for sale for $350. I think it's a Guide Gun, because the barrel is shorter than mine.

[kliph]

I have a marlin 336/ 30-30, just fine.
It is / was the most popular rifle for deer.
Is a moose just a bigger deer? You decide.

This is a good web site for marlins:
http://www.marlinowners.com/forum/index.php

[Wade B AKA: Ruger2506]

Originally Posted by kliph

I have a marlin 336/ 30-30, just fine.
It is / was the most popular rifle for deer.
Is a moose just a bigger deer? You decide.

This is a good web site for marlins:
http://www.marlinowners.com/forum/index.php

A MUCH bigger deer by about 750-1000#. I am not saying a 30-30 won't kill a moose. Heck you can kill moose with a .223 or even a bow. I have shot enough moose to know how tough they are and what I feel is an ethical caliber for game of that magnitude.

Sure you can drive a 16 penny nail with a tack hammer but a 22oz framing hammer will drive it much better. It is a right tool for the job type of thing.

[Stu]

Very good advice. I think the question here is making an ethical shot. Personally, I believe a 45-70 (or maybe even a .308) is a better choice. I've shot a 45-70 guide gun. It's a great choice for a brush gun, but the recoil is considerable.

[Fisherman1792]

Wade,

I am not sure where you hunt moose at but sometimes here we hunt right in the thick bush where a scoped gun would be totaly useless. I have a tikka 300 win mag for moose as well, but the 30-30 would be for the thick stuff and mostly for deer.

Fisherman 1792

[Wade B AKA: Ruger2506]

I agree about the long rifle and the brush. It is the underpowered 30-30 I am debating. I use my 45-70 (Ruger #1) in the thick brush. I agree, the right tool for the right job.

If we are talking just deer the 30-30 is an excellent caliber.