Here is another vote on a 336 in 35 Remington, also have a 1895 45/70. works great and slams deer hard.

Geeze Crackshot...I guess so...You're sending a bowling ball at them...

I have a newer Marlin 30-30C. with micro gooves. it shoots good, and has dropped a deer on its first kill.

is there anything wrong with the micro grove ? and can you use lead bullets in it ? all I have ever used is Jacked bullets.

I had actualy whent to Cabella's to by a Marlin 45-70. I was all heart set on this gun. and had it in my hands with the cash. then I asked to hold the marlin 30-30c.
I do not think I made a bad choice. the 30-30 is a very good gun, accurate and feels good.

I do know that Marlin only makes the 45-70 with deep cut rifflings now. and not micro-grove. not sure why, ?? maybe there was problems with solid led bullets and micro-grove rifleings. ?

I had plans on buying this marlin 45-70 after I got the 30-30. but after time whent on. I started looking at the Marlin 39a lever action 22. I ended up buying it. Man. that 22 cost more than a Marlin 30-30 or a 45-70.

Now, my wife is getting a little cranky that I am buying guns again.
she and I have come to a agreement , I can get one more gun.
was trying to decide between these 3 guns.
1) marlin 45-70
2) 30-06 springfield
3) savage 10FP .223 bold action.

I have decided on the savage 10FP .223,
reason: it is cheap to shoot. fairly good flat shooting and accurat.
and my 30-30 will have to do for my larger game.

although , if i could find a good used 45-70 real cheap. I might buy it too. lol.

I'm an old far+...I just happen to prefer real rifling. I have heard that you should not use lead unless it is hard cast...I am sure that several of our expert marlin shooters will better advise you on this as I am an "OLD WINCHESTER" .30-30 fan...

ripper007, congratulations on your new gun, you will find they are accurate. Some say that guns with micro groove rifling will not shoot lead bullets very well except at reduced loads. Still others say they will shoot Ok with some experimenting, but supposedly ballard rifling is better for lead bullets because the rifling is deeper. Lots of people are loading lead or cast bullets and using rifles with micro groove barrels. I have never tried them cause I have never found the need to shoot anything but jacketed bullets from the ballard rifling in my 45-70 and likely never will.

There is only one lever gun that matters, well to me anyway.... the venerable, one and only, most loved lever gun ever, in the calibre that has taken more deer than any other........the:

Winchester Model 94 in 30.30 WIN.

Cheers, Vince

Vince wrote:

There is only one lever gun that matters, well to me anyway.... the venerable, one and only, most loved lever gun ever, in the calibre that has taken more deer than any other........the: Winchester Model 94 in 30.30 WIN.Cheers, Vince

Yes but that doesn't mean it's better.............

My Marlin 1895 Cowboy seems to shoot lead and jacketed rounds just fine. It really shoots the 300 grain Barnes solid copper bullet very well. It has spanked deer and hogs with authority.
YB

1895ss wrote:

Vince wrote: There is only one lever gun that matters, well to me anyway.... the venerable, one and only, most loved lever gun ever, in the calibre that has taken more deer than any other........the: Winchester Model 94 in 30.30 WIN.Cheers, Vince Yes but that doesn't mean it's better.............

It not only means its better but look at the versatility of the rifle.....its also great for fishing........I'm getting "bites" all the time.


Cheers, Vince

Vince wrote:

There is only one lever gun that matters, well to me anyway.... the venerable, one and only, most loved lever gun ever, in the calibre that has taken more deer than any other........the: Winchester Model 94 in 30.30 WIN.Cheers, Vince

Don't forget, the original cartridge designation of ".30-30" was created by the Marlin Co., for their new lever rifle in the late 1890s.

The Winchester designation for their new model 94 lever was ".30 WCF."

Later, Winchester adopted the ".30-30" to their Model 94. Copycat, so to speak.

So, if you have the 336 Marlin in .30-30, you have the original Marlin cartridge designation, not a "Winchester" cartridge.