Just wondering how many folks here use Mariln or Winchester leverguns, what they use and why?

My first levergun was a Ithac Model 49 .22 single shot. Got it when I was about 12. When I was in my early 30's Dad gave me his Browning B92 carbine in .44 Mag. This became my backup elk/deer rifle and I used it at least one day every year for the last 20+ years.

I'd always wanted a .30-30 because they looked cool and everytime I handled one they felt so good in my hands. But I felt a .30-30, like the .44 Mag, was a little light for elk hunting. A .307Win, though, sounded about right!

After at least two years of looking for a .307 Marlin I discovered that Marlin shipped about 16,000 rifles in .375Win, 3,000 in .356Win, and a fat ZERO in .307 Win. About that time I found a nice Marlin in .375Win at a gun show and it followed me home. I figured the .375 would be a perfect compromise - more power than a .30-30 and less recoil than a .45-70. But all that did was whet my appetite and I started looking for a used .45-70 to go with it. Found a pristine 2 year-old Marlin 1895 at a local gun shop for $249.95. Figured something was wrong with it but nothing that couldn't be fixed. Turned out it was perfect.

Bullets for the .375Win are limited - a Sierra 200g, a Hornady 220g and Barnes 220g and 255g bullets. My Marlin likes the Hornadys so that's what I shoot.

The .45-70 has turned out to be a real joy to shoot. I've developed 18 or 19 different loads for it. For plinkers I load 300g hardcast over 13.5g HS-6 and get .22LR velocities with about half the recoil of a .30-30. My girls love these loads and so do I. My hunting loads use a 350g bonded core North Fork at 2183fps. Recoil with these is pretty stiff, not quite double a .30-06. Then I have my "Rhino Blaster" loads, a 460g hardcast at 1812fps. Recoil on these is even stiffer, about 48 foot-pounds when the scope is off. (Per Point Blank, of course!) I keep these around because you never know when a rhino will trot through your back yard. Besides, in water jug tests these loads penetrate 9 jugs - that's 2-3 more than anything else I've tested except Speer's 500g African Grand Slam Tungsten Solid. (The AGS Tungsten Solid costs over $5 each, and I split a box of 25 with 4 other guys. The one I shot into jugs went out the side of the 9th jug and buried itself in the earthen berm. )

Howdy. I have a buddy that shoots the 444 marlin and loves it. He was curious if you have had any experience with the ghost ring sights. And if so where the cheapest place to buy them is. Thanx.

shrpshtrjoe wrote:

Howdy. I have a buddy that shoots the 444 marlin and loves it. He was curious if you have had any experience with the ghost ring sights. And if so where the cheapest place to buy them is. Thanx.

shrpshtrjoe -

I don't have much experience as none of my rifles are so equipped. But you can send you buddy to www.marlinowners.com "Big Bore" forum and the guys there will be able to help out.

An another note, I posted this poll a couple days ago - before I became the proud ower of a Marlin 336 in .30-30. Went to the gun show with my hunting buddy and ound a very nice, 16 year-old 336 with a Buchnell 3x9 scope mounted. The scope isn't the one I would choose these days, but I had a similar one on my Ruger 7mm Mag for over 20 years and never had a problem with it.

WIll undoubtedly get a Williams FireSight front bead i the near term. Eventually I will get a 3x9 (probably a Simmons Aetec) for my Ruger .257 Roberts and move the 4x Leupold that is on it to the Marlin .30-30. And replace the rings and bases at the same time with Warne Quick disconnect rings and bases.

Gave the .30-30 a trigger job today and what a difference! Went from heavy and very creepy and gritty feeling to no creep, very clean and just a hair heavier than I would feel is optimum on a hunting rifle. Good enough and then some!

Yes, I prefer a .35 Remington, but did not see that as a choice in the poll. All the best...
Gil

I've had a 45/70 for almost 29 years now and killed a few deer with the 300gr. WW hollow point load.

GilMartin wrote:

Yes, I prefer a .35 Remington, but did not see that as a choice in the poll. All the best... Gil

Oooops! Sorry about that...

Saw a new Marlin 336C at Dick's yesterday - $279. The dang thing nearly followed me home, and would have if a .30-30 hadn't followed me home last week.

Count another Model 336 in .35 Rem. It must be my favorite its my only lever gun.

Add another for the 35 Rem, mine is a 1970, 336 and had a lot of deer and hogs behind it. Just refinished the stock and it looks almost as good as new.

Do I count??? I have a 30.06 bolt action Marlin.

Well Coyote hunter .
I got to know you a bit when you were on Marlin talk and I had questions on the 45/70.
Now I don't hear to much about the 45/70of yours and as for me - I sold it.

I bought a BLR in 358 which is in for repair a rifle I believe I will enjoy once I have it working right .
You seem to enjoy the 30/30. they are good little guns and easy on the pocket book.

I don.t think there is a finer gun than the older Marlins . Mine was made just before the microgrove bore came out . the action is as smooth as butter since there seemed to be some handfitting when it was made.
The stock sports an oil finish now, which seems warmer than that sprayed on finsh oof today. Yes Add another vote to the 336/35

Of all my firearms my favorite one to hunt with or just shoot is my 1948 Winchester .30 WCF. My second favorite hunting firearm is a 38 year old Colt .357 Mag SAA 4 3/4" barrel.

I have two Marlins a 17v (if you don't own a 17HMR you need one ! )and a 1894P in 44rem mag. The little 44 mag is a blast, I shoot mostly cast bullets out of it, it's set up with a 2.5 scope, and my 10yr old son now uses it, as his Deer rifle. That gun is dream to carry.

30-30, that is my lever gun. I have killed more than enough deer with it. I like because of its feel and weight. I can carry it all day with little or no effort.

Mostly my son uses it now. He is a lefty and the top eject seems to suit him just fine. Range has not been a problem In the past three years he has taken three deer.

longwalker

Only have the one, 45-70 GG. I enjoy shooting it. Shot a 300# boar and a small black bear with factory 300 gr. You sent me a copy of your data base of loads while on Marlin's big bore. Cleaned and sized my firat batch of shells and when I get some things caught up around here I'll start working up my first loads. Got nearly 1,000 405 gr Rem. for free. Well make for a lot of fun at the range. Was given what must be a couple hundred of w.w. so I got the Lee Pro 4-20, a couple ingot molds, and a ladle for added fun.

Since I only own one lever gun, a 444 Marlin, first edition, it is my favorite lever gun. But I have never hunted with it..... darned if I know why, come to think of it. But I keep it around as my son shot his first deer with the rifle.