Hmmm....ok...here's the choice I have to settle between for a new centerfire. Now...For right now I'm confined to usually under 100 yards so my 870 with slug barrel does just dandy and is quite accurate open site. I however want something stouter than my other centerfires. I've narrowed to three options. The first one is unlikely but I've wanted one for like 5 or 6 years.


Springfield Armory M1A1 loaded with chromoly steel barrel, black synthetic stock chambered of course in .308. Awesome weapon, great heritage but I'm iffy because of price. I've found few for under 1200.

Marlin 1895 chambered in 450 cal. Now...I have REALLY wanted this puppy b/c I love a lever gun. And who wouldnt want to throw out a shell near 500 grains into a deer or occasional chipmunk. Price is not bad either at $454 at Walmart.

Remington 700 SPS chambered in .338 or 7mm ultra mag, a basic walmart gun out of the box but would turn as follows: trigger job, free floated stainless fluted bullbarrel, harris bipod, possibly ultimate target/sniper stock, and a few other little odd n end things.

Bang for the buck goes to that Marlin...but I consider my effective range and think how hunts later on will bring me further west in TN and I need more range. Any input from our gun gurus. or from any owners of these? It's hard. I want them all and they all fit me great but I can only get one at a time.

 

If you're wanting a lever gun for the occasional deer or plinking purposes I'd opt for a Marlin 336 in a .30-.30.

The M1A is what I'd really go after, but like you said it is a fine weapon at a high price, but I'd say it would be worth every penny if you got enough pennies!

 

Another option for ya. The Marlin also comes in a 45-70. Usually, I wouldn't think much of a 45-70 but my lil brother just picked up a new model Winchester chambered in 45-70 a model 86 I believe. It was around $1200 and I have been impressed how flat shooting it is for the size pill it spits out. He has dropped a hog at 250 yards with it and according to him there wasn't much difference between it being hit with the 45-70 or a Peterbuilt. A coyote also didn't stand a chance at 150 yards. If you handload, the 444 Marlin is also a great shooter. I have one of the pre-safety models and it shoots in hole at 100 yards. Not the kind of accuracy generally associated with the large calibers. I have the 265 Grain soft point coming out of the barrel at 2400' per second. That's a pretty hot load for this gun but it shoot good, and drops a 500 lbs hog with authority. Components for both cartridges are common although not cheap. Loaded ammo is also not cheap but the 45-70 will have a greater variety of loadings and bullets. He is shooting the Winchester 300 SP in his. He bought a case of ammo and it wasn't cheap. The 308 is a fun shoot and I have several of the M1a's. Ammo is much cheaper but there is just something about showing up at camp with a big gun that gets everybodies attention.

 

if you are shootin under a 100yrds, the cal.'s you are talkin about are way overkill. go w/ a .30-.30 or something small like that as birdhunter suggested. if you miss w/ a big cal. it's going a long distance. the 870 12 ga is working for you. why change. the 336 marlin is a good 100 yd rifle & easy on the wallet when target shooting. & it's a lever action. another good deal is a winchester .32 special lever. hope you find a good rig. i just beg you not to go too big

 

All of the above replies are great answers.

The .450 Marlin is a great round, but, it's still not too available in 'remote' locales.
I would opt for the 1895G (Guide Gun) in .45/70 Gov't., instead.

The M1-A is a fantastic rifle, but, it costs the most. Great caliber, too.

The Remington 700 in either the .338 or the 7mm ultra mag is waaaaaay too much caliber for White-Tail. (IMO.)

I've seen what the .338 does to black bear at short distances and the bullet didn't even open up. (Awesome caliber with less felt recoil than the .300 Win Mag.)

For short ranges (under 200 yds.), my choice would be the Marlin in either .45/70 or .30-30.

 

so glad OOBlueOvalRanger put in. he seems to know his weapons. if it's a 100yd or less shot the .30.30 is enough. bigger isn't better @ this range

 

For deer hunting @ under 100 yards, I would recommend either a Marlin or Winchesher lever action 30-30, or if you want bolt action, a Remington Model 700 30-06.

 

If you want a lever gun in popular calibers look at the Browning BLR. I have one in 308. It shoots 1/2 inch groups at 100 yrds. Its light weight & compact.

 

lariat97....dude read your post. if i have a rifle w/ "calipers" im hittin the brakes. i do know what you are talking about. lol

 

I have a Marlin 336 in 35 cal remington. Great gun, dont seem to fit me quite as well. As to why I want this much weapon....I simply ask you...why not have a big flippin gun? I just want my collection to grow and add some longrange heavy hitting backbone.

 

fordtruckguystx,,,, if you want to get rid of it im me. i collect

 

Sorry I guess I have calipers on the brain. I had one fall off of my truck last wk. I edited my post.

 

i know the deal lariat. i just replaced all my ...ummmm brakes, lines, i mean,,, hell i don't know what i mean

 

Your appitite for more and more guns is commendable. My kinda guy, and your choice of calibers is interesting for collecting and shooting but a bit of an overkill for hunting. A Western hunt is a great goal but I've lived out here for over 20 years and have never seen an elephant or water buffalo. A Marlin or Browning all 'round lever gun for Eastern hunts is a good choice but I prefer it in a .35 opposed to a 30.30 . Less cripples getting away. I consider a .308/30.06 as large as needed in the lower 40 except for grizzly or moose. I carried a Remington 700 in 30.06 one year for one week of a Pa. deer season. One of only three guns I have ever sold. Way too much gun to lug around for white tail. For two years my Son and Grandson have each harvested bull elk in Az. with 30.06s. The trend of the manufacturers in the last few years has been to big calibers because we all have the standard ones. They need to incourage another market. It's not the size of the gun but the skill of the shooter..........All of the above, JMHO.......

 

I love the Remington 700 in 338 ulrta mag. Talk about a great squirrel rifle. (nothing better than reaching out 600yds and knocking a deer on its butt either)You could also look into a Win 273....also available as a lever action. If your shooting up tp 100yds, its not a bad round, and can be bought rather cheap. As other have said, the 30-06 is a awesome round as well.