Lever Action Rifle for Deer Hunting - Need Advice

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CZ-Guy

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I'm looking for a new rifle for deer hunting and plinking both. I've been wanting a lever action for quite a while and was wondering if someone can give me a recommendation for a lever action in the right caliber for deer.

Right now, I'm leaning towards a Marlin 336W in 30-30, or maybe a Henry H009 in 30-30. I know Browning has several lever actions in a variety of calibers, including 270 and 30-06 - but they are a bit much for my budget.

Whatever I get, I'll want to mount a scope on it. The majority of my hunting will be in the woods of the Missouri Ozarks, so I don't anticipate super long-range.

Thanks in advance for all of the advice.
 
The Marlin and Henry are both great guns that scope well. The Henry is definitely built like a tank, and heavy, which to me takes away a lot of the reason to own a lever gun. I would also add the Mossberg 464 to the mix, they really are a nice gun.
 
Ive never handled the henry. I do like the 336, and the 464 from mossberg felt nice when i handled it but ive never shot it.
 
The Brownings are really a different class than traditional tube fed lever guns. The BLRs are available in a wide array of calibers and are stocked for use with scopes.
 
Win or Marlin 30-30

Look in the classifieds, pawn shops, and gun stores for a good clean used Marlin or Winchester 30-30. Both are great guns. I've seen clean looking Marlin 30-30's for 250 bucks. Put a low powered scope or peep sight on it and you are ready to hunt. How far do you plan on shooting? If you are within 100-150 yards you can just get the cheap 30-30 Remington CoreLokt ammo and be fine. The Hornady Evolution ammo is good and groups are usually pretty tight too.

If you want to just target shoot, look at those Henry 22 lever action rifles. Winchester and Marlin 22 lever rifles are not as cheap as the Henry. Again look for used. 30-30 ammo is expensive to do a lot of target shooting, at least for me.
 
I almost bought a Henry 30-30 not too long ago. Butter smooth lever, and pointed very nicely. But, as mentioned above, it is a bit heavier than the Marlin. For me though, that wasn't the ultimate deal breaker. My problem was/is that I am only 5'5" and the longer LOP of the Henry (13.75" I think) was a bit more than I wanted. In fact, I went the other direction, and found a Winchester 94 compact, which has a 12.5" LOP; just right for me.

So, what does that mean for you? Have you handled the Henry? They are nice, that's for sure. They are a tad more expensive than Marlin too.

I trolled the pawn shops and online auction sites (can I say that?) and found my Winny that way.

So I suggest what others have said - go looking at the used ones. I think there are still lots of them out there. Heck, even garage sales produce them sometimes.
 
The newer 94AE rifles came drilled for a scope. But the pre-2010 Marlin 336 is my favorite rifle. The new ones are not as nice, with plenty of poor representations still being made at Remington. For the price of a 336W, you could land a good 336C from the pre-1983 era without that crossbolt safety. Hit the pawn shops and used gun racks and you'll strike Marlin gold.
 
.30-30 is your friend. I love it in my Winchester 94 carbine, as both a deer cartridge and as a plinker. You'll want to reload it though for that latter purpose.

Find a used post 64/pre-angle eject carbine, put a peep sight on the rear, don't worry about no scope and have fun. Around here that's about $250 total and that's as good as it gets.
 
I would go with a marlin 30/30, mossberg 30/30, or rossi rio grande 30/30. But my first pick above these is a used savage 99.
 
Pre-2010 Marlin 336 or a pre-1964 Winchester 94 would be nice. I looked at a brand new Marin 336 today and MAN was I disappointed in the craftsmanship! And it costs more than it did a couple years ago!!!
 
The Marlin 336 is a good choice. I bought one about ten years ago and it still serves
as my deer rifle when I hunt in wooded areas or heavy brush. I have no regrets at all
about buying it.
 
The new marlins are lacking in fit and finish as well as the internal components. It's such a shame to see such a great company ruined by the freedom group.
 
I see you guys keep indicating that the vintage 336 models can be easily found and under $300 - but I'm not seeing it. I will check with a few local shops tomorrow, but for the most part, all of the online auction sites are looking for $400+ for ones in decent shape.
 
I bet if you go to three or four local shops you'll come across an old Marlin or Winchester eventually for a good price. Online is overpriced. They're pretty common in pawn shops too.
 
I see you guys keep indicating that the vintage 336 models can be easily found and under $300 - but I'm not seeing it.
Click to expand...

Huh? Where? I wouldn't say that a good used Marlin at under $300 is common these days. More like $350. But what you get is head and shoulders above that 336W deal. Lot's of people will say that $350 is too much for a used 30-30, but its not. A pre-64 winchester 94 is a $500 rifle in good condition. I would pay up to $400 for a good looking 336C in great working condition.
 
I'd look at the Rossi Rio Grande while you are at it. Side ejection like a Marlin, should be an attractive price point too.
 
I always liked my Marlin 336 in .35 Remington, a fine cartridge and a great little woods rifle. Today .35 ammo isn't allo that common so would probably go with 30-30 if doing it again, but I would stick with the Marlin.
 
+1 on checking on the "Glenfield" option as well.

Classic Marlin metal with a slightly downscale wood for the stock. I believe it was Sears that sold them under that name. If you're not worried about the quality of the wood used for the stock then you may save a bundle on the cost.

It's still certainly useable wood. Just a little on the plain side. But where it counts it's Marlin all the way.
 
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