I have one too. Great gun. Shoots subMOA and I'm only ok. Recoil is less than a 30-06 shooting 180 gr bullets (About 70% of the recoil)
These are NOT a 30-30 with the ballistics of an 06. They are a huge step up in tube fed lever guns. A 400 yard rifle with typically MOA or even subMOA accuracy. And they're a lot of fun too cuz, well, it's a lever gun.
I have the MX with the 22 " barrel, not the 24" MXLR so my feedback is from that gun.
It's sightly heavier than a 30-30 but feels lighter because it's so well balanced. It's quick to bring up and get on target with. Friends handling it have said the same thing. People I've let shoot it at the range are darn well impressed by it.
So far, the hunting reports have been outstanding. Marlin owner members have reported things like
1 Dropping deer with one shot at 338 yards (hows that for a coincidence, they used a rangefinder to verify it.
2. neck shot on a coyote at 370 yards
3. Elk down at various ranges with one shot, couple people pumped 2 but said the 2nd was unnecessary.
4. Deer down at many ranges with one shot
5. Bison dropped with one shot
and so on.
So if you think the cartridge selection is limited . . . is that really a problem?
(I bought mine after hunting season, so can't give a personal report.)
There are now molds for cast lead boolits for the 338. Components are available. Remington has announced a 250 gr RN. But if you have to shoot past 200 yards the 200 gr Lever Evolution is the better choice.
People that have these luv 'em. Several people reporting their older levers are gathering dust because this has become their go to rifle.
Mine's outfitted with a Leupold 2.5x8 36mm scope, a Montana sling, and I'm playing with recoil pads to decide which one I want to have as a permanent one. So now its wearing a Pachmyr decelerator slip on. (the MXLR has a recoil pad, the MX has a solid rubber pad)
Here's the rifle
Here's a 5 shot group at 100 yards in gusts up to 35 or 40 mph. May not be enough to move the bullet, but it was blowing me around.
Still shot 0.8 inches horizontal and 1.2 inches vertical, center to center. The highest hole is actually from 2 bullets. That's where the 5th bullet went.
Now if you only want a deer gun, try the 308 Marlin Express. Even milder recoil, just as accurate, and just as fun.