It doesn’t matter what you use, as long as you know how to use it.
A 30-30 / 35 Rem or 44 mag lever gun would be great too. I like Marlins, because you can pull the bolt out and clean from the breach. That is something you can ‘t do with a Rem pump rifle or BLR ( not easily at least). I used to own a Browning BLR in 358 Win. Sold it because it was so simple to clean my Marlin 336a ( 30-30) from the breach in camp, and not the case for the BLR.
Never owned a Rem pump rifle, but overall a nice rifle. The Benoit family in Vermont certainly liked them ( look them up online Benoit+deer hunting to see what find, if you don’t know about them already).
You only need one good shot. A bolt action rifle allows good cartridge selection, and cleaning from the breach. It rains and snows in Maine. It’s nice to get the rifle clean and dry after a dose of Mother Nature.
My 2 cents, and I live / hunt in Maine.
Last edited by buttstock; 06/10/18.
