I've got an older Marlin, pre-side safety 1895, I think, and it's great with jacketed bullets. It's got Micro-Groove rifling and I haven't had much luck with limited experience with lead.
My bud has a Guide Gun, and it's very accurate and taken lots of deer. His had the ported barrel and sent it back for a non-ported barrel that's not nearly as loud.
Marlin makes a strong rifle. I don't load mine very hot, as I enjoy the use of my shoulder, and neitehr does my friend. With a hot load, which I've shot a time or two, it's a bit too much for me in the recoil department.
