Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Deer Hunting BRAND NEW 7600 vs 336ss vs BLR for Northeast

Hey guys,

If you were looking for a brand new, off-the-shelf, 100 yard or less whitetail rifle which one would you pick? I'm thinking a 7600 carbine, BLR short action or a lever Marlin or Henry in .30-30. The thing is, I keep reading about quality issues with all of them. Just looking for a reliable rifle that is of decent quality these days.

Easy pick for me - 7600. Other's mileage will no doubt vary.

Whatever fast twist 223 I could find.

Like levers but the edge for me goes to the 7600. I wouldn't be concerned with reliability of a new 7600.

None of the above. Whatever you get needs to be chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor. Those things connect so many dots it's freakin unreal.

I'd get the Marlin 30-30.

7600 over a lever anything

10/10 votes for the 7600. The new Remington made marlin is a tank. If you want a marlin, get a used one. Actually, if you want a 7600, get a used one, 2009 or later.

if steelhead gives you advice don't take it

The 7600 is capable of much more than 100 yards. My dad has kills with his '06 out to 480 yards.

The 7600 is a very solid option. I love levers though.

At 100 yards you really can't go wrong with either. The 7600 in an 06 would give you the option of going further if you ever needed to though

-Jake

elel -

I’m typing this BEFORE I read any other responses.

“I” would look and find an ‘older” 7600 in a cartridge you like. For woods hunting any between 243 & 06 will do nicely.

I appreciate and like the 336 except for it’s weight. Also ‘older’ 336s are preferred.

I have ** had ** & like the BLRs too......so it boils down to your preference. (edit to add --- HAD)
Good Luck
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Now I’ve read the others and DID NOT change or edit my answer.

Jerry

If you're already considering the BLR and Henrys, you might take a look at the Henry Long Ranger in .308. Some similarity to the BLR. Don't have one, but have heard good things so far.

Personally, my lever guns are Savage 99s, but they're not an option if you want new production.

7600

7600 . If I had to pick a chambering, I'd go 30-06.

The only downside to them is the @$#@$# magazine.

If I couldn't find a 7600 in 243 I'd definitely go with a 336 Marlin. Getting a 308 or 30-06 to hunt sub 100 yard deer doesn't make any sense to me.

I owned a henry 22 rifle that had so much plastic and poorly designed magazine retention systems that I wouldn't even look at anything else.

7600 is universal and I wouldn't get a carbine... carbine is too loud and velocity loss. The nice thing about a pump is your hands don't leave the stock. You would have a gun with mare range capability if needed.

Marlin 336 would be my other choice. Find a used one to get nicer wood. An old long barreled 336A is my preference.

A browning is tempting, but I would find a savage 99 just for the old red wool cool factor. 300 savage is a fantastic deer round.

Good luck in your quest and tell us if you buy one.

BLR and don't look back

If your hunting is under 100 yards, I would consider a 336 in 35 Rem, a BLR in 450 Bushmaster, or any 30-30.

I have never read of major issues with the BLR or Henry. I have two Henry’s which are rimfires and they are accurate and reliable. I am a browning fan and own several but never a BLR. I have read about issues with Remingtons, but sometimes things around here get blown a wee bit out of proportion just like sitting around a real campfire. I have not had any issues with the few Remingtons I’ve owned. I have witnessed issues with Marlin but that was 07-12 or 13 and I have read they are much better now but have not shot any new marlins.

Another good option would be an 1894 Marlin in 44 Mag. The 1894 is my favorite lever action. It’s thin, points well, scopes easily, simple to take apart for a lever action and they simply shoot well. The 44 mag will be the easiest to find and the cheapest. Ammo will be cheap and easy as well.

Any of the three you mentioned will work but like everyone else that doesn't just answer the question posed but will add their favorites, so will I. If it were me my first choice would be an original Winchester Model 71 .348 Win or one of the Browning copies, you could use the new Winchesters but they have that useless redundant safety on the tang. My second choice would be a Savage 99 in .300 Savage, it just plain works and they are pretty much everywhere at reasonable prices. My 2 cents.

If you are set on a Rem 7600 consider one in .35 Whelen

You sure won’t lose much velocity on a car one to matter. And no way in hell you’d lose so much that it would be the 30-30 range of the lever.