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[quote=TexasShooter]I would choose a Marlin chambered in 444 Marlin. Flatter trajectory than the 45-70 but still hard hitting delivering a heavy payload. As others have mentioned, the Marlin lever is easy to field strip. I jammed one once on a bear hunt. I made a poor shot on the bear and short-stroked the action trying to take a second shot. The bear went out into a marsh while I pulled out my knife to clear the jam. I got it cleared pretty quickly and followed the bear, ultimately catching up with it and killing it.

I doubt I could have corrected a BLR in time to put it back in use. Here's the rifle I cleared with a knife.
https://i.imgur.com/NXYmPO2.jpg
I was using iron sights on the hunt I described. I added the scope later. Also, you might note the aftermarket lever takedown screw. That too was added later and really makes taking the action apart simple without tools.

T.S
if you know how to use a lever correctly you won`t have much trouble , i grew up using levers in bear country . just the old plain Jane 30-06 is still good enough rather its 50 yards or 300 yards and the tips of my bullets out of my BLR will still be accurate and can be used by someone else out of a bolt rifle 30-06 . > just maybe those old beat up bent tips out of a lever with a tube will jam up a lever i have seen that
happen too ?

I have a BLR in 358 Winchester. I've shot both Whitetails and black Bear with it. Great rifle and round.


Dan

Funny I've never seen those "old beat up bent tips" in a lever cause a jam or degrade accuracy to any significant/noticeable degree and I've been shooting the piss out of and hunting with Marlin and Winchester levers for 44 years. In fact, I have several bolt actions that will "beat up"/flatten the tips of soft point bullets in their magazines when the cartridge in the chamber is fired worse than any of my lever guns. Furthermore, if beat up tips bother you, there are various bullet options for tube magazines out there that will completely eliminate the issue. The Hornady flex tip, Winchester ballistic silvertip and various hollow point options from Winchester and Barnes being a few examples.

Yep, the only lever jam I have ever experienced was my fault. I have many Winchester, Marlin and Savage levers that I use in the field. They are quick and reliable. I am confident the same is true of the Brownings. And then.... there's the Henry Long Ranger. ;-)

T.S.

I thought about a Long Ranger until I handled one... action just felt rough, and the stock didn't fit me very well.

I do own a BBS carbine in 327, and it's a little jam prone. The action isn't really scaled down to the cartridge, so sometimes it'll try to pick up a round cockeyed off the elevator and jam up. Not a huge deal, but it does get a bit annoying sometimes.

no problem for me at all i use either my BLR or my Ruger # 1 and my rifles shoot well with my bullets on bucks at any distance.

I owned both and shoot right or left handed a BLR is a better rifle in a cartridge based on the 308 with a 20" barrel....you can go up from the 308 or down they all will take down deer with a proper shot....I favor 358 Win. heaver bullet just not easy to find in a store....308 Win is easy to find shop around and get ammo at great price.....

The 444 Marlin is more problematic so far as factory ammo.
But what isn't right now?
I reload for everything so my favorite is a 45-70. I shoot the 300 JHP in reduced load in an original TD carbine that was relined. I run full power Marlin level loads in an 1895XLR as well as a Ruger No 1. This year I had my first ever experience with a deer moving after being shot with that load but it was my fault as I shot it through the heart. It made it about 15 feet. A double lung shot drops them there.
I also have a Marlin 336 ER in 356 Win that has a bit flatter trajectory but I did not use it on deer yet. The 180 Speer JFP gives me very good groups in that gun and has a great reputation on deer.

Of your choices, I would choose a Marlin 1895. Put a Skinner rear peep on and you will be good to go. To me, the Marlin feels better in my hands, especially when carrying, compared to my BLR .358.

However, if you care to expand on those 2 choices, take a look at a Winchester (or Browning) model 71. There is still factory ammo available (not by the manufacturers though) and if you reload, cases and bullets are available. You can hunt with the rifle that was designed for big game hunting in exactly the country you will be hunting in. Swift makes 200 grain a-frames and thus loaded, you will be.good for anything you will come across.

Good luck with your choice!

Manny

I would choose a BLR in .308 Winchester. Better bullet choices, better trajectory, and so on.

If you decide to opt for a 308 lever, I have a Savage 99C that is an extra and is for sale.
The 308 Win does have more reach than other levers.
Lots of good choices in a lever gun to be had.

this is a good choice too ! Savage 99 ,Browning BLR just get a rifle with easy to find ammo 308 or 30-06 both shoot well at a couple of hundred yards , as a Alaskan bear guide said to me when i asked him what rifle he preferred and he said i like a rifle i can shoot bears at 150 -200 yards before things can get ugly.

I live and hunt in the adirondacks and I use a stainless 7=08 BLR with a pistol grip great b

That’s the one I’d like to find myself. Those suckers are a gem and they just aren’t around much these days.

Thanks for opinions/views folks - much appreciated. It would appear folks have lots of confidence in both options.

Well, I have a short action BLR, '99, 336, and a '94 and I like 'em all! The smoothest is the BLR and with the short lever throw, is the fastest to operate. The next smoothest is the Savage 99 and is probably the best fit of all. Marlin 336 comes next on the smoothness and fit table but, I dislike the long lever throw. The '94 is a slim, trim little carbine that is easy to carry but, as for fit, I like the other three much better. My suggestion to you is to try and locate them and see how they handle before buying one. Because the BLR comes in both long and short action, try them both to judge the handling. Hope you find what you like, they're a lot of fun.

A SS Marlin in 45-70 if I was hunting anything BIG with 4 legs, 30-30 SS 336 for everything else.
No way I would want a detachable magazine rifle back in the dead blow downs & prickly ash 40 mi from town.

I have a 99 EG savage in 300 savage. It’s a classic I still deer hunt with this rifle today. If I was buying new today, it would be a BLR. I’ve had a couple BLR’s in the past and still have one today.

I believe either is a good choice and would shoulder both before deciding. My first rifle was a 336, 40 years ago and never had an issue due to weather. I live in New England and hunted in rain, snow, and temps down into the negative digits and the Marlins have never failed me. Not saying a BLR would and the BLR IMO, gives you a better selection of cartridges. To me though, the BLR length of pull is a tad bit longer and doesn't come to my shoulder as quick.

In the Marlins I've had 30-30's, 35 rems, 308 Marlin, and 444. The 444 to me had more recoil than needed and ballistics didn't truly do anything over what a 45-70 will do, 45-70 ammo being more common and a far greater selection of bullet weights, options and loads.

Again, the key is what feels better in your hands

I had only one BLR and have six Marlins.

If long range was part of the equation the choices for me would be Henry or BLR or perhaps a Marlin in 308 Marlin.

I’m still looking for more Marlins. I have no experience with Henry’s.