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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 9,348
Campfire Outfitter
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OP
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 9,348 |
I have noticed that in my part of the country you still see a few folks using Marlin or Winchester leverguns as their primary deer rifles. I used to see a lot more back in the 1980s. What about in your part of the country?
Always remember that you are unique, just like everyone else.
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 18,508
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 18,508 |
I did for years but I had to change due to where I hunted. Used a Marlin 336C in .35 Rem. with a K 1.5 from '76 to '88. Still drag it around and use it when I can.
JM
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,202
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,202 |
Not as a primary, I've got a Win. 94 in .30-30 that I want to try, but it's old and pre AE so I gotta work on my open sight shooting a bit before I try it on any deer.
Deal with it.
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 460
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 460 |
Since the earlier days, here in my parts, a lot of the timber or woods have been cleared for farm land and more hunters have switched to bolt action w/scopes for the greater ranges. A lot of guys around here started out with lever guns.
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,730
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 5,730 |
I always have a 336 in 30-30 with me at deer camp. Half of our stands won't offer a shot at more than 60-80 yards, some you cannot see more than 50 yards. I always use the 30-30 when I have to chase down a wounded deer. Deer rarely go to open country when wounded and usually seek the thick nasty stuff where when you jump them you have to be able to shoot quick at short range, something that the 336 excels at.
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 9,499
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 9,499 |
I use one(Win M94), but not as a primary. It shares hunting duties with mainly a .308 bolt rifle and a .45-70 lever, usage being almost evenly split.
That rifle and I go way back, and at one time it was all I owned and used, and I have never completely set it aside. It sees a number of days afield each year.
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 17,646
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 17,646 |
Do Savage 99s count? I hunt with them but bought a Marlin Co-Pilot, off a member here, in 45-70, and I small game hunt with a win. 94/22, so I guess so!
Deer Camp! about as good as it gets!
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 616
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 616 |
Winchester Model 71 for at least 30 years, great deer rifle as far as I am concerned.
The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits.- Albert Einstein
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,696
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,696 |
I still use a 336 30-30 but not as a primary. I have it set up right now for my nephew to use this year when I take him hunting for the first time.
Whatever a 7x57 can do a 270 can do better.
True fair chase is you in the woods buttnaked with nothing but your finger nails and teeth.
If you'e fixin' to put a hole in something, make it a hole to remember.
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Joined: May 2010
Posts: 806
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 806 |
One of my sons will carry the 336 this year and I'll carry the Model 99. Seems like I get teased every year by someone carrying a 300+ mincemeater! No big deal...
"Living is hazardous to your health..."
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,235
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,235 |
Ive got a 336 30-30. I carry it when going after deer in thick stuff. Have had it for 4 years and the only thing i have killed with it is gophers and jackrabbits. I really need to bloody this thing. Just got too many new guns that havent killed yet so i cant ever make up my mind on what to take.
Proverbs 12:27 The lazy do not roast any game, but the diligent feed on the riches of the hunt.
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,273
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 12,273 |
This will probably be the first year in a while that the Marlin 336 will not be seeing duty. It has been the yute rifle of choice for my sons for a number of years. However, my youngest graduated to the M1 Garand this year. I'm now thinking of loading it with 130 grainers and repurposing it as the designated coyote gun.
My Savage 99 in 308 WIN has been my GOTO gun for years.
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 18,033
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 18,033 |
Deer season and lever guns just go together like a good PBJ sandwich. I still see lots of Winnys and Marlins in the woods here in Minnesota. 'Seems like a popular choice among the younger folks, and a "retro" choice for some of the older crowd. Mine just got a little heavy. I'm heading the other way. There's gonna be a nice lightweight rig in my near future. 'Thinking about putting together a nice little bolt rig in .257 Bob or a 6.5 Swede. We don't have ATV's so everything goes in on our back or in our hands, and my old Mauser and my 99 are both getting a little heavy.
molɔ̀ːn labé skýla
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 13,604
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 13,604 |
my marlin 336 30-30 will likely be my goto this year since I'm having problems with my 260 scope rings/bases
Beware of any old man in a profession where one usually dies young.
Calm seas don't make sailors.
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 6,798
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 6,798 |
Indiana passed a pistol caliber rifle season, here in 2007. I bought a Marlin 1894, 44 mag., in 2008, and have used it ever since. I've taken 5 deer with the rifle, the last 2 seasons. I sold my shotgun, right after I bought the rifle.
maddog
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 13,604
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 13,604 |
thats cool, I think more states should do that in traditional shotgun zones. heck they allow pistols that shoot rifle rounds so why not?
Beware of any old man in a profession where one usually dies young.
Calm seas don't make sailors.
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,300
Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,300 |
thats cool, I think more states should do that in traditional shotgun zones. heck they allow pistols that shoot rifle rounds so why not? It does make perfect sense.... Ingwe
"...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 6,798
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 6,798 |
Yeah, but I wish I could[legally] use my .45-70 guide gun. I've shot bears, hogs, and African plains game with it, but can't use it, here in Indiana for whitetails. Go figger..... maddog
Last edited by maddog; 09/24/10.
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 13
New Member
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New Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 13 |
My go to gun is a Marlin 336 30-30. I hunt swamp in the UP of Michigan with a lot of brush. Perfect choice since I only have to reach out at most 50-60 yards. Love my lever action rifle......BIG TIME!!!!!!
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,235
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,235 |
Marlins are my primary deer / bear rifles There is one winchester that sneaks in for late season when the leaves are gone and we have a little snow . It has to go on another rack though so the marlins don't beat it up
Phil
�The public cannot be too curious concerning the characters of public men.� �Samuel Adams
"All men having power ought to be distrusted to a certain degree." --James Madison
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