Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Ultimate "Big Woods"deer rifle

Since the OP is enamored of slab sided rifles, I see that Marlin has announced a stainless 336 Trapper in 308 M.E. available from Davidson's.

Pete

Since I hunted in many Pa. camps during that time, I have to say you are correct. The levers ruled for the most part with the exception of the old military mausers and Krags. These were often looked on as something you bought on the cheap for a kid to start with. Also more than a few shotguns with pumpkins balls were seen.

Some of the outdoor writers of the day who hunted primarily in the West, eventually had a great influence on what was used in the East combined with the fact the Eastern forest was opening up.

I think the gunwriters get too much credit--would say they contributed but the enabling factor was the rise of disposable income in the 60s and the resultant plethora of new choices.

Miguel: FWIW, my brother was a slab-sided slut and he settled on the 444 as the ultimate...the 45-70 was a bit much... He did want his optics a bit larger on the objective end of things for low light...

Miguel,

Miguel,

My answer to your question a couple of years ago was to buy a Marlin 336SC in 30-30. Your criteria is shots inside 100 yards, as mine is up here. Inside 100 yards for Deer or Black Bear does not require a scope, so I went with a Williams rear peep and a firefly front with hood. That 170 gn Nosler Partition is THE answer for a bullet, and it shoots accurately for my kids 336 as well as mine with IMR-4895.
Other choices I considered were the Sav 99 in 300 Sav, and an old Rem 141 in 35. What happened was, the 336SC came available before the others, so I bought the SC. Not sorry in the least.
Like you, I wanted a lever gun. I have enough bolt rifles and had no lever guns.

Thinking you are correct. The income angle had considerable influence.

Then again O'Connor, Keith, Ruark and the like influenced more than a few. Many of my fathers time sacrificed disposable income for a Model 70 or semi-custom Mauser. Much like today.

So, Miguel,

Take all these suggestions and go to Sergie's, buy the spaghetti special, and think it over. Sergie's is still open isn't it? That drive up through Colton, Seveys Corners, and Tupper can get a bit snowy near the end of hunting season, can't it?

I hunted, fished, trapped the Oswegatchie, Star Lake, Cranberry Lake country for 50 years. Born and raised there. One of the greatest Adirondack rifles is the 300Savage. The 99 model F is a lightweight, fast handling, sleek piece that's known to be quite accurate. The slab side holds and carries beautifully. And for anyone who is obsessing about it, the safety is quiet.

If you hand load take a look at the wildcat suggested by 358WSM early in this post.
I have never seen a 35-300Sav. It should be close to the 358 in power, between the 35Rem and 35Whelen.

IMHO the 99 Savage is one of the finest rifles ever made. Looks right with the "straight" stock, crescent steel but, and a 2.5 or 3 or 4x20 scope on it.

May you enjoy many years of wandering around the Adirondacks. When I began hunting (1948) I was told, "never take a compass into the woods. Always carry two! Because, sooner or later you will not believe what your compass is telling you but the second one will confirm it's truth."

Best to you,

Jim

Remington 760, Savage 99, Marlin 336.

I knew that was coming

Can't disagree either!

I'd get a Pre-Basketweave in 257 Rob, 300 Savage, 308 Win or 35 Rem!

Amish machine Gun circa 70's... love it.

7600 Factory Carbine .35 Whelen


And Yes The Bi-pod was Just To Take The Pic Standing Up!!

Too bad the sights fell off it. Looks bubba.

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When I turn 50 I will put them back on pal.

he's just jealous of our carbines bridgetowner. here's one with the sights.

Nice try, but I've owned several 7600s in 35 Whelen (carbine included) over the years. Other pumps include .223, 270, 308, 30-06, 35Rem, 358Win.

Here's the one I owned, avec sights ....



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Here's my current "Big Woods" deer rifle. M700 in 358Win w/20" bbl. with 2x7

Perfect for woods hunting.

I dont recall that being a Factory Carbine ol'Boy!!

It wasn't. I had it cut down. I also had one with a 20" bbl. They handle better than the 18.5" offerings.

A "factory" carbine held no interest for me. I passed on them when they were offered at Epps when they first came in. They had 5 in stock at the time.

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Well that is definitly a matter of opinion...And yes your right they had 5(with mine being one of them)

I have played around with quite a few "big woods" rifles for the past few years here in NH. I have experimented with a Ruger .44 mag lever, Marlin 336 in .35, a 336 .30-30 with a 24" barrel (older A model), Remington 7400 carbine, etc, but I keep going back to my first hunting rifle, a Ruger m77 left handed .30-06. She isn't the prettiest thing in the world, but it has killed every big game animal I have ever shot, points like a shotgun, and has never let me down. I had the trigger worked down to about 2.5-3 lbs (never used a scale), so that took care of one big m77 mk2 complaint. I think my next step is to swap the Leupold VX-1 2-7 that is on it with a VX-2 2-7 that I bought last year for the Remington 7400. I also want to free float the barrel, oil the inside of the stock (never done it), and give it a good wax job to help keep the old girl happy. I have been using 150 grain bullets lately, but am going to switch to 180s.

I never liked how heavy the 7400 was for being a sort of compact gun. It points well, but I just don't like carrying it, which would be the same problem with a 7600, which is what I originally wanted. I also never found the 20" Marlins to balance worth a darn, but the 22" 1895 and 24" 336s seem to do alright balance wise. It just seems that whenever push comes to shove and I reach for a hunting rifle, no matter what new iron is in the safe, the m77 .30-06 gets the call.

ETA: Also wanted to touch on quick follow up shots. Maybe it is due to extensive dry fire practice with the lefty bolt for all the years I have owned it, but I can cycle and fire that thing and not lose any time over a lever, and not lose much at all compared to a semi-auto. When I have had to make quick follow up shots, hunting buddies have asked me whether I was shooting a semi-auto or not.