Help me choose my only rifle! (And cartridge!)

Since you are looking for something in a lever action with a bit more umph than the 30-30 and yet require it to be fun to shoot, Only one actually comes to mind. You cant buy them new anymore, but you might be able to find a used one. Get a Savage Mod #99 chambered in 300 savage. You will have to take up reloading because ammo is difficult to come by. Marlin makes a lever action in 45-70 but you may not like the recoil.
 
ive read the other replies, found myself agreeing with the ar recommendation, also the savage 99 is a good choice too. One nobody has mentioned but might fit the bill is a tc encore. I bought a prohunter muzzleloader a couple years ago, and have since added a 7mm-08 barrel (deer rifle), a .22 barrel (small game and plinking), and a 20 gauge barrel (turkey, small game, slug gun). Its very accurate, dependable, and i like how its always the same gun (trigger pull, fit, feel) no matter which barrel im using. Just thought id throw that out there
 
A BLR would be a fine choice, but while I'm a big fan of the 30-06 in general, I find the long action BLRs to handle rather poorly and I'd recommend getting a short action in 308 instead.
 
You should check out The Art of the Rifle by Jeff Cooper. It will help you understand the one rifle concept. Jeff Copper also lead it out in some magazine articles.
 
I love my Marlin 336 30-30. Its easy to take care of and field strip. Its durable and accurate. The 30-30 cartridge will be around forever because it does a good job.
 
My "one rifle" list has inflated to as many as 8 or 9 models at times, but I always come back to the Marlin 336. The BLR seems great, but is considerably more expensive (as far as my budget).

One rifle whose price falls inbetween the Marlin and Browning is the Remington 7600 (pump) in .30-06. Sometimes I feel like the contest (in my mind at least) is between the 336 and 7600.

Taking a step back and looking at all the questions I've asked, and all the different responses offered, I'm realizing the one rifle thing might not work for me. But then, the new question becomes "what rifle should I buy if its the only one I'll be able to afford for a long time?".
 
If you plan to shoot long range (more than 200 yards) frequently then the 30-06 is the caliber I would recommend for a do any thing rifle.

If you plan to shoot less than 200 yards most of the time then the do all caliber I would recommend is a 45/70.
 
have you looked at Thompson Center?

In that you want but one rifle have you looked at the thompson contender and encore? You could have one rifle and maybe later on add another caliber if you feel the need they are classy guns and good shooters.
bb
 
I am a huge 30/30 fan.....

and keep one as my truck gun, but if you are limited to only one gun in Nebraska, I will to off the beaten path......Marlin 45/70! With the Leverevolution ammon, it will reach to 300 yards, and kill any animal in that state....or the continental US....your choice.

J
 
30-06 Springfield. Always has been the "one" caliber, and it's even more true now with improved bullets and powders.

If you don't like bolts, the Remington pump should do nicely.
 
Just wanted to offer this up to help you out.
First Cooper addressed the problem:

"a general-purpose rifle is a conveniently portable, individually operated firearm, capable of striking a single decisive blow, on a live target of up to 200 kilos in weight, at any distance at which the operator can shoot with the precision necessary to place a shot in a vital area of the target."
Only after properly understanding the problem could the solution be reached. After several Scout Rifle Conferences, he defined the parameters of an optimal solution:

Scout rifle

An optimized general-purpose rifle designed by Jeff Cooper.
Weight-sighted and slung: 3 kilograms (6.6 lb). This has been set as the ideal weight but the maximum has been stated as being 3.5 kg (7.7 pounds ).
Length: 1 meter (39 inches)
Barrel length: .48 meter (19 inches)
Sighting system: Forward and low mounted (ahead of the action opening) long eye relief telescope of between 2x and 3x. Reserve iron sights desirable but not necessary.
Action: Magazine fed bolt action. Detachable box magazine and/or stripper clip charging is desirable but not necessary.
Sling: Fast loop-up type, i.e. Ching or CW style.
Caliber: Nominally .308 Winchester (7.62 x 51 mm) or 7 mm - 08 Winchester (7 x 51 mm), with .243 Winchester (6 x 51 mm) being considered for frail individuals or where "military" calibers are proscribed.
Built-in bipod: Desirable but not mandatory.
Accuracy: Should be capable of shooting into 2 minutes of angle or less at 200 yards/meters (3 shot groups).
 
One rifle whose price falls inbetween the Marlin and Browning is the Remington 7600 (pump) in .30-06. Sometimes I feel like the contest (in my mind at least) is between the 336 and 7600.
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I once had a Browning BLR '81 with the straight stock in 308. It was a sweet rifle and I wish I could have that one back. I think it was a smaller rifle than the same in 30-06. As for the 7600, I would love to have an older version, the 760. It came in a carbine length that I would pay top dollar for...especially if chambered for 35 Rem. As it were, I am a 336C user. My last six deer have fallen to a 336C in either 30-30 or 35 Rem. I would suggest a used 336 made prior to 2010.
 
I'm still not certain what you're thinking of in terms of a "general purpose rifle." I've read your original post several times, but am still not clear on the highest goal. Something capable of hunting deer-sized game, but fun to shoot, for someone who isn't generally an outdoorsman ...

If you want a GP rifle, it ought to be in a rifle cartridge. That rules out the pistol caliber carbines. I like my Marlin 1894 in .357, but I consider it a "fun gun," not a real hunting platform ... even though it is capable of taking deer-sized game. So if you want a lever action, your choices are pretty limited (.30-30, or .35 Remington) unless you go to a BLR.

If you start the conversation with "general purpose cartridge" (and in my opinion, one should always choose the cartridge first, then find a suitable launcher), I'd opt for a .308 Win because of its wide applicability in a short-length cartridge ... which makes carbine length guns possible. If you don't want the recoil of the .308, consider either the 7mm08 or the .260 Remington. Both of these are great intermediate cartidges that are big enough for deer-sized game, but not so big as to be tiring to shoot a lot. You might even drop to the .243 Win.

All of these outclass the .30-30 as "general purpose" cartridges in my opinion. But if you want a traditionally styled lever gun, you're back to .30-30 or .35 Rem as the choices ... and given that choice, I'd opt for the .30-30 due to availability, even though I prefer the .35 Remington as a dedicated hunting round.

FWIW, my "go to" general purpose hunting rifle is a Remington Model Seven in .308. I have it set in an aftermarket H.S. Precision sporter stock, mounted with a 2-7X compact Leupold scope in the conventional position over the action (NOT a forward mounted "scout" setup). The gun is light, points readily, is fast on target, and "accurate enough" (just at 1 MOA from a bench with inexpensive Remington Core-Lokt ammo). .308 is available in many different bullet weights and configurations, and is easily reloaded for if you want to go that route.

I'll second spending some time reading Cooper's The Art of the Rifle to get a good idea what a "general purpose" rifle is. But it's also "okay" to decide you don't really want what he defines as a GP rifle. If you like traditional lever actions, buy one and be happy with it. It isn't like this is a life commitment. If you find, eventually, it doesn't float your boat either, sell it for something else. For us hobbyists, "the hunt" is half the fun.

But you DO HAVE TO report back WITH PICTURES when you make your final determination!

Edit: And if you can find one (no, you can't have mine), an older Remington 760 Carbine in .308 is the cat's meow!
 
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If you don't reload, the .308 is the equal of the .30-'06 until you get on up to 180-grain and heavier bullets. IMO, 150 is plenty good for deer, for all that there's nothing wrong with 165s.
 
I'm buying an 1894 in 44mag next week. To me, up here in new england it's a great all purpose gun. Might be a little short on range in your area though. I do have a suggestion aside from the Marlin. Remmington 7600 pump action. I had one in 308. Put a pistol grip stock on it, a forward mounted scout scope and found ten rd mags for it. It was a good dual purpose gun.
 
I like my Guide Gun but it's never been in a saddle scabbard or on a horse named Waylon, Willie or even Blaze, for that matter. Being from Texas I'll ride a horse if I need to but I prefer my pickup, and no, after nearly 15 yrs I still haven't gotten around to naming it. ;)
I hate "one gun" threads but I can see a good argument for a 336 in .30-30 or even .35 Remington...those cornfed deer can be pretty big! 336 is accurate, .30-30 is common and versatile and it's a right handsome rifle. Hard to go wrong there. Scout Rifle is a concept for a rifleman, our OP is a casual/possible hunter. Nothing wrong with that, often wish I'd never fallen in love with rifles. Only one rifle? I'd feel deprived with only one safe full.:rolleyes:
 
I would suggest a used 336 made prior to 2010.
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Why is this? Has Marlin changed hands, or has their quality dropped recently?

I've read your original post several times, but am still not clear on the highest goal.
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I enjoy firearms and believe they represent something, particularly in the United States, that's hard to put into words. The ability to put food on the table (if need be), to defend your family (if need be), and God forbid defend your country (if need be) all come to mind.
To put it simply, I'm looking for one rifle that can accomplish all these tasks with reasonable efficiency.

But you DO HAVE TO report back WITH PICTURES when you make your final determination!
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I certainly will, but it might be another month or so. And honestly, thank you all for your help. You've given me a lot to think about, and have helped me narrow down my choices considerably.
 
Why is this? Has Marlin changed hands, or has their quality dropped recently?
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Yes. They were bought out by the corp. that also owns Remington. The factory was closed and the rifles are pretty hit or miss in the fit and finish department. Luckily, there are plenty of older 336's out there in pawn shops and used gun dealers.
 
if you like the blr they chamber it in a 7mm-08 rem that makes for a fantastic lil package. from 3 to 300 you'll have it covered. my blr is a 30-06 and it makes the long action stroke a bit long for my arms plus they are aleady using a 13.5 inch length of pull on these firarms. just a thought.
 
Help me choose my only rifle!
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Savage Model 110 or 14 Classic. Fairly inexpensive and extremely accurate.


(And cartridge!)
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My vote goes for the .243 Winchester. PLENTY of killing power for 'braska-sized deer, easy on the shoulder and NOT hard to come by whatsoever. Any maw and paw store in the country will carry .234 Win
 
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