marlin 30/30 or Win model 94 leagcy or .410?

[atrautweiler]

I've heard the quality of new Marlins has gone down hill. I like the cammo version of the Marlin and the Winchester Legacy. Just wondering what the owners of these guns think about their quality new. I will be using them for close range deer hunting. I'm also curious about guns shooting the .410 slugs which are now legal in Missouri.

[dog1]

I haven't heard anything about the quality of the Marlins' going down. If I had to choose between a marlin (levers) or winchester, I'd take the marlin. The old model Win 94s', pre 65 were good guns and next to impossible to find now days. I personally think the Marlin is a better gun.

As for a .410 for deer, I would buy at least a 20 ga. , think you'll find .410 shell prices are outrageous.

dog1

[mlaubner]

If you are after deer then either the Marlin or the Winchester in 30-30 will get the job done.
I would avoid the anemic little 410 slug for deer as it is grossly under powered for ethical shots on deer in my opinion. Works fine on larger varmits.
I have been wanting the Winchester 9410 just for squirrels and such and the welcome addition of the 410 slug would work well on the ferel/wild dogs running on my property, but I can not imagine shooting at a deer with it.

[Nomercy]

First off, If I weren't such a die hard fan of the .410 and such an avid levergun shooter, I would NOT own a .410 levergun, 2.5" shells are just weak, they're awful, compared to 3" shells, they're pretty much a waste of time. The gun is more fun than a barrel of monkeys, but I've got no honest use for it.

Secondly, 2.5" .410 slugs are NOT deer cartridges, I've done it to put down a deer that was hit by a car, it did what I asked of it, but it was at about 15yrds, I'd never take mine hunting, and I'd likely beat the crap out of someone who did.

If you limited your shots to about that of a .357handgun or a bow, then yes, it's a feasable choice, but no farther, the way you're asking, you're looking for a deer rifle, not for a "make my hunt more difficult" gun.

On the Win. Vs. Marlin, marlin's quality has not gone down to my noticing, and they're far better quality than the Win's IMHO... in .30-30 the difference is a little lessened, since the Win 94 action is suited better to longer bottle neck cartridges, but I still prefer the Marlins...it's easier to scope, they're rated to stouter loads, they're more accurate, tend to be more reliable and I think they're a lot prettier-matter of taste of course.

I suggest getting a Marlin 336, 1894, or 1895, in .30-30, .44mag, or .45-70 respectively. The .30-30 is probably the most reasonable choice there, since you pretty much HAVE to handload to get the .44mag up to snuff and .45-70 is pretty stout for most shooters even in factory loads, but try them on for size and see what you like.