I have several lever action Marlins. My big bore is a .450 Marlin and I wouldn't hesitate to take it anywhere. Out to 200 yards it should work for anything you would want to hunt. It is basically a hot loaded .45/70 and when it hits it really packs a punch. We have a old red oak tree we use to put or target up on. We can shoot it with a .300 WM or .30/06 and the tree won't budge. When we shoot the .450 and it hits the whole tree shakes. The only problem is it is a light rifle and off the bench it really kicks. Though my buddies wife will shoot it standing and it will knock her back about 2' but she shoots it again.