Sorta late into this string ... but ... several years ago, I stumbled into a good deal on a Marlin "Guide" in 444 Marlin. I hunt in SE Al. and I do a lot of my hunting in thinned pines and hardwood bottoms ...out of a climber... where shots are seldom clear for more than 50-75 yards. This short, compact rifle has been great for this type of hunting. I have taken several deer and a few feral hogs with this lever action using my hand loads that incorporate a Speer Gold Dot bullet and with the Hornady Leverlution factory ammo. Both do the trick. The Leverlution ammo just happens to be a very nice grouper oot of this rifle.