I have to go along with JagMagMan and Bigbulls. I was recently in the same situation, been shooting the same model 700 30-06 for 20 years and needed a change. Thought about the 300WSM and then the 270WSM, but what did those offer the '06 doesn't??? So started hanging on the marlin firearms website, was thinking about a lever action 30-30. Well, if that was good, then a 35 remington would be even better, right? Jumped onto the big bore forum, and started thinking a lot about something REALLY different, use on everything from deer to renegade elephant (we don't see those much in Texas, but you never know!!) I ended up buying a lever action model 1895 in 45-70, what a blast!! Plenty of factory ammo options, specialty ammo available that could sink a smallish battleship and tons of opportunity for reloading. That gun is a ton of fun to shoot, and a LOT different than everything else. Go to marlinfirearms.com and get on the big bore forum. It'll change your life!!!! Well, give you a sore shoulder anyway.
Regards,
Gobuffs