OK OK! we can have a shotgun too The Marlin will handle 45000 lbs no sweat. Put a scope on with plenty of eye relief. An Aetec has 5 inches and most of the Luepolds have 4 inches or a little more. One Bushnell I saw had 6 inches of eye relief. The first shot with my NEF, the scope got me between the eyes. I like a 2x7 about the best.