Thinking about getting a lever action "fun gun", something to use for short range hunting of whitetails and hogs in Texas. Wondering about the differences between various manufacturers and chamberings. Guessing I would go with a 30-30 unless there is a good reason to get something else. (What else is there??) Really want to keep cost down (nothing fancy) and will probably go with iron sights, possibly a low power scope. The key is to keep it small and handy......Any lever action hunters out there????

For what your describing I can't imagine anything much more gratifying that clasping your hand around the breach of an older model 94 in .30.30 Win. I have a number of bolt action rifles of various makes and calibers and love them all. But when you're down and dirty, short range, for white tails that old .30.30 just leaves me with total satisfaction. Mine first belonged to my Dad and it has killed more deer than can be remembered. Look around and find a pre-64 94 in shooter condition - you'll never be sorry. gg.

"When I was born I was so surprised I couldn't talk for a year and a half"

A Marlin 336 was my first deer rifle and still has a special place in my heart....I'll never get rid of it or stop using it, provided the situation warrents it. There are a couple of other fine choices for Lever Lovers out there, besides Marlin and Winchester......they are the Browning BLR and the now back in production Savage 99...both will give you a little more punch than the 30-30, in various calibers...not to say that the 30-30 doesn't have it's usefulness.

I had a marlin 336 in 30-30. Killed my first deer with that one at 50 yards. I like the marlin much better than the winchester since you can mount a scope on them easier. The actions seem smoother too. Very fast handling and great fun to shoot and very accurate.

"Hey ya'll, watch this"

my first ever lever action was a 336SS 30-30win but did not like the range i had in that gun.

maybe you might want to look at the browning BLR's? i had to privlage to shoot a BLR lightning in 308win last weekend. a fine gun and caliber.
you might want to try one in a 7mm-08rem for texas hunting. plus you can use pointd bullets

For short ranges, I'd get a .45 Colt or a Rossi .454 Casull.

Keep yore powder dry!!

I have a marlin 1894 in 44 mag. Fun little gun to shoot.

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As the Savage 99 is my favorite all around, if you just want an awesome rifle, go with the 99. But you said short range. The Win. 94 or the Marlin 336 in 30-30 will do what you ask. I have two 336's...one in 30-30 and the other in 35 Rem. I like the 35 Rem MUCH better. It is simply more. I shoot the 200 grain, and I think that it shoots better and more comfortably than the 30-30. It is the one I choose on the snowy days for a quiet walk/stalk.
Marlin 336 in 35 Rem gets my vote.

I have a 94 Marlin in 44mag with a peep sight on it. Just cant say enough about that little rifle. Holds 11 rounds of 44mag. lots of fun

ALL DAY, EVERY DAY,IN THE WOODS...