Remington 7600 pump gun..or a Browning BAR take your pick. Strictly woods hunting the Ruger 44 deerstalker(if you can find one) Nothing gives you a faster followup shot without taking your rifle off your shoulder. That is unless you practice a lot of repetitiveoffhand shooting which most don't do.

Winchester made a "big-bore" lever action a few years back.
They called it the Winchester XTR Big Bore-94. I am not sure what all they chambered there rifles in? I bought one chambered in 375-Winchester. I liked that rifle so much, I gave it to my father for Christmas a few years ago.

I have a 336 in 30-30, and a 1895 in 45-70, love em both. I would like to pick up a 336 in .35rem, it's on the list. I don't really like the 94 because of the straight grip, but that's just a personal whine. The 94 big bore was available in .375win. not a bad caliber at all. Good luck

The .35 is a nice gun. I have a Marlin 30/30, .35, .450 Marlin, and a Winchester 94. I prefer the Marlins over the Winchester though myself. If you get a lever action you will really like it.

Thanks for all the info...you sold me!!!! I can tell there are a lot of lever fans on here. Ok, guess i would go with a marlin. I would like to add another marlin to my collection anyway. I have a model 60 .22 as well. Anyway, what caliber? I know .30-30 probably has the cheapest ammo. I've heard .35 rem is expensive. With the resurgence of the .45-70, would that be an option. Overkill for deer I know, but what's ammo for that cost? I'm assuming .444 marlin and .450 marlin is expensive as well. Thanks again

you should buy a Marlin 336 in 30/30, 35, or their new 308MX because:

its a classic hunting rifle everyone should experience

it will help stimulate the economy

it will re-grow hair in cases of male pattern baldness

it will lower you by two pants sizes

it slices, it dices, it does practically everything

it will bolster hunting product sales, ensuring hunting's future

it will make you more attractive to the opposite sex

you can never get enough of that "New Gun Smell"

So did any of those help talk you into it? Bottom line is, if you want it, and can afford it, go ahead. Its a good gun and good calibers for what you seem to be looking for.

The 30/30 is the cheapest, and the .35 is not too bad, the 45/70 or .450 is more though you won't shoot it alot so I don't let the cost of shells bother me. I pay around $35 a box for the .450 if I remember right. Actually using the 45/70 or one like that it doesn't tear them up as much as you would think. It just puts a big hole through them. The higher velocity bullets seem to do more damage.

I am not real fond of the lever guns.. Just can't ever get a real good trigger on them.. I like that they are usally short barrelled. But I can get that in a Ruger Compact or Model 7 bolt action.. All that being said I do like the new Marlin 308 express with the laminate stock

I bought a new Marlin XLR in 30/30. I knew I was going to use Hornady's new Lever revolution ammo. The new rifle took 4 deer last year. I am very pleased.