I have always wanted a lever action rifle. I'm trying to decide which caliber. I will be hunting elk and boar, I have herd many good things about the 30-30 but is it to small for elk

I'd say the 30/30 is underpowered for elk. I'd look at the "express" cartridges that Marlin chambers their newer lever actions in. Either the 308 or the 338 will do the trick.

I like the 45-70.

Me too. It is capaible of killing anything. A 30-30 will kill a elk, at close distances and proper bullet placement but so will a 22, I deffinitly wouldnt use either. A elk is a tough animal, a 45-70 will anchor one, and anything else you might shoot.

The 30-30 will work but for elk I think the .35 would be my choice.

Browning BLR .358 win

Would you rather go more traditional, or more modern? The new 308 marlin express would be promising if you wanted to be more modern, and the ol' 45-70 would be a fun route for a proven old cartridge.

I'd probably stick to one of the classic levergun cartridges...

or perhaps that browning lever in a more modern cartridge? best of both worlds? .30-06? .300 WSM?

Like earlier stated, if you want the traditional lever style then the .45-70. If you want the more modern then the BLR in the calibers mentioned above.

I have a 336C in .35 Remington, which would be fine within 100-150 yards.


............but if you're looking for a elk rifle, I'd opt for the .444 Marlin.

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/bigbore/444.asp