coolbrze0

Thanks guys, it's a done deal! What scope would you recommend? I'm a big fan of Leupolds & I can get them pretty cheap. I was thinking a low power, something like the Leupold VX2 1-4x20, but don't know much about scopes for a short lever action rifle. Is a 20mm obj. lens too small?

Bullcamp82834

I'm not a big fan of the 35 Remington but I do like the Marlin lever actions. Very nice.
If I were to use a lever gun it would certainly be a Marlin.

flags

Same here. I've played a little bit with the 35 and I really don't see much of an advantage over it and the 30-30 except for a little bigger bullet. Performance on game seemed about the same for me, which isn't anything to object to since the 30-30 has been slaying deer and bear for more than 100 years. Personally, when I want a lever action bigger than my 30-30 I grab my 450 Marlin. Now, that's a thumper.

I do like the 35 caliber, but my choice for it is the 350 Rem Mag. That round takes the 35 to a level the 35 Rem can't even dream of making. But if the longest shot I thought I was going to take was 100 yards I wouldn't hesitate to use the 35 Rem if that was what was available.

Bullcamp82834

Flags,
I'm a .358 fan too and my cup of tea is 35 Whelen. If I could get my hands on a 700 Classic in 350 Rem Mag I'd grab it in a heartbeat.
A very much underrated and unappreciated cartridge but a great one in my book.

One of my old buddies had a very nice 700 Classic in 350 RM and traded it away for something else before I knew what he was after. I hated that. I wanted that rifle bad.
If there's a better woods rifle for elk I am unaware of its existence.

flags

That's what I have, Rem Model 700 Classic in 350 RM, magna-ported with a 4x Nikon on it. I grabbed one the year they made them and have had good luck with it. Light, easy to carry, hard hitting. Like you stated, a very, very good heavy timber elk rifle. The only thing I can think of that might edge it would be a 9.3x62 Mauser or a light double in 9.3x74R. You can get bullets up to 320 gr in 9.3mm and with their sectional density you literally can't stop that bullet. I've shot whitetails end to end with a 9.3x62.

I love the 700 Classics. I've got them in 6.5x55, 350 RM and 375 H&H. I've always regretted not getting one in each caliber when they were making them. I'm always keeping an eye out for one in 250 Savage, 257 Roberts, 7x57 Mauser and 8x57 Mauser but all the ones I've seen have been pretty pricey.

Tnhunter444

I'm a huge fan of the .35s. My first was a 336ER I bought new in box in the mid '80s. Next was a steel receiver BLR in .358 and then a couple Whelens. I finally added a M673 in .350. I think the Whelen is the best of the bunch, but like the handiness of the Marlin .356 and BLR .358. If pressed, I'd be hard pressed to choose between the SS Hawkeye in .35W and BLR.

Although I have owned a .35 Rem, I sold it preferring the added power of the .356 & .358 for my uses. Nothing wrong with the oldie tho.

My .35s (I have since sold my .35 Rem)

L to R: 336ER, BLR/.358, M750 Carbine/.35 Whelen, Hawkeye SS/.358 Win, Hawkeye SS/.35 Whelen, M673/.350RM

Tnhunter444

I've never seen an issue concerning low light performance when comparing same quality Leupolds with a 33mm or 20mm Objective. Actually, I prefer the performance of the VX1 SG with heavy duplex over a VX2 with regular duplex in low light. The two rifles in my avatar are a 1895M & 1895G, both with VXI 1-4x20 SG scopes.

I have a Weaver V3 1-3x20 on a Marlin in .375 and a Vari-XII with re-fitted #4 (by Leupold) reticle on a Marlin .444P. Another nice low power scope is the Nikon Monarch 3 1-4x20 with #4 reticle, but I'd also figure that VX2 1-4x20 to be an excellent choice! Congrats on a great new rifle!

Gunplummer

I can think of a better make but they are no longer made. I have a couple 99 Savages and that is the lever gun I would(And did) keep for hunting use. I have one in .358, .260 Remington, and .243. Those are the heaviest lever guns I have. I think they made one in .375, but don't remember. I always wanted a .348 Winchester. Maybe someday.

Tnhunter444

The M99 is a fine rifle, I've owned two in .300 Sav. They did make it in .375 as well as .358, but they are some kind of pricey today. I have mostly ended my yearning for a nice Winchester M71 (.348) now that my eyes just simply would not work well enough with iron sights. Very fine looking rifles those M71s !!

emtrescue6

I love my Savage 99's as well...I have a pile of them (22-250, 243, 250-3000, 300 Sav, 308, 358)...they did make them in 375 Win (they are rare though)...but they never made them in 348 Win to my knowledge...I have a Browning Model 71 (they are a Winchester 71 commemorative rifle they only made for 2 years 86-87)...that is another amazingly hard hitting caliber. I am a huge lever gun fan...and the Savage 99's are my favorites. Until recently my 99 in 308 was my go to hunting rifle for many years...only recently replaced because the barrel throat is slowing getting eaten away at.