Lever action 2 part question

[PeteinIndy]

I'm thinking of getting a lever action to use for deer in Indiana and would welcome any advice. I'm thinking of a Henry or Marlin. My other question is do I get a .38/.357 or .44? Thanks!

 

[ViperJock]

Long answer is either will do. I just read a post on here about a guy selling a .44 marlin...

 

[DeadeyeChrista'sdad]

Yes, yes, yes, and yes! Marlin, Henry, .357, or .44. All way more than sufficient. I've got a Marlin .44, and I love it. A fellah I know collects Henrys, and they are nice, nice, nice.

 

[DeadeyeChrista'sdad]

And welcome to INGO! It's a veritable goldmine of info. Some of the info's even good!

 

[echoagain]

I bought a Marlin 1894 in 44 mag awhile back and it has quickly become a favorite. If you ever think you might want to hunt something tougher then whitetail deer (hogs, black bear, etc) I'd definitely go with the .44 mag. But if deer were the top end game animal and you planned to do a fair amount of plinking as well, .357 has a lot of offer. I don't doubt that the Henry is nice, but I love the classic look of the Marlin 1894. Supposedly the Marlins are preferred by the cowboy action crowd as being more rugged than some of the competitors, but I don't know this first hand.

 

[DeadeyeChrista'sdad]

MarlinOwners.com More lever info than you'd ever dream...

 

[Hookeye]

Get a Marlin in .35 Rem and trim cases.

 

[SSGSAD]

I own a Marlin, .44 Mag., and I LOVE it !!!!!

 

[Hookeye]

I bought a Marlin .44 mag new in '08. Shot great.
Sold it.
Reason? Think my dad's '66 Ruger Sporter auto is way more cool.

 

[sbcman]

I'm thinking of getting a lever action to use for deer in Indiana and would welcome any advice. I'm thinking of a Henry or Marlin. My other question is do I get a .38/.357 or .44? Thanks!

Welcome to INGO, great first post!

I have taken deer with 1894 in 357 and 44. Both cartridges become a hole different animal in a carbine than from a handgun. As mentioned above, you can't go wrong either way.

If you do decide on a Marlin, go with a pre-Rem My favorite deer rifle is a JM 1894ss stoked with Hornady flextips. Very accurate round and a puts game down quickly.

Whatever you do, do it quick! Season will be on us before we know it

 

[kludge]

Neither. Winchester Trapper Carbine 16" in .45 Colt.

 

[ederue]

I would go with the .357 - more than enough stopping power, great home defense round, and allows plinking with .38s

 

[hammer24]

Marlin in .44. Always thought the Henrys were jut too pretty for me to take to the deer woods. I like optics on my dedicated hunting rifles (my .44 has a 1.5-4.5x32), so the the Marlin is the way to go. The .44 is really in a different class than the .357. Will the .357 do the job? Of course, but the .44 really outclasses it.

 

[eric001]

Marlin 1894 in 44 is a great choice, though I'm sure 357 would do the job--but either way, Marlin has a much better and easier way of mounting optics than the others.

 

[mac45]

Marlin if you want optics.
If you want to use iron sights, take a look at the Rossi.

 

[Igotgills2]

More and throwing a small wrench in. I opted for the .44 ruger carbine several years back and am very pleased. Only downside is that it prefers full 240 gr loads so plinking is out. Factory 180's wont cycle well but hot reloads seem to do ok. I picked up a 1894ss awhile back and like it as well..... just contemplating if i really "Need" two .44s.... (who am i kidding).

I heard some scuttle a few years ago that the Henry receivers were not built to withstand the pressures of the .44 and there were some potential wear issues, so do some homework before you buy. That and as stated above, them Henry's sure is purty, too purty for my woods.

 

[Fixer]

I have a Puma 92 that I have hunted deer with for the past couple of years. It is in 45 Colt that is hand loaded to 44 mag specs. Has worked well and is a nice light rifle to carry in the woods.

 

[fastwally]

If you got the money, I would go with the Henry in either caliber. (I like my 44) The new Henry's receiver is drilled and taped with steel inserts for optics. The Henry is rated for the same pressures as the rest of them, 32k if I remember correctly. I like the extra weight when shooting, and they are perty.

 

[showmeapair]

I say Pre Rem Marlin or Henry 44. I shot a friends Post Rem Marlin 44 and at 50 yds...well my Knight 50 cal was more consistent.

 

[cjbecker]

I shoot a pre rem marlin. 1894c 357. This will be the first deer season that i use it for deer. Its a very accurate gun and i'm not worried at all about dropping the deer. Also use 38s for small game.