ZERO TO 100yrds

[mike t]

There are a lot of rifles that are up to this task, I have three rifles available to me and I am trying to narrow it down to one, there's no point having three rifles to do the same job. Out of THESE three rifles which one would you choose? Marlin 336 30-30, Remington 742 carbine 30-06 or ruger 44 mag carbine (tube fed model)

 

[Boomer]

I'm partial to the .30/06 myself, and I suppose I could develop a comfort level with the 742. But that's me, you should choose the rifle you prefer to carry, and that you'll get the most use from.

 

[hoytcanon]

What other platforms do you have? I am a Ruger fan, but have never liked the carbines, and don't much care for the 742 (flame suit on)... so of those three, I would say "keep the Marlin 336." I am a fan of the .30/30 cartridge and shoot it in 94's and Ruger No.1-A... 160 FTX and LVR really pep's up the old girl.

 

[mike t]

I to like the 30-30 cartridge but at the same time have a love for semi-auto rifles as well. Only issue with the 44 mag is ammo availability as I dont reload

 

[jparent]

What are you trying to kill at 100 yards? Deer, moose? Black bear? Paper?

 

[Dogleg]

I'd go with the 30-06, even though I'm not a fan of the 742. I'm assuming the application is close range hunting?

 

[hawk-i]

The 06 will take you to Zero to easily 300 yards...a clear winner!

 

[mike t]

The rifle will be used for deer hunting. Action will be fast and within 100 yards.

 

[jparent]

30/30.

 

[hoytcanon]

I to like the 30-30 cartridge but at the same time have a love for semi-auto rifles as well. Only issue with the 44 mag is ammo availability as I dont reload

If those are the only three rifles that you own and you want to go down to only ONE rifle, then the .30/06 is by far the best choice... but if the "one rifle" is the scenario, an option would be to sell all three and choose one "well suited" hunting rifle... it sounds like a short action bolt rifle in .308 would be just right... you will find that with practice, you can cycle the bolt almost as fast as the lever, and given the trade-offs, the bolt action is a better "one rifle" choice.

However if you have other rifles better suited to longer range hunting, then I would go back to the Marlin 336 .30/30 recommendation... I just wouldn't want the Marlin as my ONLY rifle.

 

[mike t]

If those are the only three rifles that you own and you want to go down to only ONE rifle, then the .30/06 is by far the best choice... but if the "one rifle" is the scenario, an option would be to sell all three and choose one "well suited" hunting rifle... it sounds like a short action bolt rifle in .308 would be just right... you will find that with practice, you can cycle the bolt almost as fast as the lever, and given the trade-offs, the bolt action is a better "one rifle" choice.

However if you have other rifles better suited to longer range hunting, then I would go back to the Marlin 336 .30/30 recommendation... I just wouldn't want the Marlin as my ONLY rifle.

This rifle will be only for this application of hunting (hunting heavy brush with dogs). My long range gun is a Tikka T3 stainless in 30-06

 

[hoytcanon]

This rifle will be only for this application of hunting (hunting heavy brush with dogs). My long range gun is a Tikka T3 stainless in 30-06

Then I would go with the Marlin 336 .30/30.

 

[Trimmer 905]

There are a lot of rifles that are up to this task, I have three rifles available to me and I am trying to narrow it down to one, there's no point having three rifles to do the same job. Out of THESE three rifles which one would you choose? Marlin 336 30-30, Remington 742 carbine 30-06 or ruger 44 mag carbine (tube fed model)

Then I would go with the Marlin 336 .30/30.

This ^^^^^^^^^^^^!

 

[lone-wolf]

I'd have them all zeroed to 100yrds

 

[mike t]

Its looking like the trusty old 30-30

 

[kamlooky]

Good call.

 

[stubblejumper]

I won't own a 742, so as much as I am not a 30-30 fan, I would go with the 30-30.

 

[Prairie Plinker]

Seeing as you already have a 30-06, keep the Marlin. For the up-close and personal hunting a lever-action is nice and speedy, and within 100y the .30-30 will do everything you need it to.

 

[Kenny_G2]

For deer within 100 yards I would pick the Ruger 44 mag. If your lever was a Winchester I would pick it but I never liked the Marlin 336.

Since you say action will be fast that precludes the 742, clearing all the jams will slow things down.

 

[pisces-guy]

There are a lot of rifles that are up to this task, I have three rifles available to me and I am trying to narrow it down to one, there's no point having three rifles to do the same job. Out of THESE three rifles which one would you choose? Marlin 336 30-30, Remington 742 carbine 30-06 or ruger 44 mag carbine (tube fed model)

Remington 742 is chambered in a proper calibre, but it's a jam-o-matic. The Ruger carbine is chambered in a very range-limited handgun calibre that's only adequate for deer. The Marlin 336 in 30-30, using Leverrevolution ammunition, is a decent Eastern hunting rifle, and will get the job done out there where 200 yards is an incredible long shot and rarely made. If you're a Westerner, sell them all and get an accurate bolt action in .270 if you're a deer hunter, or a .300wsm if you also hunt moose and elk.