Marlin 336 or Winchester M70 Featherweight? Help!

Because of your potential for longer ranges, the Winchester is the way to go. While the .270 is a great cratridge, I prefer .308 or 3006, both of which are still good as far as most people have any business shooting, but can carry a much bigger payload then the .270

A 3x9 scope is the perfect all around scope. While you may find it lacking trying to ping gophers at 500 yards, it will be fine for large game hunting. Pay the extra $50 for the 3200.

I would however be remiss if I didnt mention the possibility of using Hornady LeverEvolution ammunition in the Marlin. it makes the 3030 an effective 200 yard deer gun. So take that into consideration as well.
 
Hawes said:
If you're hunting at longer ranges, a bolt gun shines. If you are hunting in the bush, the lever shines. From what it sounds like, I would go with the Winchester, but personally would keep the caliber above a .30 cal. Both calibers will kill, and have killed lots of game and will continue to do so for decades to come, but a .308 in a bolt gun might be a better option. I know that pump rifles are shunned in Alberta, but this might be a good mix between woods and open fields. I'm sure there will be better advice coming along shortly!
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Like most said, the model 70 gets the nod. In my experience the .270 is a more sudden killer on deer size game than any .308 loading. I think if going with a bolt action any of the short cartridges should be bypassed in favour of the 06 length family. Their advantage is apparrent if you are going for a shorter more lightweight rifle. Could never understand people buying a 7400 Rem. or 7600 Rem. in .308 when they could get the same size and weight gun in a .30/06.
 
I've owned about a half dozen Bushnell Elite 3000/3200 series scopes.

Very good optics, solid scope, only ever had one problem with one...erector came loose...which Bushnell looked after. Rainguard is a good feature, too. I'd go with it over the Legend for the few extra dollars.

http://www.bushnell.com/products/scopes/riflescopes/elite3200/

Usually around $230 for the 3x9x40.

Note that these are rated at 90% light transmission.

If you can handle an extra $100, the 4200 version of this scope is rated at 95% transmission, and is, IMHO, worth serious consideration.

http://www.bushnell.com/products/scopes/riflescopes/elite4200/
 
30-30 or .270 ?

The .270 Winchester is a better choice for the conditions you describe, by far. If price is not a problem, the small extra cost of the ammo will not be. Both calibres can usually be picked up locally and are regularly stocked by almost any store that sells ammo.

The .270 is a lot more versatile. You can use bullets ranging from 100 grains to 160 grains. One big advantage to the .270 is that has a longer effective range, and a flatter trajectory, making it easier to hit longer distance targets. The Winchester 70 will probably be the more accurate rifle, due to it's construction, type of action, stocking, etc.

If you want one rifle to start with, buy the Winchester in .270 Winchester. The .270 WSM will recoil more than the .270 Winchester, especially in a Featherweight rifle. And, try walking into the local hardware store and buying .270 WSM ammunition. Good Luck!

If you were hunting the Cedar Swamps of the East, where shots are well under 100 yards, the 30-30 would do well, but out on the open plains, or on the cut lines, the .270 is head and shoulders above the 30-30.

You can't go wrong by buying the .270 Winchester. That's 55 years of personal hunting experience, and lots of big game animals downed.
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The bolt gun will be more versatile than the lever for what your stated goals are. Another option might be a Remington Model 7 stainless synthetic. I have one in .260, and with Talley lightweight ringmounts and a Leupold VXIII 2.5-8 scope it weighs the same as my Marlin 336 with a VXII 2-7. BTW, if you decide on the W70, that 2.5-8 Leupy would make a nice optic for it.
 
dale said:
Go for the 270. you can always rebarrel it to the 30.06 later on.
Dale
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For what rebarreling costs, it doesn't make any sense to change to another calibre of similar performance. There is very little difference in actual terminal effect between most typical big game cartridges of between 6.5mm-8mm given comparable bullets. Master your rifle and the animals you shoot with it won't care what is stamped on the barrel.
 
Of your choices I'd take the Win 70 FW in .270 for what you want to do with it.

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NAA.
 
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