Looking for Rifle Advice...

[Kahi]

I am looking at adding to my collection...seems I have a hole in my arsenal, as I have been invited to go on a Florida Hog Hunt...I now understand what my wife means when she says "I have nothing to wear"...I just don't have an appropriate rifle to bring.

I'm interested in a multi-purpose rifle, pref. lever action...needs to also be Stainless for the boat, and able to handle deer hunts, if I ever get the time...and something fun to use at the range...

Thinking of a marlin guide gun 45-70 1895...

Thoughts? not sure about the 45-70 as a caliber...

Thanks,

Kahi

[Catcher's Mitt]

that is a nice gun. Will be way better for deer than for hogs. it is big enough but you probably want something that you can get fast follow up shots with for hogs. the recoil of a 45-70 is pretty hard.

I have been thinking about what to use for hogs after the season. we are going to have some guys bring hog dogs to the lease the first weekend in February. the only two choices I have are my AR or two 30/30s. one 30/30 is a marlin with standard mounted scope and the other is a Winchester with iron sights. I am leaning towards the Winchester. the 30/30 with LeverR bullets makes it a little flatter than it used to be. probably a 200 yard gun now. which makes the 30/30 even better for deer.

good luck!

[seapower]

Can't go wrong with the Marlin 30/30 for hog's. I also use the LeverEvolution bullet's myself. Zero hog's have walked away from an encounter with it. The most important thing is get very good with "quick" shot's for hog's. You can hunt for day' and when it come's together it's very fast, they give you a matter of second's to make the kill. Head shot's are my preference, hand's down. When a hog make's his mind to leave the area for whatever reason, they take off at a full run and do not slow down or look back. Again you'll have literally second's. I have a cheap Leupold "Rifleman" 2x7 (stay's on 2x for the most part), it's not fancy but it's accurate. Hog's don't "walk" anywhere, they are either eating, bedded, running or have that brisk stiff legged trot. They don't hold still for long. By the way, the LeverEvolution round's will do better than the 200 yard mark. But, still you have to know what you and your gun are capable of. Frank

[Paul H]

Hard to say how to fill the holes in your collection w/o knowing what you have. I've shot several guide guns, as well as the wildwest co-pilot conversions, and with a variety of sighting options from irons to the scout scope. There is no doubt that out to 200 yds they make for an outstanding gun for deer and hogs. That said, they are anything but enjoyable at the range. I've had two 458 lotts and have a 500 Jeffrey, so I can handle serious levels of recoil. That said the guide gun is not a good platform for a fun range gun. As far as the fast follow up shot spiel, it's just that. I can empty my 350 rem mag just as fast as a guide gun, but in a more accurate longer range gun.

If you don't have a lightweight bolt action, I'd highly, highly recomend getting a kimber montanna. A .243 with barnes x bullets will take any hog, will be a joy at the range, and an outstandind deer rifle. If that doesn't seem like quite enough power, get a 7-08.

Top it with a leupold 6X (w/ 42mm objective) or a 3.5-10 in talley lw rings. It'll be a joy to carry, joy to shoot, and you'll wonder why you didn't get one sooner.

[Jared D]

Around here, most people go to a Marlin 1894 SS (stainless steel) in 44 Rem. Magnum for a hog gun. I think they are great, but they aren't a 200 yard gun. Good for fast, light, and solid pig thumping in close.

Any good deer rifle works. I use the gammut. All seem to knock em dead when delivered correctly. But if you want something different the 44 is great. Personally a big fan of peep sites on levers. My lever is a 30-30 marlin w peep, but I will eventually get a 44.


What kind of pig hunting are you doing. It makes a big difference if your shooting over corn, or off dogs... stalking or sitting in a stand.

[Carolina Ride]

I'm not a lever action man simply because I dislike the tubular magazines where loaded cartridges are lined up one behind the other, bullet to primer.

I own a Remington synthetic M7600 Pump rifle in 30-06 for a quick action rifle. I own two 4 shell clips and one 10 shell clip. The caliber is legendary and more than adequate for all you want to do.

Just another option to consider...

Good luck with your choice.

[Kahi]

To begin with, thank you all for your responses and insight/knowledge. This is what makes this site so great....

I'm not a lever action man simply because I dislike the tubular magazines where loaded cartridges are lined up one behind the other, bullet to primer.

I own a Remington synthetic M7600 Pump rifle in 30-06 for a quick action rifle. I own two 4 shell clips and one 10 shell clip. The caliber is legendary and more than adequate for all you want to do.

Just another option to consider...

Good luck with your choice.

I think the Remington 7600 might be great option..especially in 30-06...the quick action of the pump, and the caliber might be a great all around rifle...and the price is pretty good on a few of the online sites...I found one that might be a good project, as the mechanics is perfect but the wood is a mess..and I love to refinish stocks...

Around here, most people go to a Marlin 1894 SS (stainless steel) in 44 Rem. Magnum for a hog gun. I think they are great, but they aren't a 200 yard gun. Good for fast, light, and solid pig thumping in close.

Any good deer rifle works. I use the gammut. All seem to knock em dead when delivered correctly. But if you want something different the 44 is great. Personally a big fan of peep sites on levers. My lever is a 30-30 marlin w peep, but I will eventually get a 44.


What kind of pig hunting are you doing. It makes a big difference if your shooting over corn, or off dogs... stalking or sitting in a stand.

The hog trip is in a mixture of Everglades terrain...they use a buggy, sometimes dogs...and the shots are usually >100 yrds..or up close and personal.

Can you post some images of the Marlin 30-30 with the peeps sights?

Hard to say how to fill the holes in your collection w/o knowing what you have. I've shot several guide guns, as well as the wildwest co-pilot conversions, and with a variety of sighting options from irons to the scout scope. There is no doubt that out to 200 yds they make for an outstanding gun for deer and hogs. That said, they are anything but enjoyable at the range. I've had two 458 lotts and have a 500 Jeffrey, so I can handle serious levels of recoil. That said the guide gun is not a good platform for a fun range gun. As far as the fast follow up shot spiel, it's just that. I can empty my 350 rem mag just as fast as a guide gun, but in a more accurate longer range gun.

If you don't have a lightweight bolt action, I'd highly, highly recomend getting a kimber montanna. A .243 with barnes x bullets will take any hog, will be a joy at the range, and an outstandind deer rifle. If that doesn't seem like quite enough power, get a 7-08.

Top it with a leupold 6X (w/ 42mm objective) or a 3.5-10 in talley lw rings. It'll be a joy to carry, joy to shoot, and you'll wonder why you didn't get one sooner.

My collection as of today....

.38 Airweight SW
.40 Beretta 96-----------------
.40 Beretta CX 4 Storm------- Same mags as the 96
.22 Remington Model 33 made in 1933 and restored by me last fall
Mossberg 500 Mariner...



The Kimber is out of my price range...but a good suggestion...thank you..

Can't go wrong with the Marlin 30/30 for hog's. I also use the LeverEvolution bullet's myself. Zero hog's have walked away from an encounter with it. The most important thing is get very good with "quick" shot's for hog's. You can hunt for day' and when it come's together it's very fast, they give you a matter of second's to make the kill. Head shot's are my preference, hand's down. When a hog make's his mind to leave the area for whatever reason, they take off at a full run and do not slow down or look back. Again you'll have literally second's. I have a cheap Leupold "Rifleman" 2x7 (stay's on 2x for the most part), it's not fancy but it's accurate. Hog's don't "walk" anywhere, they are either eating, bedded, running or have that brisk stiff legged trot. They don't hold still for long. By the way, the LeverEvolution round's will do better than the 200 yard mark. But, still you have to know what you and your gun are capable of. Frank

that is a nice gun. Will be way better for deer than for hogs. it is big enough but you probably want something that you can get fast follow up shots with for hogs. the recoil of a 45-70 is pretty hard.

I have been thinking about what to use for hogs after the season. we are going to have some guys bring hog dogs to the lease the first weekend in February. the only two choices I have are my AR or two 30/30s. one 30/30 is a marlin with standard mounted scope and the other is a Winchester with iron sights. I am leaning towards the Winchester. the 30/30 with LeverR bullets makes it a little flatter than it used to be. probably a 200 yard gun now. which makes the 30/30 even better for deer.

good luck!

The Marlin in 30-30 seems to be an overall great suggestion. The guide on the hog trip does not allow scopes...something to do with hog dogs getting shot...not sure..

[Cobiamoby]

Eff the gun and use a knife... it's a wicked rush. The dogs are awesome too....

[Kahi]

Eff the gun and use a knife... it's a wicked rush. The dogs are awesome too....

just watched a youtube video...damn that is up close and personal...what's next....choke em to death with your hands?

[Jared D]

The Marlin in 30-30 seems to be an overall great suggestion. The guide on the hog trip does not allow scopes...something to do with hog dogs getting shot...not sure..

I would say its about the best around light fast action rifle you can get for a good price (I paid $250 for mine) and bullets are everywhere and in many styles...

That said.. Scopes cause dogs to be shot??? Thats a new one. I would think they would be better than open sites but what do I know? Personally not a big fan of dog hunting pigs, but thats just my preference. I know my dog would love a crack at one!

Its a blast. Many many places you can do pig hunting. Get ready for some interesting people.... most pig hunters are cocky know it alls who are very err... different... and I am speaking as one!

Oh, and I will get a pic of my rifle when I get home for ya. Not much to look at, its a marlin 336 with a lyman peep (I think the peep was ~$50)