Marlin vs Henry/ 30-30 vs .44mag question.

Grateful

Grateful

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Oct 5, 2002
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Hello guys, i am planning on buying a new lever gun in a couple of months. The gun will be used for recreational shooting as well as deer hunting in woody and brushy areas. I am wondering if anyone has an opinion as to who is making the better, most accurate and reliable, rifle these days, Henry or Marlin.
Ammo for the .44 mag is a little cheaper and most if not all of my shots will be 100 yards or less so do you all think it will be as reliable as a 30-30? The diffrence in ammo cost is small so should i just stick with the tried and true 30-30?
And lastly anyone know how well the brass body/reciever on the Henry will hold over time/ rounds fired?
 
I'll chime in pro 30-30 and use 170gr. Have deer hunted since early 60's. Started with a Winchester 94 and am very pleased with my Marlin 336 scoped. Got the Marlin quite a while ago now and consider it a huge upgrade. Would love to try the Henry but don't want to give up what I have.
 
If you hand-load I would give the nod to the 44. The 44 can be a lot of fun with the variety of bullets and powders available. If you don't hand-load and shots will be less than 100 yds I would say it's almost a coin flip. I've taken deer with both and would have no problem carrying either caliber. I have no "hands on" with the Henry but most guys I talk to who have them seem satisfied. I can't say how many Marlins I have owned over the years but I can say every one was reliable and accurate. The Marlin 30-30 can be found on the secondary market for very reasonable prices if you are persistent. I can't say the same for the 44. With any combination of caliber and manufacturer you are considering I believe you will do okay.
 
I praise the OLD Marlin 336 (JM barrel) in 30-30 any chance I get.
Mine has been a treasure in our family for over 30 years and gets a few hundred rounds run through her every year.
The newer (Remington made) Marlin is not as impressive IMO.
It hurts having no money now that there's an old Marlin 336 30-30 for sale at my LGS for $350! Lightly used and one 3" long scratch down the left side of the receiver. Talk about a tease.
 
I have heard that the new Marlins are not as good as the old ones but hopefully still pretty good. Thats the reason i am considering a Henry, i just dont know how good they really are.

Jim
 
Between the two, I'd go with a NEW Henry or a USED Marlin. A used Marlin 30-30 would be my top pick.
 
The Henry rifles are superb. They will last a lifetime. In would stay away from the new Marlins, and go used for the best quality. Either cartridge will work fine for your needs.
 
I like what you all are saying about the Henrys. Any opinions about the brass vs steel recievers?

Jim
 
The Henry receivers hold up very well, I still prefer my Marlins though, my favorite is a 44/40. I've bagged a few hogs and deer with it, it is a older model though. My daughter has the newest of ours and its still at least 20yrs old a 357 mag. I also love the Uberti 1873's and the 1876 models but they are more suited to hand loaders and people that are fond of older calibers.
 
30-30 over 44 any day. Don't forget to think about the 35 rem. Could even consider 45 colt or 45-70.

I have a marlin in 375 win which I love. I think a more perfect meat getter probably doesn't exist.

The Henrys are very nice. I have one in 17 HMR, and my good friend got one in 45 long colt which is the most accurate rifle I have ever shot. Sub MOA all day long with handloads.
 
Grateful said:
I like what you all are saying about the Henrys. Any opinions about the brass vs steel recievers?

Jim
Click to expand...

My friend spoke to one of the engineers at Henry; the brass receivers are equivalent in strength to their steel receivers. I don't think the design / dimensions are exactly the same, and apparently Henry is using a very advanced (proprietay?) brass alloy.
 
35Rem would be cool, i dont think i can handle the recoil of a 45-70. 45 Colt is very tempting but based on what i read on the internet 44mag will out perform it. Actually 45 Colt and 357 mag are both tempting but im not sure they are reliable 100 yard deer stoppers. Anybody have experiance using either of these out of a lever gun on deer?
Its good to hear that the brass Henrys are solid because i do like the look of them.

Jim
 
Hi,
Actually 45 colt can out perform 44 mag, if one is a hand loader or is willing to buy expensive ammo like Buffalo Bore ammo. (One must also have a rifle or hand gun that can handle high end 45 colt, like some Ruger revolvers, 92 winchesters and clones, and Marlin 94; not everything made for 45 colt can.) 357 is not in the same league as high end 44mag and 45 colt.
As for 44mag vs 30-30; do you have a hand gun in 44 mag as well? If so, matching handgun and rifle calibers can be quite handy.
 
If you load your own 45 colt outperforms 44 mag in every way.

45-70 is not as unfortable on recoil as many might think. It is relatively slower impulse, and straight wall cases tend to be more comfortable. Also can be loaded down (or up).
 
I dont load my own, at least not yet. How do you suppose a 45-70's recoil would compare to my 12 gage 870?

Jim
 
If you plan on a scope I would go with the marlin because side eject. Henry is much harder to scope.
 
Grateful said:
I dont load my own, at least not yet. How do you suppose a 45-70's recoil would compare to my 12 gage 870?

Jim
Click to expand...

Tough to say, everyone is recoil sensitive in a different way. Personally, recoil doesnt bother me but muzzle blast does, so I shoot my 223 as well as my 338 federal.

I'd say off hand, the 45-70 will be more than bird shot (#7.5 or #6) in 12 ga, but less than slugs. Maybe similar to 00 buck. Assuming 2 3/4inch shells. Less than 3 or 3.5 magnums.
 
The 30-30 in a light weight 94 (5.5 lbs) is way sharper (more abrupt) than the 375 win in my marlin (7.5with scope). The 45-70 recoil in the light marlin guide gun was definitely heavy, but not sharp and non necessarily uncomfortable. Depends a little on the powders used (or ammo purchased).
 
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