What is the Best Lever-Action Deer Cartridge?

[@timothysysko]

Having a Marlin 336 in 35 Rem is a family tradition

[@TracyPerren-cn3ol]

Certainly is. I and 2 of my cousins have one.

[@maxpinson5002]

Not a thing wrong with the 35 Only "problem" in this area has always been the scarcity of the rifles and the accompanying higher price of rifles and ammunition

[@markbroad119]

Model '94 30-30 here

[@HerkCC]

Same here....always dropped them. Hard hitting round....back in the day it dropped everything in North America.

[@twintwo1429]

​@@maxpinson5002when it comes to expense or supply problems, there is no excuse. Reloading is easy to learn; and is always cheaper. ESPECIALLY today, when you have so many choices of websites with sales and clearances.

[@Voxguitarsrock]

Ive been using the 30/30 for over 40 years. No issues.

[@johnhastings353]

My fav is the 444 Marlin. Loved that round since I was 12 years old. Taken wolves, big bears, Moose,and many deer w it. Oh,and it is a Marlin lever

[@usa-rb5fi]

I bought my dad one of those in a Cva scout rifle with a nice leopold scope on it. It is accurate but kicks like a mule!

[@maxpinson5002]

@@usa-rb5fi Probably not as bad as you think it does. The 444's I've used are a good hunting gun Probably would beat on me if I used really heavy bullets. Most everything in my region can easily be rendered with a 200-300 gr projectile

[@usa-rb5fi]

I fired it and it’s the non ported barrel version. It rocked me using leverevolutions from Hornady

[@maxpinson5002]

@@usa-rb5fi I load mine They're still fairly stout, but loaded less than maximum. No problems perforating game

[@mathewgoebel4078]

I call mine my Sasquatch rifle

[@oldmangreywolf6892]

For me it is the Marlin 336 using 35 Rem from Hornady.

[@sierramtnswest]

I remember my dad in early 60's ordering (4) .32 winchester specials straight from the factory - delivered right to the post office ..... ahhh thos were the days we'ent they. 🤔

[@maxpinson5002]

Back when criminals were punished instead of law abiding citizens

[@GMdrivingMOPARguy]

35 Remington is highly underrated.

[@TracyPerren-cn3ol]

I hand load for mine and it thumps.

[@jeffreybean5363]

I own a Winchester model 94 30/30 manufactured 1962. It was my Dad's now it's mine.

[@CC-Rider4564]

You're grandfather was LL, Bean ? 😂I'm just kidding, you wanna sell the 1962 model 94 ? I lost all my guns in a boating accident they at the bottom of the ocean 🌊😉. 😊

[@Sam.2zo]

​@CC-Rider4564 yes Sir. I have heard that one before

[@Voxguitarsrock]

@@jeffreybean5363 I use my dads old 94 as well. His was made in 1954. Cheers!

[@BMD2024]

got one made in 67'.....still going strong.

[@gb123-ej8wh]

Take care of it and it’ll serve you grandkids well in the woods and on the range. I like mine

[@mattvongruben]

I never tire of lever action vids from ron spomer!

[@secdef01]

Marlin 336 in 35 REM.

[@FloydOLeary]

Browning BLR removable mag.Great calibers.

[@twp616]

Savage 99 in .300 Savage is the best lever action rifle and cartridge combo ever made.

[@readelundy7620]

35 Remington

[@DT-ww4gv]

30-30 ammo is easy to find right now. I have a few. 160gr hornady 30-30 has over 2400fps+ out of my 24" barrel.

[@ChaddHatherley]

300 savage model 99. My favourite caliber and lever action.

[@anthonyjbargeman5280]

Ron my old friend (have been "following your since '75') in the woods I use a Henry lever in .357. Have found it works well especially in ranges of 100 yards and under. Keep up your good work sir. I love it.

[@danielremel3417]

I'm taking my late great uncle's 1964 Marlin 336 in .35Rem into the woods this season, and I've found that the 150gr Remington pointed soft point (one in the tube only) has had the best accuracy and felt recoil compared to the 200gr soft points. I shot a box of 20 150gr rounds at the range with no problem, but my shoulder is still sore after only 5 rounds of the 200gr!

[@C.D.-tz6sk]

Cant beat for woods gun/caliber

[@YankeeWoodcraft]

I've dropped 3 does with my 30-30 Marlin 336 last year. I'm a 270 man when it comes to my bolt action, but I'm now a believer in the 30-30.

[@usa-rb5fi]

I use both calibers as well, but my .30-30 is a bolt action. It’s a variant of the Savage 340. That’s my old reliable for whitetail.

[@invalidusername4732]

Why not have the best of both worlds and get a browning blr in 270

[@usa-rb5fi]

Easy for me, because when I think lever I typically think “brush gun” or shorter range shots. .270 doesn’t exactly fit in the brush gun category.

[@YankeeWoodcraft]

@@invalidusername4732 I use my 270 for longer than brush gun distances.

[@YankeeWoodcraft]

@@usa-rb5fi Agreed. My 270 is for longer distances.

[@ketchman8299]

35 Rem in the Marlin 336. 😍 Or my Dad's 32 Win Special in a model 94.

[@reubenjohnson3865]

My son and I used that combo for many years.

[@veteranoutdoorsman9978]

338 marlin express but it never took off. Best by far.

[@mattvongruben]

30-30 is an indisputable classic. The .35 Remington is the greatest lever action round ever invented. The .360 buckhammer looks to be another all time great in the spirit of the .35 rem, but I wouldn't buy it unless I just couldn't ever use my .35 rem anymore or I lived where there were some stupid restrictions that would mandate the straight-wall 360 buckhammer. All 3 are outstanding cartridges.

[@MBCGRS]

Winchester model 71 in 348 win. Oldie but a goodie...

[@kendittig6142]

Ron, i was recently gifted my great grandfathers winchester model 55 non take down, manufacture year was 1929, its in a 32 special and excellent condition. this rifle has been carried by 4 generations in the deer woods here in pa, i plan to use it for a deer hunt in a few weeks, then a nephew, or my son and my nephews son, making it 6 generations to hunt with the rifle. its one of those things that just brings the tradition of deer hunting being passed down through the generations to life, i get goose bumps handling the rifle just knowing its history. thanks for the videos. be safe and a successful deer season to ya.

[@georgesakellaropoulos8162]

I'm fortunate. I have a model 94 in .30WCF, a model 336 in .35 Rem., and a model 99 in .308.

[@mikerobinson6606]

Well done. That's a great start!

[@daneboro6847]

Is your model 94 a pre 64?

[@georgesakellaropoulos8162]

@daneboro6847 Unfortunately not.

[@MrBucidart]

.30WCF, 1895-1896?, before the caliber was renamed 30-30??? I had an old octagon 94' chambered .30WCF.

[@georgesakellaropoulos8162]

@@MrBucidart It's a .30-30.

[@Bamboozled_by_the_BS]

Great video with some really useful information. I've been a 35 fan since I was a kid. I love the old 30-30 almost as much.

[@sawnut]

Always love lever action content. Just bought a nib 1980 Win 94 chambered in 375 Win. Great channel.

[@Mike-zw7fq]

I believe i used to have one of those. Its at the top of the list of the things i wish i hadn't have sold. " Big bore 94" XTR. a Beautiful lever action. I still have 2 boxes of mty cases. Best Wishes from Montana!

[@ryanehlis426]

I picked up a Marlin model 375 from the same era. It’s basically a 336 in 375 win cal.

[@Mark-uq9km]

@@ryanehlis426 Marlin was not shy about chambering Winchester rounds. They chambered the .375 Win as well as the .356 Win., and of course the ubiquitous .30-30. I don't know if they ever loaded the .307 Win, though. The .356 Win was a .358 Win for lever actions and the .307 Win was the .308 of lever actions. Marlin had only one propietory loading and that is the .444 Marlin developed along with Remington cartridges.

[@paulg.5997]

@@sawnut I have a Model 94 "big-bore" in 307 win. Bought it new in 1982. I still hunt with it.

[@tatsuhirosatou5513]

​@@Mark-uq9kmwell 375 win isn't completely a winchester chambering, all they did is take the marlin 38-55 cartridge from 1893 and raise the pressure for smokeless powder

[@wildbillslickdog]

I had a Winchester big bore in 307,,that was a great deer rifle,hard to fine ammo,but when I found some I bought all, and bought the die set

[@woodman8261]

I have a Henry in 35rem. Awsome rifle.

[@megastick9324]

My old 1971 336 still het the nod on most days. I’ve got plenty of other options, but I’ve had it since 1976, my wife had bought it for me when we were still sweethearts. Her dad had an early 60s 94 worn white and I loved that gun. She saved up and bought me the Marlin new. It’s taken quite a few deer and hogs over the years and feels like a good pair of slippers when it goes with me. My eyes are getting old so it wears a 1-4x scope now, makes a great sight on low power in low light. If I was younger I might consider the 360 or other new kids out now. But there is no reason at this point for me. Plus if I were in a bind, 30-30 ammo is everywhere, from hardware stores to somebody can loan you a box. If it’s big fields the old Savage 06 would get the nod, but it’s mostly swamp and brush around here and the old Marlin is right at home. I have an uncle that may pass a 300 Savage 99 to me one day, I’ll have to use that too AND bridge the gap between the 30-30 and 06!

[@donaldmartin4980]

My most used rifle is Rossi lever action M92, sixteen inch barrel in .357 magnum, do a fifty cent action job, skinner sights , enjoy . 125 grain to 180 grain bullets at velocities from 900- 2300 fps provide a huge range of versatility. Rabbits, coyotes, varmints, whitetail deer, wild pigs, and even black bear … don’t forget home defense .. 😮

[@Bradb-bp4si]

336 in 35rem here

[@chrisl7511]

I've watched your videos for a while now. Finally subscribed. You really have a way of explaining things, and are a great on camera personality. Thank you for all you do.

[@MrTgrasshopper]

308 blr get my vote.

[@wglnaeclipse8715]

Yes, Henry still makes a side-gate loading lever action rifle in 35 Remington.

[@Bulldog458]

They need to make more 35 Rem

[@joeellis2692]

Just picked up two Henry's. I didn't see any options for a 35 rem. I got 2 Henry X models 357 and 45 Colt. I also have two Marlins. 336w 30-30 and 336cs 35rem. Would love a Henry in 35rem

[@outdoorztime2923]

I purchased the 360 Buckhammer this year. In my state they have gone to an Alternative Firearm (takes the place of Muzzleloader). It's a nice-shooting rifle; gotta love the lever action rifles! By the way, I like loading mine by using the side-gate and unloading using the tube - works a little easier.

[@languagesource355]

Gotta love it!

[@stephenkennedy3145]

My grandfather's 32 special is over 90 years old still works good

[@oldgandy5355]

Wish Savage would bring back the Model 99 with the rotary magazine.

[@maxpinson5002]

If they did, they'd have to have it made overseas, or maybe subcontracted by Henry

[@vincecolananni9158]

I’ve read articles about this. They said the tooling was so old and worn out was one of the reasons they dropped it. That, and it takes a ‘ton’ of hand work to make with the original design. I’m with you though in wishing it would come back. I love mine. (Although mine has the detachable Box Magazine)

[@maxpinson5002]

@@vincecolananni9158 Yeah The 99 is just one of the old classic guns that have to be extensively hand fitted and synchronized to cycle properly. All these modern doo dads can mostly be investment cast/CNC'ed and precision machine heat-treated and thrown together without requiring all the skilled craftsmen that used to put the firearms of the old generations together

[@SL-sy8ix]

The model 99 beats all other lever actions.

[@maxpinson5002]

Only shot one Never owned one The BLR's I've had and the old Marlins are just as smooth ( all much older guns than these newer versions) And a friend's brand new Henry 22LR was extremely smooth right out of the box when we got back with it. As much or more than his 39A he had before

[@heydaddy6817]

There is no doubt 30-30. In Canada and parts of Alaska it has taken down moose, deer, elk, bears (even grizzlies), caribou, mountain lions, etc. It has taken more game than any caliber in NA.

[@tatsuhirosatou5513]

Actually no, we have surveys going back saying 30-06 has killed more and id bet 22lr has taken more too

[@Truck3r96]

The 45-70 before that did a lot

[@handlesaredumb1]

​@@tatsuhirosatou5513 Care to share a link?

[@tatsuhirosatou5513]

@handlesaredumb1 care to just Google it yourself

[@Plumcraziness]

Good ol' .30-30 and the new 360 Buckhammer are both awesome cartridges. I'm very intrigued by the 360 Buckhammer for the extra range and capability it has (specifically with Hammer loadings), but it's hard to not love .30-30 too. It's an absolute classic, and is much more capable than many people realize or understand. Bottom line: lever actions are awesome and they're just cool as hell too. 👍 'Nuff said.

[@jerrystott7780]

What about the 358 win ? It's a good woods round. Have a great day

[@ironDsteele]

It's a great 250 yard round too.

[@myloveisajoke]

Well that's easy: 405 Winchester. Teddy Roosevelt says so.

[@Truck3r96]

I had honestly forgotten about this cartridge

[@50TNCSA]

Model 336 in 35 remington

[@timhallas4275]

You can also get a Marlin Lever action rifle in .444 Marlin, which delivers almost 3,000 ft lbs at 100 yards. Just in case a grizzly decides to invite himself to your deer hunt.

[@mathewgoebel4078]

Or Sasquatch

[@timhallas4275]

@@mathewgoebel4078 Or flying horses?

[@Trashgamer23]

Glad I stumbled on this gives me answers in looking for especially hunting missouri woods

[@johnhenry8839]

Marlin 444 got it for black bear but it does a fine job on deer

[@maxpinson5002]

Yes Does it without ruining any valuable meat as well

[@Paul-q3m7k]

325 wsm out of my browning blr . I run the Winchester big game expedition . They are loaded with a 200 grain accubond that I’ve chronographed at an average of 2947fps at the muzzle . Is it too much for deer …yes . But it’s my only lever action 😂😂

[@wagonernazarene561]

358 win iBLR love it! 6:16

[@ironDsteele]

I second that.

[@jacksmoke3731]

Browning BLR in 308.

[@stevendonnalammar4422]

Great video Ron, being a southpaw I love lever actions, I own one in 30-30 Winchester and 35 Remington. I love both rifles and in both cartridges. What I like even more than lever action rifles are pump actions, you can maintain your hand grips on the gun and never have to pull your finger out of the trigger guard between shots. I own a pump-action in 30-30 Winchester and 35 Remington as well.

[@jeffreymacdonald4226]

Ron would you mind redoing this with Hornady Leverrevolution ammo for the 30-30 and 35 I believe the results will be much different. This ammo allows my Marlin 336c 35 Remington to shoot 1” groups and the velocities and energy is also much improved

[@ThomasZangla]

Brownings BLR covers a lot of cartridges, from 22-250 to 300 Win Mag.

[@razdog76]

Except for straight wall states, only offer it in 450 Marlin. Missing the boat with no 350 Legend.

[@maxpinson5002]

I've had BLR's from Belgium and Miroku both. One shoots as well as the other. Same with the Auro-5's I've had. No difference in performance or reliability or appearance

[@ironDsteele]

@@razdog76 I wouldn't get a 350 Legend. I would go for the .358 Win, which they offer in a magazine fed rifle life the BLR.

[@manderson7173]

Recently purchased a 1965 Marlin 336 in 35 Remington. Stocked up on several boxes of 200 grain Remington corelokt and Hornady Leverevolution. The rifle just drips with nostalgia and feels perfect in the hand. Also added a Williams peep site 👌

[@chadlowery5672]

These discussion always remind me of my childhood when arguments at deer camps were 30/30 vs 32 special vs 35 Rem…the answer is that any deer won’t know the difference but the conversation is entertaining…I have had a Marlin 336 in 35 Rem since I was a kid…it doesn’t see much use these days but those 200 grain Corelocks hit like a hammer and have never failed to anchor a deer in short order!

[@languagesource355]

I wonder if we'll see a Win94 action in 360BH. Hopefully minus the rattling trigger. For that open sight, handy, balanced boom stick to walk the woods.

[@HH-pv9ex]

30-30

[@markhirstwood4190]

.358 Win or .356 Win. Other ideas: .338 Federal, .338 Marlin Express & .325 WSM. Pistol calibre lever-action rifles: .41 Magnum & maybe even the .327 Federal Magnum. Can't forget .243 Winchester. Copper ammo only, no lead in the meat, thanks. Love Ron's videos... Consider how he says, most North American hunters won't go above .30 cal. I think it's because it's 'military' & because 'three hundred' (the wording) anything sounds complete, so why go bigger? But I think it's a mistake to go no wider than .30 & I think the benefits have been well-proven.

[@markburkhart6331]

I have a 356 win I recently inherited that I can't wait to use this season. BLR 30/06 for the long stuff.

[@jew0182]

How do you like the BLR in 30/06? I’ve been wanting to get a BLR pretty bad for a while now in 30/06. I have my savage 116 weather warrior series in 30/06 left handed bolt since I’m a south paw. But ever since I got my 30/30 marlin 336 it’s honestly all I use and in fact since I’m a lefty I’ve really taken to lever actions. Hardly even take my savage 30/06 (which my best and nicest gun I have) I’ve been eyeing the BLR for some time.

[@jameseroh6544]

Lever action rifles are some of my favorite rifles. I do have a 7-08, 308, and a 360 Buckhammer on my shopping list. My collection does already include a 22lr, 357mag, and a 45 Colt. That 45 Colt makes a big hole in things. Esecially with the 325gr bear load.

[@walterkleban2746]

The 35 remington originally was developed for the autoloating remington rifle developed by John Browning. Once out there Marlin chambered rifles for it.

[@joevan9973]

i have one of those. my grampa gave it to me. awsome gun!

[@DustinHoogland-cj9ef]

300 savage model 99 is the rifle of true woodsman.

[@outdoordauber]

Thank God someone posted this! I was going to say this video is fake news if the Savage 99 in 300 Savage wasn't included. 😁

[@DustinHoogland-cj9ef]

@outdoordauber only the real ones know what's what. 😂

[@jeffreyhall2136]

I have both, 30-30 Model 94 and Marlin 336 in .35

[@dlbade01]

Our crew still does a lot of deer drives in WI. And somehow while turning 50 this year, I'm still one of the young guys that gets sent through the thick stuff. I added a red dot sight to my model 94 30/30 and it has really helped me pick up those quick shots. Add to that the hornady leverrevolution cartridges make me feel a little better when I do finally get to post a field and need to take a bit of a longer shot (probably more limited by the red dot or open sights at that point). I hadn't heard about the 360 buckhammer before this video. Living in OH, that might be an interesting option. But it's ironic that some of these new cartridges are becoming more powerful than the old ones that aren't permitted.

[@johnwurfel2862]

Ammo price and availability far outweights balistic performance diferences. .30-30Win and .44 Rem Mag/.357 Rem Mag are sure bets. .360 Buckhammer is great but may quickly fade if .30-30 or .45-70 is legalized in "straight wall" states.

[@languagesource355]

I'm in one of those areas. I have 30-30, 45Colt, 44Mag, 357Mag and 45-70. And I want the 360BH :) My revolver-caliber carbines are 92-style, so I can't easily have proper scopes on them, which limits them. Love the 45-70 but it does kick. 360BH seems like a sweet spot and is a perfect match for a Henry - a faux vintage but very well done. P.S. I also think that all those areas should at least legalize the historical deer calibers like 30-30 and 35Rem, even if they want to keep disallowing the more potent "proper" rifle calibers. It's rather pathetic that folks can't use the quintessential deer rifles to hunt deer. If those rounds perform at or below 45-70 and 360BH, there's no logical reason to ban them.

[@TAWNoCents]

Hi Ron - I hoping you'd touch on all the lever action cartridges for deer, .357 mag through 45-70 gov pro and cons, but not necessarily the level of detail you went into with this fine video. Perhaps the title should be "30-30, 360 or 35 Rem, Which is best?"

[@AM68635]

I have 2 marlins model 30AS and a model 336 both in 30.30, love it.

[@ottokittel709]

not too many years ago a kid could buy a nice lever gun for $350 bucks at Walmart. now that marketing, greed, and big business has changed things a bit, that lever rifle is way over $1000. a bit more than most 12 year old kids can afford. the old lever rifles that grand paw gave me over 66 years ago are worth big bucks today, and the young kids today turn their noses up on the lowly under powered 35 rem, and 3030 win for the hotter latest and greatest of today. I still hunt with an old waffle top marlin 35 rem, lost count of deer taken by my father, and myself, way past few hundred deer and bear. May the 3030 win and 35 rem live forever!

[@languagesource355]

But it's not marketing, greed and big business :) $1000 today is less than $350 not too many years ago. In a free market competition and elasticity of demand are checks on "greed". Things like monetary policy and anti-you-know-what legislation are not free market features. Add to that the decline of hunting - fewer new people are coming in, so there's less demand for hunting gear. Less demand means less volume, less economies of scale and thus higher costs and higher prices per unit. And then there's just newer technologies. Just like Winchester Model 12 got to be too expensive to make - too high quality to be competitive with the newer shotguns, which worked just as well, and just like the old pre-MIM Smith & Wesson revolvers also got to be too expensive to make to compete with modern methods, so it is with lever actions. They are older designs and can't be streamlined below a certain point. So new hunters might simply just go with a modern polymer stocked bolt action for less money, which will have better precision, easier scope mounting, lighter weight and also somewhat safer for newbies. I love lever actions but having recently introduced a few new hunters to them I find that the cocked hammer can be dangerous and they are better off with the simplicity of a bolt action, at least until they've built up the muscle memory and skill. But credit to Henry, their basic walnut and X models can be had for around $900, which IMHO is as much of a bargain in todays dollars as a $350 Marlin 336 from Walmart some years back. And I'd like to second your "May the 3030 win and 35 rem live forever!" - 100% agreed 👍

[@maxpinson5002]

Don't forget about the non shooters/hunters that buy stuff like boots and hats and lever rifles to dress up and sit in front of the television with their rifle in their lap watching their new modern day "westerns " They'll pay whatever it takes to get whatever makes their fantasy more realistic in their head

[@mathewgoebel4078]

I bought my first Marlin 336 in 1979 paid $105 for it at Kmart the next year on Maxwell Street day I bought my second one at Ace Hardware for 80 plus dollars

[@outdoordauber]

Don't forget that a 12 or 13 yr old kid today can buy a decent quantity budget bolt rifle for $350-400 that we never could have dreamed of.

[@IMBrute-ir7gz]

Having the misfortune to be born a southpaw, I've had very few choices in left-handed bolt rifles and stringed musical instruments in my life. So I settled for leverguns and custom-built fiddles decades ago. The Marlin 39A and the Browning BLR in 7mm-08 have served me well. However, all the archery companies produce left-handed bows, so I've never had any trouble with that.

[@Madhatter-n4c]

I have put plenty of venison in the freezer with both a 30-30 94 and a Savage 99 chambered in 250 savage aka the 250/3000. Both were my Grandads and never failed him..and they dont fail me now.

[@davidlaney8254]

Any discussion of the origin of lever actions should mention how they were often used as saddle carbines, hence the saddle ring that became a standard feature of the Model 94. Hunters and soldiers alike wanted a rifle that could be shouldered in short order for taking longer shots while sitting in a saddle.

[@mikerobinson6606]

The 1873 was made with the Saddle Ring. Even the 1860s had a calvary carbine.

[@davidlaney8254]

@@mikerobinson6606 That only makes sense when you consider the horse was perhaps the most common way to travel short of trains or stagecoaches.

[@ryanbudney3356]

I like the Henry 6.5cm lever. It's not tube-fed, but it's lever action. The model is called the "long ranger".

[@charlesharper7292]

Nice rifle.

[@ryanbudney3356]

@@charlesharper7292 It's pretty much as effective as any bolt action. But it's slim and sleek, even sleeker than a tube-fed lever action. All my other rifles look modern in comparison. The Henry has classic good looks.

[@dave_1958]

I have one of the long rangers in .308 win… kicks like a mule but it’s accurate 👍

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

@@ryanbudney3356 it's basically a copy of the Browning BLR.

[@ryanbudney3356]

@@WALTERBROADDUS That's sort of academic. The BLR is a Japanese copy of the original BLR, while the Henry is an original design made in the States. All these designs are recyclings of old ideas: rack-and-pinion gears, rotating bolts, etc.

[@rodneypearson6986]

My son took over my 4570 so I bought a Buck hammer I was very pleased last season

[@rileymartin4565]

Great info as always Ron!!! The 30-30 works for me. I love the channel!!!!

[@JeffreyCotle]

Hi Ron still using my grandpaps 1894 30 wcf. 26" octagon barrel. I inherited this rifle when I was 8 years old. Original rifle. With the old style buck horn sights. Rifle was made in 1909. I use winchester 170 power points. Gets er done for me. I still wear his Woolrich coat and carry his hunting knife too. I had to get a case made for the knife. 😊

[@radagast6682]

I believe the .35 Rem is loaded down because of the old Remington auto loaders out there. If hand-loading you could work up a better load.

[@rags8855]

You are right. I load my own 35 shells and they are far more aggressive than factory loads.

[@afields1002]

This was a lot of fun. You know Ron, you should do another one of these on lever guns for the pistol caliber cartridges like 357 and 44 mag! Both can work just fine on deer also, at close ranges in the woods.

[@Forgeinthegorge]

I’ve got that .32 Winchester Special - wonderful little brush gun. My daughter uses it these days, 4th generation with that rifle. She got her first elk with it this year. 😁

[@williamray3101]

I got a 1894 made 1907.26" octagon barrel.good old .30-30😊

[@AbelGuerra-xz3pc]

I’ll stick to my trusty 12ga with buckshot at least that hasn’t been tampered with by bringing new gauges to market

[@manminusblood]

I wish they never obsoleted the .300 Savage. I’ve got a lever 99 and a pump 760 in .300 savage but the bullet price is cost prohibitive for much shooting without learning to reload and spending a fortune. The rotary magazine in the 99 is so awesome though…

[@beestoe993]

I reload for the 300 Savage. I make brass from military surplus 308 brass. Its easy and doesn't have to be real expensive to get set up.

[@newscoulomb3705]

Thanks, Ron. It might be interesting to see your rundown of straight wall, pistol cartridge lever actions.

[@Lemur70]

Very nice info. I need to dial in a friend's 30-30. But love my blr .270, got a buck @ 250yds last year. But for a change of pace maybe this year I'll take my blr .243 out and see if I can get a dear with it. I live in the east and have to say many of the things you have said about eastern hunting ring true.

[@robertchapman4488]

The good thing about the new 360 Buck Hammer is those ballistics are from a 20 inch barrel unlike the other two are from a 24 inch barrel

[@wahyasaquii7563]

Nice catch!

[@therealdestructicus]

I wish the 338 marline express was still around

[@justanstuart6779]

I several lever guns, 2 PRE 64 30-30, a Marlin 336 30-30, a 52 Marlin Micro Groove 30-30, and just bought a Browning BLR 243. I hunt many different states every year and i found the 243 to be my new preferred lever gun. Still short and relatively light for woods and brush, but still enough punch for good range if you find yourself out on a flat somewhere.

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

🙋🏽‍♂️ for all the reasons you mentioned; why did pump-action rifles never gain the Same Love?

[@JamesJones-cx5pk]

My uncle has a Rem. 7600 in .308. He was lethal on deer drives.

[@gdaytrees4728]

Noise. And rattling Remington 760, 7600...

[@dimmymackster431]

Probably because levers were already so popular and a lot of the pump guns had QC problems.

[@WALTERBROADDUS]

@@dimmymackster431 I don't know about QC problems? Remington made them for decades. Always popular here in Pennsylvania. It's always strange how the pump shotgun is highly desired. But the pump rifle, not so much...

[@dimmymackster431]

@@WALTERBROADDUS that’s good to hear. Pump rifles don’t have a good rep. Where I’m from.

[@shanerhodes925]

A friend of mine in high school had a bolt action 30-30 a Stevens 340 with a tasco scope with fine Cross hairs. And I don't think he could miss with that rifle. It was something to see. Then he always wanted a 300 WSM. and when he got one I don't know if he ever shot anything with it. And right before he passed away he told me he was thinking about going back to using his old rifle and like he said he could hit a moving deer or bear off hand with ease. But that magnum he had missed chips shots a couple times. Better to hit them with a 30-30 than to miss with a 309 magnum. And that is Everytime . Thanks Ron. That was the first thing that came to mind when the video started.

[@danz0007]

Marlin 336 in 30-30 in the tried an true winner when it comes to deer

[@wayneblair288]

Like the win 94 in 7-30 love the lever rifles got to do the 45-70 Cowboy 26 inch octagon barrel.

[@JohnSmith-f6o]

No best. Buy one of each and enjoy them all! Generally speaking, lever actions are a joy to hunt with because of how slim and light they are to carry. For woods hunting they are plenty powerful so why burden yourself with extra bulk or weight?

[@chadbinette3201]

Got an older marlin model 336 30-30 that has to be 50-60 yrs old and it's still my go to deer gun in Maine. I also have a 32 special from my grandfather, has to be pushing 100 yrs old, has a metal plate on the butt stock, no padding at all not even plastic haha. I believe that one ejects out the top where as the marlin ejects out the side. I believe I was told before the 30-30 and 32 could shoot both rounds if in a pinch, don't know if I'ld have the 🏀 s to try it but power to ya.

[@stainlessman64]

I’ve got a Winchester model 94 with saddle ring - made in 1899. Was my dads - now is mine. That rifle has taken many blacktail deer on west coast here. And plenty black bear too

[@dougkahler7152]

Why not use a BLR in 270 or7 mm wsm? Those would be just about the best or maybe the 325 WSM BLR! If you talk about staying with straight wall cartridge’s then it’s tough to beat the 45-70 do it all.

[@jsnpowers6]

Great video Ron. I have a 2 model 94s a 1953 32 win and a 1959 30-30 both are great shooters and can put food on the table any time the hammer is dropped but the 30-30 has been in the woods far more times due to ammo availability over the years.

[@Bill-4570]

Savage 99 - 308 win

[@PassivePortfolios]

Browning BLR is available in quite a few high pressure calibers with pointed bullets usually found in bolt action rifles.

[@BrianDexter]

Agreed!

[@brucekiszely2995]

Yes sir!!, got my Dad's handed down to me!, take it into the woods every November, great rifle, even greater memories!!

[@ryantipton2708]

My 336 still comes out of the safe every year. Even with the other rifles I own just something about a jm stamped marlin

[@deviousone8921]

Love my old 30-30, a rarer lever gun that in my opinion is the best lever action is the 348 Winchester. Have to handload for it but I wouldn't have it any other way and it does kick a lot more than a 30-30. Just took used a 25-35 on a whitetail tonight for the first time and it worked great, although from a combo gun not a lever. Great video as always.

[@Bulldog458]

I wish @henry would make more 35 Rem rifles!

[@blackie1of4]

They do offer one.. it's beautiful ❤️

[@user-jm6hh7op3w]

The Marlin Fire Arms Company was founded in 1872 and has been making lever-action rifles since 1881. The Model 1881 was one of the first commercially successful lever-action rifles that were chambered in some of the most powerful large bore rifle cartridges of the time, including the .40-60 Marlin, .45-70 Government, and .45-­85 Marlin.

[@randyguapo7793]

Don't Forget About The Model 94 In .38-55 WCF Caliber !!! A Fabulous Bullet And Combo With The Model 94 !!!

[@robertrogish1038]

I've read what many have said they love about you - and I echo them all. May I also add this to the growing list - thank you for not butchering the King's English. I love your tone of voice and the fact that you know the rules of grammar and follow them. I'd watch you even if you mangled the English language.

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

Thanks Robert. That's a compliment I rarely get.

[@radagast6682]

Hi Ron, good to be here. The best cartridge is the 30-30 in my Marlin that I took my first deer with in 1962. Maybe my Marlin in 32 Special, with the 24" barrel, for a little bit more power. OK maybe my 35 Rem, for the 200 grain bullet for more power. One step up to my 356 Win. for a little more range. What about my 45-70 for that monster buck. Only Marlins. 😂🤣