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Posted: 7/1/2009 9:38:21 AM EDT
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I have been wanting a 30-30win for a while, in a marlin 336. I would use it for deer and hogs. But lately i have been thinking of possibly picking up a remington 870 and converting it over to a slug gun. I believe both guns would have the same range 100-150yds (which is fine for me), but i would have more versatility with the 870, as i could change barrels and stocks to have a bird gun or a HD gun. So which do you think would work better for deer or hogs out to 150yds? 30-30 or 12ga slug gun?
The main reason i am having a tough time choosing is the insane prices that 336's are going for....i wont pay over $300 for one.. Something like this: http://www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=6&f=1&t=282243 |
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If the economy weakens more, you will probably be able to get your wish on 336 pricing, but otherwise I would not expect to see them drop (until the traditional temporary post-deer season dip). Thanks to arfcom and other opportunities for shooters to communicate, the Marlin is getting a stronger reputation as a pretty good HD/CQB option in a non-military platform. I have two and I think they're great. But I also have two 870s.
Now, a few things you should consider: (1) Is 150 yards REALLY likely where you are hunting? TX is a big place, so I know the terrain for deer and pigs runs the gamut. Where I used to hunt deer in TX a thousand years ago, we would hunt in tree farming areas where my Dad sold logging equipment. Buckshot was good enough for some of these places, they were so entangled. The last time I hunted in your fine state was in more open country for Javelina, and the shots were quite a bit longer (though still nothing like a beanfield shot in open farmland). If you are really going to be where 150 yd shots are fairly common, the Marlin is probably the better choice. But if you are generally expecting 100 yd or less, favorability for deer and hogs is really a practical tie. (2) Are you prepared to do a bit more shooting than simply sighting in the shotgun for slugs? My point is that, at least in my limited experience, shotguns can be mighty picky abut which ones they prefer. I had to go through over a half-dozen brands/configurations before I found something that would really shine in my H&R Ultra (IL, shotgun only). As it is a single shot, I wanted 3MOA or less with a full diameter projectile to be sure I would get the most out of that one good shot ––- I settled on Buckhammers after about 50 rounds on a long afternoon just to pick the right one. THEN comes sighting in and practice. I'm not saying you will go through this, but it's quite possible that "setting up for slugs" may be a major non-recurring event. (3) There is a LOT to be said for the versatility of the 870 when you're arming on a budget. Combine versatility with the fact that the operating drill is the same for squirrels and bunnies, clays, doe, boars and bad guys. This is a non-trivial consideration, especially if like most of us you are an "occasional" shooter. Reading your mind here and guessing about your circumstances, I'd go with the 870. |
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As someone who uses a 870 for most of his hunting..... get the Marlin 336 for several reasons:
1. You can push 30-30 out to 250 yards with Hornady LeveRevolution. 2. You aren't hunting small game, and you can pick up a cheap beat-up Wingmaster for birds/clays for $150-$200. 3. 30-30 is cheaper, has lower recoil, and has more range. 4. You WILL buy another shotgun even if you have a spare barrel. I have a 18" Rem-Choke barreled 870 for my primary hunting gun, but I'm still going to end up buying another 870 for a birds/clays gun. 5. 336s are horribly overpriced in my area, but I still got a LNIB 336A with 2 boxes of LeverRevolution for the price for a nearly stock Ruger 10/22. You just have to shop around, and keep your eye out. 6. You may never ever take a shot past 50 yards in your whole hunting life, but the one time you need to you are going to be seriously pissed off. You will go out, and buy a hunting rifle the next day. 7. As xm193cure said, shotguns are much more picky over slug preference. Buy the Marlin now, and just buy the cheapest 870 you can find later. There are over 10 million 870s on the market, and you can ALWAYS find one for under $200. Lever-actions are gaining a resurgence in popularity, and prices will keep going up. |
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