Ask a few old deer hunters which rifle they started with, and the Marlin 336 will come up more than once. This Classic version stays true to the original, in .30-30 Winchester, with a 20-inch blued barrel and a walnut stock.

The 336 has a solid-top receiver that ejects to the side, which makes mounting a scope easy and keeps debris out of the action. Six rounds in the tube give you plenty for a day in the woods. The .30-30 is mild, accurate, and well suited to whitetail at the ranges where most deer are taken in timber.

Brush gunners prize this rifle because it comes to the shoulder naturally and balances well. It is not heavy, so a full day on the ridge does not feel like a chore. The ammunition is available nearly everywhere and comes in many bullet weights.

Wipe the barrel after wet hunts, oil the action, and store the rifle dry. If you add a scope, use proper mounts. It ships to your FFL dealer, where the background check is completed before you take it home.