I probably wouldn't own a lever action rifle if I hadn't inherited one. I prefer bolt actions and pump actions in that order.

As far as loading the Marlin, and probably Winchesters too, there is a trick to it. When you feed a round into the magazine you don't push it in all the way so the gate closes, you leave the end stick out. Then you shove the one sticking out all the way in with the bullet end of the next round and repeat until fully loaded. It's much easier, smoother and faster than shoving each cartridge all the way in so the gate closes.

I've always unloaded back out through the magazine gate. It's kind of a pain to get the first one started, especially with a full magazine tube, but after that you back them out in reverse of the loading procedure, you don't let that gate close until the last round is out.

I know most folks just lever them out because it's faster and easier but I've never liked or used that method. It's not the safest method and you end up with cartridges all over the ground most times.

The hammer safeties are just stupid. I wouldn't own a hammer gun with that sort of ridiculousness installed.

336 in 30-30 with custom 170 gr round nose loads. Inch groups at 100 yds with Williams sight. Darndest I have ever used. Never knew a ghost ring sight could be so accurate until that sight.

I Have a savage 99 in 308, henry big boy X in 3030, marlin 336 in 3030, pre 64 winchester in 3030... Can't go wrong with ay of them but my least favourite is definitely the marlin. Bit heaver than the others and I still hunt mainly, even though it's much harder in the dense 2nd growth wood here in Nova Scotia. also find despite having many rounds through it for break in period, and well oiled it just has a much stiffer action than the others which I don't like. Shoots very straight though and solid built. Can't go wrong with any of them really.

I think you'll be happy with whatever you get brand wise, if buying used just check the normal stuff, bores, rust, pitting, missing parts etc. Figure out a caliber that will suit you best and then look for the rifle that has it.

I’ve had BLRs for years. My favorite is my stainless steel/ aluminum Model 81 in .300 WSM. It’s killed a half dozen elk, eight bull moose, several bears and more deer than I can remember.

I bought a model 94 Winchester from a good friend of mine for $100.
I had no intention of ever buying a lever action deer rifle as I somehow became fixated on precision rifles.
Well, I bought this one and a box of shells and shouldered the rifle and my eyes were instantly lined up with the sights as though it had been custom made for me.
I instantly became John Wayne and this 30-30 is now one of my favorite guns to shoot!