Wrenchman, I think the Henry is also a bit more costly if I remember right. I'd definitely prefer something a little lighter to lug around and the Mossberg 464 seems just about right to me. Of course, I won't know until I try it. I wish they had ranges inside gun stores.

The Henry .22 lever action I bought is the youth model. I wanted to know what it was like to shoot something that actually fits my size for once. Most guns are designed for average sized men. I don't fit into either category. It's like I'm wearing clothes three sizes too big for me because either the grip is too large or the kick is brutal. (Or both.)

GoodOlBoy, did your wife get the 357?

Yukon Girl
 

Explain what a Mossberg 464 is> I was looking through a newly arrived wholesale catalog and in the Mossberg section I couldn't find any reference to a 464! First, what type of gun - shotgun or rifle. Then is it pump, bolt?
I am trying to figure out why I can't find it.

Larry, the 464 is Mossberg's new .30-30 lever action rifle.

Check it out here: http://www.mossberg.com/products/default.asp?id=31

30-30 medicine gun
 

Yukon Girl, I answered my own question. I got on Google and entered the Mossberg site and the rifles and see that I am looking at a Mossberg 464 that is the new lever action 30-30 from the guys at Mossberg. I am guessing that is why I couldn't find it in the wholesale catalog. The gun has been announced, but it is not yet available. That happens quite often and is a standard practice with Ruger, and is what I am suffering from in attempting to get two new Winchester Model 70 Supergrades in 30-06. I have had them ordered since December of 2007. They are in the new catalog and I will call my saleman tomorrow to see if they actually have them.
But now I know what the Mossberg 464 is.

30-30 medicine gun
 

Yukon Girl, You might consider looking at the Marlin 336 in its various forms. It comes both in 30-30 (which you can find anywhere) and 35 Remington (which may be an ammo supply problem). I have heard that the 35 Remington is popular among guides in the Canadian territories and they cartainly are a reliable and proven design. They have been around a long time.
The 30-30 is very versatile but the 35 would be better for savings your buns in bear country. If bears were the only consideration, get a Marlin in 45-70.

Ahhh, so many guns, so little time...

The only thing a mossburg 30-30 is going to be better at than a Marlin 30-30 is using it as a canoe paddle. Not that i am a anti-mossburg person but more of a marlin fan.

I have seen the mossburg at gander mountain the mossburg did have a nice walnut stuck and did not look bad.
I do have to say i think you might get a better deal on a marlin and i think it would be easyer to find.

It's hard to find bad things to say about a Marlin. The thing that makes me hesitate about Mossberg's 464 is that it's new. I don't like being a guinea pig. Marlin has been around forever. I already know they have good stuff.

But now I'm going back and forth on the calibers. I need one gun that will do well for me with grizzlies as well as deer. And I don't want the recoil to knock me on my butt. I keep telling myself if I can handle a 12 g with slugs I'll be okay, but you never know...

30-30 medicine gun
 

Yukon Girl, If you can handle that mossberg 500 with slugs, the 30-30 or 35 Rem will be easy on your shoulder. A 45-70 might give you cause to regret with heavy bullets close to 1900 fps, but that is real bear medicine, and if needed when a bear was coming your way wouldn't be noticeable. Adrenaline (sp) does that to the body.

A friend of mine has a .30-30 Marlin he was kind enough to let me try out this weekend.

Sweet!!!! I'm sold. Now I just have to find someone foolish enough to part with one.

Check your local gun and pawn shops. Particularly after hunting seasons the 30-30 winchester gets VERY reasonable. I spotted a good shaped Marlin 336 in 30-30 this weekend at a shop for $220. For cash I probably could have talked him into $200 even plus tax. Be patient while you look. About a month before hunting season people will start posting them in want ads for dirt cheap around here so that they can try to buy a new goody for season. Shops don't tend to give a great deal of value to a used 30-30. It's a shame really. I have yet to meet one I didn't like.

GoodOlBoy

GoodOlBoy-- excellent advice. Thanks!

I'll give another vote for the Marlin 336 30-30. I picked one up a few years ago, and it's fast becoming my second favorite deer rifle (can't replace the 7 mag, but it's a close second). The compact size and quick handling characteristics, along with minimal recoil make a perfect hunting package. With the right bullets it would work for bear in a pinch, but if that's going to be a regular issue, get the .35. JMHO

gd