That there lever rifle has some really good lookin wood for the stock, BC. Good luck.
In all seriousness, the Marlin is a great rifle, too. I own a Model 60, one of the best rifles ever made.
Brownings are nice, but in terms of quality AND accuarcy AND ruggedness, it's hard to beat the Marlin.
California sucks that's it.
It is still bow season here for another 2 weeks then since I am in a shotgun area I always seem to go with my .50 cal CVA muzzleloader. Most people around here give me a hard time saying "you only get one shot!". I just look at them funny and say, "If you make the first shot count how many more do you need?"
You basically one get 1 shot at a deer anyway. Make it count and you won't need any follow up shots. Plus, follow up shots usually don't connect anyway. It's funny, if I'm hunting and I hear someone shoot 2, 3, 4, 5 times, I start to grin, knowing that they missed.
After the third, I'm taking cover !!