Pump vs lever rifle.

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GuyWithGun

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I got interested in a 35 Rem last year after shooting my second deer with a buddy's after my 700 .270 decided to get a case of not shooting well for no good reason that it gets every 4-5 years (last time needed the crown polished). The 35 Rem is a 336 and is probably 50 years old- was his grandfathers. As far as we know, it has never required any maintance other than a basic cleaning and had the scope rezeroed only once. I like that round, little recoil and seems to hit well above its weight. Was telling another friend I was looking into getting one, he tells me he has not one, but two. Both old 760s and he is willing to let me have one of them. Sounds like a no brainer right up until I started thinkng about it.

35 Rem is a bit light for elk and Alaska size stuff, so isn't a "just one gun" option and I'll have to have another rifle. Fortunately, 7600s that can easily be rebored into a 35 Whelen tha solves any critter problem in North America are all over the place. The same can be said for big bore marlins or reboring a Browning BLR. I find myself in a "What platform do I want to go with" debate. Have used a bolt gun for years, never saw any real advantage for huntng accuracy and have had a few problems. Can't use an auto loader everywhere or would get a BAR and be done with it. Have tons of experience with pump guns, grew up with an 870 just like everybody else. Not much with levers.

Any thoughts one way or the other?
 
If you like a pump then one in 30-06 or 35 Whelen would make a good choice. Especially if used to a pump shotgun. They do make 7600's in 35 Whelen so there is no need to go the custom route. In reality they are plenty accurate enough and are much faster for repeat shots than a lever action as well as being chambered in more modern loadings.

But I've been down that path and keep coming back to the bolt rifle. Bolt guns are not only more accurate, they are also a lot lighter and a lot more reliable. While a pump can be shot faster there is virtually no difference with "AIMED" fire. You can cycle a bolt, lever or pump faster than you can get the sights back on target so this is really a wash for someone willing to learn how to shoot. And that is only when shooting off hand. Neither pumps or levers work well when using any type of support such as shooting off a backpack or shooting sticks. In that case a bolt rifle is much faster for repeat shots.

If you just want a 35 Whelen it is a good versatile round. But the 30-06 does everything better. Back in 1922 when the 35 Whelen was developed bullet technology of the day worked somewhat better with larger caliber heavier bullets. You can load the 30-06 with bullets ranging from 125gr up to 250 gr. The lighter bullets shoot flatter with gentle recoil for deer and mid sized game. If going after the really bit stuff the modern heavier 200-240 gr bullets outperform anything you can put in a 35 Whelen.
 
I've known more than just a few hunters that hunt with rifles and calibers that can't be justified on technical reasoning. They hunt with them...just because. To answer your original question about pump or lever...I would go with a pump. Why...just because.
 
if you think there is no difference, shoot againist a pump at a tire rolling down a hill with the tire having a section of cardboard in side.i will shoot againist any bold action for a beer per shot at the rolling tire being able to be seen for 4 seconds. or the running boar match. and most pumps will shoot 1-1.5 inch groups at 100yds.eastbank.
 
if you think there is no difference, shoot againist a pump at a tire rolling down a hill with the tire having a section of cardboard in side.i will shoot againist any bold action for a beer per shot at the rolling tire being able to be seen for 4 seconds. or the running boar match. and most pumps will shoot 1-1.5 inch groups at 100yds.eastbank.
Maintaining sight picture is somewhat easier on a pump than with a lever action.

Roger...out.
 
No experience with levers but a Rem 760 3006 will do the job. Mine is near 1 Moa . In 35 whelen it would be strong medicine for elk bears etc

Bull
 
Speed, pump vs lever action, is a wash. It depends on the preference of the shooter and how familiar they are with the action type
 
I would also think a pump action with a detachable magazine would give the ability to load and unload the rifle faster and would give you a larger choice of rounds, with a pump you wouldn't have to go with a round nosed bullett.
 
I once had a 760 in .270 Win. Well worn. Still was the most accurate centerfire I ever had! Easy handling, fast action but it rattled a bit.

As to the .35 rounds, I have 2 .35 Whelen's built on Mauser 98 actions. I am enamored of the round but have only used it on whitetail. Works wonders! Easy to reload for and can use bullets all the way from those intended for .357 caliber handguns (fast, explosive!) up to the real heavyweights, ie >250 grains. A really versatile, fun gun.

Good luck with your choice.
 
I've got and shoot all three styles in rimfire.

As mentioned by JMR in post #2 a bolt is great for when the gun is shot from rests or bags. Levers and pumps will be awkward or blocked from cycling fully in these conditions by the rests or table. If shooting from prone with out support other than the matt or ground I actually find levers and pumps to be easier than the bolt. But we're only talking a very slight amount easier.

For crossed shooting sticks a lever or bolt are equally easy and handy. The support from the sticks would be resting on or around the pump handle and would foul the handle. So bolt or lever wins easily if using crossed shooting sticks.

For free standing lever and pump win hands down over a bolt. And I'd give a slight nod of advantage to the pump over the lever. But then I shoot cowboy action so I've had a lot of practice cycling a lever quickly and with as little disturbance to my sight picture as possible. Similar practice and slicking up with a bolt could well trump this and make bolt vs lever vs pump a very close thing to where the differences are insignificant. Especially where the bolt handles are shaped and positioned to encourage easy and fast cycling.

As for rounds and a "one gun fits all" option you might want to consider a Browning BLR in some caliber of your choice. The box magazine allows for a wide variety of calibers and avoids the restriction of using soft pointed flat or generously rounded nose bullets.

Although your idea of going with a .35Whelan is hardly a bad one. I don't hunt myself but I've talked with more than a few that have either switched to slower and heavier bullet calibers or that are actively considering it just for the lesser damage to the meat that occurs with the slower freight train like bullets that plow clear through with less shock damage and ruined meat to the impact area.

Around here the typical distance for hunting tends to be rarely over 100 yards. And typically they tell me that most shots are taken at around 40 to 60 yards due to the typically dense woods. So the slower muzzle velocity and bullet drop at longer distances isn't a big deal.
 
Go Pump Rifle!! I own a 760 in 35 Rem and a 14 in 35 Rem. They have been passed down from grandfather and great-grandfather.

I also have a Marlin 336 in 35rem. Never had any trouble with the pumps through the years. The 760 has seen the most use even though its probably 30 years younger. The Marlin has given me its share of problems (currently out of commission until I can find a local gunsmith). The 760 would see more use from me (killed my first deer with it) but I need to re-scope it.

Both the lever and pump are very fast for follow-up shots. In my opinion a toss-up.

If you like the 35 Whelen cartridge then by all means find one a good used one or have the one you will be given rechambered. Or buy a new 7600 in 30-06. The ought 6 is a better all around caliber but the 35 Whelen is better for the really big bears (310gr Double Tap ammo looks like a killer load the 35).

Plus your already an experienced Rem pump shotgun guy so the transition to a Rem pump rifle really makes that the way to go. Accuracy for my 760 is around an 1.5 in at 100 yards.
 
Wow... Was expecting a lot of "get a Marlin and move on" replies.

Just to revisit my topic, the 35 Rem 760 is for the low price of free and I need a bigger/scarier or further away gun too... Don't want to have two different platforms. Already have enough 35 Whelen brass, bullets, and reloading stuff to do me for 20 years, just no gun to shoot them in (long story). Plan is to have the 35 Rem and Whelen, unless there was an advantage to the Marlins that would call for reinvesting in 338 Marlin stuff.

Sounds like I got what I need. As usual, thanks for all you guys' help!
 
pump vs lever? speed is the same.. had a Remmie pump and accuracy was the same as my bolt guns..

didn't like cleaning from the muzzle end so went with boresnake, lever guns can be rod-cleaned from the rear
 
One advantage most pumps have over most levers is the capacity to handle pointed bullets-not that that is much of an advantage with the .35 Remington cartridge.
I disagree with those who think a lever is equivalent to a pump in terms of speed for the second and subsequent aimed shots. In a contest between two shooters equally well-versed in the use of either action when shooting for speed with aimed shots, there's little doubt in my mind that the person shooting the pump will be faster, and significantly so. Not that it matters much, as both types of actions are plenty fast enough for most deer hunting chores.
It's been my experience that there won't be much difference between the two action-types in terms of practical, big game hunting accuracy.

The 35 Rem is a 336 and is probably 50 years old- was his grandfathers.

My Model 760 (chambered in 30-06 Springfield) was also my grandfather's rifle and was made in the early fifties. Early Model 760s have a greater drop in the comb of the stock than later ones do and are more suited for factory irons (or receiver sights) than they are for scope use in terms of acquiring a quick stock weld and sight picture.
Unless you just want a lever-action rifle because they are nice to have, your experience with the Model 870 pump would make the Model 760 pump a natural choice for you. Personally, I like both types of rifle actions and would hate to not have either.
 
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My father had a pump 30-06. I don't know the brand. You could certainly 'get some lead in the air" but he said it was not accurate. He sold it for a bolt action in the same caliber, which was more accurate.
 
for someone who knows how to run each of the actions mentioned, i don't think there would be much practical difference in real world follow up shot speed.

i grew up with pump shotguns, but have no issue whatsoever running a lever action quickly with aimed fire.

i say get whichever action and caliber you enjoy most. they'll all work just fine if you do your part.
 
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