Aaryq
Member
Howdy, folks. I'm lookin' to buy a lever action rifle in the next few months. I don't want a .22 cal, I don't want to spend a whole lot, and that's pretty much all I know. What do you think?
Affordable lever gun
- Thread starter Aaryq
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Aaryq
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I just checked out their website and they don't have an MSRP. How much is it gonna run me? How does 30-30 compare to 30-06? What about 45/70, 45LC, or 44 mag?
kentucky_smith
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average price around here is 225 and up for a NICE shooter in 30-30, be it Marlin or Winchester
Legacy Puma model 92s are inexpensive and shoot well. They make a .454 Casull and a .480 Ruger model if you want something on the big side.
www.gunblast.com did a good review of one in .357 Mag.
www.gunblast.com did a good review of one in .357 Mag.
Go to your local Big 5 (I see you're in SoCal) and check out the Marlin 1894c. Regularly priced at $400, they go on sale for $330, and if you go to Big 5's website, you can print up a 10% off coupon that's good for sale items also. You can walk out of there with a brand new 1894c for $350 (that's tax and DROS included, man 
).
It shoots .357, but you can shoot cheaper .38 special out of it for plinking and practice. I've got one, and it's TONS of fun.
Everyone that shoots mine looks like this afterwards:
Then I tell them how much I paid for it, and they look like this:
). It shoots .357, but you can shoot cheaper .38 special out of it for plinking and practice. I've got one, and it's TONS of fun.
Everyone that shoots mine looks like this afterwards:
Then I tell them how much I paid for it, and they look like this:
jakk280rem
Member
levergun
marlin 336. stick with the new hornandy leverevolution ammo. the 45lc and 44 mag are pistol cartridges and somewhat inefective past 100 yards. if you want to make a bigger hole than the 30's you can step up to the 444 or 450 marlin. pracictly the same gun, different model number. also if you want CHEAP levergun, under 200, just about any shop of decent size should have a couple savage 99e's in 300 savage. also if you have paitence and look hard you may find a used browning blr for the right price.
marlin 336. stick with the new hornandy leverevolution ammo. the 45lc and 44 mag are pistol cartridges and somewhat inefective past 100 yards. if you want to make a bigger hole than the 30's you can step up to the 444 or 450 marlin. pracictly the same gun, different model number. also if you want CHEAP levergun, under 200, just about any shop of decent size should have a couple savage 99e's in 300 savage. also if you have paitence and look hard you may find a used browning blr for the right price.
oregonhunter
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kentucky smith I doubt you will find a 30-30 winchester for 225 anymore
kentucky_smith
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saw one 2 weeks ago
ArchAngelCD
Member.
For just plinking fun get a Marlin in .357 Mag, for longer distance fun and the ability to take Deer too, get a Marlin in 30/30. (or both if you can swing it!!)
Pumpkinheaver
Member
I saw 3 used marlin 30-30s at a local pawn shop for $219-$249 today.
rangerruck
Member
marlin 1st, then taurus and puma, winny but you'll pay for it.
AStone
Member
That question leads me to ask questions that no one else has yet: what purpose is this rifle going to serve?Aaryq said:
Hunting? If so, what?
Plinking? General purpose?
And why, exactly, do you want a lever gun? (I'm not suggesting that there's anything wrong with lever guns. Quite the contrary: lever rifles rule in my world.)
.30-30 is a fine cartridge that will take deer and antelope at ranges under 200 yds. (Further out maybe with the new Hornady LE.) The ammo (except that Hornady stuff) is inexpensive and WIDELY available in any gun shop anywhere, and a lot of hardware stores and general stores in back country, US.
.30-06 will take down any animal on North America, but you're going to pay more for that in recoil.
And you won't find .30-06 in a lever except in Brownings, which will also cost you (= "not affordable" in the same sense that Marlin 336 in .30-30 is).
Given the questions you're asking, I'd suggest Marlin 336 (any version: A, C, W...) in .30-30 to start with.
If you decide later you want a .30-06 (or some other rnd based on it), look for a bolt gun.
Just my 2c. But that's just one opinion. You'll find hundreds to thousands here.
Keep us posted on your decision.
Nem
MrDig
Member
Well since you said you wanted a lever gun and since I am not a fan of the internals of Winchester/Puma/Taurus (all the same basic mechanics). I would recommend a Marlin 336 30-30 or an 1894 in .357 or .44 magnum.
The Field stripping let alone Detail srtipping of the Win/Puma rifles is a plain Pain in the Butt. Marlins are much easier in this regard and less expensive than Winchester and worth the extra $100 or so dollars over a Puma.
If you don't plan on Reloading the cost per box of .357 is less than the cost of .44 mag or .30-30.
30-30 $12.00 per 20
.44 mag $16-17.00 per 50
.357 mag $15.00 per 50
The prices are approximate, you can find deals, those are just generalizations based on the current costs in my area.
The Field stripping let alone Detail srtipping of the Win/Puma rifles is a plain Pain in the Butt. Marlins are much easier in this regard and less expensive than Winchester and worth the extra $100 or so dollars over a Puma.
If you don't plan on Reloading the cost per box of .357 is less than the cost of .44 mag or .30-30.
30-30 $12.00 per 20
.44 mag $16-17.00 per 50
.357 mag $15.00 per 50
The prices are approximate, you can find deals, those are just generalizations based on the current costs in my area.
Old Time Hunter
Member
In my neck of the woods, .30-30 Federals run 'bout $7-8 bucks for a box of 170 gr FP's and Remington Cor-Lokts run 'bout $10. 'Course I reload 'em for 'bout $ .25 ea with once fired brass, so it costs me around $5 a box.
The Marlin is a good all around lever, personally I am partial to the Winchester, but own a few Marlins also.
The Marlin is a good all around lever, personally I am partial to the Winchester, but own a few Marlins also.
brentwal
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Marlin
RevolvingCylinder
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Look around at:
http://www.marlinfirearms.com
Look at the various models and chamberings and find one you like.
http://www.marlinfirearms.com
Look at the various models and chamberings and find one you like.
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