Best lever action rifle?

[Old Time Hunter]

here is one of the nicest carrying big bore rifles ever made,a win timber carbine in 444 marlin. its light,short and has enough power for all animals in the u.s.a. i have marlins and like them,except for their bulkyness. i have written marlin in the past to ask for a more trim rifle( the cowboy rifles are nice and trim and i own three). eastbank.

Eastbank, I absolutely agree with you...the Timber Carbine combines all the positive attributes of the lever gun into one package, I too especially appreciate it chambered in .444. Of course I personally would not put a scope on mine. Lost count of how many leverguns I currently own, some where around fifty to sixty, Marlins, Winchesters, Savage, Browning, EMF, Uberti's, and a couple off brands. Use 'em all for various activities, but for hunting it seems that I lean towards the Winchesters because for ME, they are quicker to shoulder and easier to carry all day long. Before my Timber Carbines came along, my primary woods gun was a '94 Trapper chambered in .44 Mag, that one has taken 13 Whitetail, one Black Bear, and one Bull Elk up in the Bitter Roots dwon by the Clark Fork. Got a Moose up in Quebec with a Glenfield 30a(Marlin copy) chambered for .30-30 too. I find the Marlin's are little more clunky, not as streamlined and handy...that's why it doesn't bother me to put optical enhancers on my Marlins.

 

[Oic0]

Marlin 1894 in .357 for a plinker / medium game gun (out to ~150 yards with the proper shells)
Marlin 336, 30-30 for a dedicated medium game gun out to ~200 yards
Rossi M92 clones if you need a compact light kick in the pants gun (they make a .454 casull that comes close to 45-70 in an M92!)
Then of course it goes up from there but those are the only ones I'm familiar with since we just have white tail at short ranges down here.

 

[Geno]

I like both the Winchester and the Marlin. Check both to see what fits best. Depending on what, and where you will hunt, I suggest looking into the three best rounds ever devised: .30-30 Win, .444 Marlin or a .45-70 Gov't.

Geno

 

[wyohome]

Model 88, .308. It was my father's rifle, shoots 1"+ groups.

 

[smokeyandthebandit05]

I love my Marlin 336. Im actually thinking of buying one in a different caliber but dont know which yet...

 

[Float Pilot]

The original Winchester Model 71 in 348 Winchester.
Followed by the Model 86 Winchester in 45-70.

* the M-71 was an improved and beefed up M-86 action

 

[jimmyraythomason]

The best levergun for my money is the Marlin 1894 in .44 Remington magnum.

 

[Charshooter]

That is my close cover rifle choose! The Marlin in 44 magnum. I have two, the 1894 very clean, gold trigger and more rare rough gun on the 336 action and that is my hunting rifle. Both are great, I just like the 336 gold trigger most.

I looked up all model years, the came from 1972 to 1980.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

My Marlin 1894 .44 has a gold trigger and gold saddle ring. It was supposedly from 1971 though I bought it in 1972.

 

[Old Time Hunter]

Do Browning's count?




1886 and M71

 

[Tenn870]

ECVmatt, is that a marlin? that is a beautiful gun and its simple and cheap which I like.

haha, old time hunter, yes they do count and that looks like a nice gun too.

 

[Tommygunn]

Do Brownings count???????????????????????????


Ask me again when I get the drool out of my keyboard .. . . . . . . . .

 

[Maverick223]

Right now, for me, it is the Winchester (or Browning) 1895. One of the most peculiar lever rifles made, but a interesting action that will accommodate powerful cartridges such as the .30-06 amongst others. It looks like a grown-up version of the Winchester 1894, and it doesn't hurt that it was the rifle used by the Teddy's Rough Riders (in .30-40Krag) and Mr. Roosevelt's chosen "lion medicine" rifle (in .405Win.). I should have one here by the end of next week.

...however, with your requirements (side loader) I would lean towards a Marlin 1895SBL, chambered for the venerable old .45-70Govt., one of these will follow me home soon. What can I say, 1895 was a good year.

 

[cleardiddion]

I can't find anything wrong with a pre-safety Winny 1894 with Lyman tang mounted peep sights.

 

[dan3]

I would suggest Marlins - you have a great selection depending on what you want to use it for: Model 336 in .30-30 and .35 Rem, Model 1895 in .45-70 (my favorite), or for small game & fun, the model 39a in .22 LR. They all are well made, reliable, strong, and accurate. Also very versatile - plinking, hunting, home protection, - they have even been "Bubba"d into a CAW (Cowboy Assault Weapon) - big loop,ammo butt cuff, scout rail, flashlight rail attachments, painted black - you name it!!

 

[win71]

The original Winchester Model 71 in 348 Winchester.

Especially when loaded with 250 gr. bullets........................

 

[natman]

The original Winchester Model 71 in 348 Winchester.
Followed by the Model 86 Winchester in 45-70.

* the M-71 was an improved and beefed up M-86 action

If the question were "What's the best lever action rifle ever made?", I'd be right with you guys. The 71 has a wonderfully smooth action, the stock is designed so it handles like a fine shotgun and it has plenty of power. It is also, IMHO, the best looking rifle ever made.

However, the OP wants to get his first lever action. I strongly suspect that the $3 per round ammo cost, the four figure cost of Model 71s and the recoil of the 348 are going to rule it out for him.

I'd suggest a Marlin 336 in 30-30 as a more appropriate starting point.

 

[Abel]

I'd suggest a Marlin 336 in 30-30 as a more appropriate starting point.

...And a good stopping point. The 336 is the Alpha & the Omega, the beginning and the end. Look no further.

 

[Maverick223]

The 336 is the Alpha & the Omega, the beginning and the end. Look no further.

The 336 is a great rifle...but, what if you need to knock down big stuff?

 

[Abel]

Mav, I mean as a lever action that fulfills the requirements of the OP. I'm jus' funnin' anyhow...I already answered the OP on pg1. But if you need to smack sum'n big, there's always the 1895!

 

[Maverick223]

I mean as a lever action that fulfills the requirements of the OP.

I can agree with that. Isn't the Α & Ω though...only the beginning.

 

[SwampWolf]

I'm buying what Float Pilot is selling. And, if the cost of ammunition is an over-riding factor factor, go with an 1886 Light Weight carbine repo, chambered in .45-70. You won't find a smoother, better handling rifle, suited as well for moose and elk as it is for whitetail and black bear.

 

[paintballdude902]

marlin 1895 in .45-70. easy ammo to find all over the country and very reliable. but to top it off its enough caliber to hunt any ammo in north america and i wouldnt feel out gunned for anything except elephant rhino and cape buffalo. even those i think you would have enough gun

or a winchester 1895 in .30-06 or .405win .405 is a decent round and we all know the .30-06 is proven.

hmm 1895 musta been a good year

 

[Maverick223]

but to top it off its enough caliber to hunt any ammo in north america

You sure need to ensure that you have enough cartridge for that big ammo hunt.

hmm 1895 musta been a good year

Read post No. 38.

 

[Sav .250]

Looks of folks like a Marlin,336. they are a fine lever and will give you years of service.
How bout a Savage 99? Lots of different cals to chose from. That is if you can find one.
Not to sound nasty but "you" need to do some more home work on the subject.