Lever action rifle - fast action, western in appearance, suitable for deer hunting, in a more ubiquitous caliber, and of a quality build. Which one?

Hokkmike

Hokkmike

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LEVER ACTION rifle specs:

I am looking for something compact, with a fast action, western in appearance, suitable for deer hunting to 150 yards, in a more ubiquitous caliber, and of a quality build.

Disqualifiers so far are: Synthetic stocks, cartridges that must be hand loaded, no picatinny/ M-Lok and the like mounting systems, stainless steel (unless blackened), tube-loaders, no rifle scope will used.

Can you make a recommendation?
 
Models 94, 336, in carbine garb. Not sure what ubiquitous means here, but 30-30 would meet your requirements. There are 16" barrel versions out there. I don't consider the common cartridges for which the 92 style guns(which have the slickest action) are chambered as 150 yard suitable and am asking the question, "are you 150 yard vital zone capable" with open sights?. Maybe a 92 in 44 mag or 454 with a peep sight.
 
There actually are not a lot of .30-30 stainless leverguns that I am aware of. Marlin made a few for a very short time and I bet they command a great premium.


If I wanted a stainless levergun that could potentially take deer I think I would strongly consider a pistol caliber. I would likely forego .357M if I was going to insist on 150 yards. It would probably be a stretch either way. You'd have to really know the gun for 150 yards and no scope, IMHO.

[EDIT: Sorry - I misunderstood. You DON'T want stainless. Get you a classic used Marlin 336 or Win 94 in 30-30 and you're all set. Or maybe some of the newer offerings (like Henry side gates) if you'd maybe like to spend a little less. Best wishes.]
 
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There are not many big box guns stores I have been to that don't have 30-30 on the shelf. Henry or an old Marlin will fit your needs nicely.
 
There can be only one, Marlin 336 in .30-30. The current Ruger built Marlin Classic 336 fits your criteria. Or any of the thousands made over the years. Lever guns are the in thing and the absence of Marlin in the market for a few years while Ruger stood production back up has driven all lever gun prices upwards, used, new and otherwise. Look for a 336 Texan, mine wears an old Weaver K3 because even in 1973 I could not see open sights good enough for 150 to 200 yards shots:



Rossi has just released an exact copy (minus quality and history) of the Marlin. It feels and handles nicely, just from an in store look see. Henry is okay, kind of chunky, heavy, a little bit ugly and has a tube loading magazine that can self eject but, some people like them.

I just bought a Rossi R92 44 Magnum (and I only buy shiny stainless rifles nowadays) but had to leave it at the store because I was away on a trip and will pick it up next time through. But, IMO, .44 Magnum is a stretch to 150 yards and with open sights, not me.
 
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Rossi has recently released a Marlin 336 copy in 30-30 with 2 different barrel lengths for at or under like $1000. Not as pretty as a classic Marlin but quite a bit cheaper and in my experience with newer Rossi’s it should perform quite well.
 
3Crows said:
There can be only one, Marlin 336 in .30-30. The current Ruger built Marlin Classic 336 fits your criteria. Or any of the thousands made over the years. Lever guns are the in thing and the absence of Marlin in the market for a few years while Ruger stood production back up has driven all lever gun prices upwards, used, new and otherwise. Look for a 336 Texan, mine wears an old Weaver K3 because even in 1973 I could not see open sights good enough for 150 to 200 yards shots:



Rossi has just released an exact copy (minus quality and history) of the Marlin. It feels and handles nicely, just from an in store look see. Henry is okay, kind of chunky, heavy, a little bit ugly and has a tube loading magazine that can self eject but, some people like them.

I just bought a Rossi R92 44 Magnum (and I only buy shiny stainless rifles nowadays) but had to leave it at the store because I was away on a trip and will pick it up next time through. But, IMO, .44 Magnum is a stretch to 150 yards and with open sights, not me.
Click to expand...
I like it! Nice rig, @3Crows
 
I would get an octagon barrel rifle (no barrel band) version from any of the makers. Ideally a 24” or longer barrel.

30-30, 44 mag, or 45-70 would be the only cartridges I would choose from because of range and ubiquity but also adequate power so the angle the animal is at won’t affect penetration to the vitals.

Marlin or Winchester only as well. Henrys dont look westerny enough.

Pop a few brass studs in there as well and maybe a leather cuff.
 
earlthegoat2 said:
I would get an octagon barrel rifle (no barrel band) version from any of the makers. Ideally a 24” or longer barrel.

30-30, 44 mag, or 45-70 would be the only cartridges I would choose from because of range and ubiquity but also adequate power so the angle the animal is at won’t affect penetration to the vitals.

Marlin or Winchester only as well. Henrys dont look westerny enough.

Pop a few brass studs in there as well and maybe a leather cuff.
Click to expand...
What do you own?
 
I am with the horseman's post on this. Also forget the stainless. Remove all the outside oil with rubbing alcohol and apply past wax. Buff it and go hunting. Do the same after the hunt and it will be fine. I started doing this in the mid '60's and no rust on any gun to this day. Guns made from stainless are only rust resistant. If conditions are harsh enough they will rust. Only the 300 classes of stainless are truly stainless and guns are not made from those. I wax my stainless guns like they were blued ones.

The old and dependable 30-30 will work for you. I find the carbine with a 20'' barrel to be ideal for a lever action hunting gun if it is a Winchester 94. Balance is very nice.
 
Straight stocked Marlin 336 rifles are called Texans, 18 and 20 inches barrels. The straight stocked 39A is called the Mountie, 20 inches barrel. The short barreled 336, 16 inches, were called Marauders. The 336 never had a stamping, 336T, to my knowledge, and I am likely wrong about everything so feel free to set us all straight :). But my 336 Texan, if I remove the plastic buttstock plate, in pencil, almost illegible, is scrawled TEXAN, in semi-cursive. I assume so that butt stocks on a rack where only the ends might be visible, the Texan, straight grip, stock could be identified? Maybe?
 
3Crows said:
I guess it depends upon if you is a cowpoke or an injun ;). Brass and iron tacks for decoration was largely, I thought, a Native American preference?
Click to expand...

May have been but it is a very distinct western look that no doubt a few ”cowboys” adopted either on their own or with captured weapons.
 
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