Sell me on a lever action

[Reloadron]

I really haven't a clue how many 30-30 lever guns I have owned and the reality is I am far from a fan of the 30-30. There is just something about the lure of the 30-30 lever action rifle. It's like being Un-American if you don't have one, maybe even socialist not to own one. Today my only lever gun is my old Marlin 444 which served me well as a deer rifle in West Virginia. Haven't hunted in several years either. Anyway, the lever gun can just be seen as some sort of Classic Americana.



The ported barrel does help but it is not a shoot in T-Shirt type rifle.

Ron

 

[ECVMatt]

I have 16", 18.5", and 20" rifles in .30/30. While I really like the 16" and 20" guns, the 18.5" kind of hits the sweet spot. This is really a subjective point though. I would try them on for size and see what feels the best for you. 20" versions are the most popular and most likely will be the least expensive on the used market.

 

[redneck2]

I have a Savage 99 in .300 Savage. Paid $400 maybe three years ago. Equivalent to a .308. IMO it's a pretty slick rifle. You'd have to look a whole to find one probably.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

I wanted to get a lever action rifle for 20+ years before I finally got around to it. It in no short order became my most favorite rifle and it is to this day 8 years later. It just feel perfect in the hands and in the woods and at the range. Mine is 30-30 with 16" barrel. I strongly prefer the shorter barrel from a handiness perspective. If my house were to burn to the ground and I could only save one rifle it would be the 30-30.

 

[Sarge7402]

Okay, I have a craving for a lever action. It's been on the list for years, but I think it's made it to the top. I have a couple of directions I'm looking to go.

Option one: a 30-30. I like the fact that this works as a hunting rifle and truck rifle. I live in Florida, potential targets are either deer or pigs at maximum. Ranges are not much more than 150. At present, I only small game hunt, so this is just planning ahead for future possibilities. Ammo is cheap enough, packs a satisfactory punch, looks like reloading is readily available. I already have a collectors edition Winchester 94 that'll never be fired unless the world goes seriously sideways. Downside to the 30-30 is that I don't currently stock that caliber, so I'm adding to my required inventory. I'm waffling between the 16 inch barrels and the 20 inch barrels.

Option two: a 357. I've been eyeballing the Rossi 92 for a few years. I like the fact that I already stock a fair amount of 38, so I'm not adding a new caliber like I would be with the 30-30. I also have a bunch of brass I've been saving over the years. Reloading is also readily available. In 357, the longer barrel adds a nice punch to the round compared to a pistol, but I don't consider this rifle adequate for anything other than super short range hunting or longer ranges with smaller game, which I have better tools available for. So basically, this is more of a fun gun.

In either case, I'm looking to stay under $500. In the 38/357 version, I want something with a traditional loading gate. I dislike the Henry style tube loading.

Discuss!

I think you will enjoy either choice you make. I've owned both and am was happy with either. And don't sell the rossi 92 short. Took a nice spike deer back in 95 with a 158 grain soft point. He never took even one step just dropped right literally at my feet

 

[ExAgoradzo]

So I own 3 Marlins
1895 in .45-70--must have lever IMHO, more even than a .30-30
1894 in .44 Rem Mag and .357 Mag.
The .357 is picky with .38 Spec ammo (like, won't load consistently!!!)
The .44 would be my choice if you go with pistol cal. The .45-70 if you want power/history combined (one of my favorite guns.).
I am jonsing for a Win 94-22!

Greg

 

[Varminterror]

Thanks for all the replies, everyone. I'm leaning in the direction of the 30-30. Probably the Marlin. Now then, what's the consensus on ideal barrel length? Do we like the shorter 16, or prefer the 20 inch?

Either one is fine. The extra length and weight of the 20" is nice for holding on target off hand, and a tiny boost in velocity, but the 16" can do quite well. I used to keep Marlin 336 youth and Win 94 Trapper's in my feedlot trucks, 16" tubes. Killed many invading coyotes with them over the years. The 20" is still much shorter than most bolt action rifles, so it's still a very light and handy rifle. The small sized 16" is a very compact rifle, great for storing in a truck, but not really much more advantage beyond that.

 

[Deog]

Lever guns are just fun.

 

[Varminterror]

I agree with Deog's sentiment, "lever guns are fun," but I wouldn't say they are "just" fun - if I say I have something "just because it's fun," it tends to mean to me there isn't a real functional utility to it, which isn't applicable to leverguns.

Leveguns might not, as a whole, have the greatest inherent accuracy, nor be chambered for the flattest shooting modern cartridges, nor are they available at the lowest cost... BUT!!!! They're plenty accurate enough, flat shooting enough, and affordable enough to meet the utility needs of a hunting rifle, even with specific advantages.

Part of what makes them so much fun, for me, is the fact they do exactly what I need them to do FUNCTIONALLY, and the extra fun comes from the specific styling and flair they carry.

 

[NMBrian]

I love my Marlin 336 in 30-30.

I HIGHLY reccomend skinner peep sights for whatever you decide on. Going from the stock buck horn sights, to a peep makes ringing the 200yd gong at my club a breeze from a standing position.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

I love my Marlin 336 in 30-30.

I HIGHLY reccomend skinner peep sights for whatever you decide on. Going from the stock buck horn sights, to a peep makes ringing the 200yd gong at my club a breeze from a standing position.

Skinners are very nice. I've used those as well as XS sights. Both get the job done and are significantly better than a buckhorn sight.

 

[Sheepdog1968]

I agree with Deog's sentiment, "lever guns are fun," but I wouldn't say they are "just" fun - if I say I have something "just because it's fun," it tends to mean to me there isn't a real functional utility to it, which isn't applicable to leverguns.

Leveguns might not, as a whole, have the greatest inherent accuracy, nor be chambered for the flattest shooting modern cartridges, nor are they available at the lowest cost... BUT!!!! They're plenty accurate enough, flat shooting enough, and affordable enough to meet the utility needs of a hunting rifle, even with specific advantages.

Part of what makes them so much fun, for me, is the fact they do exactly what I need them to do FUNCTIONALLY, and the extra fun comes from the specific styling and flair they carry.

I think accuracy is overrated. There are certainly places where accuracy is important. But a 2 MOA lever gun will be more than adequate for what most of us need. I certainly would let that stop me from owning one.

 

[Speedo66]

If you want power, lightness, and long range accuracy, get a Browning BLR in something like .243 or .308. All bases would be covered.

 

[Deaf Smith]

I have lever actions in both 30/30 and .44 magnum (the .44 being a 16 inch Winchester job.)

My 336, 20 inch barrel, made in 67, with a Skinner 'minimalist' aperture sight, is an excellent light rifle. Go prone and 100 yard groups of 2-3 inches using a 170 grain bullet handloaded with LeveRevolution powder is the way to go. Honest 2300 fps for that heavy bullet. And if you want to add a scope, well a Marlin is easy as can be to scope.

The .44 is a little hand cannon. Yes 240 gr. slugs at 1700 fps are easy to do. Makes a very good brush gun.

I've owned Savage 99s to. I consider the Savage, like the Browning BLR, a longer range position and more adapted to scopes (but yes, they made a 30/30 and an aperture sight!)

All of them have their uses. But if you get a long barreled gun, go ahead and get a bolt action. Levers are just made for short fast handling rifles not long range guns you have to drag around.

Deaf

 

[lastofthebreed]

Get a Savage 99. Find one chambered in 300 Savage and you will be well served. I have one and it is one of my most favorite hunting rifles. I love the way it feels and the "bank vault" way it locks up. Oh, and did I mention, it takes care of business very well.

 

[CaliCoastie]

Have most of the calibers listed, for me they are a tee shirt level recoil, find one that doesn't break the bank. Might take a while but that's the fun aye? Find one that talks to you.

 

[Kendal Black]

Sell you? Sounds like you're more than half convinced already.

I really like the Winchester 94 in .30-30. It is antique in concept but still quick and handy. It's quite serviceable for many tasks that people lump under such headings as ranch rifle or truck gun.

The Marlin is in some ways better, but the Winchester is adequately 'field stripped' for routine cleaning any time the lever is in the down position.

I slightly prefer the 16" version but the 20" is the classic, with a slim and proportionate profile and really nice balance.

 

[RevJim]

I've had and used leverguns since I was a kid. I shot my biggest muley at 75 steps with a Marlin 1894 CB carbine in 45 colt. I like both Winchester and Marlins, only had one Rossi 92, in 45 Colt, but it benefitted from a lot of parts upgrades. When I thinkof truck gun, I think of being on a private place and taking shots from the window of the truck! In that case, a scoped model is the best, with Marlin 336 30-30 at the top of the list. For walking around, still hunting, the "fastest" handling woods rifle I ever used was a Marlin 1894 in 44 mag. It was a decidedly good caliber on both deer and hogs ( I grew up several hundred miles just due West of Florida, 45 miles West of Beaumont, Tx area. Yep all my shots were under 90 yds, ha. I say, get a Marlin 30-30, scope it with a Bushnell Dusk to Dawn 1x4.5 scope and see which bullet weight it prefers, the 150 or the 170. When you decide, set it +1 inches high at 100 and sharpen your knife! BUT....make sure you are enjoying yourself! God bless!

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

Did somebody say Leverguns?

1860 Henry by Uberti, 44-40





Marlin Model 1894, made in 1895, 44-40





A pair of Winchester Model 1892s. Rifle at top made in 1894, carbine at the bottom made in 1916. 44-40 for both of them.





Winchester Model 1873, made in 1887, 38-40.





Winchester Model 1873, made in 1882, rebarreled with carbine barrel and magazine at some point, 38-40.




Winchester Model 1894, made around 1941, 30-30.






I'm not a hunter, so I can't speak too much about that. But if I was, I would take that 30-30.

 

[CB900F]

Packman;

I'd say it depends on whether or not you want to, or need to, scope it. No scope, go the pistol caliber with the short barrel. Otherwise, put a low power scope on it & go .30-30.

900F

 

[WestKentucky]

Another option since you mentioned reloading...35 Remington. That round screams hog gun, and will certainly do the job at greater distances. 32-20 would be good as well but is not as readily available. My point is that there are other lever calibers that you shouldn't discount.

You also shouldn't discount a BLR as they use box magazines and can be found in many more calibers.

 

[Nature Boy]

I can't let this go without throwing out my very biased 2 cents for a BLR. (mine is a .358 Win)

 

[Packman]

Well, a decision has been made. I went to visit our local used gun shop that typically has racks upon racks of neat old stuff and came across a nice Marlin 336 in 30-30. It's an older one with no crossbolt safety, which I liked. Still has the micro-groove rifling, which wasn't my favorite but not a huge deal. The bore looks great. Wood was in decent shape. Only real complaint was that someone had Bubba'd a sling stud into the side of the forearm and drilled a couple of holes for something into the side of the stock. Nothing a little wood filler can't fix. For $399, I was pleased with my purchase. I got a 20" barrel in mechanically great shape. The action is smooth but tight, and the trigger feels amazing. Light with a nice clean, crisp break and almost no overtravel. My local academy had the newest version with nasty looking wood and a 16" barrel only for the same $399, so I feel I got a decent gun for the money. I'll post pics when I get some decent ones taken.

 

[Crowman]

Since you already are invested in revolver cartridges, stay with what ya know. You will not be under gunned in your neck of the woods, with the right bullet choices in your chosen cartridge. I have a stainless Rossi R92 with 16" barrel and Skinner ghost ring rear sight in .357 Mag as a companion to my GP100 Match Champion. I shoot the heavier Bullet weights with a preference towards hard cast 158 grain SWC and 180 grain hard cast RNFP. I just like cast bullets in revolvers and carbines. Great penetration. I use the same loads in my Ruger. Simplifies things. As a plus, the heavy .357 loads fired from a carbine or rifle will approach 30-30 performance levels. Check out Buffalo Bore and Grizzly heavy loads. And...I have a stainless 16" Rossi R92 with Skinner ghost ring rear sight in .44 Magnum as a companion to my S&W model 69. Shoots specials and magnums equally well. Also have a stainless 16" R92 with wide loop lever and fitted with fire sight combo in .454 Casull as a companion to my Ruger Alaskan. This thumper will chamber and fire .45 Schofields and .45 Colt as well. Also have a 18" Marlin 1894C with Ballard rifling in .357 Mag., with Ghost Ring sights. Great gun, but heavier than the R92's. I really like the handier and lighter 1892 clones when ridge walking. As you can see, I really love pistol caliber carbines. All shoot and function well. I would stay away from Winchester 1894's in pistol cartridge chamberings. The Winchester 1894 was designed to function flawlessly with rifle cartridges, but when chambered in pistol length cartridges, are susceptible to "short stroking" of the lever and will jam the action unless vigorously operated. User tip: wrap the lever with leather to cushion your fingers. Makes cycling easier and less painful. As a matter of practice, I use the same loads in both carbine and revolver, same as old cowpokes of yesteryear...simpler that way. Marlins, Henry's and R92's all rock. Just pick what feels best when you mount it to your shoulder.

 

[Panzerschwein]

Those new Marlins do come with nasty wood, don't they?

And an ugly matte black "barbecue grill" type rough finish.