Leverguy
New member
- Joined
- Mar 4, 2022
- Messages
- 19
Howdy all !
New guy here !
I just had to chime in on this one.
I read some valid points and many opinions.
As an owner of mostly Marlin levers (my personal sweet spot), I also own many Savage, Browning, and Henry levers as well.
What I've learned is that nearly every one of them has the potential to be a tack driver if you hand load.
My scoped levers: 336 in 30-30, 308MXLR, 375, 1894 in 44 Magnum, 444, and 450 Marlin, my Savage 99F in 308, my Henry in 6.5CM, and my 90's vintage BLR in 358 Winchester and have all achieved the miracle sub MOA with my hand loads.
I have many other ones that I've not fired yet. Some new and some older.
My eyesight is way past using open sights, so when I'm hunting, it's always a scope for me.
On the maintenance side, Marlin takes the top spot. There isn't even a close second. I'll second that the Remington produced ones are not the same quality as the JM stamped ones.
The new Ruger SBL in 45-70 looks promising though.
For crappy weather, the stainless ones can't be beat.
They are made for this.
The 308MXLR is an incredible tack driver and I wish I had gotten the 338 too.
It is light enough to carry and the round is quite devastating based on my findings on a large doe I took quartering away at 85 yards. Her lungs were vaporized as in no tissue to be found. The shoulder exit essentially severed her right leg. The only thing keeping it attached was her skin.
I wouldn't be afraid to use that round on larger game at longer distances.
Should I ever get to hunt elk, I have 2 S/S Browning BLR takedowns, 1 in 358 and 1 in 300 Win Mag.
They are shorter barreled than their blued counterparts, so I already know I'm going to lose FPS, but they are super lightweight and very fast handling. The BLRs triggers travel with the lever so no pinched fingers.
I'm also not scared of taking 400 - 500 yard shots with them once I've done my load development.
I've not scoped or developed loads for either, but one of them is going on those hunts should I win a tag.
TBH, I still do most of my hunting with a lowly T/C Compass II in 6.5CM.
It was inexpensive, it is a tack driver, and I won't mind banging it up.
The only time I'll take out my levers is when I hunt certain areas that I'm very familiar with and know no harm will come to them.
To answer the OPs question though: Find something that feels good in your hands.
They are like puppies: They will choose you !
They are also all beautiful in their own way !
Best of luck on your search.
New guy here !
I just had to chime in on this one.
I read some valid points and many opinions.
As an owner of mostly Marlin levers (my personal sweet spot), I also own many Savage, Browning, and Henry levers as well.
What I've learned is that nearly every one of them has the potential to be a tack driver if you hand load.
My scoped levers: 336 in 30-30, 308MXLR, 375, 1894 in 44 Magnum, 444, and 450 Marlin, my Savage 99F in 308, my Henry in 6.5CM, and my 90's vintage BLR in 358 Winchester and have all achieved the miracle sub MOA with my hand loads.
I have many other ones that I've not fired yet. Some new and some older.
My eyesight is way past using open sights, so when I'm hunting, it's always a scope for me.
On the maintenance side, Marlin takes the top spot. There isn't even a close second. I'll second that the Remington produced ones are not the same quality as the JM stamped ones.
The new Ruger SBL in 45-70 looks promising though.
For crappy weather, the stainless ones can't be beat.
They are made for this.
The 308MXLR is an incredible tack driver and I wish I had gotten the 338 too.
It is light enough to carry and the round is quite devastating based on my findings on a large doe I took quartering away at 85 yards. Her lungs were vaporized as in no tissue to be found. The shoulder exit essentially severed her right leg. The only thing keeping it attached was her skin.
I wouldn't be afraid to use that round on larger game at longer distances.
Should I ever get to hunt elk, I have 2 S/S Browning BLR takedowns, 1 in 358 and 1 in 300 Win Mag.
They are shorter barreled than their blued counterparts, so I already know I'm going to lose FPS, but they are super lightweight and very fast handling. The BLRs triggers travel with the lever so no pinched fingers.
I'm also not scared of taking 400 - 500 yard shots with them once I've done my load development.
I've not scoped or developed loads for either, but one of them is going on those hunts should I win a tag.
TBH, I still do most of my hunting with a lowly T/C Compass II in 6.5CM.
It was inexpensive, it is a tack driver, and I won't mind banging it up.
The only time I'll take out my levers is when I hunt certain areas that I'm very familiar with and know no harm will come to them.
To answer the OPs question though: Find something that feels good in your hands.
They are like puppies: They will choose you !
They are also all beautiful in their own way !
Best of luck on your search.
