Lever Guns, what would you choose & why?

[RG300]

A buddy was gifted a very nice new Henry Rifle in 30-30..... it got me to thinking,
Out of the many brands out there which one would i choose?? & what caliber?
I have several rifles, .223/.556/.300 blk (2) .308's a .300WM & a .22 WMR but not a lever gun.
Accuracy is key, but i also enjoy walnut checkering & refined subtle embellishments.

I'm intrigued by 45-70, but have never fired one, there are so many new cartridge's out there,
what would your choice be & why?

 

[WNC2500]

I have had a 30-30 Marlin model 336. Accurate rifle. I have also owned Henry X 44 lever gun. Lastly and my most current is the Marlin SBL (RugerMarlin) in 45-70. The 45-70 would be the choice that I would choose if I had to do it again. I own some of the other chamberings in revolvers but the 45-70 fits the bill for bear, and some of the larger caliber needs.

 

[wytex]

I think at last count we had about 13 or so lever action rifles. Everything from 17 HMR to 454 Casull.
I love my .41 mag but the .44 mag is also a great shooter.
Husband really like his .454, it will thump whatever and reach out a bit.
We have Winchesters, Rossi/Pumas and Henrys, almost forgot about my Browning BLR.
Not 1 Marlin sad to say.

Couldn't give us a 45-70, just never had the interest. I'd go with a .460 S&W if one could find it these days and shoot .454s too.

Just discovered the ranch rifle we have been wondering about is a 1894 Winchester .32-40 made in 1896. Spouse loaded up some rounds and we hope to shoot it next weekend.

 

[MarvB]

Why is because they just are damn fun and feel good in the hand
That old '94 in the pic was gifted to me by my god father over 55 years ago...no bluing left between the two of us lol.

That little blacktail rack up in the corner was my first buck taken with that same gun. I'm thinking hard on bringing it out of retirement this year if bow season ends up a bust!

 

[TN2shot07]

Depends on your use.

If it was going to be a primary rifle for me I’d hunt down a BLR in 270/30-06/308 and be content. The handful I’ve shot were bolt action accurate.

I currently own a 336 and 94, 30-30’s are just fun. I’ve owned several in 45-70, I’m good without it now. Wouldn’t mind one of the new rugers in 44 to go with the black hawk…. Something cool about a matching carbine

 

[RG300]

Why is because they just are damn fun and feel good in the hand
That old '94 in the pic was gifted to me by my god father over 55 years ago...no bluing left between the two of us lol.

That little blacktail rack up in the corner was my first buck taken with that same gun. I'm thinking hard on bringing it out of retirement this year if bow season ends up a bust!

View attachment 370247

View attachment 370248

Very cool, I hope you do get to hunt with it again this year!!!!

 

[noharleyyet]

An @p_ham Marlin makeover masterpiece 45-70

https://flic.kr/p/2nXouub

https://flic.kr/p/2nQtUey

 

[RG300]

Thank you ALL so much for sharing, much appreciated .......

 

[BEvans]

I have a marlin SBL in 45-70 with a VX-Freedom 1.5-4 and it's one of my more accurate short range guns. It would be my only hunting rifle if the wind didn't affect it so much and didn't have such severe drop. Here is a 3 shot group at 200 yards. Sighted in for 3 inches high at 100.

 

[Chama Grande]

I want a .357 lever, I think a Henry or the Marlin 1894 would be great. It would be a really fun plinking gun and a fun javelina rifle.

 

[Perlodid]

I picked up a (Ruger) Marlin 1894 44 magnum in 2024. It's pretty much everything I could ever want in a lever action rifle. I chose .44 mag so I could hunt straight-wall states including MI, where I'm from. 357 would have been fine too but I liked the idea of the 44. If shots are under 150, I'm grabbing this gun every single time. Based on what people are asking for old Marlins these day it was a pretty easy choice for me, and I get the bonus of 1 in 20" twist instead of 1 in 38" or whatever the old Marlins had. I'd like to get some old levers eventually but if I could only have one, I'm good with this one. Can't remember if I have ever posted it on here but here's a pic.

 

[howl]

Well, first I'd choose to stop using gift as a verb, but that's literally just me.

Henry's new suppressor specials look interesting, but they're not in .308. Whatever I got would be a .308 and either Browning or Henry depending on what I could get my hands on. Availability is not great.

 

[Jbotto]

I will probably fine a Henry or an older Marlin 39 when my kids get a bit older but I’ve always liked the .357 Mag. Seems the new Marlin 1894 would fit the bill well but a .44 mag would be close behind. Already load for both so why not?!

Always liked the idea of a .45-70 but I probably wouldn’t use it much. Seems everyone should have a 94 or 336 in .30/30.

Grandpa had a Savage 99 that one of my uncles grabbed when they split up his guns. Would kind of like my own version for nostalgia’s sake.

Man, I really need a lever gun.

 

[FairWeather]

I like the 336 for its handling and ergonomics. I don’t like the Henry tube loading gate thing, it just bugs me visually, and the Winchester 94’s top eject isn’t as simple for adding optics. Some might consider doing so to be blasphemy anyway. The Marlin is NOT light though. It’s both the most compact, and heaviest, rifle I own at 8.8lbs.

The cost per round for 45-70 was enough to keep me away from it, but I wouldn’t be mad if I was given one hahaha.

 

[MarvB]

I've only taken deer, a few pigs, and one bear with mine over the years. Every time I spend a day packing it through the brush I wonder why I don't use it more, old girl's a pleasure to carry! It killed a lot of paper in the beginning...Lucas McCain ("Chuck" Connors) had nothing on me (or so I thought back then lol).

@noharleyyet that Marlin is a thing of beauty Ken!