Lever Guns, what would you choose & why?

[X13]

My 1960' era Marlin 336C in 35 Rem is one of the more accurate rifles I own. Hearing a lot of good things about the new Ruger Marlins too

 

[Wolfshead]

I’m going to go with my model 94 in 30-30.
I just love carrying this in the thick, close woods, still hunting. No problem carrying this all day.
I have a sling for it, which stays in my pack until I need it (dragging out a deer).
Hopefully this season I’ll need that sling….
NO scope on this! Blasphemy!
I have a Williams foolproof peep sight on it, and it works well for me, and my aging eyes.

 

[Richard22]

I own a Miroku-made Winchester Model 94, Marlin/Remlin 336, and Henry, all chambered in 30-30. In terms of feel, fit, and finish, the Winchester beats the other two hands down. In fact, I agree with those who say Miroku Winchesters are the best rifles to ever carry the Winchester name. No surprise I put the Marlin/Remlin 336 at the bottom of the list, even though it's still a great shooting rifle. Also, the finish on the barrel of the 336 is actually better than that of the Henry.

Anyone who has ever picked up and shouldered a Winchester Model 94 knows they have a feel like no other lever action. But they are much more difficult than the Marlin and Henry when it comes to break down and cleaning. Just takes removing the lever screw and dropping the lever to remove the bolt from a Marlin and Henry. Many more steps with the Winchester.

 

[TrapperJ]

I would like a 44 mag lever action I ain't picky on the maker. I also want a lever action 7mm-08 something kinda like the browning blr and then finally I would like a 45-70 lever action but I want more of a slim lever action and not real big and chunky

 

[kiwi hunter]

Savage 99 in 300

 

[shrapnel]

Winchester originals will still bring home the game they were made to over 100 years ago. Models 1886, 1894, 1895 and 1876...

 

[CowboyLeroy]

I'm currently the high bidder on a marlin 1895m in .450 marlin and I'm getting very excited

 

[kodiakisland]

This question is as broad as asking which bolt action rifle/cartridge would you choose.

I used to own a lot of levers, but know only have the Marlin 30-30 I got when I was 16 and a 1894 in .38-55 to use in Arkansas' straightwall cartridge deer season.
I've had everything from 22s to 45-70s. Most with receiver sights but some with standard open sights, tang sights, and some with scopes. You really have to define your purpose to figure out what lever is for you.

I know a guy who only owns and hunts with Savage 99s and has around 50 of them in every factory offering. Another friend only has big bore Marlins in 338 Express, .444, and 45-70.
Another friend has a couple of Winchester 88s in .284.

For classic lever, a good 30-30 with open or receiver sights is hard to beat. For just fun shooting, a Winchester 92 in any cartridge is fun. A Winchester 71 in .348 makes for about the best large game woods rifle ever made. Brownings got choices if you like shiny stuff.

There are really so many options and choices that it would be easier to define your needed use. Pretty much every lever made in the last 130 yrs is still quite useful and many are as capable as the hunter is.

 

[RG300]

This question is as broad as asking which bolt action rifle/cartridge would you choose.

I used to own a lot of levers, but know only have the Marlin 30-30 I got when I was 16 and a 1894 in .38-55 to use in Arkansas' straightwall cartridge deer season.
I've had everything from 22s to 45-70s. Most with receiver sights but some with standard open sights, tang sights, and some with scopes. You really have to define your purpose to figure out what lever is for you.

I know a guy who only owns and hunts with Savage 99s and has around 50 of them in every factory offering. Another friend only has big bore Marlins in 338 Express, .444, and 45-70.
Another friend has a couple of Winchester 88s in .284.

For classic lever, a good 30-30 with open or receiver sights is hard to beat. For just fun shooting, a Winchester 92 in any cartridge is fun. A Winchester 71 in .348 makes for about the best large game woods rifle ever made. Brownings got choices if you like shiny stuff.

There are really so many options and choices that it would be easier to define your needed use. Pretty much every lever made in the last 130 yrs is still quite useful and many are as capable as the hunter is

For some reason 45-70 sticks in my head.....although the 30-30 would be more comfortable to shoot......if it were going to be a straight up plinker, .22 would be more cost effective. I think it would have to accommodate an optic for my aging eyes for sure though. if/when i make my choice, I will be sure to include a post about it.....thanks for all your suggestions & help, much appreciated !!!

 

[Outlaw99]

For some reason 45-70 sticks in my head.....although the 30-30 would be more comfortable to shoot......if it were going to be a straight up plinker, .22 would be more cost effective. I think it would have to accommodate an optic for my aging eyes for sure though. if/when i make my choice, I will be sure to include a post about it.....thanks for all your suggestions & help, much appreciated !!!

I’m going to go out and say that I honestly don’t feel like my 94 in 30-30 is a whole lot more pleasurable to shoot than my 45-70 when it comes to felt recoil. Neither is a lot of fun for many rounds at the range

 

[Brad]

1950's Savage 99F 308 Win - historic, folklorick, and so ugly it's beautiful.

 

[2rocky]

I will at some point inherit the Winchester Model 64 that I killed my first deer with (in 25-35). My uncle also has a Model 1894 in 30-30 and no male heirs . So I've never felt the urge to get a lever action for myself. If I HAD to get one , I'd want it as a saddle gun for use in Grizzly country, so a 45-70 would be my pick. Something built for hot handloads and heavy hardcast bullets. Probably ported and not too awfully long barreled. I'd have the scabbard under my right leg, butt back. (Not that I've ever thought about it.... )

 

[kodiakisland]

I’m going to go out and say that I honestly don’t feel like my 94 in 30-30 is a whole lot more pleasurable to shoot than my 45-70 when it comes to felt recoil. Neither is a lot of fun for many rounds at the range

I’d guess you aren’t loading the 45-70 to full potential. Definitely a noticeable difference in “fun” as compared to the 30-30.

 

[Outlaw99]

I’d guess you aren’t loading the 45-70 to full potential. Definitely a noticeable difference in “fun” as compared to the 30-30.

My point isn’t that the 45-70 is mild by any means; it’s that the old 94 seems to pound my shoulder just as well lol

 

[Bonasababy]

I like most levers. I can't shoot open sights worth a darn anymore though. I hope they haven't quit making them but I like the look and feel of the newer Henry Long Rangers. One in creedmore has been tempting me as another "grandkids" gun for some time. Otherwise I tend to prefer vintage or at least older.

My big bore 356 is nice, but not light or nearly as trim as the 50's vintage 94 30 30 was. Esp. with the red dot. Wish I could still see well enough to use the flip up tang peep.

My holy grail or win the lottery list would include a model 71 in 348 winchester and a Model 99 in 358--I like the mid bores a lot.

I could sure be tempted by a model 65 in 218 bee though! Those three models have the sweetest lines of them all IMO.

An old 336 in 35 remington would be a nice option too, I'd put a small scope or red dot on it and grab it instead of one of my bolts for close quarters still hunting and bears over bait.

 

[brownbear932008]

So many to choose from. I love old wood guns in the lever action. I carry a Marlin 336 in 30-30 win JM stamped. I'm really wanting a Winchester 94 .32 special (uncle was a well known bear hunter and took over 80 with his) and would also love a Savage 99 in .308. All strictly for nostalgia reasons. It takes me back to a better time when hunting was done for a different reason.

 

[RG300]

I’m going to go out and say that I honestly don’t feel like my 94 in 30-30 is a whole lot more pleasurable to shoot than my 45-70 when it comes to felt recoil. Neither is a lot of fun for many rounds at the range

I shot my buddy's 30-30, I thought the felt recoil was pretty manageable, i nudged him to try my .308 & he said it hurt his shoulder.....I have no problem with the 30-30 or the 308.... makes me want to try the .45-70 for felt recoil, just to see if i can handle it if you say its not much worse than the 30-30, thanks

 

[dranrab]

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.

What 44 Magnum do you have and what kind of groups are you getting? I have had 2 44 Magnum Marlins, 2 Ruger 77/44s and 2 CVA single shot 44 magnums. 4 inch groups at 100 is the best they'd routinely do. Every now and then they'd go under 2 but the overall average was above 4".

 

[BrentD]

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?

I own four at least. All Marlins. They are better guns, in my opinion, than any other choices. There is no way I would buy a new or recent made lever however. I know that may fly in the face of many others' opinions, but so it is. I have an 1895 (the real one, not the fake remake), 1894, 1893, and a 39A (of course). They are .45-70, .38-40, .38-55, and 22 rimfire, respectively. Vintage Marlins are the creme de la creme of lever guns.

Which one is the right one for you, depends on what you want to do with it.

Winchesters are cool, esp the '73s. Savage 99s are cool too, but Marlins are the best.

 

[grizzly63]

38-55 Cowboy Special Marlin. Very fun to shoot. Not an extreme long range gun but it will work well at the distances I would use it at. Someday I will have to try Winchester 94 to see how they compare to the 336's. The 336 is pretty easy to break down clean and you can accurize them with a little effort.