Lever Guns, what would you choose & why?

I’m not a big fan of levers. But, I seem to have bought four in my life and for what ever reason still own 2. I have had 2 Winchester in 30/30, one, Marlin 336cs 30/30 and a Marlin 1895 .444. Still have the Marlins.
I don't think I have shot the 30/30 since about 1987 although a buddy of mine always wanted to hunt with it every year when he came down for his annual hog hunt well into 2015.

I used the 444 a few years in Ohio when they started allowing straightwall. And found it was a blast to shoot. Then bought a 350 legend in a bolt gun which is my preferred type of rifle never used the marlin after that.

I preferred the marlins over the winchesters. I did feel more like a cowboy with my winchesters but my marlins shot better and were better rifles for my hunting.
 
I love my Savage 99 in .243 because of the unlimited cartridge choice. But I also love my Marlin .444 and my Winchester 1894 30-30.
 
Depending on how weird you have to get to access a spot... a short, handy lever can be much more useful than kestrels, laser range finders and ultra mags

Screenshot_20250811_085329_Gallery.jpg

I also purchased that rifle for less than some bar tabs I've run up in my day, which makes every tiem you seal the deal with it that much more satisfying. Bizarrely, contrary to everything that can be found about Remlins online, it puts Barnes TSX into neat little MOA groups with the first load I tried for it. Tough to come up with a more perfect setup for easy coast whitetail.
 
I’ve owned two Marlins both 30-30 and 3 Browning BLR’s one in 7mm08 and presently have two in 358 Win. My favorite is the BLR in 358 with Monte Carlo stock. Detachable magazine makes unloading much easier. One blr is a very accurate rifle but the other one
Will throw an occasional flier.
The 358 shooting a Hornaday 200 grain SP will drop a whitetail in its tracks.
My son has a Marlin 4570 that handles great and shoots great just depends on what you’re looking for. Happy Hunting!
 
Since i do not live in a free state, the long wait is finally over...... "long live the lever gun", lol
I'm not sure what the tiny roll mark indicates, Ruger? Marlin? any ideas? looks like 1/2 of it is missing, lol
 

Attachments

  • 1895.BBL.jpg
    1895.BBL.jpg
    231.5 KB · Views: 16
  • marlin.stamp.I.JPG
    marlin.stamp.I.JPG
    2.2 MB · Views: 16
Since i do not live in a free state, the long wait is finally over...... "long live the lever gun", lol
I'm not sure what the tiny roll mark indicates, Ruger? Marlin? any ideas? looks like 1/2 of it is missing, lol

Congrats on getting it @RG300
Let us know how she shoots!
 
Without a doubt, probably one of the rarest model 1886 Winchesters. A 50-100-450 with 15 factory special order features. The caliber alone is one of the rarest in the history of the 1886, but 15 special order features, puts in in a league of its own….



IMG_1301.jpegIMG_1314.jpegIMG_5380.jpegIMG_3950.jpeg
 
I have always been a huge fan of lever guns. Favorites are my Winchester 94 Legacy and Mossberg 464 which are both chambered for the "Prince of the Forests and Foothills", 30-30. TR
Wait!
You can’t kill Elk with a 30-30! 😉

Very nice!
 
I've been looking at lever actions for a few years now.
When I have the disposable income, I can't seem to find one that calls out to me.
When I don't have the disposable income, I get several that I really want.

When I finally do get one it will more than likely be in 45 Colt, or 45-70.

Something about the 357 Mag just makes me feel undergunned.
One of the reasons I don't carry my 357 Mag revolvers in the woods.
Silly, I know.

I've had opportunities to buy lever actions in 30-30, 300 Savage, 444 Marlin, but the cartridges just don't call out to me.
 
I know for me personally its hard to beat my Winchester Model 94 Trapper in 44 Mag. That's a fun hog hunter running around in the woods with it being on the shorter side.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
117,488
Messages
2,158,597
Members
38,244
Latest member
Jaeger
Back
Top