"Hmm. Have you got quite enough ARs for a village parson I wonder?" asked one of the many international readers of this popular mind blog and I have to say, good point.
That in mind, there's not a single lever gun in the Compound's armory, which is clearly wrong. So the question is, which rifle to get and what caliber?
I know, I know. What'll you be using it for, so-called LSP? Well, apart from hunting bear and monster hogs (45/70), mostly for fun at the range and as a handy truck gun when driving through the badlands of Ice Age Texas.
All advice welcome,
LSP
26 comments:
there's not a single lever gun in the Compound's armory
In mine, either. Which is weird because I love a lever gun. The problem is that I don't need another caliber in my gun safe.
Ah, lever guns. I love 'em and have several. In a .45-70 I have a Browning 1886 carbine. Very handy size and will work well for larger game. For deer sized, a good .30-30 either Winchester or Marlin. I'd go used if possible. The lawyer driven cross bolt safeties ruin the aesthetics in my eyes and serve no real purpose. For a truck gun the light, handy Marlin 1894 in either .44 or .357 would be my choice, once again pre-safety model. I have an 1980 vintage .357 and it works well. If you're a hopeless romantic, you could always get a reproduction of the early Winchesters, the Models 1866 and 1873, but keep in mind that the actions, while really smooth, are not terribly strong so keep your pressures to black powder levels. You may also check out the Henry Rifle Company. I have no experience with them, but I do hear they are good to go.
45-70. Yes. I have been loading and casting for that round since '78.
30-30 is also a very capable round, even more so with the Hornady LEVERevolution.
As much as I go gaga over the lines and feel of a classic Winchester, I am also a fan of Marlin. I would be trolling gun shows and gun auctions for an older pre-Remingiton rifle, one with the JM stamp on the barrel. For the budget minded, look for the store brands like Sears, et al. They came off the same production line. The older rifles are also drilled and tapped for a side mounted receiver sight.
Here is the story of one of my Marlins. Scroll to post #16
https://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1478430
I call it my 45-70 lite. 38-55 is the parent round of 30-30. I do not own a 30-30, but I may yet. I confess a certain weakness whenever I pick up a 1940's vintage Model 94.
Borepatch--I respectfully submit that "need" is not a relevant term ;)
94 Winchester in 30-30. Done... :-)
Not necessarily advice, but I bought a Marlin 336 30-30 lever action. Always wanted one since I was 3 watching cowboy movies. The difference with the Marlin is the side eject that allows you to add a scope. Here is a rundown, skip to the 12 sec mark.
I like it.
I have a Marlin 336 in 30-30, and a Marlin 1894 carbine in 357.
With the Hornady LeverEvolution ammo it's a solid 150 yard rifle.
Old_NFO taught me how to sight in the scope, and it's a great rifle to shoot. More accurate than I am.
The little carbine in 357 is the sweetest little rifle I've ever shot. I can ring steel all day long at 100 yds with it, and it has minimal recoil.
And lever guns aren't as "threatening" as an AR, so you can carry one around with less notice.
I have marlins in .444 marlin,.44 mag and .357 mag. Just as a point of interest I filled both of my caribou tags with one shot from the .44 mag with a 265 gr hornady hand load this fall.
When at the gun shows, I keep an eye out for a Savage Model 99 in .303 Savage. I've seen more than one elk dropped in its tracks with that rifle. Packs easy, enclosed hammer so no snagging or contamination. Plus, not everyone has one. Model 94 "Commemoratives" anyone?
I would like a Henry Big Boy myself.
I can't add anything useful to the suggestions above. A lot depends on what you'e going for, LSP. Deer, moose, plinking? I have 2 lever action .22 LR's. The kids love them.
I know what you mean, Borepatch, but I do want a lever gun!
Good advice, Jim. Hunting about for something used makes sense, and good call on the safety. Hmmm, decisions.
Thanks for that, RHT, and the neat #16 story -- what a good group from the OP. My feeling is two rifles are better than one so maybe a 45-70 and a 30-30?
I was thinking the same thing, NFO. Perhaps start with a 30-30 and then, if the lever sport gets addictive, branch out from there...
Nice infovid, Kid, and scopes are certainly a factor given eyesight not being as good as it once was.
I hadn't thought about the .357, drjim, but now I am. And the Hornady ammo's getting good reviews. Helpful.
Good shooting, HB, and now you've got me thinking *mag...
WSF, after shooting a friend's, I've been on the verge of buying a Model 99 several times and wish I had. I like those rifles.
Ed, I just looked at the Big Boy site and have to say they appeal. The price seems right too.
There's a wealth of advice above, LL, and good question. Fun at the range for sure and deep/pig targets of opportunity. Then there's the mighty elk...
I've also shot the Hornady LeverEvolution 357 through the little carbine, but didn't do any testing with it like I did the 30-30 rounds.
The 30-30 rounds shoot 2" higher at 100 yards (compared to the 150 gr yellow/green box Remington CoreLokt rounds I zeroed the rifle with), just as advertised on the box.
I didn't notice much, if any, increased recoil with the Hornady even though they weigh the same but have a higher muzzle velocity.
I bought the carbine in 357 because that's the caliber my wife's pistol uses, and one less caliber to stock is a Good Thing!
drjim, I'm very tempted by the .357. And when you want to plink, which is mostly for me, .38 spc.
For fun? 1892 Winchester in 357. Or a Marlin 1894.
If you take a look at "ballistics by the inch", the 357, of all handgun cartridges picks up the most steam from longer barrels. The ME rise is steep out to about 16-18 inches.
It is a pussycat to shoot, even out of a light carbine, but with heavy loads approaches 30 30 energy. And inexpensive to shoot.
And the 1892 was designed for short pistol cartridges, unlike the 1894 Winchester. Slim and trim.
For practicality? 1894 or Marlin in 30 30. Millions of them around in good shape, and not so pretty as to worry about. America's gun.
Great advice, Raven, and I'm torn between .357 and 30-30. I'd like a 357 revolver and why not have two guns in the same caliber? That said, the 30-30 appeals for the reasons you give -- I think a lot depends on what I see at gun shows and used racks. So the search is on.
I have a Marlin 45-70 lever action. With the right loads it should handle a polar bear. That'll come in hand when the Gulf freezes and the polar bears show up there. It's a nice gun that handles nicely, and it's never failed to feed and fire.
A Browning lever action in something like 30-06 or 300 win mag would be a good thought, too. When there's a choice, the best answer is BOTH!
OC, you make a very good point and I'm drawn to the 45/70 because of its greatness.
And here's the thing. Researching lever guns has made me realize I want several. A 45-70 for the Ice Age, a .357 Mag for fun and the range and a 30-30 because they're practical and I like them.
How will this turn out? A new gun safe, obviously.
Cheers!
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