Favorite lever action rifle
Printed From: The BaitShop
Category: FireArms, et cetera
Forum Name: Rifles and Muzzleloaders
Forum Description: Rimfire, centerfire, front-stuffer, whatever! Also, for more great firearms and reloading discussion, check out www.handloadersbench.com!
URL: http://www.baitshopboyz.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3139
Printed Date: 26 March 2026 at 16:36
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Favorite lever action rifle
Posted By: NH_Hunter
Subject: Favorite lever action rifle
Date Posted: 01 February 2004 at 11:54
|
Hey guys, what is your favorite lever action? Mine has to be the winchester 94. I think it handles better than the marlin, and i own both. The marlins are more accurate with jacketed bullets. The winchester is just handier, comes up to the shoulder faster, and i can shoot it pretty well. I would also probably load up some cast bullets if i get a winnie 94 trapper in .44 Mag, and I have heard the marlin with micro-groove rifling doesn't do very well with cast bullets. The Savage 99 is pretty nice, but they are fatter than i would like. Same with the Ruger 96/44. Never held a Winchester 88 or Sako finnwolf. NH_Hunter ------------- Leverguns make me smile Proud Left Handed Shooter |
Replies:
Posted By: Tikkabuck
Date Posted: 01 February 2004 at 15:40
|
1. Sako Finwolf 2. Winchester Model 88 3. Savage Model 99 ------------- God,Mother,Country,and Hot Rods. Done with political crap.LOL |
Posted By: Triggerguard
Date Posted: 01 February 2004 at 16:43
|
Micro Grove barrels WILL shoot cast bullets well. That is an old gunwriter's tale, because most of them are too lazy to shoot anything but their keyboard. They "heard" it somewhere, and pass it along as gospel without ever checking to see if it is true. Cast your bullets medium hard (WW + tin), use a gas check, and size .001 or .002 over grove diameter. They WILL shoot well. ------------- "...A moral compass needs a butt end.Whatever direction France is pointing-towards collaboration with Nazis, accomodation with communists,...we can go the other way with a quiet conscience"-O'Rourke |
Posted By: Triggerguard
Date Posted: 01 February 2004 at 16:45
|
Didn't answer the question. I like Winchesters, both 1892 and 1894, over the Marlins. ------------- "...A moral compass needs a butt end.Whatever direction France is pointing-towards collaboration with Nazis, accomodation with communists,...we can go the other way with a quiet conscience"-O'Rourke |
Posted By: Eagleye
Date Posted: 01 February 2004 at 19:29
Prefer the Marlins since they, in my personal experience have always outshot the Winchesters by a bit. Also like the ability to clean from the breech end, and the Winny is a lot more trouble to disassemble. Regards, Eagleye. ------------- Never argue with an idiot. They will drag you down to their level & then beat you with experience! |
Posted By: klallen
Date Posted: 02 February 2004 at 01:23
|
I don't have a lot of experience with lever actions. A Marlin .30-30 was one of my starter rifles and used my very first hunting season. And a Win. 94 .307 is the only one I've got now. I shot this group with the final scope adjustments I made before last hunting season using some basic 180 gr. Win. SuperX Power Point factory ammo (100 yds.) :
I honestly don't remember our old Marlin shooting this well. Maybe the ones of today do.?.?.?.? I've been looking to get a couple Marlins in the safe. The .444 and .450 would be the two. Suppose I should to see how the old stacks up with the new. Till this happens, 94's would be considered my slight preference. >> klallen ------------- A Big Mouth Don't Make A Big Man !!! The Duke |
Posted By: The_Mountaineer
Date Posted: 02 February 2004 at 02:15
|
NH, You probably already know what I'd like (don't even own any lever actions other than a Marlin 39A 22LR): The Winchester 94 Legacy:
------------- Paritur pax bello - Peace is obtained by war. |
Posted By: TasunkaWitko
Date Posted: 02 February 2004 at 03:43
|
1. marlin m336 cs 2. savage m99 ------------- TasunkaWitko - Chinook, Montana  Helfen, Wehren, Heilen Die Wahrheit wird euch frei machen |
Posted By: tj3006
Date Posted: 02 February 2004 at 03:58
|
Model 1894 winchester is my favorite but the marlins are real close ! I,d love to try an 1886 or mabye even a 1895 src in 30/40 craig. ...tj3006 ------------- Freedom 1st tj3006 |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 02 February 2004 at 04:52
|
In order of MY preference: 1) Winchester 71 in 348 (only cartridge they made it in). 2) Winchester Modle 1892 in 25-20 3) Marlin 336 in 30-30 4) Marlin 1894 in 44 mag. I want to Add 1) Marlin 336 in 38-55 with 24 inch Ballard Oct barrel. 2) Savage 99 in 25-35, and maybe also a 303 Savage just cause I don't know anyone that has one BEAR
|
Posted By: sluggo
Date Posted: 02 February 2004 at 05:35
|
Browning BLR because it's in .308 ------------- The problem with the rat race is, even if you win, you are still a rat. |
Posted By: The_Mountaineer
Date Posted: 02 February 2004 at 06:43
|
Sluggo, I just read an article in the March issue of GunWorld and the BLR got really good reviews. If I wasn't dead set on getting a Browning A-Bolt in 308 already, that would be my next choice for that cartridge. BLR's are pretty sweet. Different, but sweet. ------------- Paritur pax bello - Peace is obtained by war. |
Posted By: bcboy
Date Posted: 02 February 2004 at 08:23
|
Win 71 ....need I say more to know. Why??? Hell even I cant answer that
------------- open sights, open minds |
Posted By: NH_Hunter
Date Posted: 02 February 2004 at 10:52
|
WOW! I wasnt expecting so many responses! I already have a long barreled .30-30, so I dont need a new one, but a legacy in .30-30 would still be nice. Something a tad more modern. NH_Hunter ------------- Leverguns make me smile Proud Left Handed Shooter |
Posted By: Kingpin
Date Posted: 02 February 2004 at 11:45
|
Here's one more NH, I don't own one, but I am keeping my eyes peeled for an original '73 Winchester in .44-40 and an '86 Winchester in .45-70. I like the bigger cartridges. In the modern (?) arena, maybe a Winchester 88 or one of those SAKO FinWolf's............Kingpin ------------- There are times when a normal man must, spit in his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats. |
Posted By: North Logan
Date Posted: 02 February 2004 at 15:52
|
NH - Next to bolt rifles the lever guns get my attention. Here's my list of favourites... 1. Winchester Model 1894 in .30-30... I've owned lots of them, full rifles, octagon barrels, carbines, saddle ring carbines... I like them the best...currently own two, both pre '64's..
2. Winchester Model 1886 .45-70... I was lucky enough to inherit a ~ 1892 mfg one that is also a Saddle Ring Carbine... according to records they only made 5,000 1886 SRC's... mine's seen lots of use and you can tell this by the finish. My 'smith gave it the "okay" to shoot, though...
Late last year I was lucky enough to buy a Browning mfg 1886 SRC in .45-70. This is a modern reproduction of the Winchester. I plan on shooting this one lots...
3. Savage Model 99 rifles... I used to think they were butt ugly. But the more I am around them, the more I like them. Currently only have one a 99F in .308 Win...would like to add one in .300 Savage...
I do also admit to liking the Sako Finnwolf [never owned one], the pre '64 Winchester Model 88 [had one in .308], the Browning BLR's [prefer the later model with the flush magazines. Had a couple in .308] and the Marlin 336 [would like to get one in .30-30 so I can scope it]. Regards, Marcus.
-------------   "COLTS & PONY CARS"...
|
Posted By: North Logan
Date Posted: 02 February 2004 at 15:55
Hey Korey - That's an awesome group with that .307! Now I'm mad I didn't jump on the one that came thru our local shop about 8 months ago!
Marcus.
------------- "COLTS & PONY CARS"...
|
klallen wrote:
Posted By: NH_Hunter
Date Posted: 03 February 2004 at 00:44
|
I must agree with you Sir North, that is a pretty good group with a .307 Win! Bear, that Marlin 336 in .38-55 caught my eye last night. The side eject really isnt bad for me. I have a Marlin 336A in .30-30 with the 24" barrel and it does fine. i have been considering scoping it, but havent decided yet. I would probably put a Marble tang sight on the 336 Cowboy if i got one, or a williams 5d. NH_Hunter |
Posted By: Teddy
Date Posted: 03 February 2004 at 06:36
|
I also prefer Winchester 94 Legacy over our old Glenfield. Feels lighter and balanced a bit differently. But both carbines have knocked down many animals for my family. I like the long creepy trigger,too and I shoot better with it. 30-30 is till the best cartridge for my style of mule deer hunting. But each to his own I always say. Teddy ------------- Walk softly and carry a 30-30 |
Posted By: soggyshooter
Date Posted: 03 February 2004 at 10:21
|
NH The problem is that I just plain like lever actions. Period. No way could I pick out a favorite. Just cursed that way I guess. |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 03 February 2004 at 12:58
|
Teddy, Your comments about the 30-30 for mule deer are interesting as most westerners think the 30-30 is dead. Yoou might like to know that none other than Jack O'Connor thought the 30-30 was one of the best deer cartridges made for his hunting in Arizona. BEAR |
Posted By: bcboy
Date Posted: 03 February 2004 at 13:11
|
30-30 aint dead up here in Canada Marlin336 35 Rem. I just started reloading for it and learning the true potential of this great cartridge...still partial to the M71 thou. ------------- open sights, open minds |
I have had good sucess with my Posted By: CB900F
Date Posted: 03 February 2004 at 13:20
|
Fella's; Mine would be the Marlin 39 Mountie. The one without the pistol grip stock that has the squared off lever loop. It's a .22lr, but that's OK with me. 900F ------------- Birth certificate!? He don't need no steenkink birth certificate!! |
Posted By: NH_Hunter
Date Posted: 03 February 2004 at 13:44
|
Oh, come on CB, you can be more creative than that! I meant to add in Centerfire in the title of this thread, but i forgot. NH_Hunter |
Posted By: reflex264
Date Posted: 03 February 2004 at 16:26
I love lever guns to start with. My favorite for a long time was the Winchester 94 in 30-30. We still have one and it still goes to the woods every year but it has been unseated. Last year I bought an LTD-V Marlin. If Marlin should have ever produced something on a regular bases this was it. The barrel is a 24" 1/2 oct. The forend is slimmed down to near Winchester dimensions. It has a pistol grip stock. Unfortunatly they only made 1000 of them (one of the editions for Davidsons). Mine has a low 2 digit serial number but I bought it to shoot and shoot it does. Capible of 3/4" groups with jacketed and cast loads and it holds 9 shots. 9 460grain bullets at 1750fps will take care of just about anything. The following oisture shows all of the LTDs. The V is the one on the bottom.reflex264
|
Posted By: samchap
Date Posted: 04 February 2004 at 13:24
|
Do you remember the times you have bitten the first piece of pie...and just know that this is one of the best pies you will ever eat? That's how it is with my winchester 94, 38-55. Manufactured in the early 1900's, it has the smoothest action of any lever gun I have ever tried. It holds well off-hand, due to its weight, and prints well at 100 yards from off hand. One well placed shot in the h-l-l area and a deer is down soon. ------------- samchap - Waldoboro, ME Be careful what you decide to not like. Your wife may wear one. Your son may ride one. Your daughter may bring one home. You may have to have one someday. |
Posted By: Justme
Date Posted: 07 February 2004 at 08:17
|
I notice that a lot of shooters pick the Marlin because of it's ease of cleaning and supposedly protecting the bore by cleaning through the breach end. But honestly, have any of you or anyone you know of actally ruined a bore from cleaning from the bore end? Not me, and I cleaned that way for many years before it became popular in gun magazines that that way of cleaning was irresponsible and amatuerish. To me the mod 94 seems much easier and faster to clean from the bore end than the Marlin from the breach end with no ill effects. It sure hasn't hurt my side lock muzzle loaders in any way. I think some writers and shooters are always looking for a way to seem superior in knowledge. ------------- ...Justme...... God answers kneemail |
Posted By: d4570
Date Posted: 11 February 2004 at 05:40
 My best ,my love, the greatest.I call her MOAG (mother of all guns).If you can't tell I like my marlin 1895 cb 4570!!!!!It's 26" barrle,it's 9shot mag,it's smooth rich grain stock all speek to me.Take me take me now it calls to me all night. This gun does it all from bunnys to bear,we've been there together. Did I say that this is my pick???? ------------- Remember: Four boxes keep us free ,the soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, AND the cartridge box |
Posted By: Justme
Date Posted: 11 February 2004 at 05:52
|
D4570 have you ever stopped to think that maybe this relationship you have with your gun isn't normal? ------------- ...Justme...... God answers kneemail |
Posted By: EDip
Date Posted: 11 February 2004 at 10:10
|
Favourite becuz it's my onliest lever. M88 Win in 308 Win:
|
