Lever Action Scout

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greg_r

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Mossberg 464 Brush Gun. 719009027.jpg
Marlin 336BL 60900.jpg

Wanting to turn one into a lever action scout. Will add the XS scout base, 2.5 power LER, and and a winged front and rear sight.

464 is a bit rough cycling but it's getting smoother. Has a decent trigger.

The Marlin rifles have had their issues of late but I think they are getting them under control. I just looked at a 1894, wood to metal fit was decent, no cocked sights or misaligned magazine tube, but the rear sling swivel was noticably off center.

The Mossberg has a 16 1/4" barrel and I like the stainless and gray laminate look(it's actually marinecote). The Marlin has another 1 1/4" of barrel. I like the big loop, and the laminate and black looks decent, I just do not like it as much as the silver and gray. I think I prefer the cross bolt safety of the Marlin over the tang safety of the Mossberg. I like the idea of a solid bar of steel under the hammer when unloading. I also like the no barrel band design of the Marlin.

If I were not afraid of the Marlin quality control I would trade the Mossberg. But I will have to order the Marlin it looks like, kind of worried about rejecting the rifle. Don't want to upset my LGS.

For what it's worth. I plan on the Marlin 336XLR as my next purchase after the Lever Action Scout 20970.jpg
 
I purchased an 1894 Marlin last year. Couldn't be happier. I compared the wood to metal finish with the 1895G that I purchased in 2003 and it was actually better in a lot of ways. My Rossi has a bright stainless polished finish when I purchased it, I took it apart and changed it to a nice matt.
 
I wish I could deer hunt with a 30-30 in Ohio.

I like the "probably" more durable finish of the Mossberg, but stainless steel is even better. I also dislike tang safeties. Those two points alone would point me to a Marlin (but in stainless steel).
 
I like stainless as well. If Marlin had the 336SBL (stainless big loop) I would have likely already done the deal.

I have also considered the Marlin 1894SBL 44 magnum. 70433_Marlin-1894CSBL-SS_Order70433.png
It's already set up with the rail and sights I like. And my sidearm is a 44 magnum as well. So that's a plus. 0814.jpg
But I really want a 30-30. Marlin does make a stainless 30-30 but I would want to change out the stocks for the gray lamanite and probably get a big loop as well, but the big loop loses some of its appeal in the longer barreled models. 70510_336SS_Right.png
BTW, looking for a set of gray laminate grips for my SBH as well. Anybody know where I can find some?
 
I replaced the cross bolt safety from my Marlin with a non-safety. Use the half cock position. The bigger loop is a plus. I would hate the tang safety. I do like Stainless, but don't like the shine on some of them.
 
I'm planning on my next rifle to fall into this same role. How did you come a decision on caliber when scouts are traditionally .308?
 
Actually, the very first "Scout" rifle setup was the Leupold and Redfield mounts designed for the forward EER and IER scopes on the venerable Winchester model 94. I have one of those scope mounts for my pre-64 Winchester, and it works great. These were available long before Col. Cooper made the "Scout" rifle concept famous.

I find Scout rifle setups fun to shoot at the range, but rather ineffective in real hunting situations. I prefer the (much) wider field of view offered by conventionally mounted scopes when it comes to real-world hunting situations. But there is no doubt a scout rifle is enjoyable to shoot. The forward scope is less intimidating to the eye and the weight-forward balance helps tame muzzle rise.
 
somethingbenign said:
I'm planning on my next rifle to fall into this same role. How did you come a decision on caliber when scouts are traditionally .308?
Click to expand...
I originally wanted a Ruger Gunsite Scout in 308. But I prefer a hinged floorplate on my bolt rifles. I bought a Ruger Hawkeye Stainless Carbine in 308 instead.

I do like the scout rifle concept though. A scout rifle with a low powered LER allows you to shoot with both eyes open. Something i can not do with a traditionally mounted higher powered scope. I hunt mostly feral pigs. The expanded peripheral vision of shooting with both eyes open is a big thing for me, especially on one property I have access to where a sounder can equal 20 or more animals. I have been hurt by a pig once, dont want it to happen again.

The flat sided lever action makes a great platform for the scout rifle I think. Plus I am a fan of the 30WCF. I lost my lever actions in a house fire in 1999 and never replaced them. I think it's time I do!
 
How did you come a decision on caliber when scouts are traditionally .308?
Click to expand...

The definition of a "scout" rifle is very loosely defined, and even Cooper modified his thoughts as time went on. A traditional 30-30 as it left the factory qualifies as a scout rifle.
 
Thanks for the history lesson guys. This is why I don't always trust Google. So if we are expanding the caliber selection...on second thought I really should just start another thread.

To the OP, I'd go with the Mossberg. I prefer standard loops unless gloved shooting and even then I can still comfortably fit a gloved hand in the smaller loop. Also to stay true to the spirit of the "scout rifle" I'd go with it for what I hope is a more durable finish. That grey wood is growing on me too.

Edit: On second thought I'm now leaning towards the Marlin if only because I don't know the first thing about Mossberg as a rifle company and need to do some research on their quality.
 
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I bought a mossberg 464 last year. Once I ran t50 rounds thru it, it's much smoother than it was from the box. I like the wood. But I hate the buckhorn sight.
 
If it were me I would go with the 1894 SBL since you (and I) have .44 Mag revolver. But it's you and I think all of these would be very good choices. Good Luck :)
 
My 464 Brush Gun has the fiber optic sights. They are actually pretty good.
 
I fell in love with the look of a forward mounted scope on a lever action the first time I ever saw one on a guide gun. Then I shouldered it and looked through the scope at the tiny field of view and said "why would I want this?". Not for me.
 
True, a EER scope will have a smaller field of view, along with reduced magnification compared to a standard scope, but the beauty of the setup is that you can shoot with both eyes open, which negated the field of view issue.

Personally, I think they are ugly, but the advantages negate the looks.

20180518_170304.jpg
 
greg_r said:
True, a EER scope will have a smaller field of view, along with reduced magnification compared to a standard scope, but the beauty of the setup is that you can shoot with both eyes open, which negated the field of view issue.

Personally, I think they are ugly, but the advantages negate the looks.

View attachment 790743
Click to expand...

Is that scope actually sighted in? It looks like it’s pointing about 60 moa up.
 
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