Best Lever Action

[Soldier0117]

Hey everyone, I have been interested in a good lever action rifle for a good price. What do you think is an affordable but good company? Also what lever action caliber has the best balance of power, accuracy, range, good handling, and somewhat cost. I heard .35 and .30-30 are two of the best but what are your thoughts? Thanks.

 

[umc180gr]

Marlin 336 .30/30 all the way.

 

[Hypnogator]

I second the Marlin 336 as probably the best levergun out there. I'm personally partial to the .35, but .30/30 is more popular and ammo will be easier to find.

 

[Vaarok]

Marlin 39, because .22 does more than most people give it credit for, it's hellacious fun, you can plink with it, and it's cheaper than any other caliber.

 

[Byron]

My favorite has always been the Winchester 94. It carries nicely in the hand.The Marlin is a superb rifle also but a bit heavier. Byron

 

[MilsurpShooter]

I highly enjoy my 336 in .35 Remington.

 

[krustoleum]

Marlin 336. My Dad has one, my brother has one. Good gun. I like the 30-30.
Personally, I prefer the Marlin to the Winchester 94. My cousin has the Winchester. The shells eject out of the top rather than the side. He has had problems with the debris getting in the top ejection area.

You can now get the Marlin chambered in "XLR" meaning extra long range. It shoots a shell pioneered by Hornady that allows a pointed tip in the stacked magazine. You can fetch an extra 100 yards...so they claim anyway.

How come nobody has mentioned any Henry Repeating Arms rifles? The .44 mag or 45-70 Govt. They are heavy, but feel so good in the hand. The wood and brass are gorgeous.

 

[Rifleman 173]

I love my Marlin .44 magnum lever action. It has plenty of punch, great accuracy and is a comfort to have around. It is simple to operate and reliable. I can shoot either the .44 magnum or the .44 specials out of it. What's nice is that I can also get a Marlin in .357 magnum and get pistols for either or both Marlins so that my ammo is the same for the lever action and for the pistol too.

 

[Hunter0924]

I like both Winchester 94 and the Marlin 336.
Either one should serve you well.

 

[Shawnee]

Browning BLR in .243 or 7mm/08.

Best ever designed.

 

[30-06 lover]

I own a savage 99 in 308 and I love it. It shoots 1.25" groups at 100 yards and has never jammed. Many "Boom, Flop" deer with my 99.

 

[Jackal]

Marlin 336.

 

[dakotasin]

if i knew then what i know now i would have picked up the marlin 336 in 35 or the marlin 1895 in 45-70. as it is, i have a marlin 336 in 30-30 and am picking up a marlin 1895g in 45-70 on wednesday. i think the marlin is a solid design and an accurate rifle.

you won't go wrong w/ a 336 in 30-30, but i would rather have it in 35...

occasionally you can come across a savage 99 for a good price and i think the savage 99 is as good as a lever gun gets - but they are difficult to find and usually pretty expensive.

i'm not much of a fan of the winchester 94, and i think the browning blr, while innovative for a levergun, misses the mark.

i have no experience w/ puma or henry.

 

[Leanwolf]

I've owned five Winchester 94 rifles. Three pre-'64s and two post '64s.

I've owned three Marlin 336s, two .30-30s and one .35 Rem.

I prefer the Marlin 336. I no longer own any Winchesters. I presently own a Marlin 336 .30-30, Marlin .35 Rem., and a Marlin 1894S in .41 Magnum.

The Marlins work for me.

L.W.

 

[qajaq59]

I'd have to say that the Savage 99 in .308 caliber is probably the most accurate. But finding one of those is pretty tough. And while the Winchester is lighter, they look weird with a side mounted scope.

Go for the Marlin in either ,35 or 30-30. That will be the easiest for mounting the scope and there's no doubt that they're a good rifle

 

[TAB]

I can't say on the quality, but mosberg just came out with a modifed model 94 in 30-30 that should be in the low 400s.

 

[Seafarer12]

It all depends on what you want to do with it. For pistol calibers I like the Rossi winchester 92 copies. My 357 is slicker than snot and better looking than the Marlins in my opinion. For the bigger stuff I would say Marlin. I have a Marlin 45/70 and it is a great gun. It use to be my go to gun for hunting till I got the .357. I use to have a 35 remington pump but sold it. Ammo is hard to find and costs a lot. If you reload it isnt an issue. A 30-30 is cheap and ammo is everywhere. I like to be different though. My next lever action will probably be a Marlin 1894 CL in 32-20.

 

[Harve Curry]

QUOTE 30-06 lover :
"I own a savage 99 in 308 and I love it. It shoots 1.25" groups at 100 yards and has never jammed. Many "Boom, Flop" deer with my 99."
-Michael

I have a Savage 99A in 308 and it shoots the same 1.25" groups as yours.
, Bill

 

[Brian Dale]

Winchester/Marlin/Savage = Ford/GM/Chrysler

They're all good. Choose the one that grabs you. There's a lot of detail available here at THR through the Search function at the top of each page. Calibers, top-vs-side ejection, magazine type and other details.

.30-30 ammo is available absolutely everywhere; .35 Rem is reputed to hit slightly harder. Again, they're both good, and so are the Savage calibers.

Pick the one that calls to you.

 

[Avenger29]

Marlin is superior in construction. Better reciever, better design. Bolt easily removed for cleaning from the rear. Best parts/accessories availability (like a ghost ring sight set and scout set up, among other things). And Marlin is one of the few companies that hasn't cheapened in quality- still using good quality steel and wood.

Go with .30-30 as a general purpose round.

 

[Hokkmike]

Try this:

http://www.henryrepeating.com/

 

[foghornl]

Currently in production...one word:

Marlin

The Henry brand rifles seem to be decent shooters, but I'll stick with Marlin.

 

[dakotasin]

while i generally agree w/ avenger's statements, i have a point of contention w/ the marlin bolt. to the point, i think the design of the bolt and firing pin sucks, and is a general nuisance to clean. and if you don't clean it well on occasion you will get failure to fires. i know this because i just went thru it w/ my 30-30... aside from the bolt/firing pin, i think the marlin is a fine rifle.

 

[Seafarer12]

Marlin is one of the few companies that hasn't cheapened in quality- still using good quality steel and wood.

I have to disagree with you on that one they started using beech wood stocks on some models. Not nearly as nice as the walnut ones but cheaper.

 

[Wolfgang2000]

It depends if you want a western style rifle. If you do The marlin is the way to go.

However if you just want a lever that is more caliber friendly look at the BLR. I have a BLR 81 (all steel) straight stock in 308. It is my #1 go to rifle for hunting. It is a really handy rifle that has a detachable 4 round magazine. I put a Burris 1.5 to 6 signature scope on it. It's a great little brush rifle.

Yes I have a Marlin 336 in 30-30. (It's a rule in the south. ) But my go to hunter is the BLR.