Help me pick a lever-action...

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Drjones

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Hi all.

I want a lever-action rifle.

I was handling some at the store, and on top of being simply gorgeous to behold, they just plain felt great in my hands.

What is a nice, potent caliber? (But no elephant gun! They had one in .454 Casull...I think that's a BIT big...or is it? :D )

I'm thinking something like a 30-06 or 30-30. Good?

What brand?

What price should I expect?

I of course want the best quality rifle within reason. (No gold-trimmed, original, 100-y.o. museum piece ya know... ;) )

Should I perhaps look at a pistol caliber versus rifle calibers?

Are these things accurate out to a good range? like 200 yds or so?

I am NOT going to be hunting with it; I just don't have a rifle and need and want one.

Any other advice is appreciated!

Thank you!
 
Also:

Would a lever-action in a suitable caliber be a good choice for most types of "social situations" that may arise?

Edit to add:

As my intended use (though I hope it NEVER comes to that) for this is a SHTF type scenario, would a lever-action be a decent choice?

With that in mind, what would be a good caliber for two-legged critters?
 
I think the best all-around time-proven lever action rifle out there is the Marlin 336. I have one in .30-30 and it's just a pleasue to shoot. No problems at all.
 
In .30-30 or pistol calibers, Marlin and Winchester are your best choices; personally, I prefer Marlins, esp. for cleaning. None are what you'd call real potent calibers, esp. compared to today's uber-magnums, but they'll do for deer or black bear (at least in .30-30, .35 Rem or .44) and there's all kinds of stories abt folks using them on things bigger'n 'em. You can get plain-Jane .30-30's for $265 or so at places like Walmart if you're willing to skip Walnut stocks and other such niceties.

If you want to step up in energy to something like the '06, you'll need to go with a Browning. You can get it in .243, .308. '06, 300 Win Mag and other calibers that shoot spitzer-type bullets, as it uses a box magazine rather than a tube. Winchester has brought back the 1895 in .405 (TR's Big Medicine) if you want some nostalgia AND have deep pockets for buying ammo.

Accuracy-wise, My Marlins range from 1.5 to 3.5 MOA. You'll likely get <1.5 -2 MOA with Brownings if my dad's old .308 was typical. The .30-30 and pistol calibers are have looping trajectories, which makes hitting out real far a bit difficult. There's a scotsman who sometimes posts on marlintalk who shoots his 16" Marlin 336LTS out to 300 yds in matches tho, so it can be done.
 
Yeah, what they said...

If you were a hunter, I'd advise a BLR in something like .308 or 30.06 that will really reach out and touch something.

As a general purpose rifle, your best all around choice is certainly a Winchester or Marlin .30/30. This will give you all the range you'd want for informal plinking and fun shooting. And all the oomph you'd need for any nasty social encounter.

And... if you change your mind about hunting, it'll work just fine out to 150 or 200 (?) yards as well.

You really can't go wrong there! Five generations of Americans can't be wrong!

Keith
 
Approximate prices on the Marlin 336, please?

Opinions: Blued, or stainless?
 
Hmmm....the higher capacity of the pistol caliber models is appealing....

What do you think of a .44?

Decent ballistics at ranges of less than 100 yds or so?

Or better to stick with the 30-30?
 
The .30/30 has better ballistics than a .44 mag at any range. Certainly any of the hunting loads would be devastating to a human being. However, anybody shot with either round is likely to cease hostilities forthwith.

Winchester make a very appealling short lever action called the Trapper in .44 mag that would make a lot of sense as a home defense rifle - 16 inch barrel or something like that. If you're really sure you'll never need to shoot beyond 100 yards or so, it would serve very well.

I think the standard .30/30 is a better general purpose rifle. The Trapper (because of its abreviated length) might make a better home defense gun when maneuvering in the close confines of a home. It also comes in .45 Colt and possibly in other calibers.

Either gun would be a lot of fun and fairly inexpensive to shoot, compared to a 30.06 or something like that.

Marlin may make a short lever action as well, anybody know?

Blued or stainless... whatever. Blued is cheaper and will hold up forever with some minimal care. If it's going to be leaned in a closet someplace and forgotten about for long periods, it might be worth buying in stainless.

Keith
 
The 30-30 has probably put more meat on the table than any other round. Cheap, redily available and proven.

As to the Winchester '94 vs the Marlin, I have both and prefer the '94 SC in most cases. The Marlin is better if you plan on mounting a scope, the side eject is a blessing. The Winnie is lighter, faster and more maneuverable than the Marlin. Can't really go far wrong with either.

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As always, it depends on exactly what you're wanting to be able to acomplish with the rifle. For new rifles, the 30-30 in either a Marlin or Winchester can cover most realistic hunting or self defense duties. Personally, I prefer the Marlins for the rifle caliber loadings. They are certainly heftier than most of the Winchesters.

As you mention, the pistol calibers do offer added cartridge capacity and will probably kill most animals just as dead as the 30-30 assuming shots are kept at 100 yards or so. And assuming proper shot placement. If you're wanting something a bit less powerful, you could consider one of the 357 Magnum/38 Special rifles. 38 Special is one of the cheapest calibers to shoot for the non-reloader and if funds are tight at all, this might allow you to practice more. Be sure to get a guarantee from the gunshop that the rifle will feed 38 Special rounds. Most do, some seem to have a bit of a problem with this.

At a higher price point, Browning offers their BLR rifle in most contemporary cartridges including 22-250, 243, 7mm-08, 308, 270, 30-06, 7mm Rem Mag, 300 Win Mag and even three of the new short magnum cartridges. Very nice rifles, but a bit pricey.

The 454 is a thumper and that Puma (if that's what you saw) is a pretty small rifle. I wouldn't mind getting one someday, if they prove to be reliable but my 45-70 will keep me company until then.
 
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Don't underestimate hot .44 mag loads, esp. from a 20" bbl. You can nearly duplicate the energy of the .30-30, with a lot more momentum due to the heavier bullets, not too mention the bigger hole.
 
Lever-action for SHTF and "social situations"? Why not? It has two very "tactical" advantages.

1. The ability to "shoot one, load one." You can keep your mag topped off. Try _that_ with your AR.

2. "Camoulflage"--you're not an "evil" black-rifle-toting-militia-paramilitary-wanna-be. You're an honest, God-fearing mainstream citizen with a utilitarian firearm.

10-11 rounds of .44mag is a potent choice for close-midrange work.
 
I second the Marlin .30-30. The ammo is plentiful and fairly cheap, and it's plenty powerful.

You don't want to think of it as a long-range gun though. I think 200 yards is at the edge of its limits. Problem is, at that distance, most 150 gr. loads are just under 1000 foot-pounds of energy and 1700 feet per second. That's pretty minimal. I've always thought of the .30-30 as about a 150 yard gun for deer, tops.
 
Without spending a lot of money, I would agree with the Marlin lever guns being about the best out there for the money. Especially if you are considering a scope for the gun.

As for cal., you need to decide what you are going to do with it. Do you reload? If you reload and want it for hunting, HD, just plain fun, consider the Marling Guide Gun in .45-70. Factory rounds are rather slow and easy going, but will do most jobs you will want to do. Reloads and high vel. factory ammo are available that can be quite potent and will handle almost anything anyone would want to do.

Reloads can also be loaded with lead bullets at very slow velocities and can be a pleasure to plink with.

The Guide Gun is also only an 18.5" barrel and very easy to handle.
 
Have a 1964 Win 94 in 30-30; Browning Win 71 in
348; and Marlins in 22, 44mag, and 45-70. Like the Marlins well enough...they are quality guns.
Would prefer the 45-70 in Browning with longer heavier barrel. Would like to find a 25-20 Marlin 94CL and the Browning 47-70 Rifle Deluxe. Fun in in the looking. Good Shooting you can't beat a 30-30 for all around use. In that regard I would and did go with the Winchester.
 
I have a Marlin 1894 with a 20" barrel in 44 Mag that I just love. Zeroed to 50 yards, POI is about 3" low at 100 yards. 30-30 is superior at longer ranges, but I'd call it a wash for close encounters (I can calculate the relative ballistics and energies if you want). I also like the fact that I can shoot the 44 at my local indoor ranges.

Marlin will hold 13 rounds of 44 in the tube mag (you have to remove the plug, otherwise its only 10 rounds). I found the Marlin to have a much smoother action than the Winchester. Overall quality of the Marlin was superior as well.

I paid $360 for it new, purchased "online" from Andy (recommended) at http://www.eastcountyguns.com/
 
I've been looking at lever rifles lately one difference between Winchester and Marlin I noticed is Marlin lists specials in 38 & 44 Winchester doesn't. I called Winchester and asked why they don't list specials. I was told they have trouble ejecting specials so they only list mags. Another difference is Winchester doesn't make stainless guns. Marlin does in 44 mag and 45/70. I still like the looks of the Winchesters better. For home defense I would go with a .357.
 
You could also look at a Marlin in .35 Remington, which has a little more umph than a .30-30.

I think some of the folks are now making lever guns in .45 Colt, with full magazines. Pretty potent round:D

For 130-odd years, people have been wanting rifles that also shoot pistol calibers. The .44 mag is probably the best bet for them, although a .454 Casull in a single shot is giving me ideas:D

The .44 mag in a rifle will drive 240 grain bullets about 1700 fps, and that is no puffcake load:eek: You may get surprised about the recoil.
 
To answer the original question...

I just ordered a Puma .454 92 Carbine. I am hyped.

I love Winchesters and Marlins as well, but they didn't make the exact model I wanted. Rossi did.

This gun may never even see more than 20-40 rounds of actual .454 ammo either. It will mostly ingest my stiff .45 LC handloads that normally reside in the cylinder of my Blackhawk.

See, that was my requirement for the gun. The lever-action I had to have. You have to weigh all your requirements for the weapon.

Regarding using lever-actions as a post-apocolyptic tool, only if you reload, IMO. If you reload, ammo shouldn't be a problem. If you don't, migrate to weapons that shoot any of the NATO calibers, or even better, keep some in these in reserve as the potent lever-action supply dwindles. Start stockpiling that 30-30 ammo today! :rolleyes:

Social situations may vary, but a compact effective tool, shy of a full-auto assault rifle, lethal to 200 yards (or less depending on your eyes) would include a 20" lever-action carbine, along with a AR-15 or Mini-14 as the backups.

But that is just my opinion. Opinions often vary around here... :D

The cartridge list the lever-action rifle is chambered for is very long and here are the one's I would recommend:

.35 Remington

30-30 Winchester

.44 Magnum (particularly effective against two-legged critters at social distances)

.444 /.450 Marlin (Big boys that will reach out to 250 yards)

.45 LC/.454 Casull (only if you reload, otherwise the ammo is quite pricey)

.38/55 / .45-70 Government (again if you reload, no big deal)

Personally I want something that will hit hard at about 100 yards, and even harder up close. Any distance farther that about 150 yards will necessitate acquiring the .308 (7.62 NATO) which I have as well... :D

One last thing, I would not recommend a lever gun for your only gun put away for a SHTF situation, if that is the intention.

Then, that is my opinion once again.

Good luck on your search for the "lever-gun".

Mike
 
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