Lever action in non classic calibres!

[andym79]

Hi I am looking to purchase a lever action in a non classic calibre! I want the lever action to be able to use the same brass as a bolt action rifle. I am open to suggestions, but would prefer .308 or .30-06.

I can only find lever actions made for these cartridges by Browning and the problem is I need a 5 round magazine for competition, but BLRs only have four rounds! Does anyone else still make lever action for these cartridges?

Thanks

 

[ugaarguy]

Andy, they're difficult to find, but Winchester built their model 1895 for Imperial Russia in 7.62x54R with five round magazine. These Russian Winchesters also had charger guides to allow them to be reloaded with Mosin-Nagant stripper clips.

As best as my googling can find the Savage 99, Winchester 88, Sako Finnwolf, and Ruger 96 / 44 were all 4 rounds max like the BLR.

I don't know how big the competition shooting scene is down under, but you may have found yourself a business opportunity in producing 5 round BLR magazines.

 

[BrocLuno]

Can you start the comp with one in the chamber? BLR and Savage 99 will fill to 5 with one on oven.

 

[451 Detonics]

I would think a talented welder could use a section of a BAR machine gun magazine to create a 10 rounder for 30-06 or a FAL mag for .308

 

[GratefulShooter]

The old Savage 99's held 5 rounds in a rotary magazine, and it was available in .308.

 

[BrocLuno]

Duh, you are right - I dunno how that slipped my mind. I shoot a Sav 99 in 308

 

[Vaarok]

Personally, for competition, the Savage 99 is hard to beat.

Like the rest, the Winchester '95 is 4+1. They're rare, expensive, and not always that accurate due to poor bores, but the 7.62x54r version I have sure is fun and cheap to shoot.

 

[ugaarguy]

I stand corrected on the Savage 99 magazine capacity. That's cool to know.

 

[PapaG]

Have a 99 Savage in 308 and love it, even though it is a "relatively" late one with the tang safety it still has the rotary magazine and counter on the side. Strong, slick and accurate.

 

[RichS]

The Browning .223/5.56 NATO BLR has a 5 round mag, not 4. I have one. They are currently available mags for any BLR newer than the now obsolete 1981 & older models. New 5 round .223 mags can be had for around $50 each; shop around. Might as well note that the .223 BLR is a nice companion to the '94 Winchester, particularly the older straight stock models (they have a steel receiver up to 1995, when they switched to alloy receivers). Lever drop is about 60 degrees, compared to 90 deg, for the Win. Very nice gun, used, in the $600 range.

 

[Red October]

Winchester has new 1895s available in .30-06. I picked one up earlier this year (first on the left) and have no complaints regarding quality or function. While looking around I saw several original 1895s in .30-40, but they tend to be more pricey than the new ones.

 

[CraigC]

The new 1895's have been offered in .30-06 but have never sold well. Shouldn't be difficult to find one. They are excellent rifles, of superior quality and my .405 shoots sub-MOA, even with buckhorns.