lever action options

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headednorth

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Ive had a craving for a lever action rifle for a while now. Usually when the urge for something new hits me, I give it some time to run its course, but this aint going away.

I love the look of the Henry's with the color case hardened receivers and the octagonal barrels, but theyre only available in .30-30 and .45-70, neither of which I shoot. Getting into a new caliber means new dies, new brass, new trimmer, etc, for me which means more money. My options are...

- Suck it up, choose a caliber, buy the accessories and get over it. Or...

-Pick up a steel receiver rifle in 357 or 45 Colt and try my hand at a cch applied patina. (Im already set up for these two calibers.)

https://steelfxpatinas.com/color-case-hardening-effect-steel/

So my questions to the group are...

-What are the pros and cons of .30-30 vs .45-70? I assume 30-30 would be a cheaper round to shoot, component-wise. For what its worth, I dont plan on hunting with this rifle, I typically only shoot out to 100 yards, I reload, havent gotten into casting yet but have been interested in it. I load for 45 colt and 308, so bullets for either of these calibers I assume could also be used for either new caliber. (round nose 308) Would .45-70 save me the trouble of case trimming and the cost of a new trimmer head? (I use the Giraud Tri-Way) Any other issues Im missing between these two choices?

-Does anyone have any experience with the cch patina? Ease of application? Durability? Does it look in person the same as it does in the pictures?

Basically, I love the look of the rifles and will just be shooting at paper at the range and am exploring options at this point. Any advice and comments are appreciated.

Thanks.
 
Your first lever gun has to be in 30-30. It's quintessential. The 30-30 is a great cast bullet cartridge - nice long neck and you don't want to push those fast. It's a classic sub 200 yards deer rifle and the Hornady 160 gr ftx over 24-25 grs (max) Leverevolution will get you nearly 2500 fps in a 24" barrel. You can shoot the 30-30 all day long.

As a truck, saddle, fun gun a 20 " carbine configuration will be ideal. They're harder to find these days and may be expensive but a Marlin "Texan" from the mid to late 60s, saddle ring carbine straight stock 336, is about as classic as they come. Any pre 1980 Winchester or new Winchester will also do you right. I don't like the lack of a loading gate on a Henry and they tend to be heavy, but they are well made in the USA. Wouldn't buy a Remlin; they're still hit or miss. Mossberg also makes a 30-30 lever gun but other than the plastic stocked, railed abomination they make, I don't know what they're like.

45-70 for your next lever gun. As you suggest slightly more expensive to shoot but an excellent cartridge to experiment with. Action length and recoil will keep bullet weight down. I prefer the single shot for 45-70 myself. Re your question on component compatibility between 45 Colt and 45-70, be advised that 45-70 is .458 cal rather .452, so no compatibility. If by 45 Colt, you mean Long Colt, the Rossi 92 is worth a look from a value for money perspective but needs finishing. There are also some gorgeous Winchester 1873s out there in 45LC.

But go 30-30! You know those dark moments that sometimes creep up on you and catch you unawares? Never again after you own a 30-30 lever gun!
 
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Just a comment- I am huge fan of the Miroku manufactured Winchester 86, 92 and 94 series. The quality is top notch, and the designs are mostly historically accurate (minus a few lawyer features). I am not a big fan of the general Henry look, especially the rimfire style under barrel loading tube and brasslite receivers.
 
Thought about something in 45lc? I know marlin made a run of cowboys in that. Found one a few months back in almost new condition for under 600.

Like my 30-30, and 45-70. But my 30-30 does see more time overall, hunting and range. See what you want.
 
I would give Rossi M92 a look. I have one in .357. It's quality by far surpassed my expectations. Right out if the box, it fed any ammo I tried. I followed Steve's Gunz video and did a action job. It is very slick now and has a great trigger. I have put about 4k rounds thru it just banging steel at the range.
 
I presently own an 1873 Miroku Sporting Rifle in .45 Colt; top notch on all measures but you pay for it. I own a Winchester carbine in 30-30, not at all the Miroku quality but a deer killing machine nonetheless - as stated before, a quintessential lever caliber. I have also owned a Miroku 1886 in 45-70; again top notch quality but a larger frame lever with more weight and recoil. I agree with the previous opinion when given all considerations, the 30-30 is probably the best choice for a first lever gun for range, accuracy, cost of shooting and the lever experience. Good luck with your choice.
 
If you just want a lever action to shoot it is hard to beat a 22. I really like the classic lever actions from Marlin, Winchester, and Browning much better, but all of those options are getting expensive. The Henry 22 is reasonably priced and shoots well. This would be my recommendation for you.

If you decide you really want a center fire lever action I'd hold out for a Marlin or Winchester. But after shooting a 22 for a while. you may find owning a 22 is the most sensible and economical way to scratch the lever action itch.

Performance wise both 30-30 and 45-70 are over rated but the 30-30 is less so. I'd go 30-30 for a variety of reasons. Back in the day it was, and still is the more potent round unless you go to the hotter 45-70 hand loads. Even then there are much more effective rounds available that do the same job with less recoil than hot loaded 45-70.
 
My first lever action was a Marlin 336 in .30-30. Next time around I went looking for something in .45 Colt to go with my single action revolvers in the same caliber. Found a LNIB Rossi Model 92 and couldn't be more pleased with my choice in a lever action carbine.
 
headednorth said:
Usually when the urge for something new hits me, I give it some time to run its course, but this aint going away.
Click to expand...
I do that too. I rarely buy on impulse.
I have leverguns in .22, .22mag, .357, and .30-30.
The pistol caliber rifles are fun, but the rifle/revolver combo are great fun.
headednorth said:
I load for 45 colt
Click to expand...
Having a pistol/rifle combination of my own, I would urge you to go this direction.
The .30-30 and .45-70 are great classic rounds, but you say you're not going to hunt with this rifle anyway...
I would try a .45colt.
(It would make a great short range deer rifle/HD rifle too)
 
I really like the .30-30. It is a versatile cartridge and the classic lever carbines that shoot it are handy and quick. The .45-70 is more specialized, a big-bore thumper for game deer sized and larger.

But if all you want the new gun for is range blasting, I'd suggest the .357. You already load it, and you will find it gets a big performance boost in the longer barrel. It also costs a little less to shoot than the .45 Colt. See below for performance info:

http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/357mag.html

http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/45colt.html
 
The two best looking case hardened lever guns are the Win. 95 and the Savage 99, IMO.
But I support you choosing a Henry .30-30, because they are made right up the road from me. ;)
Of the two pistol calibers, I'd pick .45 LC. (I load for both also.)
 
Many possibilities of .357 or .45 lever actions with case hardened colors with a variety of prices and quality. Rossi makes models with CCH, as does Winchester, Uberti, and Taylor. Very happy with my blued 20" .357 Rossi.

My preference is to shoot mild recoiling rifles, but shoot them a lot. I'll take a pistol caliber over a thumper.
 
I am not a hunter but a big fan of Marlin levers. I enjoy plinking and vermin control with my 39A .22s and my 1894c in .357. The 1895cb 45/70 puts a smack on me but I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy shooting it. The only 30-30 I have is a Ted Williams (Winchester) and I would like to trade it off.... but the only reason would be to acquire a JM Marlin in the same caliber.
 
RPRNY said:
Your first lever gun has to be in 30-30. It's quintessential. The 30-30 is a great cast bullet cartridge - nice long neck and you don't want to push those fast. It's a classic sub 200 yards deer rifle and the Hornady 160 gr ftx over 24-25 grs (max) Leverevolution will get you nearly 2500 fps in a 24" barrel. You can shoot the 30-30 all day long.

As a truck, saddle, fun gun a 20 " carbine configuration will be ideal. They're harder to find these days and may be expensive but a Marlin "Texan" from the mid to late 60s, saddle ring carbine straight stock 336, is about as classic as they come. Any pre 1980 Winchester or new Winchester will also do you right. I don't like the lack of a loading gate on a Henry and they tend to be heavy, but they are well made in the USA. Wouldn't buy a Remlin; they're still hit or miss. Mossberg also makes a 30-30 lever gun but other than the plastic stocked, railed abomination they make, I don't know what they're like.

45-70 for your next lever gun. As you suggest slightly more expensive to shoot but an excellent cartridge to experiment with. Action length and recoil will keep bullet weight down. I prefer the single shot for 45-70 myself. Re your question on component compatibility between 45 Colt and 45-70, be advised that 45-70 is .458 cal rather .452, so no compatibility. If by 45 Colt, you mean Long Colt, the Rossi 92 is worth a look from a value for money perspective but needs finishing. There are also some gorgeous Winchester 1873s out there in 45LC.

But go 30-30! You know those dark moments that sometimes creep up on you and catch you unawares? Never again after you own a 30-30 lever gun!
Click to expand...
I saw a stainless Marlin 30-30 JM barrel in excellent condition at my local pawn shop today. If I wasn't leaning .357 in a lever I'd have grabbed it...
 
I remember Jeff Cooper writing a article where he said he thought a lever action 30-30 was a ideal urban defense gun. He felt the simple operation of gun using the lever, the fact it can be conveniently left loaded standing in a corner say behind the kitchen door, the short barrel makes it easy to handle indoors, it's light weight when combined by shortening the buttstock makes it ideal for women. He also liked the fact that the 30-30 lever action carbine has a practical range of 150 yards.

The fact that 30-30 is available in any decently stocked gun shop, farm supply store, hardware store and Walmart is a big plus.

I have a 45 Colt lever gun. I use it for Cowboy Action Shooting. I don't consider it practical for anything else.

However I have a lever gun in 32-20 which is very practical for use on the ranch.

I love the 45-70 but only shoot it in single shot carbines and rifles.

So given the choices you list I would choose the 30-30.
 
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I have to lever guns. One is a Henry 22. Loads of fun to shoot. The other is a Browning 44 Magnum. The gun is lightweight enough fit 44 magnum is a bit of a chore to shoot but 44 specials are real nice.
 
I just bought my first lever, Henry Big Boy 357. It's a great looking gun, and a whole lot of fun shooting. Just getting it about 4 weeks ago, if that, I have only taken it out twice. I am not a marksman, gunsmith, gun expert but I have to tell ya, this is a very smooth - good looking lever - FUN lever rifle.

Since then I have already been thinking about and planning my next move, the Henry in a 22 (need to figure out how to convince my wife)

I cannot vouch for any other lever, but I will proudly talk about that Henry.
 
Thanks for the replies everyone. Im still doing some research. Looking into other manufacturers along with Henry. Ideally, I'd like to stick to a caliber Im already set up for since really its just going to be a range toy, but worst come to worst I'll branch out into something new to get the gun that I want.

I usually get my brass from Starline and was surprised to see they dont produce 30-30. At least its not listed on their site now, maybe they do calibers in batches?

Thanks again.
 
BSA1 said:
I remember Jeff Cooper writing a article where he said he thought a lever action 30-30 was a ideal urban defense gun. He felt the simple operation of gun using the lever, the fact it can be conveniently left loaded standing in a corner say behind the kitchen door, the short barrel makes it easy to handle indoors, it's light weight when combined by shortening the buttstock makes it ideal for women. He also liked the fact that the 30-30 lever action carbine has a practical range of 150 yards.

The fact that 30-30 is available in any decently stocked gun shop, farm supply store, hardware store and Walmart is a big plus.

I have a 45 Colt lever gun. I use it for Cowboy Action Shooting. I don't consider it practical for anything else.

However I have a lever gun in 32-20 which is very practical for use on the ranch.

I love the 45-70 but only shoot it in single shot carbines and rifles.

So given the choices you list I would choose the 30-30.
Click to expand...


Out of curiousity, what kind of lever action is your .32-20, BSA1?
 
Jeff Cooper said the practical range of a 30-30 is 150 yards? It is a 200 yard deer cartridge which has been proven ad nauseam.

I bought a Remlin 30-30 for my son in 2010 when the quality was so bad. Remington has gotten their act together and Marlin lever guns are good quality now.

If the OP were to hunt I'd suggest 30-30, but he isn't so why not go with a handgun cartridge.
 
Since the OP was interested in staying with 357 and 45 Colt and wanted a range gun...but at some point might oughta add a 30-30 to the stable...

I've got Marlins in both cartridges and two Rossi R92's as follows: One R92 is 357 Magnum, the other R92 is a 44 Magnum. Both Marlins are in blue (the 357 with 18" barrel & ghost rings, the 45 Colt CB in 20" octagon barrel), and both Rossi R92's are stainless with 16-1/2" barrels. I find that I gravitate more to the two Rossi's when I go ridge walking. I carry the 357 Magnum carbine paired with a Ruger Match Champion in spring/summer, and the 44 Mag R92 in fall/winter paired with a S&W Model 69. The Rossi's weigh less and have sleeker fore end, and faster handling than the Marlins. I am not a fan of the newer Marlins with the big fat fore ends.

I put Skinner sights on the R92's which aid shooting. Also installed leather lever wraps to facilitate rapid handling in comfort.

Of the two calibers, would suggest the 357. Fun to shoot, but surprisingly effective.
 
Henry's have been mentioned here repeatedly. I picked up a Henry steel series in 44 Magnum recently. I love everything about it. Had a Big Boy, but I prefer the steel series due to the stronger receiver and improved optic mounting options. Even hot 44 magnum loads feel easy in this.

Henry

Henry

 
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