One of the OP criteria was a side loading gate.Has anyone brought these up?
https://www.browning.com/products/firearms/rifles/blr/current-production.html
I love my Marlin 45-70I'm looking for a lever action rifle, here's my criteria:
I'm a cowboy at heart so a Winchester 94 in 30-30 seems a good choice, but I'm unfamiliar with its cast bullet capability and have no experience reloading bottleneck cartridges. I'm using a Lee turret.
- No handgun calibers, strictly rifle
- Side loading gate
- Ability to use cast bullets in reduced loads for plinking
- High quality and totally reliable
- Ability to accept scope without looking ridiculous
- High capacity a plus
- $$$ not an issue (within reason)
A Winchester 1886 45-70 seems a possibility too, and I do like the ability to accept heavy loads. The problem is I don't want enormous recoil... Can it be loaded lightly enough to approach 30-30 levels?
Marlin 444 is also a contender, cast bullet availability is a plus - but there seems to be some serious reliability issues with Marlin.
Suggestions?
Thanks in advance,
Hale
I am not aware of any centerfire Henry rifles with aluminum frames. The Mossberg 464 30-30 does have a frame made of, I believe, 7075 T6 aluminum alloy but I believe the Henrys are all a Brass alloy or steel.Also I have read and heard good things about the Henry lever guns, although I would stick with a steel frame, not aluminum.
One of the OP criteria was a side loading gate.
I have a BLR and enjoy it, but the loading gate was an original request of the OP.Box magazine trumps a loading gate but to each his own.
I'm looking for a lever action rifle, here's my criteria:
I'm a cowboy at heart so a Winchester 94 in 30-30 seems a good choice, but I'm unfamiliar with its cast bullet capability and have no experience reloading bottleneck cartridges. I'm using a Lee turret.
- No handgun calibers, strictly rifle
- Side loading gate
- Ability to use cast bullets in reduced loads for plinking
- High quality and totally reliable
- Ability to accept scope without looking ridiculous
- High capacity a plus
- $$$ not an issue (within reason)
A Winchester 1886 45-70 seems a possibility too, and I do like the ability to accept heavy loads. The problem is I don't want enormous recoil... Can it be loaded lightly enough to approach 30-30 levels?
Marlin 444 is also a contender, cast bullet availability is a plus - but there seems to be some serious reliability issues with Marlin.
Suggestions?
Thanks in advance,
Hale
I have a BLR and enjoy it, but the loading gate was an original request of the OP.
My wife is 5’3” and 120lbs, she shoots a Marlin 1895 Guide Gun in .45-70. “Enormous recoil” is largely internet lore, and not really the rifleman’s reality.
I've always liked that design. Seems to blend both of the best parts of the '94 Win and 336 Marlin. How does it shoot?I have a 2 yr old Mossberg 464 in 30-30 (the non tacti-cool one). Takes a scope easily, side loader, can hold 6+1.
I've always liked that design. Seems to blend both of the best parts of the '94 Win and 336 Marlin. How does it shoot?
Try burnishing the sharp edges with the top part of a drill bit, no grit will enter the action.shoots quite well, got 2 feral hogs in march with it... i really like how the top eject works w/o hitting the scope. Only problem is the darn loading gate is sharp! I need to sand/polish it so it does not bite so much.
People used to say not to shoot lead through a micro groove Marlin barrel but it has never been s problem for me.