BIGDADDYLONGSTROKE
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Im needing some advise Im looking for a good dependable lever action in the 30-06 to .308 range. Any good recommendations? Its for 2 legged creatures if it helps.
New Lever Action
- Thread starter BIGDADDYLONGSTROKE
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Old Fud
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The only lever-action rifles I'm familiar with have tubular magazines, and you don't put pointy-nosed bullets into tubular magazines.
Am I missing something here?
Fud
Am I missing something here?
Fud
robert garner
Member
browning makes a lever in 30-06 and several other(box magazine)
or you could find a Savage 99 which was available in several high powered cartridges, these had a rotary mag the older ones had a counter.
good luck!
or you could find a Savage 99 which was available in several high powered cartridges, these had a rotary mag the older ones had a counter.
good luck!
ReadyontheRight
Member
By "two legged creatures", I assume self defense. Is this in the woods? In your home? On a farm? In a city? Zombies? Some more information about your application might help.
For a self-defense lever-action, a 30-30 or .44 mag caliber might suit you better. Both allow for "shoot one, load one" "tactical reloads" and are good for 100 yards or less. Probably one of the most under-estimated defensive weapons out there. And a .44 mag lever action holds 10 rounds. It seems that some .44s do have feeding problems, but a search here will give you some background and fixes on that.
If you are looking for longer range or flatter shooting in a lever rifle, there is the new Leverevolution 30-30 ammo.
For more horsepower (or Buffalo Power!) there is the 45-70. Available in a neat little carbine Guide Gun from Marlin.
The rotary magazines in the Savage 99 (no longer produced, but available used) and the Browning BLR allow for spitzer or "pointy" bullets like the .308 or 30-06. If you are going down this road, there's also the .300 Savage caliber.
Or get an M1 Garand.
The Browning lever actions are beautiful, but pricey. I'm getting one soon, though. Probably in .308. Box magazine, not tubular.
http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/detail.asp?value=003B&cat_id=034&type_id=006
http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/detail.asp?value=003B&cat_id=034&type_id=006
combatpreacher
Member
Browning might be your only hope for a new rifle...but dont count out finding a used Savage 99 or Winchester 88 (Sako made one for a while, but cant remember the model designation)
For self defense though it will be hard to beat a marlin or winchester...or Rossi in one of the "pistol" calibers.
Good Luck...what it always boils down to for me is the need for several rifles to play with.
For self defense though it will be hard to beat a marlin or winchester...or Rossi in one of the "pistol" calibers.
Good Luck...what it always boils down to for me is the need for several rifles to play with.
SolaScriptura139
Member
I've heard nothing but good about Marlin, so couldn't hurt to go with them. They offer many different lever action calibers.
PS: This topic would probably be better suited in Rifle Country.
PS: This topic would probably be better suited in Rifle Country.
Lupinus
Member
You may want to look into a good old 30-30 or perhaps one of the lever actions in 357 mag 44 mag 45 LC, etc.
These things can all handle deer at very reasonable brush ranges. At proper range with good placement you could even take bear with them.
Why is it specifically you want 30-06 or .308? Especially if like you say it is for two legged critters the lever action world is much more open to you in the more traditional lever action calibers. They are the traditional's for a reason, they work, and they work mighty good.
Also the reason they work in lever action is they have flat noses, you don't want pointy bullet pushing against primer, its bad ju ju.
PS- As I type this sitting leaning against my desk is a Winchester 94 30-30 and I am more then at ease that it could protect me against anything barging through my door be it man or beast. Bout the only things I wouldn't feel to good against with it is something large and that don't live anywhere near here that would have to escape from a zoo.
These things can all handle deer at very reasonable brush ranges. At proper range with good placement you could even take bear with them.
Why is it specifically you want 30-06 or .308? Especially if like you say it is for two legged critters the lever action world is much more open to you in the more traditional lever action calibers. They are the traditional's for a reason, they work, and they work mighty good.
Also the reason they work in lever action is they have flat noses, you don't want pointy bullet pushing against primer, its bad ju ju.
PS- As I type this sitting leaning against my desk is a Winchester 94 30-30 and I am more then at ease that it could protect me against anything barging through my door be it man or beast. Bout the only things I wouldn't feel to good against with it is something large and that don't live anywhere near here that would have to escape from a zoo.
mainmech48
Member
The only LA being currently manufactured in the calibers you specify that I'm aware of is the Browning BLR. Very nice item, if pricey.
Other than that, the aforementioned Savage 99, Winchester 88, Sako Finnwolf, and the Winchester 95 (original and repro) would be your best bets, IMO.
I have an old Savage 99F in .308 that I'm quite partial to. FWIW, the 99s out there in .300 Savage (good cartridge; comparable to .308) seem to go for a good deal less on average than .308s in like condition.
Since the new Hornady "LeveRevolution" spire point ammo has come out in .30/30, .45/70, .450 Marlin and .35 Remington which is designed to be used in tube mags safely, the practical range limitations for these cartridges have been extended significantly. As a very nice used Marlin 336 in .30/30 can be had for less than half of what an average 99 or 88 costs.....
Other than that, the aforementioned Savage 99, Winchester 88, Sako Finnwolf, and the Winchester 95 (original and repro) would be your best bets, IMO.
I have an old Savage 99F in .308 that I'm quite partial to. FWIW, the 99s out there in .300 Savage (good cartridge; comparable to .308) seem to go for a good deal less on average than .308s in like condition.
Since the new Hornady "LeveRevolution" spire point ammo has come out in .30/30, .45/70, .450 Marlin and .35 Remington which is designed to be used in tube mags safely, the practical range limitations for these cartridges have been extended significantly. As a very nice used Marlin 336 in .30/30 can be had for less than half of what an average 99 or 88 costs.....
Preacherman
Member
I have a Savage 99 in .308 which I love dearly . . . I highly recommend a good example, if you can find one.
Another suggestion might be a tubular-magazine .30-30 such as a Winchester 94 or Marlin 336. Hornady has produced a new round with a soft polymer tip, that can be safely loaded in tubular magazines, and elevates the .30-30 to near-.308 range and performance. With this load, you'll be able to shoot out to 250-300 yards, which is further than most folks can shoot accurately from a field position. If I wanted a lever gun for defence against two-legged predators, this ammo in a "traditional" lever action rifle would be my first choice.
Another suggestion might be a tubular-magazine .30-30 such as a Winchester 94 or Marlin 336. Hornady has produced a new round with a soft polymer tip, that can be safely loaded in tubular magazines, and elevates the .30-30 to near-.308 range and performance. With this load, you'll be able to shoot out to 250-300 yards, which is further than most folks can shoot accurately from a field position. If I wanted a lever gun for defence against two-legged predators, this ammo in a "traditional" lever action rifle would be my first choice.
MCgunner
Member
Friend has a Browning in .308 that's a dandy, and a beautifully finished gun, too.
Might find a used Winchester in .307 (.308 with a rim and flat nose bullet) Good luck with ammo if you don't handload. The .307 sorta flopped.
Might find a used Winchester in .307 (.308 with a rim and flat nose bullet) Good luck with ammo if you don't handload. The .307 sorta flopped.
BIGDADDYLONGSTROKE
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Thank you you all for help in my decision.
jerkface11
Member
Is it honestly within the spirit of THR to ask what rifle is best for shooting people?
Lupinus
Member
How many threads you see asking what handgun/caliber is best for self defense?
How is it less high road to ask what rifle?
To be honest I'd trust my life and home to a winchester in 30-30 or a pistol mag caliber even more so then I would any pistol even a good old 1911.
Theres nothing low road asking questions about self defense.
Now if he was asking what the best rifle and scope combination to sit in a tree and shoot people was that might be low road, but best one to have for self defense most certianly isn't.
Pilgrim
Member
Winchester Model 1895.
Sistema1927
Member
The Second Amendment is not about hunting. It is about "shooting people". That may not be "politically correct", but it is the truth, and it is the reason why most of us have and carry firearms.
jerkface11
Member
He said nothing about self defense he said. "it's for two legged creatures" If THAT isn't low road i don't want to know what is.
jerkface11
Member
Ah yes because when someone asks for the best rifle for killing people they MUST be talking about self defense.
Lupinus
Member
Yeah, just liek when someone asks what the best round is to use agianst badguys we asume he means SD and isn't going to go around shooting drug dealers on street corners.
High Planes Drifter
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I took it that he was talking about self defence. He did not state that he intended on commiting any crime with the firearm, so we can presume that any acts he carries out with said firearm will only be in defence.
That being said, IMO the .30-06 is a bit overkill for self defence. There is nothing that a .30-06 can do in terms of self defence that a 30-30 cannot. Either will send a bad guy to the next world with energy to spare, the 30-30 will do it with less recoil.
That being said, IMO the .30-06 is a bit overkill for self defence. There is nothing that a .30-06 can do in terms of self defence that a 30-30 cannot. Either will send a bad guy to the next world with energy to spare, the 30-30 will do it with less recoil.
jerkface11
Member
Well thanks for confirming my suspicions.
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