New to lever actions.. Help please.

[steverjo]

I have many bolt action and semi-auto rifles and was never interested in owning a lever action rifle. However, for some reason, I am now gaining an interest in them.

When I think of lever action, I always think of 30-30, but I know they also come in pistol caliber.

I do not currently hunt (maybe i will take it up later), what do you lever action owners think the best caliber would be?

I currently have rifles in .30-06, .308, .223 (5.56) and .22. My pistols are .22, 9mm, .38special and .45. I think my next pistol will be a .357magnum.

Any info you can give me on calibers and rifle makes will be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Hanzerik]

I would say a .357 would be a good choice. You didn't specify what type of .45 you have; 45ACP, 45LC? If it is .45LC then you could get one in that caliber. For a cheap shooting lever, a .22LR gun might also be a good idea also.

I have two leverguns in .44Mag which are nice guns. I am also paying off a Ruger SBH in .44Mag to go alone with them. I also have one in .22LR.

As far as makes of lever guns, I prefer the 1892 styled guns. Both of mine are Rossi Puma guns made in Brazil. Nowadays they are being made in Italy and cost about twice as much. Marlin and Henry make pistol caliber levers which are nice too.

The top one is a Short Rifle with a 20" Octagon barrel, the bottom is a 16" Carbine.

 

[Abel]

A 30-30 is fine. Ammo is reasonably priced. Plenty of used model 336 Marlins crowd the used gun racks. You can often find a good used one for under 400 bucks.

 

[XxWINxX94]

I agree, when I think of a lever action, I think of a 30-30, great caliber, great deer round, plenty of rifles avaliable.

 

[Maverick223]

I am a bit fond of my newest lever gun, chambered for .30-06, but I think .30-30Win. is a good round as is .35Rem. (but at more cost).

 

[Ridgerunner665]

Only 3 "traditional" lever calibers I ever liked much (as in Marlin)...45-70, 45 Colt, 35 Remington.

 

[Badlander]

If I had to have only 1 Marlin I would keep my 1895GS 45-70.
Makes me smile every shot.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

If I had to have only 1 Marlin I would keep my 1895GS 45-70.
Makes me smile every shot.

Me too...I prefer the longer 22" barrel though.

 

[Maverick223]

Oh yeah, forgot about the ever-handy, thumper, the .45-70Govt. in a Marlin 1895GG. Fantastic combination.

 

[bigfatdave]

Paper and plinking targets will be just as dead with a .22, and a Henry .22 is about as loud as an air rifle if you load up with .22CB shorts from CCI (or equivalent).

If you want a companion to your .38spl/.357mag guns, then by all means do so.

And there's nothing wrong with adding a caliber, but I like sharing between guns whenever possible.

Henry rifles are made in the USA and have great customer service by all accounts. They have been known to honor warranties on used guns, found guns, and abused guns ... I'm sure you wouldn't ever do anything that would void their warranty unless you deliberately damaged your gun.

 

[tcrocker]

You can get a Winchester or Browning 1895 in 30-06 if you don't wont to get another cal. But I do like my Marlin 1895GS in 45-70 but the pigs don't
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[StretchNM]

I like that pig. I mean.... I would like to shoot a pig like that one. Just like that one.

I like Marlins, so I own two - one in .44mag and another in .35Remington. While I really like the .35 cartridge, I suppose if I buy another lever it will be a Marlin 336 stainless in 30-30.

336CS in .35 Remington


Marlin 1894 in .44mag

 

[igordon81]

It's unconventional, but I would have to recommend the Savage 99 in .300 Savage. It's a great handling little gun, and the performance of the .300 Sav speaks for itself.

 

[DAdams]

Because

 

[DAdams]

Don't forget to look at the Brownings.



I would just get down to business with a .308 20 inch barrel scout scope, take down model for easy transport.



Handle one, you will be impressed.

http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/detail.asp?value=003B&cat_id=034&type_id=011

 

[Ridgerunner665]

The BLR's are nice...I have a few (3), but they just ain't Marlins.

 

[seanie!]

I''d say .357 because...

... you already have a .38 special, and a .357 is probably the next pistol caliber you'll get. A .357 lever will feed both, and depending on where you live and what kind of range access you have, you'll more than likely be able to shoot a pistol caliber lever action rifle at an indoor range.

 

[steverjo]

Thanks for the info.

Can a lever action chambered in .357 be used for hunting?

 

[DAdams]

The BLR's are nice...I have a few (3), but they just ain't Marlins.

I like my Marlin, Winchester, and Savage 99e.







I wouldn't mind a .357 rifle at some point.



If I had a bunch of $$ this would be nice too.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Well, like any other rifle, the optimal chambering is going to depend on intended use.

I have a number of lever guns, but the one that sees the most range time is the Marlin 39 .22. Just plain ammunition cost. If you're after the quintessential lever, then a Winchester 94 or Marlin 336 in .30-30 is hard to beat. Since you already have a .38 and are looking at getting a .357, a rifle so chambered would be a fun compnaion. But then, so would adding a sledgehammer to the arsenal, such as the Marlin 1895 .45-70.

Whatcha wanna do with it?

 

[vaupet]

I own a marlin 39 and a 336 in 30-30 and this is as perfect as it gets, because the 39 is the perfect plinker and its got exactly the same feel and dimensions as got the 336.

Would love to own a marlin 1894 cowboy 357 with the long octagon barrel also.

If you look at the longest running threads here, the 39 club and the 336 club, you know you can't go wrong on either one of those.

have fun

peter