Odd Levergun Question

[ExAgoradzo]

So did either Marlin or Winchester ever make a .308 family levergun (.338 Fed, .358 Win, etc)?

A second choice would be such an animal with the pistol grip and the exposed hammer. Because that’s what a lever is supposed to look like.

I know Browning made such an animal. The thing that bothers me about Browning is that they are always so shiny. Drives me nuts...

Thanks,
Greg

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Savage 99, made in .243, .308, and .358.
Heres my 99C in .308, this example has a detachable box magazine-


And my .243 rotary magazine 99E-

 

[jeepnik]

Winchester made the Big Bore 94 series in .307 win and .356 win. Probably hard to find and ammo is likely a do it yourself thing anymore.

 

[troy fairweather]

1895 Winchester up to 06 case length. Winchester had the 88 in 308 family. Can kinda count there angle eject big bore xtr in 307win, was 300 ballistics. And the 356win that was offered in the Winchester and the marlin 336ER the same year.

 

[welldoya]

Winchester made the Big Bore 94 series in .307 win and .356 win. Probably hard to find and ammo is likely a do it yourself thing anymore.

They also made it in .375. I thought about buying one a few months ago but found out that Buffalo Bore is the only company that makes ammo for it and it’s pretty sporty in price.

 

[Buckeye63]

Marlin produced a 336ER in 356 Winchester,
which is a 358 Win with a semi rim . Bullet seated a bit deeper to shorten OAL

338 Marlin Express ,parent case was the 376 Styer
Great cartridge.. with the downfall of Marlin so went the 338 Marlin Express

Hopefully Henry will roll out with a 358 Win or a
338 Fed in there Long Ranger

Im sorta waiting for the 338 Creedmoor to roll out ... most likely Henry is also

 

[Slamfire]

1895 Winchester up to 06 case length.

Handle one before you buy. Some bar bells in the gym weigh less, and the reproductions I handled, buck horn sights only. It was a cool, vintage rifle, and due to the practicalities, I passed on them when they were new.

 

[Charlie98]

A second choice would be such an animal with the pistol grip and the exposed hammer. Because that’s what a lever is supposed to look like.

With firearms, beauty lies in it's function... I'm with 40K up there and my Savage 99F in .308. Soons I fired my first magazine through it, the Marlin 336 went up for sale. I recently got another 99 in .30-30, not to leave the old timers out. It may not have an exposed hammer, but that action is slicker than any Marlin... and I like Marlins.

 

[troy fairweather]

Handle one before you buy. Some bar bells in the gym weigh less, and the reproductions I handled, buck horn sights only. It was a cool, vintage rifle, and due to the practicalities, I passed on them when they were new.

I'd just like one in 35winchester

 

[ExAgoradzo]

I found a S 99 in .358 Win for sale. $1900
Too steep. I didn’t think it would be that big a deal.

I have never shot a S99. Perhaps if I had I’d change my mind. Can you decock one? How does that work? Just have to keep one out of the chamber till you’re ready to pull the trigger...

those are a couple nice looking lever guns up there I must say...
Greg

 

[Charlie98]

I found a S 99 in .358 Win for sale. $1900
Too steep. I didn’t think it would be that big a deal.

I have never shot a S99. Perhaps if I had I’d change my mind. Can you decock one? How does that work? Just have to keep one out of the chamber till you’re ready to pull the trigger...

those are a couple nice looking lever guns up there I must say...
Greg

Some chamberings are more 'rare' than others, and features make a difference. My 99F was $600 I think, as was my 99B. No, you cannot decock it, but what I would do (sort of what I do with my M1 Garand, is load the magazine, then push down on the cartridges while closing the bolt... so you have a loaded magazine, but an empty chamber. A quick flick of the lever and you are ready to go.

My 99F has the tang safety, my 99B has the lever safety (a lever catch that locks the lever and locks the trigger. I prefer the tang safety for visual reasons.

The only photo I have of my 99B in .30-30, this rifle was made in 1929 if my source is correct. Straight grip, safety on the other side of the lever. Taps for peep mount, and that little brass nub at the top is a cocked indicator.

View attachment 907283

My 99F .308 after I mounted the Williams on it. You can see the tang safety sticking up, and the pistol grip. Both of mine have the magazine indicator window (low left on the receiver.)

View attachment 907282

 

[ClemY]

The Winchester Model 88 was made in .308, .358 and .284. It was made in the 50's and 60's.

 

[greyling22]

There is also the 308 Marlin Express in the 1895 platform. Or the 35 Remington in the 336 platform. 35 Remington is pretty cool.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

I found a S 99 in .358 Win for sale. $1900
Too steep. I didn’t think it would be that big a deal.

I have never shot a S99. Perhaps if I had I’d change my mind. Can you decock one? How does that work? Just have to keep one out of the chamber till you’re ready to pull the trigger...

those are a couple nice looking lever guns up there I must say...
Greg

With the box mag guns, you can insert the mag after closing the bolt, so the chamber is empty.

I also have a takedown in .30-30 but the .243 is my favorite. It is one of the most accurate rifles Ive ever owned.

 

[Charlie98]

I also have a takedown in .30-30

My .30-30 is a takedown, too. It's pretty slick...

 

[ExAgoradzo]

I put a Williams peep on my Marlin 1894 44 RM. love it. No scope needed for that (I only go out to 100...).

Greg

 

[Varminterror]

There is also the 308 Marlin Express in the 1895 platform. Or the 35 Remington in the 336 platform. 35 Remington is pretty cool.

The 1895 and 336 are the same “platform.” Same exact actions.

 

[DocRock]

Handle one before you buy. Some bar bells in the gym weigh less, and the reproductions I handled, buck horn sights only. It was a cool, vintage rifle, and due to the practicalities, I passed on them when they were new.

I sure do love my fat hussie in 30-40 ;-) Not a dainty little petal indeed, but a real treat and with a 'Climbin' Lyman' aperture sight plenty accurate.

 

[DocRock]

I found a S 99 in .358 Win for sale. $1900
Too steep. I didn’t think it would be that big a deal.

I have never shot a S99. Perhaps if I had I’d change my mind. Can you decock one? How does that work? Just have to keep one out of the chamber till you’re ready to pull the trigger...

those are a couple nice looking lever guns up there I must say...
Greg

358 Win M99s sell at a substantial premium generally. I have a 99E carbine in .308 that I did a refurbishment thread on in the repairs and gunsmithing forum. These were the lower end models: no cartridge counter, beech stock, pressed checkering, trigger guard safety (they have safeties for when loaded and cocked) Still jolly nice rifles, but their lack of collector value keeps them in the $600 - $750 range. If you were dead set on .358 Win, buy one of these and send it to JES Rebore. Otherwise, so far mine seems to prefer plane base bullets in the 160grs area.

 

[greyling22]

The 1895 and 336 are the same “platform.” Same exact actions.

There are some subtle differences. But the main thing is that they are sold as different models. So if you go shopping, you need to know what to search for.

 

[Speedo66]

Not all Browning BLR's came with a shiny finish. Although the receiver on my 1971 Belgium made BLR is polished, the stock came with somewhat of a matte finish.

They were only made in Belgium for the first two years of production, '70 and '71.

 

[Kleanbore]

So did either Marlin or Winchester ever make a .308 family levergun (.338 Fed, .358 Win, etc)?

The Winchester 88 was made in .243, .308, and .358.

 

[jmr40]

Back in the 1970's both Marlin and Winchester offered rifles in 307 and 356. They were very similar dimensionally to 308 and 358 Win but with rims and came close to 308 and 358 muzzle velocity. Not quite there, but close. But limiting them to RN bullets really hampered performance beyond 100 yards. At the end of the day neither had enough advantage over 30-30 and 35 Rem to interest most shooters. Neither lasted long.

A few years later Marlin offered the 308 and 338 Marlin which once again came close to matching 308 and 338 Fed performance. But this time they were offered with Hornady pointed bullets with the soft tips that were safe to use ij tube magazines. Down range performance was closer to 308 and 338 Fed. But once again there wasn't enough interest to keep them alive.

If I had to have a traditional lever gun with close to 308 family performance I'd be looking for one of these used.

Or you could always buy a BLR. A rub down of the shiny stock with 0000 steel wool will knock the shine right off the wood.

 

[troy fairweather]

Makes you wonder why none of these levergun makers have copied the Remington spiral mag tube.

 

[ExAgoradzo]

For some reason I’ve become infatuated with the .358 Win.

I love my leverguns.

I want to put that together. I know that there are other .35 cal cartridges, I know there are better hunting implements. But...most of what we own is not because it makes the most sense in the world: I own a .375 HH in central CA for crying out loud!

I picture myself walking through woods with it. But I already own an 1895 GBL so... Kind of a dream at the moment. But I did learn several things from this thread. I need to find a friend with an S99 so I can handle it myself...

Greg