Sell me on a lever action

[Packman]

Okay, I have a craving for a lever action. It's been on the list for years, but I think it's made it to the top. I have a couple of directions I'm looking to go.

Option one: a 30-30. I like the fact that this works as a hunting rifle and truck rifle. I live in Florida, potential targets are either deer or pigs at maximum. Ranges are not much more than 150. At present, I only small game hunt, so this is just planning ahead for future possibilities. Ammo is cheap enough, packs a satisfactory punch, looks like reloading is readily available. I already have a collectors edition Winchester 94 that'll never be fired unless the world goes seriously sideways. Downside to the 30-30 is that I don't currently stock that caliber, so I'm adding to my required inventory. I'm waffling between the 16 inch barrels and the 20 inch barrels.

Option two: a 357. I've been eyeballing the Rossi 92 for a few years. I like the fact that I already stock a fair amount of 38, so I'm not adding a new caliber like I would be with the 30-30. I also have a bunch of brass I've been saving over the years. Reloading is also readily available. In 357, the longer barrel adds a nice punch to the round compared to a pistol, but I don't consider this rifle adequate for anything other than super short range hunting or longer ranges with smaller game, which I have better tools available for. So basically, this is more of a fun gun.

In either case, I'm looking to stay under $500. In the 38/357 version, I want something with a traditional loading gate. I dislike the Henry style tube loading.

Discuss!

 

[Mike C2]

I have a Rossi stainless .44 Mag gun wiwth 16" barrel that's a hoot to walk around with. But in .30-30 I would go 20". I'm a Savage 99 guy personally. My recommendation would be for a '99 chambered in .300 Savage. Ammo a little more difficult to find than .30-30 but not impossible and rifle scopes a lot easier.

 

[jmr40]

 I already have a collectors edition Winchester 94 that'll never be fired

Exactly which collector edition? Winchester made about a million different collectors edition 94's over the years. Most have no more value than the standard rifles and they are often much harder to sell and for less money than many standard rifles. The only 94's that have any true collector value are those made prior to WW-2. Occasionally one of the special run 94's may sell at a small premium if you just find someone wanting that particular rifle for a collection.

If you want a lever for nostalgic reasons one of the Marlin or Winchester 30-30's will give the most bang for the buck. The pistol calibers are expensive.

But in your case I'd most likely pull out the one you have and use it unless you can determine it has some value, which is unlikely. One of the Henry 22's would be fairly inexpensive and shoot cheaper 22 ammo. I believe one of these would be your best match. If you are willing to spend some money one of the Marlin 39's in 22LR would be even better. Or if you can locate one of the discontinued Winchester 94-22's.

 

[Packman]

Exactly which collector edition? Winchester made about a million different collectors edition 94's over the years. Most have no more value than the standard rifles and they are often much harder to sell and for less money than many standard rifles. The only 94's that have any true collector value are those made prior to WW-2. Occasionally one of the special run 94's may sell at a small premium if you just find someone wanting that particular rifle for a collection.

It's the Winchester 1894 Antlered Game model. It's not worth that much, all things considered, but it has a ton of sentimental value and it's way too nice of a gun to tote around the woods. I can pick up a 30-30 for somewhere around the $400 range that's a shooter and I won't care if it gets dinged up.

I have a bunch of .22 rifles. I'm looking for something a little bit bigger this time around. I'm leaning toward the 30-30 over the 38. My main interest in the 38/357 was when I was considering getting into Cowboy Action, which is less likely these days.

 

[Cannibul]

My personal choice would be a pistol caliber. Check the price of 30-30 ammo vs .44 mag ammo. I don't know if it's important to you but you'll also get more ammo capacity in a pistol caliber. I wouldn't go smaller than .44 or .45 Colt if you're looking to shoot hogs.

 

[Packman]

My personal choice would be a pistol caliber. Check the price of 30-30 ammo vs .44 mag ammo. I don't know if it's important to you but you'll also get more ammo capacity in a pistol caliber. I wouldn't go smaller than .44 or .45 Colt if you're looking to shoot hogs.

Based on SGAmmo, 30-30 and 44mag are virtually identical price. 45 colt is more expensive. Ammo capacity isn't a particular concern for this gun.

 

[VoodooMountain]

I would feel more comfortable with a 44 mag against hogs than a 30/30 just due to the extra bullet weight. A well designed 300 grain bullet is tough to stop. It is also easy to load up some light loads to plink with.

Just my thoughts mind you.

 

[AZAndy]

I have a 16" Rossi 92 in .357 that I really like. Completely stock, no troubles at all.

 

[Packman]

I would feel more comfortable with a 44 mag against hogs than a 30/30 just due to the extra bullet weight. A well designed 300 grain bullet is tough to stop. It is also easy to load up some light loads to plink with.

How does a 44 mag do against deer? I know the 30-30 has put a ton of them down over the years but I don't know a lot about the 44. I will admit I'm attracted to the 44 because I've always coveted a 44 mag revolver. Why? Because I can, that's why.

 

[Speedo66]

I've got a 20" Rossi 92 in .357 and love it. With hot loads like Buffalo Bore 180g hard cast, they approach .30-30 ballistics out of a rifle and are certainly adequate for eastern hunting. Lot more fun, cheaper, and easier on your body to shoot a box of .357 than .30-30 at the range.

 

[200Apples]

Having owned a 1922-made Winchester '94 in .30WCF (.30-30) and because I still own very similar Winchester clones but as Models 1892, I suggest you trust your instincts and go with a pistol-caliber. Of course it depends on what you'd like to do with the rifle, but .357 Magnum from a rifle barrel "is a whole different animal", or however Paco Kelly phrases it. Shooting .357 from a '92 (or '94; although obviously not identical, the actions are similar) is about the most fun I've had with my pants on: Virtually no recoil, far more velocity, and all the accuracy needed to place one's shot in the vitals through 100 yds without much change in hold. It is the textbook definition of shooting's "YEEE Haww!". I sheet you naught, sir.

 

[Rush_Fan]

I have a 20" Rossi (Braztech/ Taurus). It's a real fun range gun but it's finicky with .38s due to overall cartridge length. It handles .357 much better. I also have a Winchester 94 in .30-30. However, for deer hunting I prefer a scoped bolt action .308 or 7mm over the iron sights on a lever-action. When I'm in a tree stand for hours trying to get meat, I don't want a missed opportunity due to limited range, or for me, reduced accuracy or visibility due to iron sight. I also want one precise shot for a humane kill. In the last few years I have become enamored over S&W revolvers, Ruger single-actions revolvers, and lever-guns. I love them for the range but I hunt with more effective equipment.

 

[CraigC]

Either will do a fine job. The .30WCF will have more range but also more recoil/blast (still mild). The .357 will have a lot less recoil/blast but will probably need to be limited to around 125yds.

 

[ECVMatt]

I have leverguns in .357, .44, and .30/30.

I really love the .357 out of rifles and it almost seems to defy logic with its increase in range, power, and trajectory. I have shot pigs with it and while it worked the range was short and I was able to precisely aim. For driving around the desert, the .357 rifle is one of my favorites, but not for hogs.

My .44 has also been on many journeys with me. I have taken this rifle all the way over the Sierra mountains from east to west on a very, very long hike. I loved having a decently powerful rifle in a relatively compact platform. I have shot hogs with this rifle under similar circumstances as the .357; it is noticable more powerful and close range, but still lacks beyond 100.

The .30/30 has sort of become my do all rifle. I have a couple set up differently. My desert version wears a scope and it sighted in with Speer 130 grn. handloads. This gives me some distance and can easily whack whatever I might encounter out there. I also have one set up for the mountains. It has iron sights and is loaded with Speer 170 Hot-Cor bullets. These give really good penetration and are very accurate. I have used these for deer, pigs, and bears before my state went lead-free for hunting. I have confidence in them to protect my family from anything that roams in California. I also have taken this rifle/load combo on many trips through the western US.

I think if deer and pigs are on the plate, .30/30 is the way to go hands down. Ammo is not that expensive and I am going to pick up 200 rounds today from LAX Ammo for about 13 dollars a box. I would look for an older Marlin, sight it in and call it good. I have not has good luck with the Rossi 92's, but I understand others have.

Whatever you end up with, shoot it a lot and enjoy it!

 

[BSA1]

As modern shooters we tend to focus on the latest gun design and newest cartridge when the oldies still are hard to beat. The 30-30 is one of those cartridges that do so many things good that it makes a excellent all around choice. I believe the late Jeff Cooper recommended the lever action 30-30 as a ideal urban design gun. Lightweight and easy to operate for women with a powerful 150+ yard range.

Since you mention the .357 Magnum I suggest you also consider the 35 Remington. It is a popular woods deer cartridge and a excellent hog gun. The .35 Remington uses a .357 caliber bullet which gives you a lot of options if you reload your own. You can use 125 gr. JHP for pests to 220 gr. for big game.

A 30-30 and 35 Remington hang on the same gun rack. The 35 Remington is my go to gun.

 

[Varminterror]

I'm a bit of an accumulator of leverguns, and avidly hunt with them.

When it comes to leverguns, I live by the rule of 3 M's - Make Mine a Marlin.

Comparing the 357mag, 44mag, and 30-30, I pick the 44mag every time. The 44mag uses less powder (between 1/2 to 2/3) and usually can run cheaper bullets than the 30-30 (about the same price on factory ammo, per shot), and more energy at 100yrds than the 357mag has at the muzzle - not to mention knock down power.

On the other hand, both the 30-30 and 44mag (and woefully moreso, the 357mag) don't have the knockdown power of the 45-70.

So when I want to go hunt with a levergun, I'm carrying a Marlin 1895 Guide Gun in .45-70 or a Marlin 1894 44mag.

 

[witchhunter]

Everyone needs a 30/30! If I was hunting deer and hogs, it's a hands down choice. Who cares about adding a caliber, you are adding a rifle to your collection. If you don't want to add calibers, you will end up with several 357s, for what? Get you a Winchester 30/30 and you will never look back.

 

[witchhunter]

Everyone needs a 30/30! It holds eight rounds, isn't that enough? It has tons more knockdown than a 357 especially at 150 yards. Yes it would add another caliber, but why would you want a bunch of 38/357s? I think the 30/30 would be a great addition for what you need.

 

[sota]

Great. now you're making me want to buy another Henry.

 

[Tentwing]

The 30-30 is the pickup truck of center fire cartridges. It is not the fastest. It isn't the flattest shooting, nor is it the hardest hitting. That being said it does so many things so well it might possibly be in the running for best all around.

I think that Florida deer and hawgs are perfect for the 30-30 . I love my Marlin 336 lever action 30-30. My brother has a 336 in a 35 Remington. I don't think that you can go wrong with either of them. I have always been a lever gun junky

I think everyone should have a Marlin 39a 22lr and a Marlin 336 . They are well built have a ton of uses and a whole lot of fun.

Tentwing

 

[RainDodger]

One of my levers is a Browning 92, in .44 Magnum. Very light rifle and easy to carry around. Packs a wallop, too. On the other hand, it's light and it also packs a wallop into your shoulder with real .44 Magnum rounds. The .30-30 is a classic... which is what I prefer. I have a heavier 1873 20" in .357 Magnum and you almost don't know you're shooting it. Very little recoil and also quite accurate. Out of those three, if I had to keep one, it would be the Model 94 in .30-30.

 

[Officers'Wife]

OK, having some small experience with lever action rifles...

The 30-30 is a good all around cartridge with a number of uses provided you live in a state where you are allowed to hunt with it. My Marlin 38Spec/357 is a wonderful rifle with good accuracy and a good "pointer." Neither are going to excel at extreme ranges unless you put in a lot of practice time but within 100 meters you are good to go.

 

[Packman]

Thanks for all the replies, everyone. I'm leaning in the direction of the 30-30. Probably the Marlin. Now then, what's the consensus on ideal barrel length? Do we like the shorter 16, or prefer the 20 inch?

 

[bannockburn]

Packman

I went with a Rossi Model 92 over a used Winchester Model 94 a few years back for much the same reasons. Reason Number 1: I don't have a whole lot of use for a .30-30 caliber carbine. Don't hunt anymore and currently I don't have any ammo for it. Reason Number 2: I already have several single action revolvers in .45 Colt so a Rossi in that same caliber would make a whole lot of sense. Reason Number 3: The Rossi is just plain fun when it comes to shooting it. Love the way the gun handles, it's relatively compact size, and that it has all the features, like a side loading gate, that make it most like the traditional lever action carbine that it is.

 

[Dog Soldier]

Any of the Winchester rifles of the Pre-64 vintage bring a premium. The Browning Mdl. 92 in .44 Mag are excellent carbines. They have been out of production for some time.