I wanted to do this since more folks are posting about wanting a lever gun. It just warms the hackles of my heart that folks are still considering owning one of these fine rifles. It appears that the lever gun is still appealing to folks even in this modern day and age of tactical this and tactical that. I’ve been using lever guns since 2003 and find they are still a valid option even today. They just may even be the most versatile platform going for the average person that needs one rifle to fill multiple roles even today.
When most people look at one or pick one up it’s hard not to take a trip back in time. I usually think of woolen clad hunters of the deep north still hunting or tracking deer in the thick snowy woods. While others might think of lawman and out laws out on the dusty plains of the west somewhere. Few guns today evoke such visions from people like lever guns do. They are simple, rugged and reliable. They had to be when you stop to think about it. Lever guns were used everywhere across this great land of ours from putting meat on the table to settling the west and protecting miners claims in the frigid north. They are aesthetically pleasing to the eye with their flowing lines, blued steel and walnut stocks.
The lever gun is slim and trim which makes for great handling characteristics. It is not overly heavy and can be carried over hill and dale all day while not wearing you out in the process. In traditional calibers such as the popular 30-30 it has all the power necessary to take deer sized game out to 200 yards. You don’t get beat into last week every time you pull the trigger either unless your using nuclear level loads in your 45-70,.444 Marlin or .450 Marlin that is. Folks can fantasize about those long range shots all they want in the hunting fields. I know I used to, however the ugly truth is the average range that most game (espcially the number one hunted game animal in this country the white tail deer) taken in this country just so happens to be about 150 yards. This is easily well with in the capabilities of the 30-30 cartridge. We also know that the 30-30 is easily capable of cleanly harvesting elk and moose as well, it has been done and is still being done today.
While the 30-30 may not be the most appropriate tool for the larger species it can handle them in a pinch. On top of that in the case of the most popular chambering by far the 30-30, ammo is everywhere and affordable. These same traits lend its’ self well if the lever gun had to be used in a home defense role.
Yes it is true that you probably don’t want to use full power hunting ammo in the event that you need to use your 30-30 for home defense. The individual can mitigate this issue by using Remington 125gr managed recoil ammo or possibly the 125gr Sierra HP as loaded by Federal. In the case of pistol firing carbines just get some proven self defense rounds for house duty. This kind of versatility is hard to match by any other rifle platform when you put aside your bias and actually think about it. The lever gun in traditional calibers at least allows the user to go from HD to taking moose pretty darn versatile I think.
Since I’ve mentioned the 30-30 lets take a look at it for a moment since it is by far the most popular lever gun cartridge going. There is not really much to talk about (because it’s been covered in depth many many times before) but a lot of folks like to look at it as a ballistic dud. While it is not as flat shooting as a .300 Magnum it is better than most would suspect. A lot of people somehow think that after 100 yards it falls back to the earth like the proverbial brick. I sight my 30-30 in using 150gr Federal Fusion ammo so it hits 2.5” high at 100 yards. This gives me a 160 yard zero and allows me to hold dead on out to 200 yards, at 200 yards the bullet only drops about 2-3 inches. The 30-30 must be doing something right as it continues to rank in the top 10 cartridges sold annually possibly even in the top 5. A lot of cartridges have come and gone that are arguably better than the 30-30, yet the 30-30 keeps chugging along while these better mouse traps slip off into cartridge oblivion. The 30-30 continues to get better with age as new technologies are developed. Of course the biggest boost it received is when Hornady released they’re LeverEvolution line of ammunition. This ammo elevated the 30-30 into a real honest to goodness 300 yard deer cartridge. Hornady is still at it with the brand new MonoFlex line that will be available sometime next year.
People claim that lever action rifles are inaccurate. While they are not bench rest guns but hunting rifles instead they can be very accurate. On average most will place 3 shots into a 1.5” group at 100 yards this is plenty accurate for the ranges most game is harvested. Some will and can consistently place 3 shots into 1” at 100 yards, how’s that for inaccurate? Another advantage of the lever action is the price point that they can be purchased for. It is not hard to find a nice used Marlin or Winchester lever gun for around $250 that was well cared for. Or one can buy a new one which will still be cheaper than many other rifles on the market today.
Since I have been hunting with the 30-30 and the .44 magnum in lever actions I have yet to feel that I was ill equipped with either. However I can’t say the same when I was hunting with my bolt gun. Most of the deer that I used both of these cartridges on have been inside 100 yards. Unlike larger more powerful rounds neither of these cartridges ruin excess meat at these distances, same for the other traditional cartridges as well. I shot one deer at 140 yards with my 30-30 and it required only one round from my trusted 336A. The 150gr Federal Fusion bullet landed right on the crosshairs obliterating the heart while penetrating out the far side to parts unknown. Is the lever action rifle for everyone? No it is not and it does have its’ disadvantages too. Things such as limited range when compared to more modern rifles and cartridges as well as ammo capacity if such a thing matters to you.
However if one looks at everything as a whole I think most would be surprised just how versatile and useful lever guns are.
When most people look at one or pick one up it’s hard not to take a trip back in time. I usually think of woolen clad hunters of the deep north still hunting or tracking deer in the thick snowy woods. While others might think of lawman and out laws out on the dusty plains of the west somewhere. Few guns today evoke such visions from people like lever guns do. They are simple, rugged and reliable. They had to be when you stop to think about it. Lever guns were used everywhere across this great land of ours from putting meat on the table to settling the west and protecting miners claims in the frigid north. They are aesthetically pleasing to the eye with their flowing lines, blued steel and walnut stocks.
The lever gun is slim and trim which makes for great handling characteristics. It is not overly heavy and can be carried over hill and dale all day while not wearing you out in the process. In traditional calibers such as the popular 30-30 it has all the power necessary to take deer sized game out to 200 yards. You don’t get beat into last week every time you pull the trigger either unless your using nuclear level loads in your 45-70,.444 Marlin or .450 Marlin that is. Folks can fantasize about those long range shots all they want in the hunting fields. I know I used to, however the ugly truth is the average range that most game (espcially the number one hunted game animal in this country the white tail deer) taken in this country just so happens to be about 150 yards. This is easily well with in the capabilities of the 30-30 cartridge. We also know that the 30-30 is easily capable of cleanly harvesting elk and moose as well, it has been done and is still being done today.
While the 30-30 may not be the most appropriate tool for the larger species it can handle them in a pinch. On top of that in the case of the most popular chambering by far the 30-30, ammo is everywhere and affordable. These same traits lend its’ self well if the lever gun had to be used in a home defense role.
Yes it is true that you probably don’t want to use full power hunting ammo in the event that you need to use your 30-30 for home defense. The individual can mitigate this issue by using Remington 125gr managed recoil ammo or possibly the 125gr Sierra HP as loaded by Federal. In the case of pistol firing carbines just get some proven self defense rounds for house duty. This kind of versatility is hard to match by any other rifle platform when you put aside your bias and actually think about it. The lever gun in traditional calibers at least allows the user to go from HD to taking moose pretty darn versatile I think.
Since I’ve mentioned the 30-30 lets take a look at it for a moment since it is by far the most popular lever gun cartridge going. There is not really much to talk about (because it’s been covered in depth many many times before) but a lot of folks like to look at it as a ballistic dud. While it is not as flat shooting as a .300 Magnum it is better than most would suspect. A lot of people somehow think that after 100 yards it falls back to the earth like the proverbial brick. I sight my 30-30 in using 150gr Federal Fusion ammo so it hits 2.5” high at 100 yards. This gives me a 160 yard zero and allows me to hold dead on out to 200 yards, at 200 yards the bullet only drops about 2-3 inches. The 30-30 must be doing something right as it continues to rank in the top 10 cartridges sold annually possibly even in the top 5. A lot of cartridges have come and gone that are arguably better than the 30-30, yet the 30-30 keeps chugging along while these better mouse traps slip off into cartridge oblivion. The 30-30 continues to get better with age as new technologies are developed. Of course the biggest boost it received is when Hornady released they’re LeverEvolution line of ammunition. This ammo elevated the 30-30 into a real honest to goodness 300 yard deer cartridge. Hornady is still at it with the brand new MonoFlex line that will be available sometime next year.
People claim that lever action rifles are inaccurate. While they are not bench rest guns but hunting rifles instead they can be very accurate. On average most will place 3 shots into a 1.5” group at 100 yards this is plenty accurate for the ranges most game is harvested. Some will and can consistently place 3 shots into 1” at 100 yards, how’s that for inaccurate? Another advantage of the lever action is the price point that they can be purchased for. It is not hard to find a nice used Marlin or Winchester lever gun for around $250 that was well cared for. Or one can buy a new one which will still be cheaper than many other rifles on the market today.
Since I have been hunting with the 30-30 and the .44 magnum in lever actions I have yet to feel that I was ill equipped with either. However I can’t say the same when I was hunting with my bolt gun. Most of the deer that I used both of these cartridges on have been inside 100 yards. Unlike larger more powerful rounds neither of these cartridges ruin excess meat at these distances, same for the other traditional cartridges as well. I shot one deer at 140 yards with my 30-30 and it required only one round from my trusted 336A. The 150gr Federal Fusion bullet landed right on the crosshairs obliterating the heart while penetrating out the far side to parts unknown. Is the lever action rifle for everyone? No it is not and it does have its’ disadvantages too. Things such as limited range when compared to more modern rifles and cartridges as well as ammo capacity if such a thing matters to you.
However if one looks at everything as a whole I think most would be surprised just how versatile and useful lever guns are.
KIDDING, KIDDING!
I own a few and since I like to have my bases covered, I have three in larger calibers and one in 22. I have a Savage 99 in 308 with scope for those that want to shoot higher powered pointy bullets 
