Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Lever Guns...What do you like?

Levers have never been a rifle I spent much time using, aside from a Winchester 1894 30/30 that I was handed to use for my first deer hunt. And, a Marlin 444 that I bought as a timber gun, then sold 10 years later...I’ve always hunted and played with scoped bolt guns.

I’ve seen a lot of pictures on the Fire of some very fine lever action rifles. I wanted to ask “What are some really nice lever action rifles, both in CF and Rimfire to own for play”?

I’m starting to warm to the idea of plinking and shooting small varmints with a low recoiling lever gun, and just enjoying the feel of a well made lever action from years past in my hand...Winchester, Marlins and maybe Browning come to mind...

I wouldn’t want a chambering that would put me on a “search and find ammo mission.” Something that is readily available in box ammo.

Here’s pics of the only lever action I own....Winchester Model 71 in 348. This rifle feels great in my hand. 😎

What do you all suggest and in what chambering?

I'd love to find a 348.

IMO one of the best lever 22 rifles is the Browning BL 22.

The only levers I currently own are originals. An 1873 in 44-40 and an 1892 in 38-40

I have a bunch of JM Marlins. Great quality. Comfortable to carry. Pretty damn accurate. 22, 30-30, 35 rem, 45-70, 450. Traded off a couple very limited models. Best trade I made was my .32 H&R for a 30-30, a 45-70 and a 450. They only made a few thousand in .32 H&R configuration and it’s in demand on the Cowboy action circuit. Best part was I bought the .32, a JM 30-30 and a Winchester 94 for $650 4 years ago.

You can’t go wrong with a JM marlin. I love my .35 Rem. Killed a bear in Maine last fall with it using 150 gr Coreloks. Bear was just under 500lbs. I’d post pics but phtobucket sucks as you know

I sounds like you want to keep it simple. A pre '64 Winchester model 94 or Marlin 336 in .30-30 would fit your bill nicely. I prefer the Winchester but tastes vary. Depending on area 32 Winchester Special and 35 Remington ammo might be just as easy to find, but usually cost more these days.

Winchester 88

Well you have the Cadillac, now you need to look for a Ford (or Chevy). It will be a 30-30, whether it is a JM (pre 2012ish) Marlin 336 or Winchester 94 is your call. I would lean to a gold trigger Marlin 336 (69-82 or there abouts), but any pre Remington buyout 336 will be a good gun and about the same feel / fit as that model 71!

I have owned Win 94's, 9422's, Marlin 336's and that is what and why I recommend them. Henry's have good reputations and as far as new are probably a great option CF or RF. Of course there are Savage 99's and Win 88's out there as well, but then you will be looking at a 308 instead of a 30-30.

Everyone needs a 30/30. Take your pick between Winchester/Marlin and Savage. Unfortunately you're gonna have to go used on everyone of those these days.


Hard to not like a Savage 99 in 300 Savage for a do it all rifle.

I like Savages and BLR S

Winchester levers in all of their iterations here.

I got the itch for a lever, my first, not too long ago. An avid hunter/collector pal of mine recommended a BLR or Savage 99. Ended up putting me on a 99. Went with .308 over the classic savage original 300 round, because I too am not a hand-loader, and just my familiarity with and preference for this round in my shooting purposes. I do believe a manufacturer or two may still make the 300 sav, but obviously, the availability and selection of commercial loads are nothing close to what’s on the shelf in 308. I can’t beieve how much I love this gun, and now want more. I would describe it as having the pedigree of a vintage bolt, with the soul of a lever. Really neat guns. Maybe in .243? Though it might be a little easier and cheaper to find one in .308. Good luck.

I have a Winchester 1873 in 38-40, and 5 Savage 99’s. 243, 308’s, 300 Savage, and a 358. I really like the 99’s. Fun as hell to shoot. I wish I had discovered them when I was younger.

The BL 22 is sweet as Banana Pudding !

I have an XTR 9422 M with WinCam stock that I really like.

Obviously I like Savage 99s......

Then B L Rs in centerfire rifles.


ADMITTEDLY I'm prejudiced TOWARD Weight/Power ratio. I ain't carrying a HEAVY rifle with a Softball trajectory.
Personal Preference-------NO OFFENSE toward anyone, okay ?


Jerry

For plinking and small critters it’s hard to beat a Henry 22 for a lever gun.

I have owned lots of levers over the years. Most of my hunting has been done with one actually. The Savages are in my mind some of the best. Marlins are inexpensive and great hunting tools as well. I've been using an old JM model 444 for years. The 444 is a very underrated cartridge. The 9.3x62 is in big fashion these days. Compare its ballistics to the 444 and you will see they are very similar. Certainly no animal would ever know the difference. I've never been lucky enough to own a 348, but maybe someday!

I like most of them and use a BLR for most of my hunting.
I would like to find new Miroku / Winchester m95- takedown. To make it even more unlikely in the .270 Winchester.
Leverguns really make a guy smile,imo

I should add, if you’re more comfortable with scoped bolts, as I was, look for a ‘later’ 99 from somewhere in the 50’s through the sixties or up (but not too far up, lol) that came drilled and tapped from the factory. Mine (‘66, a DL) came with a same-date Leupold 4x M8 on it. Same date weaver push-off mounts too, so you can go to irons. Scope seats nice and low to the gun, high comb stock makes a perfect cheek weld to it. And it looks completely natural to the lines of the gun, which I already described as bolt-like. Brass spits to the side. A lever in Bolt’s clothing.

Here are some Winchesters...

Only one I’d consider is a Marlin 39.

Since you already have a Model 71, I'd recommend a Model 64 in .30-30 for easy to find inexpensive ammo. For a small caliber small game plinker a Model 65 is order, but the rifles and the ammo are not inexpensive.

The trifecta. 71, 64 & 65

Well, you're certainly well-equipped for big game; 71s are awesome rifles.

In my book, the top contenders for small game are the Browning 53 and the Winchester 9422. Rifles in .218 and .25/20 are great, but I seldom see them for sale, and they come high when available. Figure on $800 to $1300 for the two I mentioned in very nice condition. Another possibility is the .25/35, handloaded, and very pretty, if not faithful, editions are in production now from Winchester (Miroku). Sights might have to be modified for light loads in those, or they can be scoped.