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

Decisions...decisions.



Hint........................

Sister has whacked/stacked more splendor,than everyone you know bolted together. Congratulations?!?

She's a little bit whole bunch GOOD with a rifle.

Hint................

They sure grow on you. My accumulation. Winchester 64 30-30, Winchester 71 348, Marlin 1894 44 magnum, Marlin 336 30-30, Winchester (Miroku) 1886 Extra Lightweight 45-70, Browning 65, Browning 53 and everyone needs a Marlin 39.

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 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.

Here are some Winchesters...

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

Marlins and Whitney Kennedys...

From Rabbits to big game they work...

My all around varmint rig.



.30 US Army & .32 WCF.

There was this one lever rifle, ole trusty rusty, that didn't have a lick of bluing. It was a parts rifle missing all the springs. A cheap rebore to 358 win, I stoked it with 275 grain woodleighs.

For two seasons in a row, ole trusty rusty brought home some big bulls. One bull was just shy of four fingers width, of 60 inches. When I paid to have a finish put on ole trusty rusty, it was no longer the same gun, so sold it to my hunting buddy.

Had a gruntin battle with the bigger bull, the big warrior was in a rage. As he came after me full charge, out of the willows I popped, and sent one 275 grain woodleigh center mass, instant drop. A quick shuck of the lever, another behind the ear. Lever guns that have no scratches or rust, kinda weird me out.