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Okay, I need a lever rifle in my gun safe. I have been looking at some pre-64 M94 and the 336. Which would you guys recommend.

savage 99. winchester 88 you asked!

I'd have to agree that the Savage 99 is THE choice in a lever rifle.

However, if you ment a "traditional" style rifle, the 336 (or other Marlin rifles....1895, 1894) would be my easy choice over the Model 94 Winchester. As much as I like my 94's have too many inferior features to compete with the Marlin design.

Let's compare:

The 94's top ejection (and the Angle-Eject is just a top ejecter that can't shoot straight) makes scope mounting "challenging". The Marlin's flat top is "made" for scope mounting.

The open top design of the 94 is not nearly as good at keeping trash and dirt out of the action as is the Marlin's solid top.

The 94 action is strong enough for the cartridges it chambers (particularly the Big Bore version).....but falls far short of the stronger Marlin.

In general (there ARE exceptions) the Marlin is much more accurate that the typical 94.

And finally.....the Marlins are available in two of my favorite (and most useful) caliber that have nevr been seen in the 94, the .35 Remington (no rimless rounds in the 94's) and the .45-70 (too big for the 94, but works just fine in the Marlin 1895).

If you want to pretend to be John Wayne (although he actually carried a Model 92.....not a 94....in all those movies), then get the Winchester. If you want the "best" rifle in a traditional style lever gun.....it's the Marlin all the way!

I just cannot stand a scoped lever gun though......

You don't HAVE to scope a Marlin.....but the option is there if you ever want to. Most tend to think of the Winchester as the typical "cowboy" rifle carried in the old west.......but don't realize the basic Marlin design is older than the Model 92-94 designs.

99 or 336

Just too add a different perspective�.
First off, the strength issue. The Marlin 336 is not �stronger� than the Model 94 Winchester. I have shot both rifles chambered for the 30-30AI and in my experience the Model 94 Angle Eject rifle will accept heavier charges than the Model 336.
I have pictures of at least four Marlin 336 rifles which failed in the receiver barrel thread area. The only picture I have seen of a Model 94 Winchester which failed is the one in P.O. Ackley�s Handbook for Shooters and Reloaders � this due to a deliberate overload.
If anyone has a picture of a Winchester Model 94 � top eject, Angle Eject or Big Bore which has failed I would like to see it.

In my opinion the Model 99 Savage is generally built too light and with poor balance � The R Models accepted. I hunt with a late 358 Model 99 and the rifle is muzzle light which affects the way it comes to the shoulder and swings. This particular rifle has shot its forend off three times, the tenion in the pencil thin barrel tearing out of the dovetail.
The Model 99 is an odd rifle to make repeat shots with until you develop a feel for the rifle. The lever springs open at the shot but the cock on closing requires some getting used too. I prefer the pistol grip rifles to the straight stock for this reason.

As too the question of accuracy the Winchester Angle Eject rifles and the Big Bores will shoot with any Model 99 Savage or Model 336 Marlin I have seen � EXCEPT the new 308MX chambered for the 308 Marlin Express cartridge.

As to the matter of big cartridges, there are a few Big Bore Winchesters around in 450 Marlin and the Big Bores may be converted to the 458 � 2� wildcat cartridge. I have been shooting a Model 94 chambered for the 444 Marlin cartridge for quite awhile and have found it to be quite satisfactory.

I don�t know why there are comments about the Model 94 Angle Eject being difficult to mount a scope. Simply purchase one of several scope mounts and install it on the rifle. If you prefer a receiver sight Williams and XS have one available.

As to the top of the Winchester allowing trash into the action I can only comment the only three lever-action rifles which have jammed on me in the field have been 1 Savage Model 99 and 2 Marlins � a Model 1894 and a new Model 308MX.

When it comes to cosmetics the folks at USRA-Winchester definitelymade some serious mistakes. The crossbolt safety with the large divot in the right side of the receiver was a blunder. The rebounding hammer and the long take-up trigger was another. Quality control in the last few years of USRA�s tenure did quite a bit of damage to reputation of reliability to the Model 94.

If you wish to read about a history of unreliable lever-action rifles read the comments on Marlin reliability in Recreation Magazine (available on Google books) starting with 1902.

I enjoy shooting the Marlin and the Winchester lever-action rifles but I don�t believe one has any particular superiority over the other.

Lots of 99's ain't muzzle light, must certainly depends on version.

My 99F takedown is about as balanced a rifle as I have.

Couple days ago I got an issue from Rifle magazine called "The Legacy of Lever Guns", subscription. Should be on magazine racks. Good issue with historical articles on all the famous lever actions.

I'm partial to the Marlin 336, which I own in 30.30. I think it's just better made and more refined than the '94 Win. With Hornady's LeverEvolution ammo, it's become a serious 250 yd hunting rifle with very respectable accuracy. One of the biggest plus factors is scope mounting, very solid and tidy...particularly if you use a Leupold one piece base, and Burris Signatures.



The new Marlin 308 and 338 Express calibers definitely would be the way to go today.

One of my first hunting rifles was an old, very worn looking M64 Winchester in .30-30. Very slick action. Very nice, 3 lb. trigger. 2-2.5 ich groups w/ factory 150 gr. WW ammo.
My second buck was killed with a Marlin 336 in .35 Remington. Very accurate rifle for a lever gun. Try 1.5 inch groups @ 100 yds. Both rifles, BTW, wore peep sights.
I've got an 1894 CL Marlin that, with a 3X scope, has shot groups at 100 yds. at 3/4 of an inch. It's a .25-20.
I've owned a Savage 99F in .358. I still kick myself for selling it. Try an inch and a half or better with several loads. 3X scope.
Currently, I'm still drooling over a Winchester 94 made in 1947. Very good condition. Very slick action. Trigger too heavy, but I'll bet that can be fixed. It's a .25-35. The guy that's selling it wants $995 for it.
Buy what tickles your fancy. There all pretty good. E

And I think Savage is really missing the boat by not re-introducing the '99, considering new technology available in manufacturing that would both keep costs reasonable and and improve the rifle. Clip fed in 270, 300 and 325 WSMs, I'd bet they couldn't keep up with demand for years to come.

The thought of a clip feed 99 in 325 Wizzum just made me throw up a little.

TOO funny!

I am new to the levergun affliction. Have only shot one head of big gmae with a lever rifle, a feral piggie in Calif. with a MArlin 1895 in 45/70. In the last year I have aquired a model 71 in 348AI, and model 88 in 358, and a takedown deluxe model 99 in 250 Savage. Hoping to try them all out this year. They ALL look and feel great in the hands. Bought the red and black plaid wool stuff along with the LL Bean Maine hunting shoes to go all out with the retro theme, should be a fun year.

If you can get your hands on a model 71, this would be my first choice for you for a really cool and fun do it all levergun. 2nd choice would be one of the terrific model 99's in various guises. Fantastic guns in many ways.

I'm no officiando on the Savage, but I don't think a rotary mag in a '99 has room for those fat little WSMs, eh?

Reviving an ol' classic of tremendous popularity, and making it capable of taking on just about anything out there ain't such a bad idea, is it?

Winchester 1895 405 WCF
and a Stainless BLR 325 WSM
AMRA

Just cuzz you can put 40DD's on Audrey Hepburn don't mean you should.

Rotary magazine is one the nice things about it. Hell, might as well make a 50BMG.

LOL!

From a marketing point of view, bringing the rifle up to date to handle new and efficient calibers would be a must do consideration, when investing all the start up dough required.

I'm sure the folks at Marlin would attest to the new life brought to their production lines by the introduction of the new Hornady ammo. Apparently they can't even begin to keep up with orders for the lever guns in the Express calibers.

Thinking just some of the standard SA cartridges would sing just fine (708, 260, 243, 308, 358, 300 Savage, 250 Savage, 22/250 and gasp 338 Federal).

Course Savage could get real sneaky and come out with the 25/08 Savage chambered in the new/old rotary magazine 99.

That wold be cool, but no flies on the 358 Win which Savage has already done succesfully. Try to find a 99 in that caliber for less than the cost of the B.O. health plan!

Not much one could not do with one of these or, for that matter a pretty easy to find 308 version.

I still say one of these or a model 71 in .348 are pretty danged cool.

I SO should have bought a 71 before the price got out of control. Want a '92 in 38/40 also.