Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Of Lever Rifles

I still see '71's kicking around here in smaller stores for less than $1,000; but even then they aren't that much less than a grand.

Browning BLR, mine is a .308 Win:


.45/70 Marlin 1895:




Of course there's always the wonderful .22 Marlin 39A! Probably the most useful of all lever guns:


Agree with those pushing the Savage 99 too - one heck of a rifle!

I'd go (and have) 336 with peeps.

I would have to go with the Marlin 336 in 30-30 its a deer huters classic. Mine has accounted for more deer then any tother rifle I have. I will be upgrading the mounts on mine soon and hopeful the scope in the spring.

All these rifle loonies have given you good advice as to why the brand they prefer is the best. I would take all of their advice and build a battery of leverguns. Start with a 30/30 in a Model 94, add a 45/70 in a Marlin M1895 (those are the easy ones). Then start looking for a nice Savage 99 in 250 or 300 SAV, finally go get yourself a Model 88 in .243 or .308 WIN. After obtaining the basic examples above you could add a Marlin 39 or Winchester 9422 for the low side, then find a nice M71 in .348 WCF for the high side. Of course you need to save a spot for a .405 WCF in case you need some lion medicine, and them maybe a few more to fill in the holes. You don't have get all this done in a week, give yourself a year or two to get it all done.

Get the Marlin 336, easier to clean and do it from the proper end than a Win 94.

A 336 with loads that it likes can shoot way better than most people think.

I really enjoy lever actions, they work well for us lefties.
I have traditional hammer levers and a few hammerless. Out of all my levers my favorites are the 88 & 99 for scope mounted and the 64 for carry. I really can't find fault with any of them.
Model 64, 30-30
Model 94AE, 30-30
Model 39A, 22
Model 336, 35rem.
Model 88, 338-08 (338 Federal)
Model 99R, 358win.

What I have always wanted to see is a Marlin chambered 348 Win. I know that Model 71 purists will howl with rage but I think that would make a great woods rifle.

Landrum

IIRC--The 348 is too fat for the svelte Marlin frame.

My choices in no particular order:

Marlin 336 in 30-30, or 35 rem;

Marlin 1894 in 44 mag;

Savage 99 in 308, 243, or 358;

BLR in 308;

1894 in 30-30.

All are solid rifles.

I have a new '92 Trapper in .45 Colt that I have never pulled the trigger on. I bought it in 2002, new, out of a special run of 500 Winchester's (made by Miroku). Thought that I might do some CAS with it along with my .45 Colt Vaquero but never did. I cant' see the sights on it now and don't want to modify it in any way for a receiver sight while it is still ANIB. Maybe I should Benoit it and put a 50mm objective lens 6-18 scope on it?? Maybe I will sell it soon.

I also have a '94 (pre-64, 1947 vintage) .32 Win Spec. and a Marlin 1895, .45-70. I shoot both of these and have owned the Model 94 since 1974.

BTW, the Marlin Model 336 (36) action design has been around since WWII not the 1800's. Also, it is fair to say that the Model 94 has probably killed more deer than the Marlin 336, since it predates the Model 336 by 50 years.

The 50 Alaskan is based off of the 348 case I think so it should work fine in a Marlin.

Landrum

50 is shorter

I'm not a big lever action fan, but do like my Model 64 in 30/30. Redfield is a recent upgrade.

If I recall correctly, the original Marlin design dates to 1893, so it beats the Winchester '94 by a year.

I have had the privilege of shooting an original Marlin 1893 in .25-36 Marlin, and I would pick it over any 94 Winchester I have had.

I have generally found Marlins to be accurate than the Wins.


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I have a M92 in 38-40 and like the hell out of it. 24" round barrel, very good condition, made in 1906. Likely carried more than it was fired, since there is virtually no wear on loading gate or cartridge elevator? I am the second owner, since the lady I bought it from never shot it and her uncle bought it new. ;O)

Got dies, haven't gotten around to whuppin'up a load for it yet. No real need, as it shoots WW 180gr soft points very well and I have several boxes of them.

Favor Winchester M94s for looks, Marlin 336s for function and accuracy. Have both. My favorite Marlin is a nifty little 336SC in 35 Rem. Don't load for that thing yet either, since it is so accurate with 200gr Core Lokts. It has a Williams receiver sight, suits me fine.

Scopes on lever guns are an abomination, as they are on hunting revolvers. Just my opinions and I'm more than old enough to have 'em.

336 Marlin with a Bushnell Banner 1.5-4.5X32.

I'm sorry, but putting a scope on a lever-banger is about the worst form of perversion going these days. It looks more wrong and out of place than a square boob... I've met a ballerina with tourettes syndrome that was more graceful... I would rather have a daughter that was a cheap slut than a son that would put a scope on a lever-banger...

I understand that Remington owns Marlin. Based on that, I'd say you'd need a Remington scope to go on that Marlin.



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Marlin was the first to chamber a lever action in the powerful 45-70 caliber. This was the Marlin model 1881, which pre-dates the Winchester model 1886 by 5 years.

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