Home Forums Lever Action Central Lever Actions - General Best levergun?

264Bore,

I like most all lever guns.

My hands down favorite is the Ruger No. 1. I have a sporter in 7X57 and a standard in .257 Bob. I know, this is not the "kind" of lever that you were looking for...but they are levers.

Now to answer your question, here are my preferences (although I find, unlike my bolts, I can get more "emotional" about levers, and my favs may change from time to time):

1. Savage 99s. I've always admired these, however I didn't own one until about a year ago. Now I own 5, 3 in .300 savage, 1 in .243 Win and one in .250 Savage. One or two of the .300 Savages will be my first choice for whitetails this season, and probably at least the next few.

2. BLRs. I like the strength of the action, and they fit and feel good to me. I own 3 steel frame BLRs, a .284, a .358 and a Belgian in.308. The .308 was acquired cheap as a donor for a .338-08 project, but I made the common mistake of shooting the donor. It groups 3 in 1" with factory Rem 150 gr Corelokts. It ain't pretty (needs stock refinishing and the blue is thin in a couple of places), but it had been my go to whitetail gun for many seasons.

3. Marlins-I own 2, a 45-70 Guide Gun and a 336 in 30-30. I like the sturdy actions and balance of the Marlins. The 336 was my very first centerfire huntin rig. Traditional levers shooting traditional lever cartridges.

4. Winchesters-I own 2, a m94 trapper in .44 Mag (very handy in the woods that I hunt in) and a 9422.

I haven't had the opportunity to handle a Sako, but have my eyes open for one. I handled a Win 88, but didn't like the way it felt.

Just my opinions, but thats what you asked for.

Chris

p.s. I also own a Henry youth model lever in .22 I bought in anticipation of my kids wanting to shoot a lever. Didn't want to cut down the 9422.

I love all lever guns. I want a Savage 99, BLR, and and a ruger #1- also been looking at a Win. low-wall. Never heard of a "Sako"- until now. (anxious to "check" that out)

I regret letting go a pre-64 Win. 30-30 carbine, A Win. 30-30 oct. bbl. rifle, and a mint Win. 1892 25-20. (All many years ago).

I Now have 5 Marlins. I couldn't say what lever gun is "best"- but the gun that I have have enjoyed the most ever (of all my guns)- and love to shoot and consistantly hit what I aim at- is my Marlin 1894 C. It shoots and cycles "everything in 357 mag & 38 special right on target.

If I could only keep "one gun"- of all my guns- I would want my Marlin 1894 C.

Weed

"Best Lever gun"
I have to go with my winchester Timber Carbine in 444 Marlin.
I own Marlins, Savage, Ithaca, Henry, and Ruger levers, but until about 3 years ago never had the inclination to add a Win. to the mix. Naturally when I decided to do so Win. had discontinued them, major search to find one (probably paid to much for it) but after handling and firing it, it had a special place in my heart. So much so that I ran out and grabbed 2 9417's to keep it company. Then when Win. introduced the 94 Timber in 450 Marlin (same gun as Timber Carbine in different caliber) I snagged one of those also, but the Timber Carbine in 444 is my favorite. My 336 in 35 Rem. holds 2nd place, and the 1961 vintage 99 in 308 takes 3rd. The 9417's are fun and accurate and since they aren't offered anymore, the unfired one that is still in the box might just stay there, might be luck that I accidently bought 2, but then again the only luck I seem to have is bad.

My Model 1895 Winchester in .30-40 Krag. By far the most reliable and favorit. Have owned many Savage 99's, a Marlin in .375 Win and various 94's. I still love my 95!!!!

I bought a BLR 358 this summer and am very happy with it.
I never thought of it as a "Classic" lever action but a modern day lever action with "Retro" styling.

I think it's nicer looking than other modern levers like the Win. 88 and Sako Finnwolf. It's also much lighter and less expensive than a Savage 99 in .358.

It's easily scoped, has a short throw lever, does'nt have an ugly safety and the detachable clip works great.

I think it's the greatest since sliced bread...I wish it were made in the USA (It could be...labor is not cheap in Japan)

So far my only complaint is, NO SLING SWIVELS!!!

tp4whlr, the winnie timber in triple four was my first ever gun purchase a year and a half ago, and I am old

every time it is fired it puts a big grin on my face <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

maybe we should have a thread on grin factor??? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

444 <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Four or five years ago, the only lever that I had was a BB gun. There must be something mystic about them. I now have:
Savage 99 in 300 Sav
250 Sav
308 Win

Winchester 94 32 spec
32 spec (Wrangler)
375 Win (XTR Big Bore)
22 Mag (9422)

Marlin 336 35 Rem
1895 45-70 (Guide Gun)

Remington 22 (Nylon 76)

Ruger #1 270 Weatherby Mag

I'm always on the lookout for Savage 99s and the only reason that I don't have a BLR in 358 Win or maybe the new 325 WSM is the price. Good luck.

George

I definitely look for opportunities to fire this weapon, just something about it, what a blast <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

The best I lever gun have personally ever had is the inexpensive Black Shadow Model 94 rifle I presently own. It is 30-30 and I have a refurbished old Weaver K3 on it with four plex reticle in Leupold mounts. I will probably have the reticle converted to a German #4 soon but it is a true deer killing machine. I use Winchester 170gr Silvertips and shoot into an inch at 100. I can't reload anything it likes as well as the factory stuff. It was bought as a knock around truck gun but has become my main hunting rifle when eastern Whitetail is the goal.

Here are my three favorite levers.
Model 88 in 338/08
Model 64 in 30/30
Model 99 in 358
Just three very nice deer rifles.

Here's my two go to lever guns. 250-3000 and .308 in 99A. I'm still looking for a .300 in the same model.

Forgot the picture

Interestin, readin all these points of view.
BLR controversy...only bad thing ever heard of em other n bein ugly enuff to scare a guy, is that trigger-some folks don mind it, some find it mushy an too variable on release.
Personally don't want one. Just don't fit me that well.
Marlins are blessed w/some of the best n worst. Easyst to maintain, but the last couple decades see em stickin with these popeye forearms-completely ridiculous.
Most newer browning/wins are made in japan. Real nice guns, but made on metric not english systems. Can be a problem if a lookin for parts.
New 94s -.450 Timber handles way bettern the Marlin. Worry about that standard, not big bore reciever n pressure.
Never got a chance at the 94 Timber carbine 444. Always wanted one, never found one.
Best levergun?
Best levergun is the one that springs to the shoulder, puts that front sight on that running ungulate without effort, trigger drops right into the finger, an the bullet goes where its intended.
Still like my 30 yr old 94.

Keep looking for those 99s, they are hard to come by. The Savage is my favorite. Mine is in 308. Don't care for Winnys or any other but the Marlins. First deer rifle was a 336C in 30-30. I would like to find a mid 50s 336 in 35 Rem. but will always hold out for the 99. The best looking, most accurate, and easiest to work on lever gun ever. But man the triggers are crappy.

The triggers can be polished up real nice. Have owned more than one 99 with a 3# trigger - some even less. The post million guns can be brought scary low on the pull.

I like the 99 as #1. Then comes the Winchester 71/'86. The grin factor on all those guns is biiiiig for me. I want to own some Winchesters some day but I am busy with the 99 these days. God Bless. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Rusty Zipper

Savage 99 was the best levergun ever produced.
1886 Win
71 Win.
1873 Win
1892 Win
1894 Win.