What kind of lever action should I buy?

saunders278

saunders278

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Hey everyone,

I haven't given up hope yet, but since our benevolent and handsome leader has decided my Ruger Mini-30 is far too dangerous in my hands, I'm looking into options for replacing it with a lever-action.

Like I said, I haven't given up hope, and am certainly open to advice on what I can do to help the current situation, but I just enjoy doing research on firearms, so for this thread I'm looking more for advice on lever-action rifles (or other rifles that won't incentivise me to murder babies, puppies, etc).

I've never owned a lever-action, and have only fired Winchester 94s. I like the 94, but would prefer a side-ejector. As far as chambering, I'd prefer something in the medium range, maybe 30-30, but would like input on that as well (I do re-load).

This rifle would be used for target-shooting, bear defense, and a back-up deer hunting rifle (possibly elk or moose in the future, but I've never hunted anything that big). Also, I'll be leaving it with open-sights.

I really like the designs of the Marlins, but I've heard of quality issues in recent years.

Thanks

Keith
 
freddyfour said:
Hi Keith, a 70's or 80's vintage Marin 336 is exactly what the doctor ordered. Won't find a better 30-30 out there.
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Yeah I like the 336s. But the new ones aren't as good, eh? I heard something about a New Haven factory being shut down a while back and the quality decreased.
 
saunders278 said:
Yeah I like the 336s. But the new ones aren't as good, eh? I heard something about a New Haven factory being shut down a while back and the quality decreased.
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I've been told to look for the JM stamp on the barrel. When they did away with that the rifle's quality went downhill. If the rifle is old enough, the JM stamp can sometimes be hidden under the wood so that tip has to be applied with some situational awareness. If you're looking at Model 1836 with a 2 digit SN, there's no need to look for the JM stamp. However, I have also heard (from trusted sources) that they've figured out their production problems and the newest 'remlins' are pretty good quality again. Unfortunately, I can't give you a time frame on when that happened because my interest is in older guns. Winchester went through some similar issues. Any Winchester made after they introduced angle eject was not very good until a few years ago when they moved production to miroku japan. This was in the 80's and is separate from the changes they made in 1964.

I own winchesters and marlins. The winnies are better looking guns for the most part. The one exception is that I really like the look of the perch belly marlins. They're not sleek and neither am I. They actually fit my hand better.

I've only been unhappy with 2 marlins so far. In one case, the sucker bites me when I load it. The inside edge of the loading port is sharp. Scrapes up my bullets and my finger. I know that can be fixed, I just don't know how to do it myself. The other one had micro groove rifling and couldn't hit the broad side of a barn. You said you reload so you can probably find a bullet that works for it. I do not and all I had to choose from was factory ammo. I got rid of the micro groove gun, but I still have the rest. Older marlins have ballard type rifling which is very accurate.

I took all the lever guns to the range a while back and they all shot pretty much the same, but I have to add that even though the marlin factory sights all looked cheaper, they were all easier to use. That said, my preference for shooting and hunting is still a Winchester with a tang sight. I'm not a fan of optics on guns with such limited range, so the over the top ejection is a plus in my book.

If you are a collector like me, both brands have their drawbacks. Winchesters are much more expensive, however, Marlins have a lot more variations.
 
Out plunking with Marlin 444 today, 240 cast and Trail Boss. Pop cans and clay pigeons, they didn't have a chance.
Go big it just fun. But can be serious when you need to.
 
MRP said:
Out plunking with Marlin 444 today, 240 cast and Trail Boss. Pop cans and clay pigeons, they didn't have a chance.
Go big it just fun. But can be serious when you need to.
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Off hand plinking is a blast. From a bench rest, not so much, at least with factory loads.
 
I am intrigued by the larger calibers. I love the look of those 1895 SBLs in 45-70. I guess that's what I should sort out first.

It's unlikely that I'd end up using this rifle for hunting (it would be 3rd string). More for plinking and a bear deterrent.

When it comes to reloading, can anyone tell me if 45-70 is much more expensive to reload compared to 30-30? (I know I can crunch these numbers myself, so I apologize for being lazy. Just wondering if anyone has experience with this).
 
New production Marlins are very good quality, they worked out all the bugs since Rem takeover. A 357, or 44 would fill the gap left by your Mini 30..
 
The 336 XLR is some pretty, stainless and Laminate, I bit like the 1895 SBL without the price of 45-70 Ammo.
As I do target shooting 100-300M I picked the XLR, very happy with it and now that one of my Semi's is "Banned" I will use that orphan scope for my Marlin as I have the XS Rail to install.

Lever guns are just fun.

This one is also "pretty"; https://www.doctordeals.ca/product/...laminate-big-loop-lever-action-rifle-336w-ls/
 
saunders278 said:
I am intrigued by the larger calibers. I love the look of those 1895 SBLs in 45-70. I guess that's what I should sort out first.

It's unlikely that I'd end up using this rifle for hunting (it would be 3rd string). More for plinking and a bear deterrent.

When it comes to reloading, can anyone tell me if 45-70 is much more expensive to reload compared to 30-30? (I know I can crunch these numbers myself, so I apologize for being lazy. Just wondering if anyone has experience with this).
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Yes. More powder + bigger projectiles = more money.
And if you plan to use cases from factory loads you have bought and shot, they're way more than 30/30.
But it's worth it!
 
My experience includes Win, Marlin, and Browning levers. Iron sighted I prefer the Win 94 with a peep sight. It is so trim and quick with its straight stock and nothing hand carries as nicely. The Marlin 336 is a fine rifle and most come with a pistol grip stock which handles wonderfully. Many shooters complain about the tube magazines. I really like them because it is impossible for it to fall out at the wrong time, lose, or forget.

If you were happy with the Mini-30's ballistics the 30-30 will be fine. I consider it a deer cartridge and a light 100 yard moose cartridge but not a great one for elk. The 30-30 has protected farmers, loggers, and trappers from bears for 125 years. As a reloader picking a 30 caliber is never a mistake. I also have 32-20, 32 Special, 444 Marlin and sourcing brass and components is a pain. A 30-30 handloader can single load a Berry's plated 150 gn plinking bullet round with 4 170 gn Speer heavy hitters in constant reserve in bear country. A quick box of 30-30 is also available anywhere in Canada.

The BLR in 308 offers much. Exposed hammer (highly underrated), box magazine, easily scoped, common powerful ammo, spitzer bullets and a good handling package. Mine was an early steel receiver. The action is reliable but busy with a short throw rack and pinion lever and strong rotating bolt. I scoped mine but it would seem hard to install a peep sight.

Another outstanding lever is the Savage 99. Early ones can be collectable but many are available for a reasonable price. My choice would be an internal rotary mag model but the later box mag style would be serviceable and available in the 308 family. They are prone to cracking at the tang but a tang sight is available.

My suggestion is a forged steel and walnut rifle in top condition from the used market with a receiver or tang peep sight. Aircraft Alloy and Space Age Polymer looks suspiciously like pot metal and plastic.
 
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Henry Big Big Boy Steel or long Ranger
H012-Big-Boy-Steel-Hero-retouched-scaled.jpg
 
Dogman01 said:
The 336 XLR is some pretty, stainless and Laminate, I bit like the 1895 SBL without the price of 45-70 Ammo.
As I do target shooting 100-300M I picked the XLR, very happy with it and now that one of my Semi's is "Banned" I will use that orphan scope for my Marlin as I have the XS Rail to install.

Lever guns are just fun.

This one is also "pretty"; https://www.doctordeals.ca/product/...laminate-big-loop-lever-action-rifle-336w-ls/
Click to expand...

Put a 6x42 Pentax on XLR due to floaters in the eyes.
I'm thinking of putting a full length tube on it, extra 3 to 4 shots for plunking.

IMG_20200419_091522_copy_2016x1512.jpg


3 shots from me and 3 from my buddy before I started to move the scope to the right.
240 cast from the Bullet Barn 12.5 gr Trail Boss

IMG_20200502_135920.jpg
 
I have owned Rossi, Henry, Marlin, Winchester and Browning, In a lever I prefer a straight stock rather than a pistol grip, I like Henry, Marlin and BLRs, I don't care for the older 94s and have not been willing to pay the money for a new Winchester although many consider them the best. The Marlin I have is a 336 straight stock so similar profile to a 94, both of my Henrys are tube loaders I prefer them over a side gate. Between Henry and Marlin I think it's just preference. BLRs are almost a separate category.
 
I'm starting to lean towards a Marlin 336 of some kind in 30-30 Win, preferably an older one (from what I've heard, the pre-2009 JM stamp ones are the best).

I do like the look of those Henry's posted by weldboss though. Does anyone have input on Henry vs Marlin? Old vs new? etc.
 
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