what are pump and lever guns for?

For those of us that do not generally hunt at long ranges, (noting you are from Alberta) they offer sufficient accuracy, and considerable speed advantages, and again, noting Alberta, they feel better in a saddle scabbard under your leg than most bolts.
Try it, you'll like it. Well most do anyway.
 
Generally they are used for shooting things......They may offer better handling or just feel better to the shooter(I love the feel of a lever), some people may be more comfortable operating a different kind of action than a bolt.

People are all different, we like different things. Otherwise we'd all shoot remmy 700's in 30-06. and the discussions on this board would be pretty freakin boring.
 
They are fun. It gives me an opportunity to play with a big bore rifle that I probably wouldn't have if I stuck with bolt guns.

Also, gives me something to play with for casting bullets. 1000-2000 fps is much more forgiving for alloy hardness and lube, etc than 2000-3000 is. I am at no disadvantage using cast bullets at all. If I cast my own, I make 45/70 shells for like 6 dollars a box.
 
Funny you should ask. I spent the day at the range today and one of the rifles I brought with me was a 1955 .30-30 Marlin model 336. Loaded with 150 grn round nose bullets I shot several 100m groups that measured 1.5". One and a half minutes from a lever gun. I do have a Burris 3 x 9 Fullfield 2 mounted on it.

It was comfortable and accurate to shoot and just felt right. A mentioned above, give it a try, you might just like it!

Scott
 
pharaoh2 said:
Technically bolt actions aren't exactly a new technology anymore either.:nest:
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The post you quoted didn't say bolt actions were a new action.
It only noted that lever actions and pump actions were cool old school cowboy actions.

To answer the original question;
A pump action is easier to produce than a bolt action and therefore theoretically cheaper.
Old school designs for lever guns were also easier to produce than bolt guns but the evolution of the two actions and manufacturing techniques has changed this.
Now it is mainly a point of Nostalgia,personal preference, availability.

Fact is the bolt gun has more points over the lever/pump.

Bolt guns generally are a more accurate platform, mechanically simplified,and have a greater range of use. (Much harder to shoot from prone/low bench rest with a pump or lever)
And while Hornady makes the flex tip for tube mags, and there are some levers/pumps? With box mags you generally are limited to the ammo you can load of being the flat/round nose type.
 
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Something about them is way cooler then boring old bolt action rifles. As effective as my boltguns are there is something just satisfying about exploring the woods with a lever action and a cartridge thats over a century old.
The remington 7600, Savage 99, Winchester 88 and BLR are all capable of perfectly acceptable hunting accuracy as far as many shooter will ever need to take a shot, but have a different feel that makes them apeal to different shooters.
They often handle and balance better, since the sensible folks shooting them rarely feel the need for large scopes.
 
Some of us actually shoot for fun. And a big part of the fun aspect is to work with different actions. I like bolt rifles, pump rifles and lever rifles equally. The only style I've tried and found to be not as much fun is semi auto rifles.

If I were a hunter I'd quite enjoy going after game suitable to a .30-30 with my Marlin lever gun. I'd equally enjoy going after game the next time with a single shot break action or a bolt action.

If it's just a tool for hunting you're well served by just using a bolt action and forget the rest. But if you truly enjoy shooting and interacting with different firearms then you'll enjoy all the action styles equally.
 
They're built to deliver six fast shots with ease!
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My 141 in .35 is my favourite rifle.
 
Quicker, lighter, in the case of the 45/70, more powerful, you can top up the mag. without taking a round out of the chamber, less expensive because they are meant to be used without a scope. Certainly more fun!!
 
Gatehouse said:
Lever guns are for cowboy wannabes, pump rifles are for spray and pray types.

:D
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I've known a lot of trappers and northern hunters who would take exception. The lever action carries best of any rifle if iron sighted. I own 3 and one bolt, a Jungle Carbine. Levers and pumps have a very natural reload action.Millions of police officers and Rem 870's must know something about handling in stressful situations. They carry well for horseback hunting. The Browning BLR offers high pressure rimless cartridges.

The only reason I would step up to a moa bolt hunting rifle would be so I could wound game at long range like the real wannabe snipers. :nest:
 
heheheh nice thread good trolling and smack talking. thanks bro I know bolt guns arent a recent development derp....

Im digging the enthusiasm and have added to my list of things to do
"trapse around in bush pretending im a cowboy with a lever/pump action."
I have access to an old 30-30 lever action, its a dream. my favorite thing is probably the fact that I can choose to leave a round in the gun without cocking it, then just pull back the hammer. nostalgia, maybe. cool-defenitely

JamesM said:
Something about them is way cooler then boring old bolt action rifles. As effective as my boltguns are there is something just satisfying about exploring the woods with a lever action and a cartridge thats over a century old.
The remington 7600, Savage 99, Winchester 88 and BLR are all capable of perfectly acceptable hunting accuracy as far as many shooter will ever need to take a shot, but have a different feel that makes them apeal to different shooters.
They often handle and balance better, since the sensible folks shooting them rarely feel the need for large scopes.
Click to expand...
 
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