lever action accuracy.
- Thread starter roseau river rat
- Start date
Two piece stocks and magazine location as mentioned above.
Models with mag-tube attached to the barrel by bands are almost always less accurate than ones that use mounting studs dovetailed into the barrel.
Any forces acting on the barrel such as constriction of barrel-bands, over-tightening of mounting studs mess with the harmonics somewhat...nature of the beast, but there are tuning tricks.
Some models are even sensitive to how many rounds are in the magazine and you can notice slight POI differences as the mag gets lighter.
Some of the most accurate levers I've seen are tight 336's in 30-30.
I bought a dreaded "Remlin" for my father, tuned it up and found a load it likes. It will print slightly under an inch and a half at 100 all day.
With his particular rifle I would shoot out to 250-300 in a pinch if conditions were right.
I have a lot of experience with pistol caliber carbines and most in good shape are 2-4 MOA shooters on average, this is mainly due to components rather than the construction of the rifles though.
If we are talking traditional {no scope} well that changes the game somewhat and obviously groups will suffer. The different factory irons available range from good to ugly...and I know my eyes aren't what they used to be!
Models with mag-tube attached to the barrel by bands are almost always less accurate than ones that use mounting studs dovetailed into the barrel.
Any forces acting on the barrel such as constriction of barrel-bands, over-tightening of mounting studs mess with the harmonics somewhat...nature of the beast, but there are tuning tricks.
Some models are even sensitive to how many rounds are in the magazine and you can notice slight POI differences as the mag gets lighter.
Some of the most accurate levers I've seen are tight 336's in 30-30.
I bought a dreaded "Remlin" for my father, tuned it up and found a load it likes. It will print slightly under an inch and a half at 100 all day.
With his particular rifle I would shoot out to 250-300 in a pinch if conditions were right.
I have a lot of experience with pistol caliber carbines and most in good shape are 2-4 MOA shooters on average, this is mainly due to components rather than the construction of the rifles though.
If we are talking traditional {no scope} well that changes the game somewhat and obviously groups will suffer. The different factory irons available range from good to ugly...and I know my eyes aren't what they used to be!
- Location
- Yellowknife, NWT
Mostly it's just attitude. At one time, most hunters felt a semi or lever might be a bit less accurate than a bolt rifle. That was back when a 1.5 MOA rifle was considered VERY accurate.
Now it seems to me that a lot of enthusiasts just write off anything but bolt rifles as inaccurate. And it's just not true.
Myself, I have a .30-30 and a .250 Savage that will both easily shoot 1.5 MOA all day, and a Savage 99 in .300 Savage that will do right around MOA. I had (and sold) a 99 in .250 that would shoot 3-shot groups around a half-inch.
I read an interesting factoid by John Barsness who said he couldn't understand why owners of Savage 99's were so often surprised by their accuracy. One thing he discovered was that the barrel is threaded deeper into the receiver of the 99 more than any other North American rifle, which contributes to a rigid union between the two pieces, hence to accuracy.
Now it seems to me that a lot of enthusiasts just write off anything but bolt rifles as inaccurate. And it's just not true.
Myself, I have a .30-30 and a .250 Savage that will both easily shoot 1.5 MOA all day, and a Savage 99 in .300 Savage that will do right around MOA. I had (and sold) a 99 in .250 that would shoot 3-shot groups around a half-inch.
I read an interesting factoid by John Barsness who said he couldn't understand why owners of Savage 99's were so often surprised by their accuracy. One thing he discovered was that the barrel is threaded deeper into the receiver of the 99 more than any other North American rifle, which contributes to a rigid union between the two pieces, hence to accuracy.
pageophile
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Edmonchuk, AB
Don't have a problem with my 45-70 Marlin Guide Gun at 100yards, pretty much puts them where I aim if I do my part right 
canadaman30
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Far from the City
I have to disagree. Marlin 1895MXLR big bore 450Marlin. Last week was out at the range. 2X-2 shot groups.
well see this is what i think too, accuracy out to 200 yards is very decent given the shooter and conditions.I love my 30-30 with reciever peep, gets the job done in heavier cover.
i do understand where the other factors come into play barrel band, forearm etc, does make sense i could see how it could affect POI.
i do understand where the other factors come into play barrel band, forearm etc, does make sense i could see how it could affect POI.
Was a story somebody heard once,and was repeated for the sake of having something to add to the conversation.Some people will believe anything they hear,or in this case read.Some claim bolt does not close as tight,can not float barrel,etc.But I guess whatever a person believes is up to the individual.Have more levers than I should have,and the ratio of inaccuracy is no higher with those rifles,than it is with bolts.Just my observation,I guess.
Browning_300wsm
Regular
- Location
- Eastern Ontario
Nice shooting guys! My BLR is very accurate!
canadaman30
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Far from the City
Not bad for 25yards......
Think what you want. My Marlin is the most accurate hunting rifle I own.
Let's not get carried away now...I love my levers just as much as the next guy, but they are not as inherently accurate as a modern bolt action rifle. Your average bolts are just easier to bring around,usually just by handloading.
A Savage 99 or a BLR can realize a bit more accuracy than your average 94 or 336, but they are not consistently half-minute rifles out of the box, they may exist but it would be an exception and not the rule.
Your theory of internet parroting can work both ways, there is a reason levers are not widely used in competition other than cowboy-action, and its not because Remington 700s or Savages have a bigger aftermarket following.
10 shot groups covering a nickel @ 200 yards with surplus ammo on a windy day offhand with a mosquito on my nose and a scratchy contact lense...I have the target here somewhers...stand-by....
- Location
- Yellowknife, NWT
Let's not get carried away now...I love my levers just as much as the next guy, but they are not as inherently accurate as a modern bolt action rifle. Your average bolts are just easier to bring around,usually just by handloading.
A Savage 99 or a BLR can realize a bit more accuracy than your average 94 or 336, but they are not consistently half-minute rifles out of the box, they may exist but it would be an exception and not the rule.
Your theory of internet parroting can work both ways, there is a reason levers are not widely used in competition other than cowboy-action, and its not because Remington 700s or Savages have a bigger aftermarket following.
10 shot groups covering a nickel @ 200 yards with surplus ammo on a windy day offhand with a mosquito on my nose and a scratchy contact lense...I have the target here somewhers...stand-by....
No one said levers were as inherently accurate as bolt rifles....more that they had an undeserved reputation for being inaccurate. Two different things.
