An informed opinion on lever guns.

[guntech]

Hi all,
researching a lever action purchase I find a bewildering number of options. I'd like to shoot cowboy action some time down the line so I'm leaning towards pistol caliber. I'm hoping for opinions from CGN'ers that have owned three or more different brands.

I only owned a Browning 92 in .44 Mag. but I have seen and worked on other makes/models...

The Browning 92 is my choice. The only thing about it that is not favorable for cast bullets is the micro grooving in the barrel. Keep your cast bullets at a max of 700 f/s and clean the leading out once in a while and it works extremely well.

 

[Johnn Peterson]

I only owned a Browning 92 in .44 Mag. but I have seen and worked on other makes/models...

The Browning 92 is my choice. The only thing about it that is not favorable for cast bullets is the micro grooving in the barrel. Keep your cast bullets at a max of 700 f/s and clean the leading out once in a while and it works extremely well.

Something I found that helps out as far as using cast in my Marlin is the make up of the cast metal used. A fairly hard mix such as straight wheel weights, or even better yet, is straight linotype. I had a decent supply of both, that coupled with sizing 0.0005' to 0.001' over bore diameter provided decent accuracy with cast at velocities in the 1000 f/sec to 1200 f/sec range.

 

[John Y Cannuck]

Something I found that helps out as far as using cast in my Marlin is the make up of the cast metal used. A fairly hard mix such as straight wheel weights, or even better yet, is straight linotype. I had a decent supply of both, that coupled with sizing 0.0005' to 0.001' over bore diameter provided decent accuracy with cast at velocities in the 1000 f/sec to 1200 f/sec range.

Right on Johnn, and that is exactly why some folks can shoot cast accurately from a Marlin Microgroove and some can't.
Realistically if you want to shoot cast in any rifle, you need to play with the hardness, as well as explore bullet types, gas checks etc. in addition to playing with all the other reloading variables to get the best accuracy.

 

[LittleBoyLefty]

I do still own one. You should try one someday. You might be surprised.

Blessings to you and your family, Paul

Just razing you. We had a few around growing up, my brother loved them. I'm naturally inclined to liking them just based on how lefty friendly they are and how well they tend to shoot.

All the very best to you and yours in this coming New Year, Sir!

 

[ken g]

Hi: I have a 92 Rossi, a Winchester 94, and a 73 Uberti, all in 357. I have had trouble with all of them, but anything mechanical
can be fixed, and I like them all. The 94 is too slow for cowboy action, but I'm no speedball anyway. When I got the Rossi, brand new,
it would not repeat. I got the DVD and kit from Stevesguns, and now it works great. I really couldn't tell you if there is any speed difference
between it and the Uberti, but the 92 is a nicer gun to shoot. I shoot 357 brass in all of them, I find it more reliable.
ken g

 

[skookumchuck]

Got the Rossi '92 to the range yesterday. Beautiful little rifle. Shot a full box of .38 special without a hitch and only one problem chambering one round out of 50 .357 magnums. Today I begin learning how to take it apart and reassemble and with my usual technique of one step and reverse I discover that the L and B pin hole plug screw is not even hand tight and that snugging it up makes it interfere with cycling the action. Is loose OK or should I take a small amount of material off the screw so I can tighten it?

 

[small gamer]

I recently picked up a .30-30 Model 94 off the EE and I am tickled with it. I'm awaiting the delivery of a Savage 99 in .308 as well. These will be my first two centerfire lever guns and I am pleased to have these to round out my moose/deer, standing/dogging needs along with my .270 Savage 111. I have been fascinated by the Win 94 and Savage 99 my entire life. I wonder why I waited until my mid-50s to get them.

 

[Ayres]

I just got an old 94 in 32ws. My first lever action, what a hoot. I was taking shots at a piece of steel at 200 yards with the iron sights and the rifle is deadly accurate. I'm sold!