Any reason not to get a lever action .22 over a bolt/semi?

[horseman2]

My first rifle was a Marlin 39a in 1958.
Since then I have had two 39M's and only one remains.
Testing different ammo at 100 yards, the best was CCI Select.
With a 3-9 Sightron 1.5 inch groups were achieved for 5 shots.
Just bought a 10-22 Deluxe which will be my first SA and it will be shot.
Cost per shot one can not have more fun that with a 22.

 

[kamlooky]

Dang levers arr fun.
They need tuh make one with a detach magazeen.
Then they'arr awn tuh sumting.

 

[grelmar]

If you're just plinking for fun, buy the one you have the most fun shooting. If that's a Lever, then get a lever.

 

[riversrest]

Dang levers arr fun.
They need tuh make one with a detach magazeen.
Then they'arr awn tuh sumting.

+1 on the detach mag for em darn levers.

 

[sodburner]

Nope

 

[.22LRGUY]

If you are just plinking, IMO a lever action offers the most fun... with a semi, you don't feel as connected to the action as there is no need to do anything but squeeze the trigger... something just feels "right" when you "work" the lever... which is a reason that I prefer a full-throw lever, as opposed to the BL-22 short throw lever... however, if you are interested in maximizing accuracy on paper, you would be better off with a quality bolt action.

^this...mostly.. I think levers are fun, but to me...the most time-consuming to fully clean, the biggest pain to load, not as accurate as they should be, etc. As other have mentioned, if you're standing, shooting offhand...and in my opinion, not shooting that much~levers are great. For me, the tube mag thing gets old, fast. If you want to shoot off a bench, a lever isn't a great choice either. I agree with Hoyt with respect to having a "connection" to the action of the gun, and a box magazine-fed bolt gun is the most fun, most accurate, easiest to maintain 22 you can get. Semis are the opposite end of the spectrum for me, pumps/levers somewhere in between.

 

[shms]

Dang levers arr fun.
They need tuh make one with a detach magazeen.
Then they'arr awn tuh sumting.

they need tuh bring back those ruger levers.share your detach magazeen with your 10 22. used ones are too expensive.

 

[BCRider]

....I have never found a way to cycle it and keep it on target simultaneously - just too much "mechanical operation" going on...

You need to hang around with some local cowboy action folks and pick up a few pointers. Cycling fast from the shoulder is their "stock in trade" and they'll soon have you shooting and cycling the lever while shouldered and moving to the next target.

I'm a cowboy action shooter so perhaps that's one reason why lever guns and I get along quite well.

In terms of accuracy it is worth noting that I've done a bit of prone and bench shooting with my Henry. It's proven to be surprisingly accurate. As in from the results I've got it's pretty clear that any issue with accuracy is related to my old guy eyes dealing with the standard iron sights. And in fact the results I get more often make me look better than I think I am. Can anyone ask for more?

It's not a gun that is going to win any rimfire benchrest matches. But for any matches shot from the shoulder I'd say the Henry is as accurate as most other options.

 

[Timberlord]

I've been " in the market " lately and a Yellowboy .22mag has been hovering at the top.
Reading the cons in past posts , I feel , are worthy to take note . However , over the years I've handled a buddy(s) .22 levers , both hunting and on the range , and thought Wow I like it. There was an incident with my finger getting caught in a Winchester but that was my bad.
Taking tips from cowboy action shooters , as posted above , is good intel , where safe , efficient handling can be learned for levers , which obviously are different to operate.
...Or maybe watch a few episodes of "The Rifleman " ... or check out that scene where Rooster Cogburn bored down on Ned Pepper and his gang...