Are lever action good/legit hunting rifles ??
- Thread starter BrownR
- Start date
It took me a long time to find that I am a bolt action guy, I just sold my last lever but I have owned quite a few, I had a few Winchesters, Rossi, Marlins, Henrys and BLRs. I would say that they are definitely good legit hunting rifles, the only lever I could possibly see in my future would be a BLR Takedown in 450 Marlin [now that I reload], there are many on this site that wouldn't want one as a gift.
- Location
- Nova Scotia
My FIL and his father bagged quite a few deer with his Savage 99 in 308.
- Location
- Barrie Ont. Canada
Amazing how much lever talk on here as of late and the crazy prices of them. Someone on here mentioned its to do with the show Yellowstone. Never seen it.
I've got a few but tend to carry a bolt more often then not. As mentioned they can be very light and handy rifle to carry in the bush and everyone should own one!
I've got a few but tend to carry a bolt more often then not. As mentioned they can be very light and handy rifle to carry in the bush and everyone should own one!
- Location
- Nova Scotia
Crazy prices are due to them going after semi autos, so people are switching to Lever PCC or Levers to try and get away from the government potential ban.
Ya I’m thinking of leaning towards a 30-30 being a much common round for hunting, and all I plan to hunt is deer. All areas around me and north of me where I would be hunting are all forest/bush/dense trees. 45-70 might just blow a deer to pieces lol, jusy have to find myself a nice 30-30 now for a decent price.
I really love the looks of the precision levers, as well as the all weather big loops. Just have to keep my eyes open and keep saving some money until o find the one I like and can afford
should do me well with iron sites for hunting
I really love the looks of the precision levers, as well as the all weather big loops. Just have to keep my eyes open and keep saving some money until o find the one I like and can afford
should do me well with iron sites for hunting
I'd suggest if possible you go to a dealer and handle a few. Lift one up and you will be hooked. Generally they are very agile, balanced and nice to carry one handed with slim receivers. These traits are perfect for your "carry through the bush" needs you posted. You mentioned Chiappa. I use their Ridge Runner in 45/70 for ON bush hunting and love the darn thing. No issues and accurate.
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Yes that’s what I’m hoping to do is handle a few in a store/dealer sometime this spring/summer, and I’ll be hunting in Midwestern Ontario myself as well. Deer will be to go to for me in my area here, ya I’ve seen the chiappa ridge runner and they’re a very nice rifle as well, just don’t think I’d need a caliber as big as a 45-70 though, seems a bit of overkill but maybe that’s just my opinion is all
Agreed but big bores are fun
Mine doubles for moose/bear and the big thumper, low velocity does not produce a lot of wasted meat. Your choice of a 30cal is perfect for your needs.
Ya I’m thinking of leaning towards a 30-30 being a much common round for hunting, and all I plan to hunt is deer. All areas around me and north of me where I would be hunting are all forest/bush/dense trees. 45-70 might just blow a deer to pieces lol, jusy have to find myself a nice 30-30 now for a decent price.
I really love the looks of the precision levers, as well as the all weather big loops. Just have to keep my eyes open and keep saving some money until o find the one I like and can afford
In no way will a 45-70 "blow a deer to pieces", so don't rule out that calibre. 45-70 is an amazingly versatile round.
The big old 45 is not a high velocity, destructive round at all, It simply works and works very well by plowing a big hole through things. Very little(if any) blood shot meat. Don't let anyone talk you out of one for recoil reasons either, you can make it as soft or as mean as you want, but there is no reason to get beat up by your rifle. (Unless you want that)
There is absolutely nothing wrong with the 30-30 either, so in this case it really is a win-win situation!
I own both, (Both marlins, 30AS & 1895G) and if I could only keep 1 for whatever reason, god forbid lol, I'd let the 30-30 go....
Have you shot very many rifles?
The 45-70 with lever loads isn't powerful at all. It just punches a big hole.
I'm the same weight and 3" taller but own and shoot rifles like 375hh, 43 express, 460 weatherby, 500 jeffery, .577 muzzle loader. You would be surprised how little they all kick if you shoot them standing up. Now off the bench is a different story lol
Here is a video of me shooting my 500 Jeffery build on a P14
There are at least two other factors at play as well: First, retail prices on new lever guns have gone through the roof. MSRP on the Ruger-made 1985s is $1489 USD, which is more than they sold for in CAD back when Remington was making them. Second, availability has been low. Between Remington going broke (thus no marlins made for a while) and the Covid buying panic that had people stateside buying ANYTHING they could get their hands on up to and including lever guns in calibers like 44-40 there hasn't been nearly as many lever guns hitting the Canadian market.
Remington makes (made? I dunno if they're making it again yet post-bankruptcy) loads safe for the trapdoor springfield, its a 405gr bullet at 1200fps or something like that which would be a lot easier on the shoulder than a full power load.
