Best choice in a lever? And what's a fair price on in the EE?

fmlc said:
Thanks so far for the input... now if only I could log into EE.... I'm just a bit nervous buying sight- unseen, as would be the case for some purchases. I'm in the Toronto area, and obviously sellers are country-wide.
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I can't comment on which lever gun to buy as I don't own any, but there are a couple things here that apply to all guns.

1) For EE purchases, get lots of pics and study them. Look at the seller's feedback ratings and read the comments. A solid individual will have good feedback and will answer all of your questions with no hesitation. If you are still concerned, get his phone number and call for a chat about the gun in question.

2) Aperture sights may suit the 94 better, but they are pretty much useless in low light conditions. Especially in heavy bush where it is like twilight all the time due to the cover. Most animals are taken early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when the light is not that great. A good scope is amazing at gathering light and makes animal recognition and aiming much, much easier. I like iron sights and would use them without hesitation in good light, but nothing beats a scope for low light conditions.

Mark
 
lever

Two very good looking 99EG's in the EE now (300 Savage which is an excellent cartridge), both very fair deals. Possibly a couple 99F. Also at least one 308.

All good looking guns, all reasonable. If I did not have a couple of each already I'd buy them. Should anyhow
 
The savage levers are a good gun, and absolutely nothing wrong with a 300savage. I've seen a couple 32 winchesters on the ee, and boy was I tempted. Same for marlins in 35 remington.
You can't go wrong with a 30-30, and marlins are a really nice rifle too. Occassionally you see a nice looking winny for a lower price, but I"d bet you'll find a marlin first.
If you're planning on doing your hunting where the shots are under 100 yds personally I wouldn't bother with a scope. It's just extra weight to pack around for nothing.

One thing to consider is the availability of ammo. You can pretty much buy 30-30 anywhere.
 
You should also be aware that putting a scope on a lever is likely to make your #### drop off.

Pre-64 M94s are the Grail of Leverguns nowadays (the true Grail is the 71, but unless you want to spend well over $1K put it out of your mind). They command a premium and usually run in the $500 plus range on the EE. Post 64s are cheaper (the Old Man picked one up at a gun show a few years ago for $80 - in pretty good shape too!) and usually comparable in price to the 336. I'm nto a 336 fan, myself. Too fat a forearm and the PG stock on a lever is not on my agenda. The 94 has a slimmer receiver and stock and feels the way a lever should feel.

If I was in the market for a 30-330 lever, a 94 it would be!
 
H4831 said:
The Winchesters and Marlins are so neat the way they are, but all that neatness and fast handling is gone, when a scope, especially a large one is mounted on it.
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Nuts.

GGScope01.jpg
 
H4831 said:
Just one more little thing. In my opinion, a 3 to 9 variable scope is much, much too large for a lever 30-30, or similar.
The Winchesters and Marlins are so neat the way they are, but all that neatness and fast handling is gone, when a scope, especially a large one is mounted on it.
Since the 1950s the 94 has been drilled and tapped for aperature sights, which are ideal on them. The Marlins are also drilled and tapped for the aperature sights.
Please don't get a nice pre 64, 94, then drill it for scope mounts.
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Nicely put! Traditional levers like the 94 Winchester, become clunky with a scope, mine all wear receiver sights.

Lever guns that look, and handle better with a scope, are IMO the 99 Savage, the 88 Winchester, the Sako and to some extent the BLR
(But please don't D&T am old 99)
 
Pre 64 model 88 would be a good option i have one in .308 works really well available in calibres that will cover longer range than a 30-30 but still work well in the bush.
 
Don't rush yourself in getting a lever gun. You may also want to check out other gun forums such as Paco Kelly's Levergun Forums, Winchester Arms Collectors Association Website, Leverguns Forums on 24 Hour Campfire, and many other forums to get a better idea of what there is out there.

Others have mentioned gun shops. Gun shows are another possibility, but the good thing is you get to handle a lot more lever guns than at many gun shops. Whether the guns are priced fairly remains to be seen.

Once you get a good shooter, you'll want to explore its potential to the hilt by getting into hand loading - jacketed bullets, cast lead bullets, etc. You will have a really good time doing so.

Good luck in your hunt for a lever gun!
 
fmlc said:
I'm envisioning this as a 'brush gun'- shortish ranges.

Everything I'm reading so far suggests either would be fine... still like the pre-'64 idea, so that i'd have a collectible.

Thanks so far for the input... now if only I could log into EE.... I'm just a bit nervous buying sight- unseen, as would be the case for some purchases. I'm in the Toronto area, and obviously sellers are country-wide.
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You can't log on to the EE as a guest, you need to become a CGN member.
I can't even respond to your PM's when you are using a guest account.
 
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