Lever Action deer rifles
- Thread starter JLindsay
- Start date
- Location
- Vancouver Island, BC
my go-to is a Browning BLR stainless takedown in 358 win. I also have one in 450 Marlin.
If you do go for a BLR, I do think it's worth splurging on the takedown option for ease of cleaning, regardless of whether or not you get the stainless version. I personally find the BLRs in calibers other than short action (standard, magnum, WSM) don't carry and shoulder as well, so do shoulder some if you can.
I use a little chiappa alaskan scout 12" in 44 mag with a red dot for stalking island blacktail in the bush and as a camp gun.
edit: in case it can help anyone the weaver 61-M plate has the correct spacing, you just need to grind a bit of the screws, maybe 1.5mm
If you do go for a BLR, I do think it's worth splurging on the takedown option for ease of cleaning, regardless of whether or not you get the stainless version. I personally find the BLRs in calibers other than short action (standard, magnum, WSM) don't carry and shoulder as well, so do shoulder some if you can.
I use a little chiappa alaskan scout 12" in 44 mag with a red dot for stalking island blacktail in the bush and as a camp gun.
edit: in case it can help anyone the weaver 61-M plate has the correct spacing, you just need to grind a bit of the screws, maybe 1.5mm
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maple_leaf_eh
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
The shiny finish and gold filled lettering will make anyone think twice about taking one to the woods. The Winchester collector society lists 148 commemoratives as rifle and carbine sets, rifle only, US-list, not advertised in the US, Europe only, private issue, auction only, and other access exceptions. Running the published numbers WRA made over 1-million of them, and the original price was as low as $99. The John Wayne set listed originally at $12k, but without the five figure examples, the average list price was a profitable $1200.
Playing with Excel, the least "valuable" ie. largest number issued for the lowest retail price are:
Year Model features 1 features 2 Scheduled Produced Orig Price
1968 Buffalo Bill * rifle and carbine 122,169 112,923 $129.95
1966 Centennial ’66 * rifle and carbine 102,666 102,309 $125.00
1967 Canadian ’67 Centennial * rifle and carbine 97,395 90,301 $125.00
1969 Golden Spike 73,619 69,996 $119.95
1969 Theodore Roosevelt * rifle and carbine 56,060 52,386 $134.95
1970 Lone Star 55,259 38,385 $140.00
1971 NRA Musket & Rifle 58,927 44,000 $149.95
1968 Illinois Sesquicentennial 39,699 37,648 $110.00
1970 Cowboy 28,904 27,549 $125.00
This of course doesn't show the Blue Book valuations, and markets are irrational for all kinds of reasons.
maple_leaf_eh
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
A Savage 99 is a handy size and a strong competitor to the Winchesters. Its production run was 1899 to 1997. My only grumbles are its internal magazine and the very common chambering of .300 Savage which is not a common cartridge in the gunstores.
Agreed but they did make a few detachable mag guns but I think they were in 308. They had no interest in the long action 30-06 unfortunately.
- Location
- Southern Vancouver Island
nowarningshot
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Guide gun, and rossi 44 which is really just a toy. M94 where previous cheap entry level guns used. Saw someone advertising one for $1200. Completely sells me on a actual gun.
257Roberts
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Peterborough ON
Over the years I have used Winchester 94's in 30-30, 307 and 44 Mag., Winchester 88 in 308.
My last deer with a Lever was taken with a Browning BLR in 257 Roberts.
My last deer with a Lever was taken with a Browning BLR in 257 Roberts.
- Location
- The Conservative part of Ontario
I don't use lever actions of any kind but if I was forced to slum one, I'd pick the BLR with no 2nd thoughts.
Pointy bullets, higher powered 308 class cartridges, better platform for scoping, excellent magazine system, stocks that are not prone to crack as the 99s do.
Failing all that, the 20" Remington 760 is better yet still.
I can’t really say I have a favourite as I have a few. Haven’t tried a BLR out yet , maybe some day.
Ithaca 22
Marlin 94 in 44 and 336 in 35 Remington
Savage 99’s in 30-30, 303 Savage, 250 Savage, 38-55, 308, 300 Savage
Winchester 94’s in 38-55,30-30, 32 Special. Forgot to ad my 307 Winchester
The two I shoot the most are the 38-55’s.
Most are 1950’s or earlier with acouple being 80’s
I like the older stuff when they where more focused on quality.
Rob
Ithaca 22
Marlin 94 in 44 and 336 in 35 Remington
Savage 99’s in 30-30, 303 Savage, 250 Savage, 38-55, 308, 300 Savage
Winchester 94’s in 38-55,30-30, 32 Special. Forgot to ad my 307 Winchester
The two I shoot the most are the 38-55’s.
Most are 1950’s or earlier with acouple being 80’s
I like the older stuff when they where more focused on quality.
Rob
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It would be great if the manufacturers of lever guns would produce their rifles with the 24 inch barrels. Why not wring out a 100 or more FPS on the older calibers. Then add Lever Evolution projectiles for improved downrange distances and another 100 FPS. I do shoot the carbines with open sites - but a low powered scope is good too. Also, it's time for some of these companies to make left handed load and eject models. Afterall - they've made over 7 million copies of the right hand load and eject models. I'd readily order a 356 Winchester if it was offered again.
