- Location
- Southern Vancouver Island
Lever Action deer rifles
- Thread starter JLindsay
- Start date
nowarningshot
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
If I was to buy another deer only lever gun it would be a Marlin 336 in 35 rem or maybe 32ws. The 30-30 is just too vanilla boring, 308win boring. I pretty much shoot reloads so a chase for components is fun.
Model 94s are harder to mount optics, had a post 64 in 30-30, it really never left the safe. Maybe a 94 in 375 would be fun, but it's purpose is starting to poach on the 1895g in 45-70.
Model 94s are harder to mount optics, had a post 64 in 30-30, it really never left the safe. Maybe a 94 in 375 would be fun, but it's purpose is starting to poach on the 1895g in 45-70.
- Location
- Haliburton County, Central Ontario
In order of preference;
BLR in 270 WSM
Winchester 1894 (Miroku) in 38-55
Marlin 336 in 35 Rem
Marlin 336 in 30-30
Weather is a factor too. Nice days, nice guns. Dirty days, the old Marlins.
BLR in 270 WSM
Winchester 1894 (Miroku) in 38-55
Marlin 336 in 35 Rem
Marlin 336 in 30-30
Weather is a factor too. Nice days, nice guns. Dirty days, the old Marlins.
You'll never be disappointed with a model 94 20" unless you're one of those weirdos that wants a scope on a lever gun. If you have to scope it, and angle-eject model is your friend. Some of the Italian repros are very nice too, though for the price, I'd just buy the Winchester in the first place. You can get a late-50s / early 60s 94 20" barrel / ramped and hooded font sight model for under $1000, especially if you're willing to go with a 32spl. Better deals can be found if you don't mind a few scratches and some blueing wear.
The post-64s shoot fine, and later in the 70s the manufacturing and blueing got much better. The Miroku-made ones are better than the pre-64s in my opinion (except the tang safety is stupid). Really, really well-made.
The Marlins I've had were okay. The Henrys I've had looked nice.
madtrapper143
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Steep Rock Lake NWO
Savage 99 in .303 Savage,.250-3000 Savage or .300 Savage. Beautifully built and on average a lot cheaper than a pre 64 Model 94 in plain old vanilla .30 W>C>F>
Darryl
Darryl
Having a low power variable scope on a lever gun is awesome for hunting in the timber, in low light conditions at dawn/dusk. That's not weird, it's common sense. 
And the JM Marlins 336, 1895 etc, are just a superior action to the M94 Winchesters. The loads that M95 Marlin action will handle would *grenade* a M94 Winchester. That's a fact.
As a walk-about rifle, bear defense weapon, my go-to is a Winchester M94 'Big Bore' in .375Win. Obviously no scope.
I love that sweet handling little rifle. It's like an extension of my body.
A lot of BIG grizzlies roaming my hunting country.
The most beautiful rifle in my gun safe is a Winchester M86 Deluxe, in .45-70. But it hasn't gone hunting yet. Too damn pretty.
And the JM Marlins 336, 1895 etc, are just a superior action to the M94 Winchesters. The loads that M95 Marlin action will handle would *grenade* a M94 Winchester. That's a fact.
As a walk-about rifle, bear defense weapon, my go-to is a Winchester M94 'Big Bore' in .375Win. Obviously no scope.
I love that sweet handling little rifle. It's like an extension of my body.
A lot of BIG grizzlies roaming my hunting country.
The most beautiful rifle in my gun safe is a Winchester M86 Deluxe, in .45-70. But it hasn't gone hunting yet. Too damn pretty.
Good resource here for .357 mag loads and hunting
https://www.ballisticstudies.com/Knowledgebase/.357+Magnum.html
