Lever action or bolt action for beginner hunter

Just for the ease of maintenance and cleaning i would go bolt action.

if you’re into leverguns, a winchester 88 in 308 or 284 is an awesome rifle combining the plus of both lever and bolt action
 
Boomer said:
This over obsessing about safety has become unproductive. There is no way to make a gun absolutely safe and still have it function in a useful manner. Anyone, who after proper instruction, cannot manage to lower the hammer safely with the older style, traditional, lever action rifle, should probably consider some other endeavor. He lacks the manual dexterity required to be a shooter. The silly cross-bolt safety added to these guns was completely unnecessary. It doesn't make the gun safer, or easier to use, and in some cases, could make the gun less safe.

When I was a youngster, a Winchester or Marlin carbine was considered safer than other action types because of the visible hammer; it was easy to see if the hammer was cocked by both the hunter and his companions. Bad or dangerous behavior observed by others could be quickly corrected. Can you see which way a cross bolt safety is positioned if you have a novice under your supervision? If a novice hunter is encouraged to carry a new model lever action with the hammer back and the cross bolt safety engaged, the advantage of seeing from a distance what condition the rifle in, has been lost. Frankly I'd remove the cross bolt safety and fill the holes.

From the point of view of the novice, its much easier to forget to engage a cross-bolt safety, or forget which way is safe and which way is fire, than it is to simply lower an exposed hammer to half ####. If the finger is off the trigger once the hammer is released, the gun cannot fire, the hammer will always be caught by the half #### notch. Saying that these guns are unsafe is like saying a double action only revolver is safer than a single action, that's just dumb. The hammer is easily lowered to the safe position, regardless of temperature, because there are larger contact surfaces, compared to a cross bolt or the sliding safety that's common on many bolt guns. If more surface area is desirable a hammer shoe can be added to the spur. Inexpensive break action single shot shotguns from Winchester, Cooey, Remington, H&R, Ithica, and others were likewise considered safe because of the exposed hammer, not in spite of it. The difference with these guns is that they used a rebounding hammer rather than a half #### notch, but both are safe to carry, and the condition of the guns was easy to see.

If a novice who carries a lever gun or hammer style shotgun pointed it in a safe direction, and the gun fires when he attempts to lower the hammer, it doesn't really matter. No one will be hurt, the gun is pointed in a safe direction. But it will be an important lesson that stays with him; that is positive reinforcement. A hunter who sweeps others with his muzzle is unsafe all the time, and it doesn't matter how much experience he has, what type of action it is, or what kind of safety it has. A novice hunter, particularly a youngster, who is unsure whether his gun is on safe or not, might get excited and do the wrong thing in the field. That makes these newer lever guns less safe.
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This. ^^^
 
Get yourself a Tikka T3 or T3x in 308 or 30-06 with a Vortex Viper or Burris Fullfield II scope. Then when you have more money mess around with levers.

It's not that levers aren't safe. They just usually don't have the same capabilities as a bolt.
 
Im a lever fan. Grew up with my 3030 Winchester model 94. Shot it lots and love it. Quick, accurate and fun to shoot. Carry on long chases or just sitting on a watch. Ammo is in most stores. Decent prices too
 
Hey guys sorry I've been occupied with some renos that took me away from responding.
I would like to hunt deer in Northern Ontario (above barrie)
I'm currently near brsntford so im regulated to the .270 rule

I have however came across a deal for a marlin 336w 3030 with a vortex red dot ( i know not ideal ill have to put a scope on it )
But regardless it costs $600 I figure i can get a decent scope and rings for $400 putting me at $1000 all in . Is it worth it or no?
 
CoverFire said:
Isn't. 270 or .243 a bit small for large game?? Isn't that like using a 6.5 creemore for a moose??? Yes it is insanely fast but does it really deliver same energy compared to a 30-06 or 300 winmag
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Considering that shot placement is more critical than power, I would suggest that the 270 ( long action) or 308 would be suitable for all game. Considering that the 270 was used on Elephant by W.D. Bell in the 30's and 40's it will work for most game animals.

Proper bullet selection is critical for good hunting practices... and Practice makes perfect, choose a gun/calibre that you can and WILL shoot often.

As far as the 300WM -- in a light rifle it will hurt to shoot it lots... if you reload you can tailor your rounds to what you want, but don't let yourself get infected with magnumitis.

This year I used a CZ 527 carbine in 7.62x39 for deer. It worked very nicely at 258 meters (measured). It is very close to the 30-30 ballistics with the advantage of spirepoint bullets. So your 30-30 lever action should do well up to 150 yards and with a good 150gr bullet would work on Moose if keeping the range short
 
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CoverFire said:
Hey guys sorry I've been occupied with some renos that took me away from responding.
I would like to hunt deer in Northern Ontario (above barrie)
I'm currently near brsntford so im regulated to the .270 rule

I have however came across a deal for a marlin 336w 3030 with a vortex red dot ( i know not ideal ill have to put a scope on it )
But regardless it costs $600 I figure i can get a decent scope and rings for $400 putting me at $1000 all in . Is it worth it or no?
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The question you have to ask is what are using the rifle for? If you want to use it for more than a northern Ontario deer rifle. Go with a bolt action rifle in nothing larger than .270 it will offer the greatest amount versatility. There are so many makers and variants you will be able to easily find one you like in the price you want to pay. They generally scope more easily, easier to maintain, easier to load and unload. They are almost always more accurate than levers and offer more choices in calibers.

If it is just for hunting deer in northern Ontario. The Marlin 336 in .30 30win will be a nice light easy carry gun, it's short, quick handling with the right ammo it should be good to 200yrds or so. Things to consider loading and unloading tube mags sucks. Levers are never the most accurate guns but should be easily minute of deer. They do have some nostalgia or coolness factor to them.
If you want more caliber selections look at a browning BLR, it also offers a detactachable box mag, it means easier loading/unloading and better selection of calibers ( clip will let it shoot pointy bullets)
Only hang up is finding one in your budget.
 
Well - North of Barrie aint exactly Northern Ontario. In this neck of the woods, you will be lucky to get a shot beyond a 100 y. more likely 50. I'm not a fan of levers but the deal on the table for the OP (lever 30-30 with a red dot) is a pretty good choice for the area. Too bad the OP hasnt stepped up the the remington pump plate, his status at the local camps would go up immensely.:stirthepot2:
 
cosmic said:
Well - North of Barrie aint exactly Northern Ontario. In this neck of the woods, you will be lucky to get a shot beyond a 100 y. more likely 50. I'm not a fan of levers but the deal on the table for the OP (lever 30-30 with a red dot) is a pretty good choice for the area. Too bad the OP hasnt stepped up the the remington pump plate, his status at the local camps would go up immensely.:stirthepot2:
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Lmao....Rem 7400 he may be viewed as some sort master hunter in them parts no?
Ok "north of 7" but you know what they say about them folks
 
A 336W is a lower end version on the 336. If you could find a nice old 336C, that would be my preference. That's not to say the 336W won't be a fine working gun, just lacks some refinements.
 
$1300 budget, get a $200 Lee Enfield #4 sporter (it's got good sights and 303 shells are available and fairly reasonably priced) and spend the other $1100 on binoculars.

I'd rather forget the rifle at home than the glasses.
 
I don't think you can go wrong with either action style.

Nothing wrong with the 336 but for 1300$ I'd definitely consider one of the Sauer 100s prophet river has on closeout (799) and a decent used scope.

It has only one action length, so I'd probably go with a standard length cartridge like the 270, 3006 or 6.5x55 if you reload.
 
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CoverFire said:
Hey guys sorry I've been occupied with some renos that took me away from responding.
I would like to hunt deer in Northern Ontario (above barrie)
I'm currently near brsntford so im regulated to the .270 rule

I have however came across a deal for a marlin 336w 3030 with a vortex red dot ( i know not ideal ill have to put a scope on it )
But regardless it costs $600 I figure i can get a decent scope and rings for $400 putting me at $1000 all in . Is it worth it or no?
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I used to have property in the Muskokas. That rifle/cartridge will work fine there.
 
update: I ended up getting a henry 3030 side gate model with the brass exterior instead of steel.
I have 2 boxes of hornady lever evolution.
2 boxes federal 150
7 boxes federal 170
and 10 boxes of Winchester 150 polymer tip.
so I'm hoping with all of these options I can find one round that the gun prefers and I can stick with for hunting.

I'm debating or running irons, or installing a red dot or even a low power 1-4 or a 1.75-5. I'm having a hard time finding a scope I prefer I like the vortex at optics but I'm not to sure about the eye relief for this 3030. more research is still required on figuring out what the eye relief is so I can pair a nice optic to it. any suggestions 30/30 folk out there ?
 
OP - might want to consider a rear aperture sight. I "discovered" them about 40 years later than I should have! My eyes are old enough, not really a thing any more to use the barrel mounted rear sight, but the aperture sight on the rear of the action works very well. I usually was hunting deer with a bolt action, then went to the Ruger #1 - always with a scope, most all were fixed 4x and 6x Leupold. I bought a Winchester 94 made the same year that I was (1955) and was not happy at all with trying to use the iron sights. A scope seemed to defeat the purpose of the slim, one-hand-carry rifle. So I put a Williams aperture on the rear - works very nicely! Installed a bright green fibre optic front sight. I use 10" paper plates, or similar sized pieces of cardboard - stapled to a lathe, to practice on - easy enough to plunk a hole in one out to 150 yards, even from off hand.

I prefer to use the Sierra or Hornady 170 grain bullets in the 30-30. For "blasting" ammo - like when trying to shoot at gophers in pasture - I bought some Speer Varmint half jacket 110 grain hollow points - they seem to work fine! Not really surprising, but 200 to 500 rounds per year on practice, makes for one or two shot hunting seasons.
 
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CoverFire said:
update: I ended up getting a henry 3030 side gate model with the brass exterior instead of steel.
I have 2 boxes of hornady lever evolution.
2 boxes federal 150
7 boxes federal 170
and 10 boxes of Winchester 150 polymer tip.
so I'm hoping with all of these options I can find one round that the gun prefers and I can stick with for hunting.

I'm debating or running irons, or installing a red dot or even a low power 1-4 or a 1.75-5. I'm having a hard time finding a scope I prefer I like the vortex at optics but I'm not to sure about the eye relief for this 3030. more research is still required on figuring out what the eye relief is so I can pair a nice optic to it. any suggestions 30/30 folk out there ?
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I have Leupold 4x32 on my Rem 760 and one of my muzzleloaders. They are light and handy, and about perfect for bush shooting. You don't want anything heavy or bulky.

Red dots are also light and handy, but don't get a cheap one.
 
The Marlin is a good choice,big open peep sights are nice for woods walking,a3-9 power scope goes great on a 336 too.I wouldn't scope a model 94 ,never worked right for me ,eye relief and scope jam with the hammer and my monster hands .leverevolution ammo shoots well out of several 336 rifles for me,great hunting ammo too.
 
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