semi vs lever

I like lever guns, my first deer rifle was a Marlin 336 in 30-30, they are light compact but damn I have a hard time trying to work them. The stocks are generally too short for me to be able to keep the rifle shouldered and cycle the action properly and i have gotten my trigger finger jammed up a few times between the trigger and the guard while cycling it because I can't get my finger out of the way without having to unshoulder the rifle.
 
rydaeb said:
I know this is kinda off topic but in hunting it should be a one shot kill, what are the thoughts on a single shot rifle something like a h&r? (thompson center is kinda out of my budget as im only 18)
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I took my first buck in November with a single shot H&R Handi-rifle in .243 Win. One shot did the job there and ideally it always will, but in most situations I'd like to have the option of additional shots without reloading.
 
I have to laugh at guys that complain they can't cycle a lever gun without taking it off their shoulder. Most bolt guys also take it off their shoulder too if you watch them (may not admit it though) Stock fit is an issue regardless of action type, and the stock length needed to work an action from the shoulder may not be the same as the stock length for best accuracy fit.
As far as manual actions worked from the shoulder, I think the pump gun wins for ease of that, at least for the unpracticed shooter.
pretty much all the center fire action types can be worked from the shoulder (yes, even a break action, but that IS awkward) You need practice, and maybe a few adjustments.
 
captonion said:
I like pump, of a semi for hunting...Not that I don't like a lever, I am just not that good at reaquring sights after cycling the action...It's not about bazing away @ an animal as much as it is having the oportunity to take more than one animal at one given time...I have taken a few tripples and doubles over the years that I know I couldn't have if I had been using a lever, or bolt gun...

One example...
irviatkm.jpg
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Lol. And all I could think about was the old Suzuki JS410 hard top I had as a young lad......
 
John Y Cannuck said:
I have to laugh at guys that complain they can't cycle a lever gun without taking it off their shoulder. Most bolt guys also take it off their shoulder too if you watch them (may not admit it though) Stock fit is an issue regardless of action type, and the stock length needed to work an action from the shoulder may not be the same as the stock length for best accuracy fit.
As far as manual actions worked from the shoulder, I think the pump gun wins for ease of that, at least for the unpracticed shooter.
pretty much all the center fire action types can be worked from the shoulder (yes, even a break action, but that IS awkward) You need practice, and maybe a few adjustments.
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I don't with my old ruger 243 win but that action is smooth as butter. My newer savage I have a hell of a cycling with out taking it off the shoulder.
 
There is not only nothing "wrong" with an H&R Handi rifle, but there is alot "right" about them... they are actually a very fine carry for an inexpensive rifle... they are very well made and pretty much fool proof... and they can be accurate too. You can get them in many calibers and can make swap barrel sets in multiple calibers and gauges... I have a couple dozen of them and am a fan of their simplicity... as a vetran bowhunter with 40 years experience, single shot guns attract me more than repeaters... the concept of a one shot kill and the hunting prowess and restraint that is required to make it happen, appeals to me.
 
Northman999 said:
Singles, well, I consider them a bit of a speciality rifle for guys who just "like" them. Guys can hunt with them with tremendous effect, to be sure. I just don't know why someone would purposely chose a single shot over a repeater of any model, unless it was just for the fun of it or something. I tend to be a practical fellow, and I just can't see any practical reason to own a single; they aren't even cheaper than repeaters, which would be about the only reason I would get one, if they were dirt cheap.
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  • I like the take-down and simplicity aspect of the Encore I shoot. They are handy and they feel pretty solid.
  • I like to change calibers with a scope on each barrel. A 24" Encore in .30-06 is the same size and weight as a .30-30 carbine, and mounts the scope more ergonomically.
  • I can toss a rimfire barrel in a pack if I want to hunt grouse and rabbits in the middle of the day.


I too think that speed of shooting varies with practice and action type is only one factor.
 
Northman999 said:
I hunt with all sorts of stuff.

I've long preferred a semi due to the fact your next round cycles automatically and you never lose your hand positioning on the rifle, and for speed of follow-up shots. Reduced recoil is a nice bonus too, and it can be very noticeable on some models.

However, I do find that follow-up shots haven't actually been needed much in real life, and semi's do have some other, more minor things, that can be a little bit of a pain, like being more finicky about ammo that they like, and being a bit louder when cycling your first round, etc. The whole "maintenance" thing is so overblown as to be stupid, IMO; a fifteen minute cleaning once in the spring and once in the fall will keep 95% of semi's running like a top.

Levers are good too, but they also have plenty of parts that wetness, dirt and pine needles can fall into. No big deal really.

Bolts are more reliable than semi's or levers, but I have had them fail in the field too; nothing is 100%.

Failure rates on any well maintained action are generally super-low.

Singles, well, I consider them a bit of a speciality rifle for guys who just "like" them. Guys can hunt with them with tremendous effect, to be sure. I just don't know why someone would purposely chose a single shot over a repeater of any model, unless it was just for the fun of it or something. I tend to be a practical fellow, and I just can't see any practical reason to own a single; they aren't even cheaper than repeaters, which would be about the only reason I would get one, if they were dirt cheap.
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I love single shots because they are the simplest design. They are super easy to clean. The 1885 and Ruger #1 are arguably the strongest commercial actions ever produced. Also, my single shots are often chambered in rather large calibers and 1 shot has never been not enough. If I was hunting something that necessitated more than one shot in rather short order( like something that hunts me back) a double rifle would be my choice.
 
Bluebulldog said:
Lol. And all I could think about was the old Suzuki JS410 hard top I had as a young lad......
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I noticed it, too. Had one for many years as a bush trail buggy. Dam thing had front brake caliper problems. They have square cut O-rings in them. An new one was something like $125. for one lousy O-ring from a Suzuki Dealer and a whole new caliper price was out of this world. No aftermarket parts were available! I just kept on replacing the O-rings with a reg round cut ring every few hundred km's. Made the brakes work, but didn't last for any length of time. I rarely drove it on the road, so I got a fair amount of trail time before having to change them.
 
The old saying the right tool for the job.

Thick bush - Winchester lever/ Winchester 1300 rifled
Light bush a few open fields, maximum distance 200 yards Bolt iron sights Enfield No.5
fields - Bolt with scope.
 
I think its more a matter of what you prefer. I love levers but semis and pumps are great too. Other than the lightning fast reload of the semi range would be another advantage. BLR,s would match that advantage tho. Sometimes semis are fussy eaters but I wouldent regard that as a con tho, not like you have thousands of options of what to feed a 336. My fellow lever lovers will hate me for saying that
 
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