Slickest lever action?

I have a weird phobia about pushing cartridges into a loading gate, some aren't too bad but the ones where you really have to crunch them in there are a problem for me.
 
870P said:
I have a weird phobia about pushing cartridges into a loading gate, some aren't too bad but the ones where you really have to crunch them in there are a problem for me.
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The Cowboy Shooter's some times slick them up with a bit of metal work and spring strength reduction.

Henry offers many models that allow for tube loading through a port similar to most .22lr's
 
I find the look of the straight grip to be far superior to the pistol grip but I for form and functionality it is the pistol grip every time. I've had 1860's, '66, '73, 92s 94s and my favorite, the Marlin 336. The 336 is what I reach for almost every time, slick action, great fit and darn ###y

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My very first rifle was a 1977 Belgium Browning BLR. It's kind of a misconception to call it a lever action, actually it's gear operated. However, it's the slickest "lever" action I utilized. I don't see any lever action on my list, however, if I do purchase one, it will be a Winchester 1894 in the 30-30.
My father used the 1894 for many years when he was a young man, however, chambered in the 38-55 Winchester........he killed many a whitetails.
https://imgur.com/a/dobWRCr
 
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keith mokry said:
Next thing you know, Ardent will be hunting with a lever 45-70. Great round
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No risk of that. ;) All fun and jest aside, only after deer and up capable levers ideally in a takedown package, I’m well covered for rimfires. .375 Win has always been a hard to support curiosity, I like standard bores on my bench (presently support .25, .30, .375, and .40).
 
Can't say I really understand, take the 25's for example, if a guy is shooting the 25-20 and one of the 257's, little to nothing is cross compatible; bullets, powder, brass, shellholders, etc. Pairing a 257 with a 32-20 or 357 makes no real difference in "inventory" as the 25-20 and 257 have no commonality (outside of plinking/gallery loads) other than the hole in the barrel.
 
I see your point and have certainly made my justifications, and no it doesn’t make perfect sense but what does in this hobby aside from a $500 .30-06 and a $500 12ga. It comes down to I just like quarter bores, and in a pinch can load the 60 and 75gr FPs into the .250 in modest loads. I’ve also always wanted to play with a .25-20, as I’ve spent a lot of time with .218s and I’d like to try the .25 brother.

A .357 Miroku takedown is a high likelihood however as it’s the best 10mm conversion without butchering a classic.
 
I’m surprised nobody mentioned the Colt/Sauer rifles, they were known to have super smooth actions. I handled one at a gun show recently and they are indeed ultra smooth.
 
Winchester 71,Savage 99R,and Finnwolf for the win

babine_lake said:
I find the curved lever and grip of a Winchester Model 71 is a big improvement over the 1886 for smooth cycling. I think a M71 is the slickest lever action ever. I have one with a four digit serial number which is particularly slick, likely from the years of use, but my Browning carbine and recent Miroku are great also. I love the Model 71 and wish the 348 cartridge was more available and affordable.
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Winchester 71 is the best. 348 Winchester is a very cool round can be loaded 150gr to 250 gr jacketed bullets and up to 300gr cast bullet. Interesting article years ago with guy cycling his 71 upside down with ease, good to know in case a grizzly chases you up a tree and you are hanging off a limb ;).

The Savage99R (and RS )is said to have the second best stock design for snap shooting a lever gun after the Winchester 71.I have Rs in 308 and 300Savage and have found they are really handy.

The Finnwolf is the most accurate of the lot, slick as snot and magazine fed. BUT the mechanics of the action strikes me as delicate,they are rare and valuable. I have hunted with my 71's and my Savage99s. I would never hunt with my Finnwolf, except maybe if I were in my buddy's heated blind , a small travel trailer on tall steel poles :)

Bottom line. Find yourself a Winchester 71, best of class.
 
Ardent said:
Likely one or two small coastal deer for kids, but mostly the targets and smiles. And even more than that to just to satisfy a gun nut’s itch.
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Right on, it's different that's for sure.
.357mag lever actions are pretty nice for kids light plinking and hunting short range.
 
A Miroku 1873 is an excellent and very smooth cycling lever. For close range hunting and plinking fun it’s great.

Have one in 45 colt that my 9 year old shoots easily due to the compact size

I can relate to the awkwardness of getting used to the cycling movement but like all else muscle memory needs to be built upon.
 
big bear said:
Winchester 71 is the best. 348 Winchester is a very cool round can be loaded 150gr to 250 gr jacketed bullets and up to 300gr cast bullet. Interesting article years ago with guy cycling his 71 upside down with ease, good to know in case a grizzly chases you up a tree and you are hanging off a limb ;).

The Savage99R (and RS )is said to have the second best stock design for snap shooting a lever gun after the Winchester 71.I have Rs in 308 and 300Savage and have found they are really handy.

The Finnwolf is the most accurate of the lot, slick as snot and magazine fed. BUT the mechanics of the action strikes me as delicate,they are rare and valuable. I have hunted with my 71's and my Savage99s. I would never hunt with my Finnwolf, except maybe if I were in my buddy's heated blind , a small travel trailer on tall steel poles :)

Bottom line. Find yourself a Winchester 71, best of class.
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I’d love a 71, and will own one at some point “just to know”, though it’ll be on a two year transient pass as I can’t see adopting the .348 long term. As ballistically solid as it is, that’s a great coastal round.

Gunnutism at its peak, I keep watching the auctions, it’s how I ended up with an 1886 .40-65, had to know. A well priced rifle that started a whole new expensive interest in the hobby.
 
Ardent said:
I’ve been on the hunt for a couple years for the right .25-20 takedown, or a Model 65 .218. I suspect I’d have a lot of fun with a miniature 1886.
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I would love a 25-20 win92, by far my favorite lever action rife And a take down would the icing on the cake

Nice rifles by the way, love the 40-65.
 
I like the 99 for carrying around. Too bad they didn’t make them with 20” brl in a takedown version in 308 and 358. That would be handy model as Iam in a takedown fetish lately. Sitting with 250 that gets out once in awhile for deer
 
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