Slickest lever action?

[Ardent]

I’m a definite convert of the pistol grip Looky, helps my hand run the lever correctly and lessens the felt recoil for me. I hit better with a pistol grip as well, a lesson learned from the bulk of the Monday to Friday shooting I do with doubles on clays.

I’m tempted by a Miroku takedown 1892, with pistol grip.

 

[Valiant]

I’m a definite convert of the pistol grip Looky, helps my hand run the lever correctly and lessens the felt recoil for me. I hit better with a pistol grip as well, a lesson learned from the bulk of the Monday to Friday shooting I do with doubles on clays.

I’m tempted by a Miroku takedown 1892, with pistol grip.

A straight grip stock is nicer if you are packing the gun in a scabbard on a horse. Takes up less space. Fits in a slimmer scabbard.
About caliber in Lever gun. I really would prefer a caliber big enough that I can cast bullets for it and still be able to hunt big game with it. Example 40/65,etc.
I won't own any exposed hammer Lever guns with cross bolt or tang safety so that eliminates pretty much all the new guns.
Weight is another thing. If it's to heavy or long you can't really hunt with it or pack it on a horse. Gun should be handy.
I have owned about every pre 64 lever action over the years except the 71 which I kind of lust after even though I'm to old to really hunt anymore. If I had the opportunity to buy one at reasonable cost I probably would.
Old first 60s Era marlins in 444 kind of make sense. An 1886 carbine in 40/65 or some other caliber would make sense but they are a lot of money.
Original Winchester carbine 1895 in 35 might be good gun for the buck?
Pre 64 model 1894s are expensive now. I've had tons of these in all configurations. When I was a kid they were cheap,common and boring. Now I like and appreciate them more than ever.
My big game days are over but varmints and target shooting steel targets is fun. Maybe I need a new to me original 73 or 92? Haha 38/40 or 32/20 haha to play with?
Old savage 99s are also good deal for the $

 

[Claven2]

A straight grip stock is nicer if you are packing the gun in a scabbard on a horse. Takes up less space. Fits in a slimmer scabbard.
About caliber in Lever gun. I really would prefer a caliber big enough that I can cast bullets for it and still be able to hunt big game with it. Example 40/65,etc.
I won't own any exposed hammer Lever guns with cross bolt or tang safety so that eliminates pretty much all the new guns.
Weight is another thing. If it's to heavy or long you can't really hunt with it or pack it on a horse. Gun should be handy.
I have owned about every pre 64 lever action over the years except the 71 which I kind of lust after even though I'm to old to really hunt anymore. If I had the opportunity to buy one at reasonable cost I probably would.
Old first 60s Era marlins in 444 kind of make sense. An 1886 carbine in 40/65 or some other caliber would make sense but they are a lot of money.
Original Winchester carbine 1895 in 35 might be good gun for the buck?
Pre 64 model 1894s are expensive now. I've had tons of these in all configurations. When I was a kid they were cheap,common and boring. Now I like and appreciate them more than ever.
My big game days are over but varmints and target shooting steel targets is fun. Maybe I need a new to me original 73 or 92? Haha 38/40 or 32/20 haha to play with?
Old savage 99s are also good deal for the $

Savage 99s can be nice, but the buttocks are fragile and prone to cracking.

In terms of calibres, 45-70 is an option, but it’s a big, slow, hard recoiling calibre. If you don’t hunt dangerous bears, it’s likely more than you need.

You might consider something in 38-55 if you are looking to reload and want enough punch to tackle black bear and game animals like deer or moose.

 

[Ardent]

A straight grip stock is nicer if you are packing the gun in a scabbard on a horse. Takes up less space. Fits in a slimmer scabbard.
About caliber in Lever gun. I really would prefer a caliber big enough that I can cast bullets for it and still be able to hunt big game with it. Example 40/65,etc.
I won't own any exposed hammer Lever guns with cross bolt or tang safety so that eliminates pretty much all the new guns.
Weight is another thing. If it's to heavy or long you can't really hunt with it or pack it on a horse. Gun should be handy.
I have owned about every pre 64 lever action over the years except the 71 which I kind of lust after even though I'm to old to really hunt anymore. If I had the opportunity to buy one at reasonable cost I probably would.
Old first 60s Era marlins in 444 kind of make sense. An 1886 carbine in 40/65 or some other caliber would make sense but they are a lot of money.
Original Winchester carbine 1895 in 35 might be good gun for the buck?
Pre 64 model 1894s are expensive now. I've had tons of these in all configurations. When I was a kid they were cheap,common and boring. Now I like and appreciate them more than ever.
My big game days are over but varmints and target shooting steel targets is fun. Maybe I need a new to me original 73 or 92? Haha 38/40 or 32/20 haha to play with?
Old savage 99s are also good deal for the $

I grew up with lots of horses, when I bought my outfitting territory the greatest thing about it was there was no chance of using them there. I’ll take the ergonomics of a pistol grip, any day, and avoid horses hard as I can.

As for cast and the velocities of such, they’re not what I’m looking for in terminal effects. My least favourite chamberings to guide on grizz and black bears were the slow heavy ones, a dead horse I often enjoy beating. Looking for 2500fps+, which the .348 handily provides.

Coincidentally my 1886 there with the 71 is a .40-65. I prefer it to .45-70, but don’t see myself hunting it. I do really like shooting it though, and appreciate they’re from a different era.

 

[Valiant]

I grew up with lots of horses, when I bought my outfitting territory the greatest thing about it was there was no chance of using them there. I’ll take the ergonomics of a pistol grip, any day, and avoid horses hard as I can.

As for cast and the velocities of such, they’re not what I’m looking for in terminal effects. My least favourite chamberings to guide on grizz and black bears were the slow heavy ones, a dead horse I often enjoy beating. Looking for 2500fps+, which the .348 handily provides.

Coincidentally my 1886 there with the 71 is a .40-65. I prefer it to .45-70, but don’t see myself hunting it. I do really like shooting it though, and appreciate they’re from a different era.

I used to guide moose hunters in Alberta. Argo and no horses. I used to pack a first year production 444 marlin. Mainly because was handy and I didn't want to bang up a old Winchester.
Never shot a grizzly. Have done the elk, black bear and deer with mainly 30-06 and 300magnum. I have shot quite a few deer,coyote with 45/70, 45/90 with 500g cast and black powder it always clobbered.
So hard and very expensive now to get reloading supplies make casting bullets look really good to me. Haha actually flintlock might be my future
For me it's about shooting what I like more so than what is best. A quality bolt gun is pretty hard to beat as far as hunting rifle goes but kind of boring.
About 40 years ago I knew of a Winchester 71 carbine a guy had. I overed him $1200 which was a lot of money back then and he considered it. I had no more money to offer him so it's the one that got away. Rifle was mint.

 

[skeeter317]

What about a Winchester 88?

 

[big bear]

I used to guide moose hunters in Alberta. Argo and no horses. I used to pack a first year production 444 marlin. Mainly because was handy and I didn't want to bang up a old Winchester.
Never shot a grizzly. Have done the elk, black bear and deer with mainly 30-06 and 300magnum. I have shot quite a few deer,coyote with 45/70, 45/90 with 500g cast and black powder it always clobbered.
So hard and very expensive now to get reloading supplies make casting bullets look really good to me. Haha actually flintlock might be my future
For me it's about shooting what I like more so than what is best. A quality bolt gun is pretty hard to beat as far as hunting rifle goes but kind of boring.
About 40 years ago I knew of a Winchester 71 carbine a guy had. I overed him $1200 which was a lot of money back then and he considered it. I had no more money to offer him so it's the one that got away. Rifle was mint.

I have been looking for an original Winchester71 carbine in Canada for 15 years. Ihave found 2! Both with extra holes, rubber butt pad and far , far from mnt. Both were being priced $5,000+It's one of my unicorn wishes.

 

[Ardent]

Yea sure we both looked at the one on the EE, it’s pretty nice, but the six extra holes mean I better be happy with my Browning carbine and keep looking. Somebody less bothered by drill and tap happy past owners will enjoy it.

 

[Valiant]

What about a Winchester 88?

Doest have the John Browning in the 88.
No external hammer. Nobody I knew in real life,old movies or books used it that I know of.
I know the savage is close to a 88 but my grandfather and others had them and I grew up around them. 99s were also in movies, books,etc.

 

[big bear]

I have a Winchester 88 carbine version. Not "magical" but nice.For sure not smooth. Logic used to rationalize buying....carbine version is rare
The best 308 lever action rifle is the Savage 99R. The 99R stock is felt by some to be second only to the Winchester 71 in field "shootability". I tend to agree, this allowed me to rationalize buying a Savage 99R in 300 Savage to go with my 99R in 308.

 

[kamlooky]

BLR.
Pull the hammer back and then lever’er.
Don’t git much slicker’er than this.

 

[big bear]

Savage 99s can be nice, but the buttocks are fragile and prone to cracking.

In terms of calibres, 45-70 is an option, but it’s a big, slow, hard recoiling calibre. If you don’t hunt dangerous bears, it’s likely more than you need.

You might consider something in 38-55 if you are looking to reload and want enough punch to tackle black bear and game animals like deer or moose.

Best typo of the year award goes to Claven2 (no offense intended good Sir):
"Savage 99s can be nice, but the "BUTTOCKS" are fragile and prone to "CRACKING."

I didn't catch that first time around. I went to the safe and looked at my 99's.I was cheated! none of them have buttocks. or butt cracks. BUT now I understand this whole thing about getting a proper "cheek" rest.
Seriously though,it "is my understanding that one can reduce the risk of the notorious "tang crack" by being sure the tang screws are snugged down to prevent any movement of the stock on recoil.

 

[450yukon]

^^ 99' tang screws? ^^ I keep the thru stock bolt snugged up and watch the front of the "ears" for receiver fit but it is also just my belief that a large % of two piece stock cracks aren't caused by recoil but more so by accidental lateral movement of the stock by the person holding.

Of the couple dozen 99's I have from .375 on down, only a .250 has the dreaded tang crack and I don't think it was by recoil and a lot of them are over 100 yrs old with untold # of rounds fired. There is not much deflection strength in the receiver/tang area of any two piece stock.

 

[horkz]

Ive read a few articles on 10mm vs 357. Out of a carbine 357 is quite a bit better plus the ability to shoot 38 special. That being said many levers have difficulty with 38 special. I would like a Uberti 24.25 1873.

 

[Claven2]

^^ 99' tang screws? ^^ I keep the thru stock bolt snugged up and watch the front of the "ears" for receiver fit but it is also just my belief that a large % of two piece stock cracks aren't caused by recoil but more so by accidental lateral movement of the stock by the person holding.

Of the couple dozen 99's I have from .375 on down, only a .250 has the dreaded tang crack and I don't think it was by recoil and a lot of them are over 100 yrs old with untold # of rounds fired. There is not much deflection strength in the receiver/tang area of any two piece stock.

I think most very old guns have been dropped, the hunter fell, etc and the stock cracks resulted, but some designs are more prone than others. Remington model 14 and 141 rifles are similarly susceptible.

 

[Ardent]

Ive read a few articles on 10mm vs 357. Out of a carbine 357 is quite a bit better plus the ability to shoot 38 special. That being said many levers have difficulty with 38 special. I would like a Uberti 24.25 1873.

I think you’d find there simply aren’t any 10mm carbines yet, that aren’t blowback semis for the large part turned for low test 10mm. Loaded with Lil Gun, from equivalent actions, a 10mm isn’t giving anything up to a .357. What you’re seeing, is a dearth of .357 data, against a minority of 10mm carbine data, rather than the actually capabilities of the cartridges from carbines on even footing.

 

[Can-down]

I’m a definite convert of the pistol grip Looky, helps my hand run the lever correctly and lessens the felt recoil for me. I hit better with a pistol grip as well, a lesson learned from the bulk of the Monday to Friday shooting I do with doubles on clays.

I’m tempted by a Miroku takedown 1892, with pistol grip.

I regret not buying a mint .44mag Case Hardened Winchester (Miroku Manufactured) Trapper takedown that was in the EE during Covid for around $1300 shipped...... she was a real beauty.

Pistol grips do put the wrist at a better angle, but the stress can be mitigated by non conventional grip techiques such as not wraping the thumb over the wrist of the stock and gripping outside the lever instead of inside.

 

[Claven2]

A straight grip stock is nicer if you are packing the gun in a scabbard on a horse. Takes up less space. Fits in a slimmer scabbard.
About caliber in Lever gun. I really would prefer a caliber big enough that I can cast bullets for it and still be able to hunt big game with it. Example 40/65,etc.
I won't own any exposed hammer Lever guns with cross bolt or tang safety so that eliminates pretty much all the new guns.
Weight is another thing. If it's to heavy or long you can't really hunt with it or pack it on a horse. Gun should be handy.
I have owned about every pre 64 lever action over the years except the 71 which I kind of lust after even though I'm to old to really hunt anymore. If I had the opportunity to buy one at reasonable cost I probably would.
Old first 60s Era marlins in 444 kind of make sense. An 1886 carbine in 40/65 or some other caliber would make sense but they are a lot of money.
Original Winchester carbine 1895 in 35 might be good gun for the buck?
Pre 64 model 1894s are expensive now. I've had tons of these in all configurations. When I was a kid they were cheap,common and boring. Now I like and appreciate them more than ever.
My big game days are over but varmints and target shooting steel targets is fun. Maybe I need a new to me original 73 or 92? Haha 38/40 or 32/20 haha to play with?
Old savage 99s are also good deal for the $

On the issue of cross bolt safeties, they are an easy delete in marlins. You take out the safety and install a fake screw insert. Takes 5 minutes and several places sell the inserts.

 

[Ardent]

I can see that on the grip change Can-Down, and have heard that in person from folks I know well. For me it’s just much easier to seek pistol grips, as they’re available in every model of lever I’m interested in, and require no adaptation on my part. The motion feels natural with a pistol grip, and my hand falls in the right place with a strong grip as well.

Too many years of practice holding a rifle one way, will avoid guns that make me change that. This 71 is one of the best handling and pointing guns I’ve ever used.

 

[Can-down]

I can see that on the grip change Can-Down, and have heard that in person from folks I know well. For me it’s just much easier to seek pistol grips, as they’re available in every model of lever I’m interested in, and require no adaptation on my part. The motion feels natural with a pistol grip, and my hand falls in the right place with a strong grip as well.

Too many years of practice holding a rifle one way, will avoid guns that make me change that. This 71 is one of the best handling and pointing guns I’ve ever used.

Sometimes you pick up an older rifle and shoulder it and just know you've carried it in another life......