what lever gun? what cal?
- Thread starter boreal Boy
- Start date
I've used a 444 Marlin for decades. The 336 style allows the best scope mount options. Personally i installed a scope then removed it even faster. Levers shine with a peep sight and nothing hand carries like a well balanced lever. I prefer the 64 Winchester, a fine rifle as well, by far as a pistol grip suits my hand and my arthritis best.
If moose hunting is an option the harder hitters are worth considering. Be careful of odd cartridges. I am having more and more trouble sourcing 32-20, and 444 for my Winchester and Marlin. The 45-70 is very common but when loaded stout a real kicker. My 444 is not that hard a kicker in comparison.
If moose hunting is an option the harder hitters are worth considering. Be careful of odd cartridges. I am having more and more trouble sourcing 32-20, and 444 for my Winchester and Marlin. The 45-70 is very common but when loaded stout a real kicker. My 444 is not that hard a kicker in comparison.
rooster22
CGN Regular
savage 99
Savage 99 in 300sav or 308.
EG model preferably or an R with a 24 inch barrell
The 300sav travels 25 fps faster than a 30-06 @ the end of 300 yds
Read that in a reloading manual, I think? I did read it just can't remember what book.
Savage 99 in 300sav or 308.
EG model preferably or an R with a 24 inch barrell
The 300sav travels 25 fps faster than a 30-06 @ the end of 300 yds
Read that in a reloading manual, I think? I did read it just can't remember what book.
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I'll second Camper's comments, especially concerning the Fire Sight. I would lose at least 30 minutes of legal shooting time with the factory sights, but the fibre optic with a ghost ring (receiver sight with the disc removed) I'm good 'til the end of legal time with my trusty pre-64, Mod. 94 30-30.
I think I posted this before, but it gives a bit of an idea how well these sights work, especially against a dark target.
I think I posted this before, but it gives a bit of an idea how well these sights work, especially against a dark target.
Browning BLR is the best lever gun
I would go with the BLR - not only the best built and the smoothest operation but you have a choice of "normal" calibers incl magnums.
My preference is a .308 20" takedown with irons, but you can go .358 or .450 marlin with the 20" barrel also...or just go for 300 win or the latest stuff like 325 WSM if you wish...
You have a "normal" detachable magazine and you can use "normal" bullets...
I would go with the BLR - not only the best built and the smoothest operation but you have a choice of "normal" calibers incl magnums.
My preference is a .308 20" takedown with irons, but you can go .358 or .450 marlin with the 20" barrel also...or just go for 300 win or the latest stuff like 325 WSM if you wish...
You have a "normal" detachable magazine and you can use "normal" bullets...
Personally i would go with the marlin because it should be easier to mount a scope on. Scopes help a lot early and late in the day light periods. But if you are comfortable with iron sights that works too - that's a personal call and don't let anyone tell you different.
I wouldn't be terribly concerned choosing between 30-30 and .35rem. Killing power and range are close enough you probably won't notice a difference, but 30-30 ammo is much more readily available at a better price that .35rem ammo. 30-30 will take any moose that walks and do it well within 150-200 yds.
I wouldn't be terribly concerned choosing between 30-30 and .35rem. Killing power and range are close enough you probably won't notice a difference, but 30-30 ammo is much more readily available at a better price that .35rem ammo. 30-30 will take any moose that walks and do it well within 150-200 yds.
Thanks again for all the input! keep it coming.
I will let you all know what i decide to go with.
as it sits now, i have the marlin, a mint 94 30/30 (least expensive) and a marlin .307 win (most expensive) in consideration. My WTB ad is pulling in as much as i had hoped.
I will let you all know what i decide to go with.
as it sits now, i have the marlin, a mint 94 30/30 (least expensive) and a marlin .307 win (most expensive) in consideration. My WTB ad is pulling in as much as i had hoped.
I would stay away from the .307 as ammo can be hard to find if you don't reload. The 30-30's with lever evolution ammo will do what you are asking. Up to me, I would go for the .35. Again though, you can find 30-30 ammo anywhere ( walmart, can. tire), where as the .35 might be tougher. Hunting the game you described in tight bush, I reach for what I consider the "ultimate" brush gun- A savage 99f in .308 with a williams peep and a hooded bead (preferably fire sight). Quick and light for fast action close up, but more reach for those longer shots across beaver ponds and what not.
thanks pete.
I am looking at the getting the .35 rem, unless something else pops up befor he gets back from vacation..... like a .356, .44, 45-70...
thanks guys...will soon be asking for detaild suggestions on peep sights, eventhough I already got a few.
I am looking at the getting the .35 rem, unless something else pops up befor he gets back from vacation..... like a .356, .44, 45-70...
thanks guys...will soon be asking for detaild suggestions on peep sights, eventhough I already got a few.
I have lost track of how many lever guns I have owned, it is certainly several hundred.
In my view, you are getting some good advice, and you are also getting some pretty strongly held OPINIONS. The two are not the same.
I suggest you physically HANDLE a bunch of lever guns - Winchester 94s and 88s, Marlin 336s, 30ASs etc etc, Savage 99s and 1899s, and Browning BLRs. ALMOST FOR SURE, one of them will fit you better than the rest do. A good-fitting gun will tend to be more accurate in your hands, and then it's all about shot placement and decent ammo/bullets.
It sounds like you have not considered the .358 Win cartridge, which is a heck of a good cartridge and a lot more "oomph" than .35 Rem - not that you necessarily need it from your description of your hunting.
My personal "go to" deer rifle for years has been a BLR in .308 Win, which is scoped for these tired old eyes of mine. But I have HUNTED with 88s, 94s, 99s, 1899s, 444s, 1894s, an 1895, BLRs and probably some other lever guns I do not remember any more.
Buy what fits and get good at shooting it, the moose won't know what hit them!
Doug
In my view, you are getting some good advice, and you are also getting some pretty strongly held OPINIONS. The two are not the same.
I suggest you physically HANDLE a bunch of lever guns - Winchester 94s and 88s, Marlin 336s, 30ASs etc etc, Savage 99s and 1899s, and Browning BLRs. ALMOST FOR SURE, one of them will fit you better than the rest do. A good-fitting gun will tend to be more accurate in your hands, and then it's all about shot placement and decent ammo/bullets.
It sounds like you have not considered the .358 Win cartridge, which is a heck of a good cartridge and a lot more "oomph" than .35 Rem - not that you necessarily need it from your description of your hunting.
My personal "go to" deer rifle for years has been a BLR in .308 Win, which is scoped for these tired old eyes of mine. But I have HUNTED with 88s, 94s, 99s, 1899s, 444s, 1894s, an 1895, BLRs and probably some other lever guns I do not remember any more.
Buy what fits and get good at shooting it, the moose won't know what hit them!
Doug
Rocket Surgery
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Yeah see I agree with Doug, lever guns are a very personal thing. I've handled the Brownings, Marlin, Winchester, Rossi, etc and they all felt different. It's pretty hard to ask for advice, like Doug said, you usually get opinions.
My personal opinion is stay away from the 1892's, the curved buttstock makes the rifle look like it has down syndrome. The shape / form of the gun seriously looks like something an ewok would carry into battle in the final Star Wars movie, they're that ugly. I don't think an uglier gun exists than the 1892 model lever guns, so ugly in fact, I'm going to post a picture of one to scare you away from them:
The 1894 style just commands respect, and unleashes a wave of death on any animal that exists in the woods: Bears, chickens, pigs, sparrows, trout, you name it. If you're the fairy man, you could consider the pistol grip style, but the straight stock looks that much more badass. How could you not want to hunt with this gun:
My personal opinion is stay away from the 1892's, the curved buttstock makes the rifle look like it has down syndrome. The shape / form of the gun seriously looks like something an ewok would carry into battle in the final Star Wars movie, they're that ugly. I don't think an uglier gun exists than the 1892 model lever guns, so ugly in fact, I'm going to post a picture of one to scare you away from them:
The 1894 style just commands respect, and unleashes a wave of death on any animal that exists in the woods: Bears, chickens, pigs, sparrows, trout, you name it. If you're the fairy man, you could consider the pistol grip style, but the straight stock looks that much more badass. How could you not want to hunt with this gun:
- Location
- Haliburton County, Central Ontario
Aside from the Browning BLR (one of which I own and they are simply the best lever gun around.....okay, maybe the Savage 99s too) the Win 94s are the best. 30-30 is the most common and will do anything you have indicated and the bigger bore Win 94s will do the same, ergonomically, with more oomph. Start small and work your way up the bullet diameter/recoil chain 
The Browning levers are more money...
The Browning levers are more money...
Yeah see I agree with Doug, lever guns are a very personal thing. I've handled the Brownings, Marlin, Winchester, Rossi, etc and they all felt different. It's pretty hard to ask for advice, like Doug said, you usually get opinions.
My personal opinion is stay away from the 1892's, the curved buttstock makes the rifle look like it has down syndrome. The shape / form of the gun seriously looks like something an ewok would carry into battle in the final Star Wars movie, they're that ugly. I don't think an uglier gun exists than the 1892 model lever guns, so ugly in fact, I'm going to post a picture of one to scare you away from them:
The 1894 style just commands respect, and unleashes a wave of death on any animal that exists in the woods: Bears, chickens, pigs, sparrows, trout, you name it. If you're the fairy man, you could consider the pistol grip style, but the straight stock looks that much more badass. How could you not want to hunt with this gun:
I did not find the 1894 in this picture. Is it hidden someplace?
Doug
I've been a Marlin fan for a few years, ever since I got my 1895. It's a blast to shoot, and quite powerful.
Recently, though, I bought my first Marlin 30-30, a well-preserved 336 from the 80's, and today I took it to the range finally. I'd added a Williams peep sight and that's about it.
This little gun is a LOT of fun to shoot. Took a few shots to get the sights set up right, and then it was about 2"-3" groups with 170 grain round nose at 100 yards.
It doesn't have near the slam the 45-70 does, but it's still a punchy little unit. If you're still trying to decide on a lever, start with a 30-30, you won't regret it. You can get the ammo anywhere, even Canadian Tire and Wal-Mart.
Recently, though, I bought my first Marlin 30-30, a well-preserved 336 from the 80's, and today I took it to the range finally. I'd added a Williams peep sight and that's about it.
This little gun is a LOT of fun to shoot. Took a few shots to get the sights set up right, and then it was about 2"-3" groups with 170 grain round nose at 100 yards.
It doesn't have near the slam the 45-70 does, but it's still a punchy little unit. If you're still trying to decide on a lever, start with a 30-30, you won't regret it. You can get the ammo anywhere, even Canadian Tire and Wal-Mart.
- Location
- Haliburton County, Central Ontario
Just south of where you were looking, Doug. Er...maybe not...
