1st leveraging,what caliber?

[edadmartin]

My birthdays comin up and I want a lever gun,but what caliber? what brand. I'm hoping used I'd be able to not spend over 600 bucks .
Mainly shooting paper, will reload. I reload 45 acp now,so thought about 45 colt. My local range has a new place with 100 yard lanes. It's indoors. Locally I haven't seen 45 colts only 30 30s, and 45 70s. I missed a 1969 win 3030 just last week. Not a hunter if that makes any difference. What do you all suggest I look for?:-P

[M-Tecs]

If not hunting 357 or 45 Colt leverguns are a ton of fun. I prefer Marlins or Winchester 92's over the Win 94's in handgun calibers. Winchester 73's over Marlins or Winchester 92's but I shoot SASS on the 73's are the fastest.

[TXGunNut]

My first levergun was a 375 Big Bore Winchester. Probably headed to a museum soon, not a good choice for you. For you I think the 30WCF or 32 Spl would be fun. A 92 or a 92 clone might be fun, not sure what your budget might be.

[Hick]

I have two leverguns: 32 WS and 30-30. To get much variety with 32 WS you have to rely on casting because the selection of commercial 32 bullets for reloading is dismal. I very much prefer the 30-30 for reloading because there are so many bullet and boolit designs available, and a huge variety in good load data-- you can shoot something new every week. To find some good prices look up Antique and Modern firearms of Lexington Kentucky at their web site-- they carry everything and its all used and at good prices. The owners are gun nuts like many of us and very reliable.

[roundgun]

Rossi .357 carbine size. Great little rifle and you can shoot .38 also.

[Artful]

Well, with your budget you should have a lot of choices.
I have a couple of Winchesters, a lonely Savage 99 (would like more) and quite a few Marlins of which the 39A in 22LR gets the most use. But there is a new favorite, it is my Rossi 92 SRC in 357/38 spl which was just threaded for suppressor use, makes me just giggle (Scary thought I know).

With the price of 22LR I can shoot 38's as cheap with cast.

[smokeywolf]

Artful, I think I read someplace that it's a sin to put a suppressor on a lever gun.:kidding:

[NavyVet1959]

Might as well start out with a .45-70 -- you'll end up there eventually anyway... :)

I was originally looking for a 2nd levergun in .38/.357, but I stumbled across a Rossi 92 for $300 in .44 mag and just could not pass up that deal. To save lead, I can always just shoot round ball loads...

http://images.spambob.net/navy-vet-1959/rossi-model-92-480w.jpg

http://images.spambob.net/navy-vet-1959/44-mag-round-ball-320w.jpg

[kungfustyle]

I just got a Rossi 92 from Budsgunshop.com $430 shipped with lifetime warranty. Keep watching the sight and they drop prices from time to time. Mine is a 44 mag and I can shoot a <1" group at 100 yards with a 300g NOE mold. 165563
Some quirks about the gun, go to http://rossi-rifleman.com/ before you get one and read up. I think a 357/38 special would be the way to go. But the 44 is very fun to shoot. I have a hunting load and a plinking load, big difference. Bottom line is do you want iron sights or a scout scope then Rossi, If you want to scope it then Marlin or Henry. I went with the Rossi in 44 because of the better twist rate.

[OverMax]

If not a hunter. Just about any lever caliber is good for your application. Do you want to shoot on the cheap? or spendy?
38 Special is cheap. ~~~ 450 Marlin is spendy.

[toallmy]

35 Remington looks fun .

[Edward]

With 35 Rem the fun is finding brass:bigsmyl2:

[dverna]

Another vote for .357. You can shoot .38 Spl for less than .22's and they are a lot of fun. I have three!!

[PerpetualStudent]

If you're already reloading .45ACP I'd give a soft recommendation for .45Colt. If you're already casting for .45ACP then I'd really say .45Colt. There are some bullets that could go in either, and particularly if you're mainly paper punching, one mold to feed both makes sense to me.

If you're mainly looking at buying off the shelf ammo, hard to beat the price of .38 sp for plinking these days.

[Shawlerbrook]

I would say whatever caliber the first good deal you find happens to be, probably a 30 30.

[Scharfschuetze]

For your stated purpose I agree with the 38 Special/357 folks above, although if you can find one, a 32/20 is a ton of fun and is even cheaper to load for than a 38 Special. I also like the Marlin 1894 design for pistol calibres and I enjoy or enjoyed them in 25/20, 32/20, 357 Magnum and 45 Colt calibres.

[PaulG67]

Another vote for 38/357, fun and inexpensive to shoot. Brass is everywhere.

[6pt-sika]

I got my first when I was 14 years old for Xmas . It was a Winchester 1892 in 32-20 WCF of 1912 vintage . The gun was 60+ years old when I recieved it . I later traded it for something else , whish I had it back .

[Half Dog]

I seem to be in the same situation and budget. I also want a lever rifle for my birthday but I'm leaning toward a Marlin in a .357.

[northmn]

If you reload the 30-30 is the most versatile. I have found the caliber to be a no brainer with cast bullets and factory loads are very inexpensive. I have used Lee molds with good results. For cast I prefer Winchesters or older Marlins. The 357's are very good choices also. I find I am more likely to find a good used 30-30 than a 357 or any other pistol caliber.

DP

[Wayne Smith]

If you cast the 30-30 is the easiest rifle caliber - that is common. If you can find a 32-20 jump on it. Otherwise a Marlin 30-30 for ease of takedown and cleaning will be all you need and will do anything you want it to do within reason. It's pretty much perfect because the max load for condom bullets and the max load for cast are essentially the same. In other words, you give up nothing using cast.

If you are into interest and the unusual look at the 44-40 - but they won't let you shoot BP on an indoor range! That's the most fun.

[Greg S]

As mentioned previouly, 92 style action in 4http://www.stevesgunz.com/ Colt or 357 Mag for cheap plinking. Find a used Rossi, add a rear peep sight to delete the firing pin safety, a spring set and alittle tuning and smoothing of the action and leaf springs and you'll have a fine shooter. Marlins are nice but are out of production so pre-Remlins are demanding a steeper price and Winokous (Jap Winnie 92s) even more so. I think for an inexpensive banger, ya can't beat a Rossi. I'm looking to add one to my collection in 44 mag.

For springs and parts for the Rossi, look at www.stevesgunz.com

[seaboltm]

My go to truck gun is a Winchester 94 in 38-55 rebored by JES. Stops hogs in their tracks with less recoil than my 45-70 Remlin and is much more authoritative than my Rossi 357, which is probably the funnest of all my lever actions. I have a Rossi 45 Colt, but it uses more lead than the 357 and has to be pushed hard to match the 38-55, which I load on the hot side. And then there is the rare Browning BLR in 257 Roberts, my favorite deer rifle. Did I mention I lover lever actions?

[rking22]

1st levergun?? Gotta be a Win 94 in 30WCF, preferably a pre64 but I saw several of the XTRs today for 500$ ish.

[Blackwater]

The good part is there's no wrong answer here. As a first levergun, you'll likely get the most fun if it's an old, traditional "cowboy" design, and among those, the pistol caliber chamberings will be a little cheaper, and that always makes it more fun, since you just get to shoot them more. In rifle calibers, it's really hard to beat a .30/30. You can shoot round balls from Lee's .311" RB mold with just a tiny bit of powder, to full loads that have taken most all animals in N. America, though we like more power for the really big stuff today.

And if you ever take to hunting, any of them will take deer, and most will take squirrel and the like with milder loads and RB's or light conicals. This is one of those questions that really have no truly rational answer, except to note the cost differences. If you get to an outdoor range with distant targets, the .30/30 would likely prove more "interesting at beyond 200 yds. It's a real hoot to shoot gongs at long distance with a "tired old cowboy gun" that's not supposed to be able to reach that far. Opens some eyes, and even offends a few of the big boom "magnumitis" guys. All sorts of fun to be had with lever guns! You can't go wrong, really, no matter which one you get. Just have fun and shoot as much as you can with what you wind up with, and learn to get better and better with your accuracy with it. When you can hit a quarter offhand at 100 yds., you're good to go. Until then, keep challenging yourself. Then once you get good, try shooting good AND fast! Now THAT is a REAL source of fun!

[Artful]

Artful, I think I read someplace that it's a sin to put a suppressor on a lever gun.:kidding:

Good 'nuf for Roosevelt, good 'nuf for me.
http://www.marlinforum.com/images/8/8/3/roosevelt-winchester-1894-21-137.jpg

[Ural Driver]

+1 for the Rossi M92 in whatever caliber you desire. I have a SS .45 Colt with a 20" bbl which is a great shooter and carries in the hand like it was made just for me. My girlfriend likes it so I'm looking to get her the 357/38 version with the 16" bbl..... just to have different calibers available. Kentucky Gun Company (kygunco) often has blemished guns at even better prices. Good luck with whatever you choose.

[Lead Fred]

What do you all suggest I look for?:-P

30-30 will be better for target shooting, but 45 colt is a bucket of fun.

[brass2bullets]

I like the 30-30, it's easy to cast bullets for it and you can get a gun about any where at a reasonable price. Accuracy is good with a hex barrel. I grew up with then and there easy to maintain. Hope this helps.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[NavyVet1959]

Good 'nuf for Roosevelt, good 'nuf for me.

Yeah, but he was a "progressive"...

[Baja_Traveler]

Rossi 92 in .357 is a great option - 4 grains of 231 and a cast plain base 158 is a great zero recoil plinker and rabbit hunting round - and cheap to shoot!

I really enjoyed mine - until I got my hands on a 32-20, now it sits in the safe waiting for me to feel sorry for it - I take it out to play once a year or so...

165758

[clum553946]

I think finding a good lever in 357/38 spec. is the way to go for OP's price range. If you're into reloading & have a 357 or 38 wheelgun, you have flexability & if you have a progressive reloader, you can shoot 357/38 lever all day long! If you can find a 45 Colt lever in your price range, that would be good too, but if you have a 357/38 pistol, you can really crank out some reasonably priced reloads!

[shaner]

If you already load 45lc, look for a used lever in that cal. To get started. If you want something bigger I'd have to say a 30/30. Or I agree with the 38/357.

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[Seeker]

I just got a Rossi 92 from Budsgunshop.com $430 shipped with lifetime warranty. Keep watching the sight and they drop prices from time to time. Mine is a 44 mag and I can shoot a <1" group at 100 yards with a 300g NOE mold. 165563
Some quirks about the gun, go to http://rossi-rifleman.com/ before you get one and read up. I think a 357/38 special would be the way to go. But the 44 is very fun to shoot. I have a hunting load and a plinking load, big difference. Bottom line is do you want iron sights or a scout scope then Rossi, If you want to scope it then Marlin or Henry. I went with the Rossi in 44 because of the better twist rate.

I'd go with a .45 colt also since you already reload for that cal. and are familiar with your loads. They should shoot as good for you with more fps.

Lifetime Warranty? Must be a Buds thing. I was going to buy a Rossi until I checked their warranty policy. (One year) Went with Henry and Lifetime instead.
http://www.rossiusa.com/repair-policy.cfm

Don't take this post the wrong way, Please. I'm not bashing Rossi. I don't own one. There are a lot of satisfied Rossi shooters out there. I just like knowing that what I buy will be covered for more than 1 yr.

[NavyVet1959]

I'd go with a .45 colt also since you already reload for that cal. and are familiar with your loads. They should shoot as good for you with more fps.

Lifetime Warranty? Must be a Buds thing. I was going to buy a Rossi until I checked their warranty policy. (One year) Went with Henry and Lifetime instead.
http://www.rossiusa.com/repair-policy.cfm

Don't take this post the wrong way, Please. I'm not bashing Rossi. I don't own one. There are a lot of satisfied Rossi shooters out there. I just like knowing that what I buy will be covered for more than 1 yr.

Interesting that they have a 1 year warranty on rifles and a lifetime warranty on revolvers.

Especially when you consider the Rossi Ranch Hand vs Rossi M92. The Ranch Hand is just a M92 that is sold with a shorter barrel and minimal stock so that it can be called a "handgun" instead of a "rifle".

[dragon813gt]

The correct answer is, it depends. If you want to shoot cheap plinkers than one in 357 is the way to go. I do not like Rossi rifles. And a Marlin is way out of your price range. If Remington actually made 1894Cs that would be the way to go.

One of the things to consider is how they load and eject. I hate top eject and tube load. Which leaves me w/ Savage 99s, Browning BLRs and Marlins.

BLRs are most likely out of the price range. $600 will buy you a Savage 99 in decent shape. And it will buy you a pristine Marlin 1895/336.

For cartridge it depends on what you're set up to load for already. I really like 35 Remington but ammo/brass is seasonal. I really like 300 Savage but it has the same issues. One in 30-30 or 308 is a no brainer. Then there are the fun oddballs like 356 Winchester and 444 Marlin. There is a plethora of cartridges to choose from.

If I could have only one for just plinking it would be an 1894C. If I could have just one for hunting it would be a Marlin 336 in 35 Remington. A Savage 99 in 300 Savage or 358 Winchester is right there but I prefer Skinner sights for hunting. And they take to a Marlin like a fat kid to cake :)

[NavyVet1959]

One made chambered in .38-55 or .375Win might be worth considering since you can make your brass from .30-30 brass and it ends up as a straight walled case.

[clum553946]

After you buy that first one, be prepared to buy more than one in different calibers, makes, & models! We're all enablers here & it's interesting to watch a new potential addict!

[edadmartin]

Thanks for the great input, I do reload 45acp and like the idea of 45 colt.we rarely see them locally,in Colorado Springs. I've never bought unseen online, so I'd probably see more 30 30 than anything.

Someone mentioned the new Rossi 92 at walley world but I've heard very mixed reviews,they are either the best ever or lemons. My gun smith does have a 45 70 he offered me but that seems pretty big to kill paper,but maybe steel or bowlin pins, hmmm.
If you all see something online or my local please give me a pm or email.

[robg]

Depends on possible use, for a fun gun .357 is cheap to load versatile accurate with very little recoil .22 on steroids .

[edadmartin]

As far as a scope goes,which models eject to the side?

[clum553946]

Win 94 Angle Eject & most Marlins

[dragon813gt]

Win 94 Angle Eject & most Marlins

You left out Savage 99s and BLRs.

[NavyVet1959]

Thanks for the great input, I do reload 45acp and like the idea of 45 colt.we rarely see them locally,in Colorado Springs. I've never bought unseen online, so I'd probably see more 30 30 than anything.

Someone mentioned the new Rossi 92 at walley world but I've heard very mixed reviews,they are either the best ever or lemons. My gun smith does have a 45 70 he offered me but that seems pretty big to kill paper,but maybe steel or bowlin pins, hmmm.
If you all see something online or my local please give me a pm or email.

You can always shoot round balls to cut down on your lead usage. Also, pistol and shotgun powders will work quite well in the .45-70 for lower velocity loadings. You can shoot rounds that can take a rabbit or up to ones that can take a moose, elk, or even grizzly. Very versatile caliber for a reloader.

[Nicholas]

A Marlin 30-30 for ease of cleaning from the breach, sheer fun at the range, and effective hunting tool. Then on your next birthday, decide that you need to add a Marlin 45-70 in case you ever go after something really big. Then on the birthday after that, go for something different, a less common caliber, commemoratives, or rarer collector item, etc.

[clum553946]

You left out Savage 99s and BLRs.
My bad! Forgot the Henry's too

[Four Fingers of Death]

The lever gun I am using in my avitar is a Rossi 92 in 357Mag. It s a brilliant rifle, I feed it with 38s pretty much exclusively and it is as cheap as chips to run and a whole lot of fun.

If it was to be a target rifle only, I'd try for the longer barrel, but I wouldn't sweat it.

If shooting a diet of 38 Specials, there is a chamber scraper out now called Slix Scraper, which is made by SlixSprings. Worth buying.

Old Winchester 94s are pretty common and usually reasonably cheap, but not as cheap to feed.

With a Rossi shooting 38Specials, you will burn a bunch of ammo, they are really fun.

[Artful]

Yes they are - especially suppressed


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-knJmz6HE0

[Four Fingers of Death]

Good stuff!

[retiredPO]

I have Rossi 45 LC and 44 mag Oct barrel.... love them both..... if I had to choose I would go with the LC...... will be getting a 38/357 when budget allows,.... the price is great, and they never disapoint....

[Four Fingers of Death]

I forgot, I also have a SS Rossi 92 in 44Mag, nice little rifle and very accurate, but I'm not fond of the sights. The foresight is brass and hard to see. It is not overly fond of 44Specials, but feeds the mags slicker than frogsnot.

[1895gunner]

A lot of good advice/opinions here. I reload & plink with my Marlin Guide Guns & Outfitters in 444, 45/70 & 450.


http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g441/1895gunner/5GuideGuns-b.jpg (http://s1102.photobucket.com/user/1895gunner/media/5GuideGuns-b.jpg.html)

I also love playing with my Marlin 410 Lever Gun!

http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g441/1895gunner/Marlin%20410-4_zps3fx8ojif.jpg (http://s1102.photobucket.com/user/1895gunner/media/Marlin%20410-4_zps3fx8ojif.jpg.html)

Or this Marlin Trapper in 44 Mag

http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g441/1895gunner/IMG00134-20110724-1754.jpg (http://s1102.photobucket.com/user/1895gunner/media/IMG00134-20110724-1754.jpg.html)


A 38 special or 45 Colt would also be great!

1895gunner

[Four Fingers of Death]

I forgot, I also have a SS Rossi 92 in 44Mag, nice little rifle and very accurate, but I'm not fond of the sights. The foresight is brass and hard to see. It is not overly fond of 44Specials, but feeds the mags slicker than frogsnot.

I have since had the 44Mag Rossi 92 at the range for a couple of plinking sessions and it went well. The foresight is brass or bronze and I found it difficult to see before. Thinking back, I used it at two ranges for cowboy shooting and it was summer and out doors. Under the covered range we have in my town, the front sight wasn't a problem. I will have to blacken it or replace it.

As I am unlikely to use it again for cowboy action, a peep sight and a new foresight might be in order.

[NavyVet1959]

I forgot, I also have a SS Rossi 92 in 44Mag, nice little rifle and very accurate, but I'm not fond of the sights. The foresight is brass and hard to see. It is not overly fond of 44Specials, but feeds the mags slicker than frogsnot.

And exactly how much research have you done with respect to the nasal secretions of frogs? :)

[Four Fingers of Death]

And exactly how much research have you done with respect to the nasal secretions of frogs? :)

An expression I picked up here whilst being led astray by boolit casters!

I had the 44Mag Rossi at the range again today. It is a sweet unit.

[rjathon]

I would go for the 357/38 because of the ease of using carbide dies. Cases are cheap and last a long time. With Lil Gun powder it performs better than ever. If you want to do volume shooting it can't be beat.

With a Dillon Square Deal B and a five cavity NOE mold you can really have a ball.

[Ural Driver]

As far as a scope goes,which models eject to the side?


Using a Scout Scope setup it don't matter which way the ejector works. The fine folks on the Rossi Rifleman forum were the reason these particular mounts came to be.......thank you Ranch Dog and NOE......:2_high5:
I have one..... and am fixin to order a second.
On my Rossi, the rear sight conceals the pre-tapped holes that this mount fits onto.

http://www.rossi-rifleman.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=4327&hilit=scope

167459

[shdwlkr]

If you never expect to use it for hunting, a marlin 39 in 22 rim fire would be nice, a mdl 92 or clone in pistol caliber would be nice, mdl 92 in pistol caliber would be nice. I had a mdl 94 in .357 mag got rid of it because it would not cycle safely. I prefer used or older stuff as it works just as good as new stuff sometimes better and is sometimes cheaper and yes I like to keep as much as I can of my funds with me for other stuff I might want

[1895gunner]

I certainly agree that a Marlin Model 39, 22 rifle would also be a great choice. This one is a Model 39AS with a 3 X 9 Bushnell on it. One sweet rifle for sure. I've taken a lot of squirrels & rabbits with it.

http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g441/1895gunner/Untitled.jpg (http://s1102.photobucket.com/user/1895gunner/media/Untitled.jpg.html)

http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g441/1895gunner/39AS.jpg (http://s1102.photobucket.com/user/1895gunner/media/39AS.jpg.html)

1895gunner

[Four Fingers of Death]

Annie Oakley's fav rifle!