Which lever action ?

[C-dubb]

Decided it's time to get a new (to me) lever action to hunt and play with but not sure what caliber I want.
It will be used for plinking (with reduced loads) and whitetail deer and maybe hog hunting.
I don't care if its a hard to get round because I'll reload and cast all of my ammo.
I am considering 30/30, 32 Winchester special, 35 Remington and 45/70 so far.
I like the old rounds and would like to hear your opinion on these and any others that you would recommend.

Also, what guns you would suggest in said caliber would be nice.

[Thumbcocker]

JM Marlin

[jmort]

I have a number of lever actions, 92s and 94s and 95s
JMs, Winchester, Rossi, and Mossberg
The best deal on a new 30-30 is the Mossberg 464 in my opinion
Hope you find what you are looking for.

[Dan Cash]

Pre 1998 mfg JM Marlin in .30-30 or .32 Special. Very easy to reload for, super cast friendly, plentiful brass and will serve hunting purposes for game small and large. A 100 grain bullet over 10-12 grain 2400 = plinking and small game such as rabbits and squirrel, a 170-180 grain bullet over 30 grains of R15 or 3031 and you are good for deer, antelope, elk, moose and black bear at appropriate ranges, (150 yards or less).

[GregLaROCHE]

I’m partial to .45-70. I think it is a great cartridge for Hogs and with lighter hollow point loads for deer. You can even load round balls with light loads for rabbits.

If you’re reloading and casting, the cost of ammunition shouldn’t be a big of a factor in your decision. Also, I’ve found them to be the easiest to work up a good load for with cast boolits.

So, unless you’re going for long range, .45-70.

[Murphy]

I'll second what Dan Cash had to say. I tend to favor the Winchester 94', but the smoother operation of the Marlin has me always looking at them. I currently own a pair of Wincheser 94's, sentimental to them for no other reason I reckon.

Murphy

[bikerbeans]

Pre crossbolt safety Marlin. If you buy your lead or boolits i would go 30-30 or 35 rem, otherwise 45-70.

BB

[Rick R]

I like my Marlin 1894 in .44, but a .357 or .41 would work for deer or hogs too. I have other levers in .30-30 and .45-70. The revolver cartridges are just easy to load and cheap to feed.

Mine is a JM but I’ve seen a few new manufactured 1894 rifles that looked pretty good. IMHO They are all a gamble till you get a chance to wring them out.

[reddhawkk]

I am partial to the Marlin, but then again I have one in .45-70!

[Cast_outlaw]

I’m a Winchester guy have 3 of them a 94-22 a 1895-30-40krag(old girl) and a 92 in 44-40 if I were you I’d look at the revolver cartridges I’m partial to 44-40 brass is available and Boolits are fairly common any way best of luck and have fun happy new year to

[RU shooter]

A Winchester in 32 spl . Just cuz everyone else don't have one !:-P

[Der Gebirgsjager]

They're all good! For general all around lever action use I usually pick up my .30-30 Win. If I was going for something the size of an elk I'd take my .356 Win.

[GLynn41]

have a Marlin and they are good. My favorite I is a 16.5" Henry .41. A 212 gr cup point at an easy 1770 is plenty. I have taken a pig of 260# and all manner of deer. I have done this with 255grains down to the present cup point. Feeds fine and is accurate enough to pass the 100 long step mark. As would a .429 mag, .45 Colt, etc. My other fav was a Savage M99 .358. It is good for most anything to about 250+ Currently I am using Lee. 358 mold/ 208 gr over h322 for 2280. a .358 and cast is always good.

[MyFlatline]

I have quite a few JM Marlins in an array of calibers but for plinking and smoothness you can't beat the Henry in 357. If you buy into having to have a howitzer to kill a hog, then 45 colt.

[richhodg66]

Any of them are good. I agree with finding an older one (pre-crossbolt safety). Lots of .30 caliber bullets. I like the .32 Special as well, the .35 Remington is awesome and allows the use of .38 revolver bullets for plinking loads.

All of them work great for up to deer sized game using cast.

[hockeynick39]

This one in .38-55:

http://www.winchesterguns.com/products/rifles/model-94/model-94-current-products/model-94-sporter.html

BTW, the .38-55 is the case that spawned the .30-30 and .32 Special.

[Charlie U.]

Pre 1998 mfg JM Marlin in .30-30 or .32 Special. Very easy to reload for, super cast friendly, plentiful brass and will serve hunting purposes for game small and large. A 100 grain bullet over 10-12 grain 2400 = plinking and small game such as rabbits and squirrel, a 170-180 grain bullet over 30 grains of R15 or 3031 and you are good for deer, antelope, elk, moose and black bear at appropriate ranges, (150 yards or less).

I agree with Mr. Cash on this one.....well said.

I would go a step further and add the 35Rem to that lineup. Brass might not be as commonly available as the 30/30, but isn't any harder to find than the .32 and it has the advantage of being able to use 38/357 slugs to make light-moderate loads.

[Texas by God]

The Marlin 336T combined the handling of the 94 Win with the smooth action and accuracy of the Marlin. If I just had one, that would be the one I'd want. 30-30 of course.
As it is, I have a Marlin 30-30 and a Winchester 38-55 and I'm happy. But a 1894CL in .32-20 or a 1894CB in .41 Rem mag would be most welcome.

[richhodg66]

I have a number of lever actions, 92s and 94s and 95s
JMs, Winchester, Rossi, and Mossberg
The best deal on a new 30-30 is the Mossberg 464 in my opinion
Hope you find what you are looking for.

A Mossberg 464 is on my list of ones to have at some point, I truly like the way Mossberg has come back so well and filled the lever gun niche left empty when Winchester went under (I know you can still get a '94, but it isn't the same). Something I wish Mossberg would do is to make more variants of it; other calibers for sure, but perhaps a version with a pistol grip, longer barrel and a two-thirds magazine tube like the Winchester 64. Not sure if it's a big enough action, but .45-70 lever guns seem to be selling like hot cakes lately, I think Mossberg is missing out on sales by only making the basic model.

[redhawk0]

I'm also a Marlin fan...get a JM in 35 Rem. (Pre-2008) It will do well on both deer, hogs, and bear.

Its easy to reload for...and shoots cast well also.

redhawk

[MostlyLeverGuns]

I have a couple of Marlins in each, but for cast boolits against the critters you mention, I think the .32 Special out of a Marlin 336 SC would be my choice. I am shooting 200 grain bullets out of my 24" Marlin SC and get 2" groups regularly at 200 yards. Boolits from 170 to 200 grains will take care of most deer, pigs, etc. I think accuracy is easier out of the .32 Special. My waffle-top Marlin was drilled/tapped long before I got it, but I do like scopes for any hunting. There are 'cowboy' bullets available for light loads, Matt's bullets has a flatpoint GC, and Speer and Hornady make reliable softpoints. I size or use .323 cast bullets with very fine accuracy in 2 Marlin .32 Specials I shoot regularly. I have thought about a Winchester 64 in .32 Special but just haven't found the right one at the right time. Either recoil or rainbow trajectories keep me from thinking of the 45-70 for fun, I do hunt elk with it. For 'soft' or light loads, a rimmed cartridge keeps its headspace better than the .35 Rem. The .32 Special is and has always been about 10% more powerful than the .30-30 out of similar length barrels at the same pressures. We can quibble a lot about the 30-30, 35 Rem, and 32 Special. I like the .32 better than the 30-30 because it is 'SPECIAL'.

[georgerkahn]

I cannot come up with "one firearm does all" to provide an answer to your query. At clubs I've belonged to, fellows will buy a .44 Rem Mag, and load it with .38 S&W Special mid-range comparable loads. "Huh? Why not just buy a .38?", generally comes to my mind. Lever actions are great actions -- a have a few of these, in several calibers. For plinking, there are many .22 levers -- in quite a range of prices, too. For game -- e.g., hogs, deer, and similar -- my classic "two" would be a choice of Winchester (94) or Marlin (336) -- model numbers in parentheses as suggestions. Whether .30 WCF, .32 Special, .375 Win, .38-40, .38-55, .44-40, .444... well, there are lots of choices, any and all should fair well for you. My simple way of looking at brands puts the Marlin with an edge over most other lever actions, as its lever is most easily removed for from-breech barrel cleaning, PLUS, ejection permits a scope mount directly above barrel, if you choose. I stumbled across an old, beaten Marlin 336 (in .30WCF) complete with an old Tasco (made in Japan) scope atop it just for hunting on days with such bad (snow/sleet/rain) conditions I didn't wish to take out a "good" rifle -- and, guess what? In past several years, it's been my #1 choice.
Good luck... no disrespect, but hey -- give a .22 AND a central-fire thought to complement each other :)?
geo

[MyFlatline]

I cannot come up with "one firearm does all" to provide an answer to your query. At clubs I've belonged to, fellows will buy a .44 Rem Mag, and load it with .38 S&W Special mid-range comparable loads. "Huh? Why not just buy a .38?", generally comes to my mind. Lever actions are great actions -- a have a few of these, in several calibers. For plinking, there are many .22 levers -- in quite a range of prices, too. For game -- e.g., hogs, deer, and similar -- my classic "two" would be a choice of Winchester (94) or Marlin (336) -- model numbers in parentheses as suggestions. Whether .30 WCF, .32 Special, .375 Win, .38-40, .38-55, .44-40, .444... well, there are lots of choices, any and all should fair well for you. My simple way of looking at brands puts the Marlin with an edge over most other lever actions, as its lever is most easily removed for from-breech barrel cleaning, PLUS, ejection permits a scope mount directly above barrel, if you choose. I stumbled across an old, beaten Marlin 336 (in .30WCF) complete with an old Tasco (made in Japan) scope atop it just for hunting on days with such bad (snow/sleet/rain) conditions I didn't wish to take out a "good" rifle -- and, guess what? In past several years, it's been my #1 choice.
Good luck... no disrespect, but hey -- give a .22 AND a central-fire thought to complement each other :)?
geo

Take down of the Marlin is almost identical to the Henry FYI. Just sayin

[ole_270]

This one in .38-55:

http://www.winchesterguns.com/products/rifles/model-94/model-94-current-products/model-94-sporter.html

BTW, the .38-55 is the case that spawned the .30-30 and .32 Special.

+1

Since you're going to be casting, go with one that's lots of fun. Easy way to do it is find an old Marlin that bubba has had his way with the bore, send it to JES for a re-bore to 38-55. Order Starline 2.082 length cases, an Accurate 38-250B mold (mine is plain based but you can get them gas checked) and let the grins begin. You talked about light plinking loads and hunting loads so here's mine. All with the plain based 38-250B boolet
Plinking-10 gr Universal gives about 1220 or so fps in the 20" barrel
hunting-21gr 4198 with a tuft of dacron gives 1400 fps. Doesn't sound like much but it's a bit faster than the original and you won't stop one in a deer.
Heavy hunting-32 gr 3031 with a powder coated boolet for id. Getting 1600 fps in the 20" barrel and it really puts a whompin on a deer.
There are some who load up to 1800+fps but I'm not that adventurous
One of my two favorite cast shooting rifles.

[dlbarr]

I like Marlins in the 45/70 chambering (mine is the 1895). That round is certainly versatile but given your stated use: plinking, whitetails & hogs, I might also consider 45LC. I notice it hasn't been mentioned yet so maybe somebody can set me straight on whether that's a reasonable choice..

[Jedman]

Just to suggest something different, I would look for a old Savage 99 or 1899 in 303 Savage.
They can still be found in the same price range as a Marlin 336 or Winchester 94 and dies and brass are easy to find and not high priced so you mentioned you will handload for whatever you chose.
Reloading it is just like a 30-30 and can share the same load data but to me a 303 is just a little more fun than a 30-30.
Most people either like their looks or think they are ugly, I say take a look at them and see what you think.

Jedman

[C-dubb]

thanks all, you've given me a lot to think about. the 38-55 sounds intriguing.
I have owned a lot of 30/30 rifles but now it seems like I want to go with something a little different even though I know the 30/30 would do everything I asked of it.
Something I failed to mention is that I intend to put a peep sight on it and prefer a straight grip.

[MyFlatline]

I like Marlins in the 45/70 chambering (mine is the 1895). That round is certainly versatile but given your stated use: plinking, whitetails & hogs, I might also consider 45LC. I notice it hasn't been mentioned yet so maybe somebody can set me straight on whether that's a reasonable choice..

I did in post #14 and yes it is an excellent choice for hogs but more than is needed. Hogs are not that hard to kill.

[jrmartin1964]

One of the until recently produced Winchester/Miroku Model 1895 rifles, chambered for .30-'06 Springfield. If I didn't already own one, that's what I'd set my sights on. Second choice would be the same, but chambered for .30-40 Krag.

Just my 2-cents

[725]

So many are so good, it's up to your style. I think the marlin is the better gun (old), but I have two Win 94's. One .30-30 & one just converted by JES to .38-55. I'm lovin' the .38-55. Best thing I've done lately. Wonderful cast shooter and deadly with the Barnes 255 gr bullet. Henry always seems to be an after thought by many. It's a sweet gun, American made, and backed by a very responsive company. I have two and there is no better lever action, to work, than the Henry. If I were shopping and couldn't find a nice used one in the rack, I'd be serious about a Henry.

[MostlyLeverGuns]

Not on your list, Savage 99 in 303 Savage, Lee makes dies, Prvi cases from Powder Valley or Graf's. Easy to load, handles the NOE RCBS 180 clone at 195 grains and all the other 30 cal stuff. Lots of decent Savage 99's at reasonable prices. Uses 30-30 data for most loading, like the 32 Special, just a little different to be really interestin.

[shortlegs]

Browning BLR 3006 or 308.

[ole_270]

thanks all, you've given me a lot to think about. the 38-55 sounds intriguing.
I have owned a lot of 30/30 rifles but now it seems like I want to go with something a little different even though I know the 30/30 would do everything I asked of it.
Something I failed to mention is that I intend to put a peep sight on it and prefer a straight grip.

Mine is a pistol grip. I put a Skinner Express peep on mine with a green fiber optic front. Not the best front for targets, but great for plinking and hunting. Really stands out when hunting and on the backyard gongs it gets used on year around. The Skinner is really compact and sturdy, but a little coarse in adjustments. Each half turn of the sight is close to 2" at 100 yards. Works well with the two slower loads I listed above, currently sighted so that at 50 yards the plinking load is centered on the bead. At this adjustment, the 1400 fps load is a 6 o'clock hold at 50 and close to center of the bead at 100.

[Beerd]

I like the old rounds .............

then ya gotta go hyphenated :Fire:
maybe something in a '73 or '76 clone,
..

[Freischütz]

Win M95 in 405 would be nice. You could taylor the loads to the situation.

[Texas by God]

thanks all, you've given me a lot to think about. the 38-55 sounds intriguing.
I have owned a lot of 30/30 rifles but now it seems like I want to go with something a little different even though I know the 30/30 would do everything I asked of it.
Something I failed to mention is that I intend to put a peep sight on it and prefer a straight grip.
Okay. Buy a Post 64 Winchester 94- I've seen them D&T from the factory for receiver sights. Send it to Jes Reboring to get it changed to 38-55. Done! Now enjoy. I wish I'd had my 94 done sooner.

[MOA]

Was looking at simpsonllc.com yesterday under winchester levers and they had one of the cleanest Winchester lever big bore in 375 Winchester that I've seem recently. I have it in a marlin model 375 lever. Good deer and elk caliber for working 250 and under in yardage.

[MOA]

Yup, still there.
233321

[dverna]

It is hard to make a poor choice. Think about getting two guns...if not now then in the near future. It may make for a better fit depending on how much plinking you plan to do.

Plinking with rifle rounds is quite doable but not the best option IMHO. A .38/.357 lever action is ideal for that endeavor. I fire 200 rounds of plinking ammunition for every round of hunting power loads I shoot. It is easier to load straight wall cases, cases last a long time, and they are cheap to load.

I do not hunt with cast bullets, but if I did, I would pick one the bigger calibers. It is easier to get an accurate load with .35 cal and up and they will be effective at lower velocities. Getting accurate loads over 2000 fps is not easy with cast bullets (at least for me YMMV). Even a .357 carbine will take a 170 gr bullet to about 1500 fps if you had to hunt with it. The .35 Rem will give you another 500-600 fps. Like another poster suggested, the .38/55 would make a good choice for a hunting platform but finding an affordable gun will not be easy. Mostlylevers made a good case for the .32Spl. They sometimes sit around a bit as they are not popular and could be aa affordable used gun buy.

[Triggerfinger]

Marlin 336CB 24" Oct Barrel in 38-55. One Fun gun....son.

http://leverguns.com/articles/38_55.htm

[Bigslug]

Though I regularly worship at the altar of John Moses Browning, the greater ease of disassembly and attaching optics to the Marlin 1895/336 puts me firmly in that camp for lever guns. I'm in favor of the Bear Tooth Mercantile options that allow you to delete the idiot cross bolt safety, go back to the old style solid firing pin, and beefy one-piece ejector, but the basic chassis is quite sound.

For a cast bullet gun for deer and pig, you are going to be hard pressed to beat the .35 Remington and .38-55. The .30-30 was conceived of as a jacketed round that does its magic with velocity that's on the upper end of what can easily be done with cast. While people can and do have great success with it using cast, I'm not sure that's really the round's highest calling. Though I love the .45-70, when you load it to get the flattest possible trajectory, the large bullet mass will start to pound you black and blue. In the sturdier actions, the .35 to .38 caliber guns will boot out 200-300 grains at speeds that should get you point-blank arcs on deer and pig sized critters to 200 yards or so. Probably nothing wrong with the .32 Special either, but zero experience there - just with .32-40 in single shots.

[quilbilly]

I agree with JMORT about the best deal on new levers being the Mossy 464. Mine loves every CB I have fed it and will be going out with me tomorrow for some coyote calling using 130 gr HP-GC's.

[Loudenboomer]

Winchester 88 .308

[JFE]

I'd suggest a Win 94BB in 375Win. They were well made, probably the best quality of the post 64 era. The rifle is light and points well. Weight wise it's on a par with a 92 in a pistol cal but has a lot more potential. The barrel has deep rifling and the 12" twist easily stabilises 300gr pills.

Starline is making cases now but it's no issue to form cases from 30/30 brass. Capacity and performance is such that cast bullets can be used to produce full power loads. Powder consumption is modest for the power it can produce.

[White Oak]

The lever gun I grab most often for hunting is my Marlin 336ER .356 Win. Most people probably consider the round obsolete, but I think it is perfect for my hunting needs. My rifle is stamped as Micro Groove but came from Marlin with Ballard rifling. Accurate with 180gr-250gr bullets but loves the RCBS 35-200-FN (218grs GC with my alloy) and IMR-3031 at just shy of 2,100 Fps.

[iomskp]

I am not a fan of Marlins, I have had one in 45/70 and one in 44 mag the people I sold them too still own them are both happy with their purchases, I have two lever actions a 92 rifle in 32/20 and a B92 in 44 mag, the 44 is great on pigs.

[Smoke4320]

"I am considering 30/30, 32 Winchester special, 35 Remington and 45/70 so far"
any of those will do well along with 358 Winchester (a cast bullet dream caliber in many eyes) 356 in or 375 win 300 savage, 308 win
for me it would come down to what I found for the best price for the best condition

[C-dubb]

"I am considering 30/30, 32 Winchester special, 35 Remington and 45/70 so far"
any of those will do well along with 358 Winchester (a cast bullet dream caliber in many eyes) 356 in or 375 win 300 savage, 308 win
for me it would come down to what I found for the best price for the best condition


The .358 Winchester sounds nice. What model of lever guns was it produced in ?

[Beerd]

I believe the 358 was available in the Winchester 88, Savage 99 & Browning BLR
Don't know about the Finnwolf.
..

[Catpop]

35 Rem 336T is my modern first choice.
But my real love is 32-40!
And 38 WCF!
And any of the old ones!

[Norske]

I don't own a Winchester levergun, but I have Marlins in 44M and 45-70, a Savage 99 300 Savage, and a Browning BLR 358W. Only the Marlins can be cleaned from the breech end. My BLR is stupid accurate, but the cheap stamped steel magazines are junk. I'd never take it bear hunting. The Marlins are very reliable, as is the 1952-vintage Savage. When browsing in a gun shop, I'm always surprised at the weight of the Henry's, so don't consider them. If weight is paramount, look at Winchesters.

[ElCheapo]

I have to vote Marlin. My Dad started me out with a Winny 94 with side mounted Weaver K4. A peep sight would have been better IMHO. Now I have a 1970 Marlin 336 in 30 30, with a Leupold 1-4 Vx II, and what a great gun it is! Shoots muy bueno with the Lyman 311041 and 311008. Heavy or light loads I'm covered. Trigger is nice too!

Right after deer season I was at the range testing some loads. A guy beside me was shooting a Marlin 30 30 too, one of the newer ones. He liked the plain wood stock on my gun and we got to talking, seems he doesn't reload. He ends up giving me 5 boxes of empties! Gotta love a caliber that does a great job and is available everywhere!

[Huntsman]

Winchester 88 .308

Thats my go to gun followed by ‘72 30-30.

[Bazoo]

I like both winchesters and marlins I currently have a winchester 94 in 30-30, post 64, pre angle eject. I've owned several other 94s in AE, and a couple marlin 1894c 357 magnum carbines. Marlins are easier to disassemble than winchesters. It don't take a genius to disassemble a winchester but it takes more time and patience. Don't forget to look at a winchester 71, 348 winchester!

[missionary5155]

Good morning
May have already been written... but go to a well stocked LGS and try each brand. Spend the time. How does it feel in your hands. How does it come up to your shoulder. Can you hold it on a specific target for a good minute in comfort. Keeping it at your shoulder can you reliably function the lever / action.
Do you like the looks, the wood, the blue or whatever finish. The sights...
Your idea of the right rifle will be far different than my idea.
Mike in Peru

[GARD72977]

Winchester is making the 1895 in 30-06 and 405 this year. As cool as a 405win is the 30-06 makes a lot of sense for plinking and hogs.

I'm wanting one but cash flow is negative right now.

[theangrydangler]

i just bought a rossi 92 in 357 magnum for the same thing and i love mine. i dont reload though... yet

[Rustynails]

Winchester 38-55! Fun to shoot, easy on older shoulders and you can shoot smokeless or Black powder. Shot a doe and a Russian Boar. Both went down quick...doe heart shot, boar right above the ear.

[Blammer]

41 magnum

[Ramjet-SS]

30-30 is the most versatile of the ones you mentioned. You can load 110 grain plinkers all the way up to the Hawk 190 grain J-word or cast. So from varmits to elk. Ammo is easy to come by and the lever action can also be a darn good home defense rifle, truck gun and constant companion in the field. I think one of the most hands is the Trapper model or 16” version of the iconic lever gun and in 30-30 it is formidable. Good luck with your quest but most certainly consider the steel or all Weather version of the Henry Rifles. The customer service is second to none the loading gate is not an issue for me I made some quick loaders from poly tube that allow fast loading the little rifle through the tube. For a self defense round I like the Sierra 125 grain HP Game King that same bullet works fantastic for deer size game as well. My fabortie cast bullet is an Mihec mound WFN HP over some Unique. Davidson’s has an exclusive they offer it is from Mossberg it is a 16.5” carbine with laminate stock and forearm. I actually own of those really ugly tactical 30-30 and put a muzzle brake on it and that gun is really accurate. Ugly but it certainly does have utility. The adjustable stock came in handy for grandkids as they could properly shoulder the rifle. I use this as truck gun and I do not care if it gets beat to **** it’s made for it.

[reddhawkk]

I like my .45-70 Marlin and if you want to shoot light loads use the collar button boolit.

[Lex]

38/55 less recoil than 45/70 hits harder than 30/30

[Greg B.]

I had the same problem several years ago and the solution is fairly simple. In fact several posters have already hinted at it. You need three or four lever guns. Buy one at a time and when you get bored with shooting and reloading for number four number one will become interesting again. Caution is required though as after reading this thread I could easily get interested in another five or six.

[onelight]

The .358 Winchester sounds nice. What model of lever guns was it produced in ?
The 356 is the 358s rimmed cousin marlin and Winchester both made lever guns for 356 Winchester I like it.

[reddhawkk]

I have Marlins in .32-20 and .45-70 and both are excellent. I used to know an old farmer who had an old Winchester in .32-40 that he used for everything. He took it on his tractor when working in the fields and used it to shoot woodchucks; it sure killed them dead! I've always wanted one since then.

[Silvercreek Farmer]

How much recoil do you like? Do you mind lubing and trimming plinking brass? How much range do you need?

[hwilliam01]

That and the twist (1:16) makes them better (in one respect) than the 30-30 for all cast bullet diet, but a 30-30 with a .308 bullet makes the 30-30 a little more versatile for different loads. I shoot a 110 grain cast bullet made for the 30 carbine in my 30-30 for "cat sneeze" loads. It's a hoot to shoot!

[1bluehorse]

The best choice was already mentioned albeit in two different posts and neither were put together correctly. There is a do-it-all caliber in a lever action and it is the BLR in 358 Winchester. The BLR isn't considered a "classic" lever action but it is the best lever action ever made for strength and smoothness of action. In the BLR action the 358 can be loaded to "blow the doors off" the 06'. The Winchester 1895 was made in 30'06 years ago (although the 405 is the famous one) I know, I had an original one in my teens (I'm 72). Operating the action on one is similar to opening a lawn chair with one hand. The 45-70 is good for saying you have one but that's about it. I've owned 5 different ones, 2 Marlin 1895's, one Browning/Miroku 1886 (beautiful rifle) and two different sharps configurations. Sold them all over a period of several years, actually I traded one of the Sharps (Pedersoli) to a fella for two Ruger Redhawk 45colts 4.2 inchers when they first showed up. I believe I got the best of the deal by a long shot. The only one I "kinda" regret is the 1886 but only for the "niceness" of the gun itself. I would have gladly traded it for the above mentioned BLR (which is what I did with the money from the sale anyway with a few bucks left over). So, there you have it.......a BLR in 358 Winchester, best of the best......;)

[Texas by God]

"The 45-70 is good for saying you have one but that's about it." Actually it's good for killing any beast in North America -with 146 years experience of doing so.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[MostlyLeverGuns]

Since the .358 has been mentioned, I would advise finding a Savage 99 or finding a Savage 99 in 308 or a 300 with serial number over 1,000,000 or with an alpha prefix - rebore to .358 or .338 Federal.

I own several Browning BLR's, .358, .398, .223, .325, they work well when they are clean and well-oiled, like at the rifle range. They are wonderful mirrors and can be spotted very easily in daylight, by anything with eyes. For $125(?) you can get the trigger reworked to be usable. I really do need to sell mine, but I am honest and would be a very poor salesman. My wife refuses to hunt with them since the .358 froze up in a storm that went from rain to snow. Three misfires before the inertia firing pin broke free. She did manage to kill the 5 point elk, but she was done with that rifle.

[Norske]

My 358 BLR's magazines are not to be trusted. My Marlin 45-70 has never had a feeding problem. Guess one will go black bear hunting?

[Petander]

About 45-70 recoil:

I'm on my third Marlin 45-70, the current SBL kicks much less than my previous 1895:s.

The new standard recoil pad helps (I had pads on previous ones,too) but the ergonomy is better,less stock drop or something.

I nearly wrecked my shoulders by being stupid with archery excercising (too much too strong bows,pain...) and I can't handle heavy recoil anymore. SBL is not bad at all, my plinker is 325 @ 1950. My wife can shoot it just fine. The same load in an older Guide Gun is not very enjoyable.

SBL also has ghost ring sights to begin with. I got mine last summer, have ~1500 rounds no probs. Shoots cast clean out of the box.

I do hunt moose and generally like "more gun". But a 45-70 can be really pleasant to shoot - and it is one of the easiest to cast and load for -and get cast working accurately. Just my 2€.

[Ramjet-SS]

Least we forget the 348 Winchester. Model 71 a potent and accurate and in a carbine is very easy to carry and ha does like a dream.

[northmn]

I like Marlins but only have those in Ballard rifling. Those with microgroove will always claim to get accuracy they use oversized bullets that are a bit harder than I like. Most of the 95's are now made with Ballard rifling. IN the 30-30 I used bullets sized to 309 and were soft, about 50/50 lead Wheel weight. I have generally found at hunting velocities that heavier bullets are best and the mold I had dropped the bullet at 188 grains finished weight with gas check. I could drive them at around 2000 fps. Took one deer at 140 steps from my tree. Through the lungs and it dropped very quickly with a lot of blood spray. Bullets all shot through other deer and no recovery available. I bought my 35 Remington Marlin, an old one with Ballard because of how well I liked the heavier bullet in the 30-30, but ended up just shooting jacketed out of it.

I have a 38-55 Marlin CB (Ballard rifled) and it shoots very well and is another good choice, but the bullets tend to be on the heavy side for casual shooting. I think the 30-30 in a good lever is the most versatile for plinking and deer hunting. The pistol cartridges are not all bad either but are closer ranged. 357 may be a bit marginal at longer ranges, 44mag has been proven.

DEP

[NorthMoccasin]

+ 1 on the 303 Savage. Mine shoots the 195g NOE really well

[NorthMoccasin]

Also, 45/70 with RCBS 300gr or Lyman 330 HP Are certain on deer. No need for HV loads, 1220 to 1500 fs does the trick with tolerable recoil. No need for anything heavier, IMNSHO.

[Maine1]

Leverguns can become an addiction. they are as sound a choice today as they were 100+ years ago.
To start i'd get a 30-30, as the rifles can be found in decent used shape for $300 or so, its an easy cartridge to load, brass is simple to aquire, tons of data, bullet choices, ect.

45-70 is a good option as well.

Though, I have to admit that the more classic calibers like 38-55 have an attraction for me- I'd have to buy specific brass that is not at every gun shop, but the fact that the caliber is better with cast is a big plus.

When the world stops turning and the supply chain fails, those older, less technologically advanced calibers are going to lool a lot less "obsolete" especially when the kids are done spraying 5.56 all over the hills.

On youtube, logcabinlooms does some good videos on various lever calibers and guns, hes very practical about things, reloads and shoots quite a bit. Ive learned some tricks from his vids..but be careful or you will end up with a marlin cowboy 45-70!

[Knightflyer]

I have a number of lever actions, 92s and 94s and 95s
JMs, Winchester, Rossi, and Mossberg
The best deal on a new 30-30 is the Mossberg 464 in my opinion
Hope you find what you are looking for.

I've got the Mossberg 464 too. I would add that it took quite a bit of break-in before I reached the point where I started to like it much less love it. I don't plan on ever parting with it at this point though. I've got it in a scout rifle configuration, with a 2-7x power Osprey scope. For the most part, it doesn't seem fussy about ammo (never refused to chamber a *gasp* commercial round) so if it chokes on a handload, I pretty much figure I messed up something and toss that round aside to check later. I've gotten into the habit now of taking batches of rounds that I've just assembled and feeding them through the rifle. That way I don't get anything gumming up the works when I'm at the range with limited time & tools.

I'm using 170 grain cast bullets. Plinkers are plain base or coated, full power I gas check. I'm still experimenting to get a cast load that I want to take hunting. Time and money are always very limited, but I'm making pretty good progress.

As I recall, I paid $350 for my rifle at a gun show (plus the mandatory background check). It was used, but you couldn't tell. Guy said he'd only put a box of ammo through it, and I believe him. I suspect he didn't like it because prior to break in (and some minor adjustments), it had a tendency to jam on pretty much anything you put in it. It also used to chew up the bases on brass. Doesn't do that anymore - I guess it was teething. :-P

I like 30-30 as there's a ton of bullets and boolits for it. If you need a quick box of ammo for whatever reason, anyplace that sells ammo has it. Brass is plentiful and it'll take down anything I'm likely to hunt.

[jmort]

Yes, yes, and yes

[Knightflyer]

Leverguns can become an addiction.

Maine is right, just as a warning. :holysheep
They're like potato chips, it's really hard to have just one. A pistol caliber is in my future sometime, I just have to quit waffling on which caliber.
(and come up with the money of course)

[AllanD]

Here in Pennsylvania I acquired most of my 4500 once fired 30wcf (30-30) cases in one weekend, by driving around to several (three) state ranges the weekend before opening Day of deer season (an unofficial State Holiday) when Everyone and their Uncle and all their cousins were sighting in their deer rifles.
Back then I also collected a couple of hundred 32Win Specials, but Some other guy was collecting those and he offered me all the 30-30s he had collected for them (I traded).

Some other guy was interested in the 50 or so 38-55s he had collected and offered me half a 5gal pail of once fired R-P 30-06 cases and I took that deal as well. it offends me when I find a guy collecting reloadable center-fire brass for scrap, and I'm always happy to trade something I don't use for something I will, but Range pickups are easy to get particularly just before deer season opens and even scrappers are not immune to the song sung by pictures of Dead presidents (Jackson and Grant) and founding fathers (Franklin & Hamilton)


Just remember New Virgin brass is $80 for a hundred in most popular Rifle cartridges, stuff that isn't popular is often priced so you'll ask is it made of silver? Like one of my Brother's Rifles he has a 30-378Weatherby and those cases might as well be made of silver at $4 EACH

[Beerd]

So C-dub, did you make up your mind and find a rifle yet?
..

[Knightflyer]

Here in Pennsylvania I acquired most of my 4500 once fired 30wcf (30-30) cases in one weekend, by driving around to several (three) state ranges the weekend before opening Day of deer season (an unofficial State Holiday) when Everyone and their Uncle and all their cousins were sighting in their deer rifles.

Oh wow... I have got to give that trick a try this year! Of course, when my wife opens the Home Depot bucket and finds it full of brass, I may catch it, but sacrifices must be made. [smilie=1:

[C-dubb]

So C-dub, did you make up your mind and find a rifle yet?
..

Yes I did.
Found a perfect 94 Big Bore Winchester in .375.
Mounted a Lyman peep sight on it and am currently working up loads.

[Tracy]

I've had multiple Marlins and Winchesters (and still do) and have had 4 times as many problems with Marlins. I like both, but have much better service with Winchesters. Also, no microgroove rifling in Winchesters.

I don't recommend .35 Remington. I had one for about 15 years. It was ok, but Marlins in .35 have no leade and will not accept many cast bullets. Also, the short neck is sub-optimal for cast bullets. And, brass is not common. For a 2 or 3 years I could find neither brass nor loaded ammo. My intention was to rechamber it to .356 Winchester and use necked up .308 brass (aka .358 Winchester), but eventually decided to just sell it.

For your stated purpose, I would get a Winchester 94 in .30-30. Preferably a pre-'64, if you can find one that's not too expensive.

ETA: I just saw that you got a BB 94 .375. Good choice! I've had one of those, too. Back when they were new. You can also fire .38-55 in it, and you can fire-form .30-30 brass for cheaper and more readily available brass.
Also, round ball intended for .36 cap and ball revolvers is the correct diameter for it. Just tumble lube them.

[quilbilly]

I have certainly enjoyed my Mossberg 464 30/30 for the last nine years. It has shot and fed well any CB's from 130 gr to 170 gr. that I have cast for it for the last nine years. I have not deer hunted with it but it has done well on coyotes with both the plain base and gas checked 130's at an MV of about 1350 fps. With 160 RNGC's at 1600 FPS it has proven accurate with iron sights out to 300 yards on gallon paint cans.. Just last week I saw them advertised at an LGS for $299.99 which is the lowest price I have seen in years.

[richhodg66]

I've had multiple Marlins and Winchesters (and still do) and have had 4 times as many problems with Marlins. I like both, but have much better service with Winchesters. Also, no microgroove rifling in Winchesters.

I don't recommend .35 Remington. I had one for about 15 years. It was ok, but Marlins in .35 have no leade and will not accept many cast bullets. Also, the short neck is sub-optimal for cast bullets. And, brass is not common. For a 2 or 3 years I could find neither brass nor loaded ammo. My intention was to rechamber it to .356 Winchester and use necked up .308 brass (aka .358 Winchester), but eventually decided to just sell it.

For your stated purpose, I would get a Winchester 94 in .30-30. Preferably a pre-'64, if you can find one that's not too expensive.

ETA: I just saw that you got a BB 94 .375. Good choice! I've had one of those, too. Back when they were new. You can also fire .38-55 in it, and you can fire-form .30-30 brass for cheaper and more readily available brass.
Also, round ball intended for .36 cap and ball revolvers is the correct diameter for it. Just tumble lube them.

If you couldn't find a cast bullet that worked in the .35 Remington, you didn't look very hard. Either the Lyman 206 grain RN or the RCBS 200 grain FP work great (NOE and Lee make clones of the RCBS bullet). Both of those are designed for the .35 Remington. Brass isn't really that hard to find either, just gotta look for it a little.

I have both Winchester 94s and Marlins. I do not own a micro grooved Marlin, all mine are old waffle tops. Generally, I too like the Winchesters a little better. Strange as it seems considering how much more complicated a design the Winchesters are, they do seem to work better. Marlins seem to develop jamming problems rather easily, never had that happen with a '94.

As for calibers, take your pick. I've killed deer with .30-30, .32 Special and .35 Remington, they all work fine.

[richhodg66]

I have certainly enjoyed my Mossberg 464 30/30 for the last nine years. It has shot and fed well any CB's from 130 gr to 170 gr. that I have cast for it for the last nine years. I have not deer hunted with it but it has done well on coyotes with both the plain base and gas checked 130's at an MV of about 1350 fps. With 160 RNGC's at 1600 FPS it has proven accurate with iron sights out to 300 yards on gallon paint cans.. Just last week I saw them advertised at an LGS for $299.99 which is the lowest price I have seen in years.

I want a 464. Had the itch to get one of the short, laminated ones with the Marine cote finish, just haven't gotten to it yet.

[Texas by God]

Yes I did.
Found a perfect 94 Big Bore Winchester in .375.
Mounted a Lyman peep sight on it and am currently working up loads.I just now handled a Winchester Big Bore 375 XTR. Top eject , no safety, at $1,100 gasp! I'm so thankful for my Jes 38-55.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[jughead76]

I honestly don’t think you could go wrong with any of your choices. There’s something about a lever action, you can’t just own one. Once you get one, you’ll want another one. LOL

[If1Hitu]

Lever Action Rossi 92 357 Mag.rifle.

[DDJ]

I have 2 Rossi 92's in 45 Colt. I went through the actions on both guns. Very slick

[Eddie Southgate]

38-55 or .358 Winchester would be my choice . Rifle to shoot them in should be determined by what handles best for you . I tend to do better with the older Marlins but my son prefers Winchester or clones . My .358 is a Browning .

[lesharris]

I like my Savage 99's 308 win. And one in 300 Savage.

[rking22]

You will like that top eject BB94! I have one in 375 as well, actually it could serve as my only levergun. 10gr of 20/28 (think unique) with the Lee is a giant 22, deer capable plinker. A 284 gr NOE and some rifle powder makes a nice 38-55 substitute for any deer I’m likely to see. Then you can load it to real 375Winchester levels with that 284gr bullet and go looking for a mastodon! All are accurate and it is very light and handy for hunting! Good choice!!

[quail4jake]

Marlin 1893, No. 5 engraving, half octagon, 2/3 mag, fancy walnut, .38-55, special factory order with 14 1/2" LOP and skeleton buttplate. Mfg. 1896.NRA excellent, sharp checkering and 99% original factory case colors. Absoluotely, no alternative. Must have only this rifle, end of discussion!

[quail4jake]

LOL...Best of luck!

[quail4jake]

Did I mention the gold inlays?

[jwlegal]

There is something about the 45-70 that is hard to explain. It is just a fun, all round, rifle to shoot. It can be loaded down for fun shooting, or loaded to take care of anything that walks this earth. Obviously there are other rifles that are preferred for really big game, but the 45-70 could still be used. It is easy to reload, easy to casts for, and shooting it reminds you that things (or people) that are old can still get the job done. There are lots of others, but there is just something about the 45-70....

[white eagle]

I agree about the 45-70
I have a remlin that shoots very good
I must have gotten a good one
but the 45-70 is a hoot take any game I want with it