Best Levergun you've owned??

[Pistolero]

This is probably a question that's been asked before.

But until recently I wouldn't have felt qualified to answer it. Just got hold (after a 5 month wait) Uberti 1866 Yellowboy .38SPL. Smoothest, best shooting levergun I've ever had. Previous guns:

Marlin 1894C .357 - wouldn't feed anything but FMJ of JHP boolits. But nice rifle.

Win 1894 .44Mag - loose action - lever safety a real PITA and kept ejecting spent cases down the back of my neck. But lighter and more accurate than the marlin I had. Would feed anything.

I had only heard good things about the Uberti's. Now I know it to be true. :lovebooli Smooth action and no anoying lever safety. Feeds anything. Looks great.

What do you guys say? I've seen a Uberti 1873 - next on the wish list.:lol:

[SharpsShooter]

Marlin 1895 45-70. 1st year production, no silly cross-bolt garbage, ballard rifling, Williams receiver sight. It seems to shoot whatever I feed it including single loaded paper patch boolits.


SS

[hoosierlogger]

New Haven 30-30 made by Mossberg. Its the only lever gun I have , so its also the best. No seriously I cant complain it has never let me down except for when the extractor broke.

[jh45gun]

Marlin 1895 Guide Gun 45/70 topped with a 1.5x4.5 Weaver. I had been wanting one of these for a long time now that I got one I wish I would have gotten one sooner. I had traded in a Number 5 Rolling Block that was redone and re-barreled in 45/70 to get this Marlin. I now wish instead of putting all that money into the roller I would have just bought the Marlin then. With the Ballard rifling it shoots cast great.

Henry lever in 22 Mag with a Leupold MK8 on it. Very accurate and smooth lever. I like it I only wish that the mag ammo has not gone up so much.

Winchester Model 94 30/30 made in 64. Yea its a post one but it has never given me any trouble even still has the original lifter. Has a peep rear sight and a fiber optic front sight which makes for a great combination. Classic gun in a classic caliber what's not to like. A great cast bullet gun.

[markinalpine]

...and that's 1894, NOT 94, in .30WCF, that my grandfather bought in 1908.
Mark :Fire:

[ReloaderFred]

I own about a dozen lever action rifles, so it's hard to pick one for certain, but my favorite is my Marlin 1894G in .41 Magnum. Super reliable, smooth operation and dead nuts accurate.

I have lever rifles from Savage, Winchester and Marlin, but the Marlins are the ones I prefer to shoot.

Hope this helps.

Fred

PS: A lot of people have trouble with feeding lever action rifles because they don't experiment with the over all length of their loaded rounds. Most lever action rifles prefer a specific length of cartridge, or bullet shape. I've found the RNFP bullets work best in most of them.

[excess650]

As odd as it may seem to the OP, the one that I've owned the longest and shot the most is a pre-safety 1894c bought in 1981 or so. I had and still have several other Marlins. Another favorite is a Savage 1899 rebored/rechambered from 30-30 to 38-55.

[6pt-sika]

Probably the best I've "ever" owned was a Marlin Model 1893 of 1906 vintage in 32-40 , a Marlin 1893 also of 1906 vintage in 30-30 and a Marlin 1895 of 1897 vintage in 38-56 !

All three of those were as smoth as warm butter !

Now at the present I have no less then Twentyfive Marlin 444's that were made from 1964 to 1975 and all of them are slick and function well !

Also have a Marlin "New Model 1895'" that was made in the first year of production 1972 and that one is slick and functions and shoots well !

And just recently acquired a 1967 vintage Marlin 336-44 thats pretty darned nice functionally and accuracy wise !

[45r]

The most accurate levergun is the most usefull to me and my 45-70 XLR is is so accurate it would be the last to go.It is a real tack-driver.I like my 24 inch 45colt CB very much also.

[Glen]

I don't know what the BEST lever-gun I own is, but I do know that the last one I would sell off would be the Marlin 1894 in .45 Colt. It does everything I want a little lever-action carbine to do.

[AnthonyB]

Customized Winchester BB in 356 Winchester and a Leupold Scout Scope mounted in front of the action. Without doubt the best I have now, though the Marlin 336ER in 356 Winchester will be close when it gets finished.
Tony

[crabo]

My 39A shoots lights out. The attached target has 2 10 shot groups at 50 yards. I had a 6.5X20 Luepold on it when I shot these groups. It shoots around an inch at 100. No crossbolt safety and I picked it up for $300 plus tax at a pawnshop.

I used Veral's firelap compound when I first bought the gun. I put the sights and a Cabella's lace on cheekpiece on it.

[Tom-ADC]

I like my Marlin 1894 44 mag its a early one 20+ years old fun to shoot, the one that got away was a Ithica 22lr lever action, I've since replaced it with a Henry fun to shoot very smooth action.

[herbert buckland]

I would have a hard time parting with my Burncide contract 1865 spencer 56-50,good for pigs to 100yds and a great history ,then my Evans new modle sporting rifle and my 95 Winchester 30-40 carbine for serious work

[gon2shoot]

How many choices do I get?
As far as most comfortable and fun, it would be the 1960 Marlin 336 straight stock 35 Rem.
The best built would go to the Browning Centenial 44 mag.

The one I shoot the most is a 16" Rossi 45 mdl 92.

[StrawHat]

I have only one lever action rifle, a Winchester 1895 from 1900, chambered for the 405 WCF cartridge. Since it is my only one, it must be the one I feel is the best. In the past I have had others but for various reason, sold them. In a few years, I amy sell this one.

[jh45gun]

My 39A shoots lights out. The attached target has 2 10 shot groups at 50 yards. I had a 6.5X20 Luepold on it when I shot these groups. It shoots around an inch at 100. No crossbolt safety and I picked it up for $300 plus tax at a pawnshop.

I used Veral's firelap compound when I first bought the gun. I put the sights and a Cabella's lace on cheekpiece on it.


Great Shooting. My Henry 22 Mag will put with the ammo it likes which at the time was CCI FMJ 5 shots into one 30 caliber size hole at 50 yards. Other ammo is more like half inch when I do my part. Problem is with the price of 22 mag ammo I do not use it much anymore for plinking or target shooting.

[Mk42gunner]

Its a toss-up. When we were kids, there was an Ithaca Model 72, (prerunner of the Henry) that my best friend and I swapped back and forth several times. The other was a Marlin Model 39 that was old enough that it was drilled for a scope base, but the hammer wasn't grooved for the thumb piece extention.

I lost track of the Ithaca after I went into the Navy, The Marlin got swiped out of my buddy's truck.

Wish I had them both back, now.


Robert

[Lead Fred]

For a shooter the 1996 Marlin 30AS
For walkabout the 1967 Winnie 94
Both in 30WCF

[MT Gianni]

Not a traditional but hands down the BLR in 308. Mine has killed moose to rabbits and groups cast almost as well as j-words. 5 other also rans in the safe.

[Marine Sgt 2111]

well there's my Dad's Canadian Centennial in .30-30, a Marlin 1894CL in .32-20 and a Marlin 336 in .35 Rem. Around the farm, the .32-20 hands down. Easy to carry, shoots screaming 115gr GC SWC into almost an inch at 100 yds...yeah she's my farm girl.

[Box13]

Up until a few weeks ago I thought my favorite was my marlin 1895 in 45-70(First year 7 groove rifling)But...I just got a winchester BB in 375 early production with no safety and man its a shooter.Im thinking it just became my new favorite rifle...well maybe untill something else comes along...Robin

[Combat Diver]

Currently have only one lever action, a Marlin 1894S in .41 Mag that I purchused in 87'. Have owned in the past a Marlin 1895 in 45-70, Browning 1886 Carbine in 45-70, Browning 1895 in 30-06 and a Winchester 1894 made in 41' in 30 WCF that my oldest son now has.

CD

[Guesser]

My best lever gun is not my oldest one or my newest one or my prettiest one or my ugliest one. It is a Savage 99, 30-30 Winchester, 20" barrel, made in 1936. Absolutely the finest of the dozen or so lever guns I currently have. Second would be a Marlin 336A from 1949, 32 Winchester Special, 24" with Weaver K2.5 in Buehler mounts that were sold new with the rifle.

[Beaverhunter2]

My Dad has a Canadian Centennial Win94 as well and it's a nice rifle!

I haven't had a ton of levers, but I'd have to say my 1895M is the first I'd pick and the last I'd let go. Handy, accurate, can be loaded down to shoot all day (comfortably), and can go full power to be ready for anything that walks this continent and most others. I have several "deer" rifles, but if I think I'm going to be doing any walking there's no question which one I'll be carrying.

Mine has a Weaver 1.5-4.5 on it with QD mounts. I added a slip on recoil pad to lengthen the pull a bit. I have long arms. (For example, I shoot 32 1/2" arrows and have a heck of a time finding bows with enough draw length!)


John

[357maximum]

Finally an easy question ......my favorite is a pre-micro 1951 marlin 336SC in 35 REM. I have finally gotten around to removing the glass from her after some load testing and I was shooting starlings and cowbirds with it at 65+ yards with the dead stock irons the other day in fact :lol:*(POOF)*:lol:. It will shoot just about any sane load well but really likes the RCBS35-200 and 37.0 H335 and a standard CCI200 sparkplug. The ol girl could use some new wood on her but she is still getting it done, although she does seem to have some deer repellent on her :x I think I will keep her.

[Hondo Lane]

My Ruger 96 in .22 magnum. Is a Ruger #1 classed as a lever gun? It does have a lever.

[dnepr]

my Marlin .444 , love that rifle ad it has about 20ish deer under its belt , definitly my favorite

[StarMetal]

Of all the lever actions I've own/owned I can honestly say I didn't get a bad one. What a hard choice. I'd have to say my favorite right now is a toss up between my Brownchester 1886 carbine 45-70, my non safety Winnie 94 45 Colt Trapper, and my early model Marlin Cowboy rifle in 45 Colt.

[Mel-4857]

My 1950 vintage Marlin 336 with a long barrel and half mag. in 32 Win Special. Best shooting lever action I have. Mel

[M4Sherman]

I have an old .35 rem marlin lever-gun (can remember the model) and that is about my favorite

[bearcove]

Browning BL-22, Shot anything great. Most ammo would be a ragged hole at 50 yards.

Centerfire would be a 35 rem marlin.

[Throwback]

Marlin 39-A .22 LR

I like my others but the 39-A is one of my favorite rifles. I would like to get my hands on a Win M71. A friend has one of the deluxe Browning copies in a Carbine that might give the Marlin a run for it money but I suspect it would only rate a close second.

[Three-Fifty-Seven]

I like my Marlin pre safety 1894 in 44mag, but my wife's 1894c is a fun gun to shoot the 357 out of!

[frankenfab]

I haven't had alot of different lever guns, so my favorite achieved its staus by being the rifle I shot my first deer with, and the fact that it will consistently shoot 1.5" groups at 100 yds. with the 300 gr. Speer SP and 48 grains H322.

It's the 444SS on the top.......

http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/ab26/444slayer/GUNZ/444.jpg

[hansumtoad]

I'd have to say it would be a 39A Mountie that been mine to watch over since I was 15 years old and it was new.

Have a number of really nice lever guns, but this has been my lifelong favorite.

[Ed Barrett]

1899 Savage in .303 Savage take down made in 1919. Has a Marble tang peep sight on it. Smoothest action of any lever gun I've ever handled, Feeds every thing I have ever put through it, trigger is as consistant as a bolt action. I love to shoot the old girl off hand.

[Buckshot]

............A Marlin basic M1893 made in 1905 in 30-30. Cresent butt, 26" tapered octagon bbl. It belonged to my great grandfather and would shoot ANYTHING, cast or jacketed.

..............Buckshot

[Pistolero]

Wow - seems the overwhelming response is for Marlins.

Maybee I had a dud one? (1894c .357) Just couldn't get it to feed any cast boolits reliably.

But I did have a 336 in .30-30 win. That one was a cracker. :cbpour:

[NickSS]

I own a bunch of lever actions and all are either winchesters, Marlins or clones of them. I have two Favorites that would remain longest if I had to sell off my collection for some reason. The first and foremost is my 94 Winchester 30-30 that I bought in 1972. It is accurate, light and handy and in my opinion the 30-30 round is very versitile for a number of things. I have several moarlins and other 94 winchesters but none come close to making me want to pick them over my old standby. The Second is my Rossi stainless 92 Puma in 45 Colt. This rifle has been with my since I bought it and is one of my most fired rifles. Either it or my Winchester 94 goes with me every where in my car and they serve me well. As I have probably around 100 or more rifles that is saying something I think.

[Muddy Creek Sam]

Just to put a kink in this lever rifle lovefest, The absolute best Lever I own and have owned, Probably about 25, is my Original 1887 12 ga 30" barrel DOM 1892. Second would be my 1873 Clone.

Sam :D

[.357]

Savage 99 in 300 savage.

[451whitworth]

I have only one lever action rifle, a Winchester 1895 from 1900, chambered for the 405 WCF cartridge. Since it is my only one, it must be the one I feel is the best. In the past I have had others but for various reason, sold them. In a few years, I amy sell this one.

1900? i thought the 405 WCF didn't come out until 1904-1905 time period.

[edsmith]

win. 92 converted to .357 was stolen along my other guns.

[Crash_Corrigan]

I had a '52 vintage Winchester 94 in .32 Special which would not group with anything I could cast at all. I loved the handiness and compactness of the gun but I could get no joy in the accuracy department with this gun.

I let it go and a few years ago I backed into a deal for a '29 Model 94 in 30-30 in very good condition. The metal is a mite worn on the receiver but is fine elsewhere and the wood is perfect. It also shoots out the eyes of a mouse at 50 yds with cast boolits. It is a joy to shoot and carry.

I have another lever action but this one is a single shot 1885 Model in 50-90 Sharps. This is not something that you would want to carry about. I can manage to move it from the bed of the F-150 to the shooting table and back. However it is a shooting fool with cast boolits.

I guess the favorite is the Model 94 as it is more versitile and handy but the 1885 is also a fun gun as well.

[missionary5155]

Good evening
I have had to think on this one a while...
Years ago I came across a 1876 Winchester 45-60 that had been refinished and relined. Got it very reasonable. It has a 28" barrel. It is heavy and CLANKS like a m60A1 tank when the action is levered.. but is one sweet shooter out to 150 yards. I put a tang sight on it for 150 and zeroed the buck hork rear sight for 75 and 100. A 285 grain 40-1 .461 with 57 grains 2F is one happy afternoon walking the river bottoms or scouting along the ditches.
Real close 2nd is a 1903 vintage 1894 38-55. . 383 throat and a round 26" barrel..
Some day it is gonna be a tough choice between the two for one last hunt.
Mike in Peru

[sargenv]

So far the only one I have.. an original model 336 from the first year.. confirmed by entering the serial # into Marlin's online lookup.. in 30-30. Holds 6+1 and I shoot 90% of the ammo as handloads and cast bullets.. though soon I will be attempting to cast for it..

[ammohead]

You want me to pick between a 99 in 250 savage, another in 284 win, a 95 in 405 win, a 94 in 7-30 waters and a model 71?

I love them all and a few other levers to boot.

ammohead

[starbits]

Old timer would be 1886 Win in 38-56. sn#8xxx Sep 1887 manufacture. After 123 years the stock has some dings, but the metal is near pristine.

Modern (although discontinued) is a SAKO Finnwolf V63 in .243 Sweet shooting rifle.

Starbits

[big boar]

Marlin 1895M in 450 Marlin. Best carrying and fast shooting rifle I've ever owned. 4-5" 5 shot groups @200yds are common with a 1-4X Leupold scope though I've got a couple of lucky 3 shot groups under 2" at the 200 yd mark. We all get those flukes once in awhile. For rapid shooting, 3 shots in under 4 secs on a 8" square target at 25-50yds, is done with some practice. Not a varmint gun but for deer in the thick stuff it would be hard to beat. Only cast bullets need apply.

[excavman]

I guess I'll have to step to the Marlin side of the aisle. My all time favorite was a Marlin 336 in 35 Rem that I had 40 years ago. I've had many over the years but that one rifle stands out.

Larry

[BarryinIN]

I guess I'd have to say my Savage 99G in .300 Savage.

That 99 might not have been my choice at one time, but I've decided it can do about anything I need done with a rifle. It shoots everything well (cast or jacketed), has good ballistics, handles well, works well, and takes down to a handy package.

I have others that might look nicer or be worth more, and they might do certain things better, but that Savage probably does more things well that I need done.
If I needed a big bore, the Marlin 1895 would be the choice.

[Gee_Wizz01]

My favorite is kind of a toss up between a 16" Rossi in 45 Colt and a Savage 99F in .243 Win. The Savage was my first deer rifle back in 1963, and has killed a large number of deer, coyotes and assorted varmints. The Rossi gets carried everywhere on the ranch as it is so handy. The Savage is not the most accurate for punching paper, and it doesn't do well with cast boolits, but it deals death to white tails out to 250 yds with monotonous regularity. The Rossi shoots 1" groups with Lyman 454424 and H110. Feral hogs must fear the Rossi because they NEVER are around when I carry it.

G

[Bret4207]

A toss up between my Savage 99 308 and Marlin 336SC 35 rem.

[rollmyown]

C'mon guys, stop teasing and show more photographs!!!

[cuzinbruce]

Winchester 1892 in 32/20, rifle, not a carbine. Goes with my 32/20 revolvers. Also like a Marlin Levermatic in .22 WMRF.

[BarryinIN]

C'mon guys, stop teasing and show more photographs!!!

OK, here is a couple.
This is my first choice, taken down:
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c240/ColtsR4Football/IMG_1228-1.jpg

Here is one of my runner up picks (20" Browning 71):
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c240/ColtsR4Football/001-4.jpg
Sticking out of the shirt pocket is the Indiana Veteran's Permanant (lifetime) Hunting and Fishing permit of my dad's. He never even saw this rifle, but I thought it fit in the picture well.

[Combat Diver]

Pictures he wants....Here's my Marlin 1894S in .41 Mag (87') and my sons Win 94 in .30 WCF (41').

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/Apr04_1012_crop.jpg


ETA post 41 about 41s.[smilie=l:

[WallyM3]

Browning Model 81 (BLR) in .358 Winchester. Steel.

[thx997303]

You want pics now?

Darn that rool 16!

http://i312.photobucket.com/albums/ll331/thx997303/100_2348.jpg

[Hondo Lane]

Well some body wanted pictures so here you are.
This is my collection of lever guns. One for every task from moose to mouse.
From left to right...
Marlin .444 with scout scope set up.
Ruger 96 in .22 magnum.
Ruger #1B in .223.
Winchester 94 in .32-40 circa 1898.
Winchester 94 in .30 WCF circa 1940, nickel plated.
Erma-Werke model EG71 .22 rimfire (winchester clone).
and last but not least,Stevens Favorite in.22 rimfire.
As you can see it is hard to pick a favorite. I love them all but my favorite shooter would be the Ruger 96 .22 mag or the Winchester 94 in 32-40 with cast boolits.
http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk257/hail-man/100_1643.jpg

[legend]

Mine was an original 1894 30wcf rifle.
lots of deer fell in vermont to that before i left home.
wish i still had it.

[Freischütz]

Win M95 in 35 WCF, shotgun butt

[izzyjoe]

well, i just can't pick one fav. seems they all are, marlins .44 .35 and a couple ol'e dirty 30-30's. all shoot boolits well,and all have made meat. simplicity is the key.:veryconfu

[jh45gun]

Just Curious Hondo how old is that Erma? Why I am asking is it is basically what we know now as a Henry. When folks started bashing Henry's a few years ago on the net saying they would not last like a Winchester or a Browning or a Marlin I told them that they first come out as a Erma then Erma made some for Ithica then Iver Johnson had some of the same gun and now they are called Henrys. So they are not a flash in the pan or a new comer as they have been out for quite a while. I know one guy who has a Ithica that he has shot it a lot in a 22 mag and it has never failed him. Which is why I bought my Henry in 22 mag.

[Southern Man]

Winchester 1894 , SRC , 30 WCF , made 1899 , special order express sights. Shoots and feeds H&G 170 FP- GC great.
1895 Marlin close second.

Southern Man

[Hondo Lane]

Just Curious Hondo how old is that Erma? Why I am asking is it is basically what we know now as a Henry. When folks started bashing Henry's a few years ago on the net saying they would not last like a Winchester or a Browning or a Marlin I told them that they first come out as a Erma then Erma made some for Ithica then Iver Johnson had some of the same gun and now they are called Henrys. So they are not a flash in the pan or a new comer as they have been out for quite a while. I know one guy who has a Ithica that he has shot it a lot in a 22 mag and it has never failed him. Which is why I bought my Henry in 22 mag.

I don't know how old the Erma is. I've had it 20+ years. It shoots good with the open sights but my eyes are getting to a point where open sights are fuzzy. I bought my son the exact gun in a Ithica. That one came from my brother-inlaw and he bought the Ithica in the mid 70's. I think it was new. I believe the Erma's were a bit before that. That company changed hands quite a few times before it ended up in "Henry's" arms.

[jh45gun]

I don't know how old the Erma is. I've had it 20+ years. It shoots good with the open sights but my eyes are getting to a point where open sights are fuzzy. I bought my son the exact gun in a Ithica. That one came from my brother-inlaw and he bought the Ithica in the mid 70's. I think it was new. I believe the Erma's were a bit before that. That company changed hands quite a few times before it ended up in "Henry's" arms.


That is true but the gun was the same it never changed I suspect that Erama was from the 60's which means that design has stood the test of time which the naysayers of Henry said would never happen. Plus they are accurate my 22 mag shoots great and the few 22 LR versions I have seen at the range also show that. Yea the Ithica version of the gun was sold in the early 70's if I remember right.

For the record the guy that owns Henry Anthony Imperato is the son of the guy who had Erma make up them first guns and he is the guy who designed the rifle. His name was Louis Imperato he just passed away a couple of years ago. According to their website the family has been in the gun business since 1911.

[Hondo Lane]

Yes I find the Erma accurate. I may be batty but It seems like the bullets fired from that gun do more damage to a gopher(Richardson's ground squirrel) than the same bullets fired in other guns. It just seems to tear the little beggars up. We have several .22 around here and the ammo of choice is the Federal hollow points that come in the 525 round boxes.

[jh45gun]

That Federal hollow point shot well out of any 22 I ever used also.

[Bullshop]

I had to think about this one because I have had so many I have liked.
A Marlin 25/20 with receiver sight was murder on crows out to 100 yards or a little better. Another rifle length Marlin 32/20 was the most authoritative small game getter I can think of. Because I still have it and because of the way it warms me from the inside like a shot of good whisky when I hear its 1/2" diameter boolits smack moose I have to put my favorite tag on my 86 Win 50 AK. This is an original I had re barreled because its first 45/90 barrel was completely rusted out. 26" barrel and full length mag tube this is a big mean huntin machine and leaves no doubt as to weather you hit when the sound of the 510gn custom WFN's impact returns to the shooter.
A worthy Alaskan moose and bear gun.
BIC/BS

[WallyM3]

Now that's a gun!

[Hondo Lane]

More pictures guys. More pictures...

[Grapeshot]

For me it would have to be my 1873 Navy Arms Lever Action Winchester clone. It started out as a .44-40 in 1981 but I wanted a companion piece for my S&W M25-5. So I had it rebarreled with a Douglas barrel and chambered for .45 Colt. The Barrel has a 1:16 inch twist.

I also have a Marlin M39 in .22LR which shoots one, half-ince hole, per full magazine if I do what I'm supposed to do.

I used to own a Marlin .45-70 M1895 that was great, but had to let that go.

Current ly I also have in my battery, Uberti's 1866 Carbine and 1873 short rifle in .44WCF and a Chaparell M1876 in .45-60 WCF. All three shoot well enough for me to consider keeping.

[johnlaw484]

Model 39 Marlin or 336

[qajaq59]

a 55 year old Savage 99 featherweight in .308.

[GARCIA]

Would have to be my great grandfathers 1886 Winchester in 45-90. Production date of 1892. Going to the oldest son when I am gone just like it has been passed down.

Still hunt with it.

Tom

[The Dove]

30-30 Winchester model 94 handed down from my Dad.

The Dove

[Newtire]

It's a toss up between a Marlin '93 in 30-30 and a Winchester 64 in 32 special & now a Win '92 in 32-20.

[Centaur 1]

This question is easy, it's my Marlin 336SS 30-30 that I bought new last year. I've read everything that one could possibly read about this gun and I used the information to lapp the receiver and make it slick as glass. I topped it with a picatinny rail style scope mount, and Millett detachable low rings. They hold my Bushnell Elite 3200 2-7X32mm scope to the receiver. The way that I see it there are quite a few specialty guns on the market, and as much as we might want one of these guns most of us won't use them for their intended use. In the United States we have far more deer hunters than any other animal and most of them are shot in the woods from a tree stand. The Marlin 336 was designed to hunt deer. When I bring mine to my shoulder, the rifle becomes an extension of my arms and the scope is in perfect alignment with my eye. The 30-30 has plenty of power for deer at any range that I'm capable of shooting. I just put it back together today after refinishing the stock. I hated the marshield finish because it hid too much of the wood. Here's some pics:

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk248/mlschmall/IMG_0047.jpg

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk248/mlschmall/IMG_0042.jpg

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk248/mlschmall/IMG_0040.jpg

http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk248/mlschmall/IMG_0056.jpg

[RemSoles]

My savage 99 in 300 savage is my favorite lever. Shoots 1 1/2 to 2 inches at 100 yds. with open sights. I do also like the winchester and marlin rifles but they're not my favorites.

[Missoulaz28]

Favorite is a toss up between my M39 ('46) 22lr that is scary accurate and the 1894 41mag CCL that is a beauty and accurate. The 1895 cowboy is right behind them.

[gnoahhh]

For me it's a hard choice between two Savage 1899H Takedowns, one in .303 Savage and the other in .30/30. Both loaded the same with 190 gr. FN cast @ 1900 fps. Or if I'm feeling daring, an 1899H TD in .22 HiPower shooting 70 gr. jacketed @ 2800fps. All three have been pleasant companions while guarding the trees in deer season.

[windy]

16" Model 94 32WS trapper. Shoots like a 32 Special, or a 32-40, or a 32-20 depending on what I feed it. Won't shoot that "leverevolution" stuff fer sour apples, but I've got a 300 Savage if I need one, so who cares? Had more meals off a pimpy black-and-chrome Remington Nylon 76, made more venison with a BLR in .308, but the leetle trapper's WAY more fun!
mind yer topknots! windy

[Old Grump]

Of all the lever actions in the house the oldest (1930), Win 94 32 Win Spcl is the smoothest and the most accurate. I literally bought it in a coffee can, the barrel and stock were handed to me at the auction and the innards in the can, I also bought the case of ammo that went with it.

Only one other guy bid and he dropped out after I went up to $50. Another 125 at my Smith and it was blued and put back together, a year later he put aperture sights on it and I have a barn yard nail driver. Apparently the guy who owned it had about 200 other rifles and shotguns. This one was taken apart and left under a pile of junk on his workbench for 30 some years according to his son. they were surprised anybody wanted it. I was surprised at how well the old gun shot considering there was no bluing on it at all, just a layer of grease and rust. In fact I used a spray can of tire cleaner to clean the wood to see what I had for stock. Not a prize winner but solid and decent wood. I am a happy camper.

[shdwlkr]

my best lever action would be hard to pick as I have a bunch of them. I have some issues with the newer models but they all shoot just fine once you learn the rules of using them. I have one that was made in the early part of the 19 th century well actually 2 and they are much different than the newer ones and I am very happy with them.
I have two model 92's right now an original and a new made lawyer model and for my needs they both work just fine. I am looking at building to more just because I can so will have 4 model 92's t;hen.
I just don't know how you pick just one when you have a bunch of them and for me it is just not possible. So my best would be the one I pull out of the rack and go use on that day and tomorrow it will be another one. Why just because I can.

[Four Fingers of Death]

My fav is probably the cheapest rifle I have ever owned, a Rossi 357/38, it is the one in my avitar. I thnk it has seen as many rounds as the rest of the many levers I have owned over the years. Accurate, never misses a beat, great rifle (rough it is, I must admit).

I have a pre 64 94 in 30/30 that I picked up recently, I think either it or my recent production 444 Marlin may become my favs anddddddddddddd there is my 1873 U Beauty 44/40, after a rough start, it is shaping to be an awesome rifle, I'll get back to you in a few months.

[10 ga]

My old "Red Ryder". I don't have any idea how many "rounds" I put through it but after about a month I didn't even have to aim. I could usually just point and hit my intended target. AAHHHHH, such great memories! 10 ga

[skeet1]

Marlin 1894 CB .44 Mag 24" barrel.

Skeet1

[9.3X62AL]

I not gots no steenkeeng peectures.

My favorite has to be the 1930 Savage 99 in 250 Savage. It is dead-nuts accurate with cast and jacketed bullets. It went along a couple days back on a coyote and jackrabbit excursion, just to break in the new hunting license. NEI spire-point bore riders at 1700 FPS sent 4 jacks to The Big Mesquite Flat In The Sky. No song dogs partook of the jack carcasses on the return trip inbound, and no amount of calling could summon their presence.

[cwskirmisher]

I have lots of Winchesters in the safe, all great guns. But my first choice for hunting is my Marlin 1936. It is a "B" serial number which puts its data of manuf at 1941. The .32 Win Spl cartridge is a deer killer extrordinaire. There is a Lyman 56 receiver sight on it, as when I received the rifle, and for hunting I remove the target aperture and use the mount ring as a ghost sight. It needs a new ejector/spring though, as it just started to refuse to launch spent brass - a new one is on order and I hope that'll do it. This is a fine gun with remnants of case coloring still evident on the receiver.

[mikeystew]

Easily my 1980 marlin .444s. it's super accurate with anything i put in it and looks very cool.

[pls1911]

Every 40 or so 1893, '93 and other pre micro groove 30-30 Marlins though what... about 1953 or 1954?
Smooth, accurate with cast bullets, and to my detriment, more addicting than pretty girls...

[ErikT]

Mine is a toss-up between my 1897 vintage Winchester 1894 in .38-55 (just had it relined!), and my 1919 vintage Savage 99TD in .250-3000. Both are quite accurate with both cast and jacketed slugs, and both are more than adequate for our hefty Alberta whitetails and mulies.

Erik.

[Win86]

Great thread- Having a bunch of levers, all Winchesters. My favorites and the ones that get shot are the old 1886's. Having collected 86's for many years, old Snooky Williamson got me really enjoying them when reading his book many years ago. Still have that book and read it often never getting tired of his shootin' stories.

win86

[fordwannabe]

Most prized is my winchester 1886 in 33wcf. The one that goes the most places and does the most work...Marlin 1895 it's a shooter. Tom

[MakeMineA10mm]

Mine is my Marlin 1894SS. I'm sure I've told the story before, but I bought it from a friend after we shot it with Blazers (of all things) and were getting better than 2" groups at 75-80 yards with it in 35-degree, 12-inch snow.

[yarro]

My Win 1886 .45-70 shoots great.
Win 1892 in .357 Mag shoot great as well.
Uberti 1873 in .357 shoot great with BP in a 38 case with heavy bullet, never shot it with anything else.
Marlin .30-30 is another great gun.
Had Marlins in .357 and .44 Mag. Both shot jacketed well, but I never got them to shoot cast as well as the others so I traded them for the Win 1892 since I only had 325 in the pair.

Still haven't shoot my .44/40 Uberti 73
Navy Arms .44/40 Henry, which was a pre-production sample with high grade wood and 2 digit serial number with no import markings. It came from the estate of a guy who was a distributor in the 60s/70s.

Haven't shot one that was put together well that I didn't like.

-yarro

[zac0419]

Well it's still really new to me, and it's the only one I own. But my 94 Big Bore 375 is my favorite.

It was because of advice heard right here at CB that I bought this caliber and model. I looked high and low for the right price. Found this one with real nice wood and a beautiful bore for a price I could live with. Only put 30-40 rounds through it so far (Factory j-words only until I have time to cast and reload.)
It shoulder's real nice and shoots where you point it. I can't believe I waited this long to fall in love with a lever...


http://i1190.photobucket.com/albums/z458/zac0419/Guns/P1010974.jpg

http://i1190.photobucket.com/albums/z458/zac0419/Guns/acfc6d.jpg

http://i1190.photobucket.com/albums/z458/zac0419/Guns/acfc6c.jpg

[9.3X62AL]

Nice walnut handles on that critter!

The 375 Winchester is a caliber that should have been a lot more popular than its sales data indicates. I'm among the thousands of other shooters asleep at the switch when they were in production that failed to get one. I really think the Win 94 BB or its Marlin 336 counterpart in 375 were among the best lever rifle packages ever put together in this country. GREAT woods rifles.

[Hondo Lane]

I agree with the 375 being a good cartridge. I looked for a Winchester in this caliber for quite awhile and finally settled on a .444 Marlin for my big-bore. I mounted a Scout-Scope ahead of the action which makes it a bit nicer to carry. I probably would have done the same with a .375 if I could have found one.

[hollow-point]

444 marlin 2nd year production. fed any thing did any thing. but it did kick!

[bigbear]

OK, here is a couple.
This is my first choice, taken down:
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c240/ColtsR4Football/IMG_1228-1.jpg

Here is one of my runner up picks (20" Browning 71):
http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c240/ColtsR4Football/001-4.jpg
Sticking out of the shirt pocket is the Indiana Veteran's Permanant (lifetime) Hunting and Fishing permit of my dad's. He never even saw this rifle, but I thought it fit in the picture well.

What sight is that on the 71? thanks!From a 71 nut:D

[BarryinIN]

Current production Lyman 66 for the Win 1886, with a Merit adjustable aperture. I'd take the Merit off for hunting, and forgot it was on for that picture. The current Lyman 66 for the 1886 looks different too because Lyman puts "semi-target" knobs on them. It's sort of a mystery to me as to why they do that on the sight for that rifle.

[44 flattop]

Man, I had to give this a lot of thought for a few days. Really didn't come up with an answer so.....................

My favorite should be the sweetest shooting .348 model 71 you ever saw, making five shot groups as small as 1" @ 100 yards.

Or it should be one of my superbly accurate '86's.

Or a number of other absolutely beautiful Winchesters.

But I guess I better go with the two that are out of the safe everyday, one of which is carried most everyday. And those two are Marlin Cowboys in .44 mag/sp. One is 20" and the other 24". I went checking traps today and found the 20" hanging from my shoulder. Yesterday when I went for a hike where there were dangerous rocks that sometimes need killin', I went with the 24" model and was able to stop a few dead in their track before they were able to wreak any havok..:mrgreen:

44

[MakeMineA10mm]

Hmmm. LGS has 2 Model 99s on the shelf for reasonable money, but they're both in rough shape. Both are 300 Savages. Both actions work slick, and I love the cartridge counters! (They're both older models - pre-DBM.)

I'm afraid I'm gonna have to look at 'em again soon...

[TXGunNut]

Best? First was a Big Bore in .375 Win that's too minty to hunt with anymore. Most pleasing to handle and gaze upon? A pair of 95% Trappers; 45 Colt AE and a 1981 30-30. Slickest? A recently acquired 336 in 35 Rem that's getting smoother all the time. Most interesting? An "almost new" 1969 94 in 32 Spcl. Most likely to be hanging from my shoulder on a hunting trip? My faithful Guide Gun in 45-70. All were bought new or in nearly new condition so all are in very good condition. Best? Been thinking about that all day and I have no idea. I think I need a 92, an 86 and maybe an 1873 to hang out with them to but that probably won't be helpful.

[saz]

The best one I had was a 70's vintage 95 marlin in 45/70 I picked up in a pawn shop for $125 about 13 years ago. It looked like it had been cleaned EVERY DAY from the muzzle end with a steel cleaning rod and about the last 2" of the 22" barrel looked like a shotgun barrel. Quick trip to the gunsmith netted a 16.25" barrel, and I niter blued the lever, hammer, trigger and all the screws, while the rest of it was grey parkerized. It looked cool, carried like a dream and shot everything I put through it very well. I hadnt started casting yet back then, but it would take remington 300gr JHP's and put them on top of each other all day long. That rifle was one of the more foolish sales I made, but I needed the money. A fella at the range offered me $600 for it, and I only had about $275 into the whole thing- needed the money more than the rifle at the time.

Now a days it is a 16.5" Puma 454 casull. Shoots well, but the facotry sights are junk. It will be getting a reciever sight of some type someday. Great carry rifle. Still miss that old marlin though......

[Artful]

Do you think the '94 Winchester Big Bore really needed the beefed up receiver, or was it just a marketing ploy?

According to the rag's of the time, the factory tested the 375 big bore in standard 94's and found it stretched the action. You got to remember they upped the pressure to 55,000 CIP over that of the 38-55 's 31,000 CIP. You probably wouldn't have had catastrophic failures but head space creep and retired rifles and with the liability lawyers they just beefed up the action to avoid any class action law suits.

[bigbear]

Man, I had to give this a lot of thought for a few days. Really didn't come up with an answer so.....................

My favorite should be the sweetest shooting .348 model 71 you ever saw, making five shot groups as small as 1" @ 100 yards.

Or it should be one of my superbly accurate '86's.

Or a number of other absolutely beautiful Winchesters.

But I guess I better go with the two that are out of the safe everyday, one of which is carried most everyday. And those two are Marlin Cowboys in .44 mag/sp. One is 20" and the other 24". I went checking traps today and found the 20" hanging from my shoulder. Yesterday when I went for a hike where there were dangerous rocks that sometimes need killin', I went with the 24" model and was able to stop a few dead in their track before they were able to wreak any havok..:mrgreen:

44
What load gave you the 1" 348 Win groups. I have one that will put 3 into 1", but I always quit when I get three that close with a 71, hate to ruin a beautiful thing:wink:

[Reload3006]

for me it would be a toss up. the First and still my favorite is my winny 94 30-30 its the best to me because it was my grandpas. I don't use it much but i did harvest a nice deer with it this season it was the first time I ever used it deer hunting. What made it more special to me was I Lost my Dad about 5 years ago to Lung Cancer and had lost my Grandpa around 96 to pneumonia. I swaged my own J word bullets for it and loaded them up. This season I used my grandpas 30-30 and my Dads hunting clothes. Hokey I know but all to gather it meant the most to me I suppose in a way it was my most meaningful harvest in my life I am 53 and have had several deer hunts but for all the reasons stated its been the most meaningful.

The Best in terms of quality fit and function would have to be a Browning 92 44 mag that I let my ex wife talk me into giving to her dad for a Christmas present. I did dearly love that rifle. Guess I was thinking with the wrong head when I made that dumb move.

[Rick Hodges]

My favorite lever gun? That is easy. My Winchester 9422M. Yep it is a rimfire magnum. It is smooth as silk, functions flawlessly and is scarey accurate. With Win. 34 gr. hp ammo it is more accurate than any rimfire that I have owned....including an Anshutz and Ruger 1022T. It is a pity they discontinues them.

[44 flattop]

What load gave you the 1" 348 Win groups. I have one that will put 3 into 1", but I always quit when I get three that close with a 71, hate to ruin a beautiful thing:wink:
Two loads. Hornadys 200gr with 65grs of AA3100 And Saeco's 250gr which leaves the mould at 265grs and 58grs of AA3100. This one isn't quite maximum in my rifle but really shoots nicely. To get groups that small however I found I have to take about 1 minute between shots. If I hustle through my group they open up just a little bit.


This season I used my grandpas 30-30 and my Dads hunting clothes. Hokey I know but all to gather it meant the most to me I suppose in a way it was my most meaningful harvest in my life I am 53 and have had several deer hunts but for all the reasons stated its been the most meaningful.
Not 'hokey' at all.

The word I would use is aweseome. The sort of thing that will leave a lump in my throat.

I did kind of the same thing a few years back. I used my wifes Grandfathers rifle (he meant the world to me), an old M70 in 300 H&H, wore his old old wool long underwear and wore his hat, used his favorite bullet (180gr Silvertip) and went deer hunting in one of his favorite area's. By 8 a.m. I had a really nice 3x3 on the ground along with a few tears.

44

[BarryinIN]

And Saeco's 250gr which leaves the mould at 265grs and 58grs of AA3100.

There is (was?) a Saeco .348 mould?

[hicard]

My 1895 GS.

[rbertalotto]

I Luv Em' All!

http://images16.fotki.com/v387/photos/2/36012/10325832/Leverswithwords2-vi.jpg

http://images58.fotki.com/v510/photos/2/36012/9510118/DSC_2316-vi.jpg

http://images53.fotki.com/v249/photos/2/36012/10156578/DSC_3437-vi.jpg
39A with converted octagon barrel

http://images56.fotki.com/v127/photos/2/36012/9578412/DSC_2600-vi.jpg

http://images17.fotki.com/v147/photos/2/36012/9586629/DSC_2951-vi.jpg
336 with converted octagon barrel

http://images45.fotki.com/v153/photos/2/36012/9556651/DSC_2500-vi.jpg

Serious case of Leveritis!

[TXGunNut]

Serious case of Leveritis! -rbertalotto


Understood. Can see how it would be a chore to pick a favorite from that group, not a cull in that herd! If this Leveritis thing turns out to be terminal I hope I'm in your will. OTOH I've got a pretty serious case myself.

[44 flattop]

There is (was?) a Saeco .348 mould?

Yes there is and is still available. Its their 350250. A really great mould.

44

[kelbro]

My favorite lever gun? That is easy. My Winchester 9422M. Yep it is a rimfire magnum. It is smooth as silk, functions flawlessly and is scarey accurate. With Win. 34 gr. hp ammo it is more accurate than any rimfire that I have owned....including an Anshutz and Ruger 1022T. It is a pity they discontinues them.

I have one of those and it too is a fine shooter. Those 33gr Remingtons go into one hole at 75yds and less than an inch at 100yds with a NECG aperture sight. The wood is almost too pretty to take out and use it like it should be used.

That's where the 39A comes in. Another 'near-laser' rimfire out to 50 yds. with the factory iron sights.

[Boerrancher]

Well my over all favorite Lever gun is the 99 Savage. Over the years I have owned several, but now I am just down to a 300sav and a 243win. If I really get serious about hunting, I grab the 300sav. In the 20+ years of owning it, I have never had a game animal get away from that rifle but one, and there was a tree limb I didn't see and killed it instead of the buck I was shooting at. Countless whitetails have fallen to my 300sav Mod 99.

My favorite everyday lever gun is my Rossi Mod 92 in 45LC. I seldom leave the house with out it. It is a great shooter, I have taken quite a few deer and coyote with it out to 150 yards. It is by far my most trusted companion. I would not feel a bit handicapped taking it out west and smacking a moose or a bear with it. With my hand loads I can match factory 45-70 ballistics which most folks consider ideal for bear. I know more abut that little 92 than I do my wife and we have been together for 14 years. It is by far my favorite and best lever gun I have ever owned, when it comes to an all around gun. I like it well enough that a few years ago I found one just like it in a gun shop, NIB, but with out the safety. The shop owner told me it had set on the shelf for nearly 10 years with lots of folks looking at it but putting it back when they saw it was a 45LC and not a 44 or 357mag. I was figuring he was going to want over $400 for it, but when I ask, I was told $300 out the door. After nearly tearing off my back pocket to get to my wallet, it followed me home.

Best wishes,

Joe

[Freischütz]

Win M95. 405 and 35 WCF are my favorite cartridges.

[BarryinIN]

Yes there is and is still available. Its their 350250. A really great mould.

44

I still don't see it on their website, or any of the usual suppliers.

[44 flattop]

I still don't see it on their website, or any of the usual suppliers.

You are right. I just looked at my www.buffaloarms.com catalog which is where I bought mine a few years back and don't see it. Maybe its on their online website and I missed it.

Sorry :-(

44

[Dirty30]

I own too many and love them all the really make a choice. They are all original Winchesters. It may seem un-interesting, but my 1894 30-30 is my go to rifle and I love it. It makes dead things for my belly. I can out shoot many good trap shooters with my 1887 12 guage. My 1895 .405 makes a lot of meat as well and feeds like it's coated in teflon. (not to mention that big slug hits critters like a runaway train)

[BarryinIN]

You are right. I just looked at my www.buffaloarms.com catalog which is where I bought mine a few years back and don't see it. Maybe its on their online website and I missed it.

Sorry :-(

44

Oh well. I like Saeco moulds and thought I'd have to get another.

[Mad Mucus]

Marlin Cowboy Ltd .45Colt with smokeless or black powders.

Soon to take possession of another shooter, a Winchester Legendary Frontiersman 38-55Win..... so top position may change.

[1Papalote]

Toss up..............Between two cowboys. 336 30-30 and 1894 45 colt. Both 24"ers, both scary accurate.

1Papalote

[barkerwc4362]

My favorite lever is my Browning 1886 rifle in 45/70. It has been restocked so it wears a Winchester steel shotgun buttplate and a Lyman tang sight. My favorite load is a Lyman Gould bullet paper patched over the "Keith" load of 4895.

Bill

[ocelott]

My favorite would have to be my Marlin 1894C
39962

[ajjohns]

Mine's is my 92 Winchester, 25-20. Full length octagon barrel. The little hole in that barrel reminds of a target rifle, with the right loads it almost is!

[Doc.Holliday]

My Model 92 winchester in 44-40 cal. No action jobs needed on this original model.
Like a hot knife thru butter.
Too bad they cannot build them like this anymore; all this new technology in manufacturing and metallurgy and old engineering got the new levers all beat.
Doc.

[Bullet Caster]

I guess my favorite is the only one I own and that's my Model 94 Winchester chambered in .45 Colt. BC

[mellonhead]

I have a Marlin Cowboy in 45 Colt that is an absolute tack driver and feeds just about everything I have fed it. It will be one of the last guns I would ever get rid of!!

Toby

[TXGunNut]

When Charlton Heston was NRA pres he dropped in (almost) unannounced on a small dinner during the PPC Nationals in Jackson, MS. He gave an awesome rendition of the speech that didn't make it into his movie about the Exodus from Eqypt. Went on for 20+ minutes without notes. Awesome. RIP, Patriot.
My point? You didn't ask the man about his favorite role. He wasn't sure he'd played it yet. (As it turned out, he had. Wonder what it was?) I'm not sure my favorite levergun is in my safe yet. Any levergun I buy is going to have some tough competition but I'll keep an open mind.

[175lt2]

I have a bunch of lever guns but by far my favorite,,and the best cast boolit shooter is my
336 cowboy in 38-55
If marlin ever gets their act back together I would love to see them bring back this rifle.

[adrians]

my little 22mag henry is my plinking go to and my win 94 puts meat in my freezer.

[superior]

Well my over all favorite Lever gun is the 99 Savage. Over the years I have owned several, but now I am just down to a 300sav and a 243win. If I really get serious about hunting, I grab the 300sav. In the 20+ years of owning it, I have never had a game animal get away from that rifle but one, and there was a tree limb I didn't see and killed it instead of the buck I was shooting at. Countless whitetails have fallen to my 300sav Mod 99.

My favorite everyday lever gun is my Rossi Mod 92 in 45LC. I seldom leave the house with out it. It is a great shooter, I have taken quite a few deer and coyote with it out to 150 yards. It is by far my most trusted companion. I would not feel a bit handicapped taking it out west and smacking a moose or a bear with it. With my hand loads I can match factory 45-70 ballistics which most folks consider ideal for bear. I know more abut that little 92 than I do my wife and we have been together for 14 years. It is by far my favorite and best lever gun I have ever owned, when it comes to an all around gun. I like it well enough that a few years ago I found one just like it in a gun shop, NIB, but with out the safety. The shop owner told me it had set on the shelf for nearly 10 years with lots of folks looking at it but putting it back when they saw it was a 45LC and not a 44 or 357mag. I was figuring he was going to want over $400 for it, but when I ask, I was told $300 out the door. After nearly tearing off my back pocket to get to my wallet, it followed me home.

Best wishes,

Joe

The 20" stainless Rossi M92 in 45Colt has replaced the 95G on my all time favorite list. It's a stainless beauty that carries like none other, and with it's vertical locking lugs, has the strength to deliver some serious horsepower when needed.
It feeds and shoots everything I put through it effortlessly and acurately.
Heck, I even like the safety just where it is!