Author Topic: Need Help Finding a Lever Action Rifle (Read 1000 times)

irb041916 · « **on:** November 28, 2005, 11:03:54 AM »

I am very new to the world of lever action rifles. I am looking to purchase one, but I am not sure which one is better for deer hunting. I am looking for help finding a rifle and the right caliber for deer hunting. Thanks in advance for any feedback I receive.

Rick Teal · « **Reply #1 on:** November 28, 2005, 12:33:58 PM »

It would help to know where and in what type of cover you plan to hunt, but I hunt eastern Canada where things are usually up close and personal, however, things can open up to the occasional long shot.

For this type of hunting, the BLRs, Savage 99s and Winchester 88's in modern cartridges shooting a variety of bullets are ideal. BLR's are currently manufactured, but you'll have to look for the other two on the used gun shelves. My primary deer rifle is the BLR in .358 Winchester.

John Y Cannuck · « **Reply #2 on:** November 28, 2005, 06:14:36 PM »

The '94 Winchester is a traditional deer rifle, and the usual cartridge, 30-30 works well to about 175 yards.
The later versions can be scoped.
Marlin also makes a number of fine scopeable leverguns.
If you want a big bore, the 1886 Winchester in 45-70 is my favorite, but there are others that may suit your tastes.
The modern lever gunner has a wide variety to choose from.

myronman3 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 29, 2005, 01:50:51 AM »

what state are you in? how big are your deer? and how far is the average shot you take?

either the 30-30 or a 44 mag, or 45 colt would most likely do well for you, as the vast majority of deer are shot at under 100 yards.

irb041916 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 29, 2005, 05:49:41 AM »

I am mostly hunting in the state of Vermont, but also want to start in Northern New York and I will be taking a trip to Texas soon. It is mostly wooded areas at higher elevations in Vermont and I am not sure about the the other two states. The longest range I have seen a deer at is about 150 yards. I have decided on a Winchester, but I am not sure which caliber is more powerful. I am so use to a 30-06 and it has gotten a little boring for me. Thanks in advance for all replies.

Graybeard · « **Reply #5 on:** November 29, 2005, 06:53:39 AM »

If you're hung up on it having to be a Winchester I can't help you but can feel sorry for you. :lol: I have a Marlin .30-30 listed in the classifieds that seems to me would do fine for what you're wanting to do.

Charles/NM · « **Reply #6 on:** November 29, 2005, 07:44:54 AM »

Come on now, Bill. Both the Winchester and Marlin are fine rifles. Your's is a nice rifle in 30-30 at a reasonable price and if I were looking for a woods deer rifle I would seriously consider it.

Keith L · « **Reply #7 on:** November 29, 2005, 01:10:35 PM »

I have a Marlin in 30-30 that I would never part with, and a Winchester that the jury is still out on. The one Bill has on the board is a good gun at a good price.

JJ79 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 30, 2005, 06:12:14 AM »

Quote from: irb041916

I am mostly hunting in the state of Vermont, but also want to start in Northern New York and I will be taking a trip to Texas soon. It is mostly wooded areas at higher elevations in Vermont and I am not sure about the the other two states. The longest range I have seen a deer at is about 150 yards. I have decided on a Winchester, but I am not sure which caliber is more powerful. I am so use to a 30-06 and it has gotten a little boring for me. Thanks in advance for all replies.

Just my opinion...go with marlin over winchester. Get one in .35 Rem... And unless you're gonna hunt in East Texas in the timber, bring your 30-06 instead of the lever gun when you come to Texas. Just my 2 cents...

Oldtimer · « **Reply #9 on:** December 01, 2005, 06:16:46 AM »

I just sighted in a Marlin 336 for a fellow and decided to adjust the sights on my Winchester Model 94 for 150 grain WW Powerpoints. I was shooting the same ammunition in the Marlin. I noticed that the felt recoil was less in the Marlin. I shot a three-shot group that was 1 5/8 inches at 100 yards. This was in a rifle that was straight out of the box and using factory ammo. As a practical matter, this is all the accuracy needed for this cartridge. My friend is going to have to come up with some really good lies as to why he misses a deer.
You say that you want to hunt deer. I take that to mean that you are not interested in just shooting deer, because your .30-06 is fine for that. To people who complain about the range of the .30-30, I say that hunters have a method for dealing with that: it's called getting closer. Getting in close enough to make a clean kill is a lot harder than shooting a longer distance. I just killed deer at 200 yards with a .300 Magnum and at 20 yards with a BP loaded .44-40, and am prouder of the closer shot than the longer one. Indians used to consider the bravest act touching an enemy with a coup stick, as opposed to putting a arrow through him at a distance. I feel the same way about hunting.
A couple of thoughts about ammo. You can find .30-30 almost any where, while the larger calibers may be a long way off, in case you run short. Hornady has just come out with pointed ammo in .30-30 and .35 Remington that increases the useful range, if that is a worry. I have not heard any range reports about its effectiveness.

358Win · « **Reply #10 on:** December 08, 2005, 11:09:06 AM »

Hi:

If you are like me, where the reloading is at least half the fun. I'd go with Rick and get a 358W BLR. While I'm not the bigest gun buyer in the world. I've owned about a dozen in the last 32 years and my 358W BLR is head and shoulders above the rest of the crowd.

Mikey · « **Reply #11 on:** December 09, 2005, 04:14:18 AM »

irb041916: for what you want to do and the areas you want to do it in, a 30-30 will do ya just fine. That is exactly what the cartridge and the rifles that shoot it were designed for. Don't ever let anyone tell you the 30-30 can't or won't shoot - one of our posters regularly shoots his old Marlin to 500 m, successfully, against other high powered rifle shooters. The Marlin Graybeard is selling is a perfect example of what you would need. I happen to prefer the Winchester but the Marlin is an excellent rifle - it's like a chevy/ford preference.

Since you did not specify if you reloaded or not the 30-30 is a caliber that you will find on everbody's shelves - you might be in a pinch with other calibers.

On ocassion I will hunt the northern zones in NYS for Whitetail and Black Bear. Most often I grab either one of my Winchester 30-30s. One is a Saddle Ring Carbine made in the 1920s - short, lightweight and accurate to as far as I can place the sights. You can't go wrong with either a Winchester or Marlin set-up like that. JMHO. Mikey.