What to look for in a lever action?

[Irelander]

I am looking for a lever action rifle in 44MAG for deer hunting in the brush of Northwestern PA.  I have never had a lever action so I'm not sure which ones are good and which ones to stay away from.  Of course, I'd love to get a Win. '94 but I doubt one of those will fall into my lap anytime soon.  I'm not looking to send a whole lot on the gun so I have been looking at the PUMA 92 rifles.  They look really nice but I'd like to hear from you guys about their quality and accuracy. 

What are some things to lookout for when buying a lever action rifle?

What sort of accuracy can I expect from a lever action with a 24" barrel in 44MAG?

[Irelander]

Ok I've done some searching around and found that the PUMA rifles are pretty well thought of here.  I read a great artical in favor of the .357MAG PUMA 92.  That sounds pretty good to me, a little lighter on the shoulder.  Would the 44MAG or the 357MAG be better for deer hunting?

I'm pretty excited, I have never owned a lever action rifle, but they look like great fun.

[gstewart44]

I had a Puma 92 in 44 mag about 10 yrs ago.   It was very accurate, lightweight and pleasant to shoot and carry.   I traded it for an early model Ruger 44 carbine.   Many of my friends have the Puma for their CAS and love theirs as well.   I have never heard any problems with them.

[WyoStillhunter]

My experience includes 30-30 (Win. 94 and Marlin 336), .35 Rem. Marlin, and .444 Marlin.

In a lever action all you have to look for is "Marlin".

[kevthebassman]

In a lever action all you have to look for is "Marlin".

That's my opinion as well.

[rbergum95]

+1 on marlin

[Mikey]

Actually, I would look for a lever, a barrel, a stock, maybe a trigger, some sights, that kind of stuff......... 

The caliber can be either 357 or 44 mag for Whitetail in PA.  The 357 with anything from a 125 to 158 gn slug in factory loadings, from a rifle or carbine barrel, is quite capable of harvesting Whitetail and the 44 is even better .  Accuracy should be ok if you use factory ammo, although handloads in the Marlin may well be a different story if your rifle wears micro-groove rifling.

I like the looks of the Puma and test results are as good as the Marlins.  If the Marlin wear 6 groove rifling I might be interested but for pistol cartridges I prefer the 1892  and its clones... 

[Irelander]

I'm trying to decide between the blued receiver or the case hardened receiver.  Is there a benefit to the case hardened besides it's just prettier? 

Oh yea, and any benefit to hexagon or round barrel?

[Bigeasy]

I was going to recommend the Marlin, just based on experience.  But I have read good things about the Puma, which is a Winchester model 92 clone.  My only question would be if you were going to mount a scope / red dot sight.  I think it would be a lot easier on the Marlin do to the solid top / side ejection.

The case receiver is pretty much just for looks.  I don't know if its real case hardened steel, or case colored by chemical.  The octagonal barrel is pretty much looks also.  You should get about 1700 - 1800 fps with 240 / 250 grain factory loads out of a rifle length barrel.  Great deer medicine as long as you don't plan on any long range power line shots.  I have a Williams peep sight on my Marlin, and it makes a difference in accuracy.

Larry

[jimster]

I would agree if your going to put some kind of optical sight on it the Marlin is the best, even peep sights will fit right on the top, already drilled.  I have had the 44 mag Marlin,  and some 92 clones, Rossi (interarms) and have played with the EMF Hartford rifle a lot latley, I really like shooting that one.  I can tell you that the rifle with the longer barrel and cresent style butt plate looks really cool, but in all honesty is not as fast as a carbine length with a shotgun style butt, or at least a more rounded one....that cresent butt plate can get caught on certain loose fitting hunting clothes on the way up to your shoulder sometimes.   Maybe think about what you need it most for, and go that way. 

[S.E.Ak]

I would also go with the name Marlin.Have had them all but Marlin is the strongest and longest lasting in production so something must be right.

[Oldtimer]

I have had Marlins, a Puma, and Winchesters.  The Model 92, either as a Winchester or one of the clones, is the easiest carrying rifle in my experience.  If you want a scope, then the Marlin is the way to go.  Overall, rifles designed for pistol-length cartridges seem to do better than longer actions adapted to shorter cartridges.  For the range you will be shooting, peep sights are a better choice.  They do not affect the balance of the piece, and have enough advantages over open sights, especially if you are on the far side of 50, to make it worth adding them.  Try to find a rifle that does not have a safety added on.  If you are in no hurry, then wait until after hunting season.  Seems like a lot of folks blame the rifle when they do not hit their intended target and said rifle leaves on the next sucker out of town.  It may just be luck, but after I have cleaned and gone over such a gun, I just have not been able to replicate the bad performance.