I want a lever rifle - help me choose!

zorro

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Got a shotgun, Troy AR15 , mossberg MVP Patrol (556/223) small 22 rifle, glock and shield both in 9mm

For Christmas, I would like Santa to bring me a lever rifle :cowboy: but not sure which one

I don’t hunt, so mainly for the range and target shooting ( can’t keep telling my wife it is for home protection - that excuse is is not working anymore :ROFL:)

Budget around the $700 point

The Henry’s are gorgeous, but I really hate the tube feed and would not buy due to that :(

I have looked at a Marlin 1894 in 44 cal (around $560) with 10 capacity ( which I like) and seems to get good reviews

I want something with a bit of “kick” which is why the 44 cal is my thought

Any better suggestions or thoughts

Thanks
 
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tony

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If you want a bit of a "kick" look for a .444 Marlin or .45-70 although they might be a little much for some people. A .30-30 Marlin is fun and less expensive to shoot as the ammo is fairly inexpensive. There are Browning lever actions in high intensity cartridges as well which are nice.
 
ArmedCorgi

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tony said:
If you want a bit of a "kick" look for a .444 Marlin or .45-70 although they might be a little much for some people. A .30-30 Marlin is fun and less expensive to shoot as the ammo is fairly inexpensive. There are Browning lever actions in high intensity cartridges as well which are nice.
Click to expand...
I feel like the 30-30 has a nice "kick" that lets you know you are shooting a gun, but isn't so punishing that you don't want to shoot more then 5 rounds.
 
kev74

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If you like shooting a lot, something in .38/.357 is pretty economical compared to the big boomers.

The Henrys are nice, but they are front loading. The Marlin and Winchester pattern guns have the side loading gate, which I prefer.

I have a Rossi 92 in .38/.357 and like it, but the fit and finish, especially on the internals, is lacking. The budget however is right where I needed it to be at the time. For $700-ish, you could get a Marlin, one of the newer Japanese Winchesters, and are approaching a nice USA made Winchester.
 
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tony

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A potential problem ... You might have an issue getting ammunition for a rifle in a pistol caliber. I've heard of people having that problem. I suppose it depends on where you go to buy it. Get the .30-30...
 
Podmonkey

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Used to be that Marlin had the best "working man's" lever gun but that went to shit after Remington bought them out. I hear maybe their
QC has improved lately? For plinking your past centerfire option is the .38spl/.357 mag. But also consider one in .22lr.
 
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Bananabandit

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Well Ive been handed down my grandfathers glenfield 30 30.

I did own a henry 22 and those are fine rifles. Id trust them, even without the gate, over the new remlins. Just my opinion
 
zorro

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OMG ..........decisions, decisions!

Interesting about ammo availability

I was actually in Bass Pro today and they had zero 44 cal and actually said they were having some trouble getting a hold of it - so that may be an issue

So maybe should look at either the 30-30 or 357?

So in the Marlin, the 336 (30-30) could be an option at a pretty good price - currently $349 in Dicks........which seems crazy low!

Marlin 336 | Available In-Store at DICK'SProposition 65 warning iconProposition 65 warning icon

The Winchester’s all seem fairly expensive

And I agree that the Henry’s probably wipe the floor with everything, but I simply can’t do the feeding tube
 
kev74

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zorro said:
OMG ..........decisions, decisions!

Interesting about ammo availability

I was actually in Bass Pro today and they had zero 44 cal and actually said they were having some trouble getting a hold of it - so that may be an issue

So maybe should look at either the 30-30 or 357?

So in the Marlin, the 336 (30-30) could be an option at a pretty good price - currently $349 in Dicks........which seems crazy low!

Marlin 336 | Available In-Store at DICK'SProposition 65 warning iconProposition 65 warning icon

The Winchester’s all seem fairly expensive

And I agree that the Henry’s probably wipe the floor with everything, but I simply can’t do the feeding tube
Click to expand...
Don't shop at Dicks. They're dicks.
 
meketrefe

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The browning BRL. The best lever action ever conceived.
A used one in 358 winchester will do the role of magnum in a small budget and can shoot inexpesive pistol bullets for practice.

browning.png


A used on in gunbroker is 10 times better than most of the other new ones..

Browning_BLR.jpg


They use barrel extensions with a rotating bolt. The trigger housing tilts with the lever so no more pinching of gloves and fingers.
It feeds from an actual magazine. Can shoot rimless cartriges, almost any one you can think off including magnums.
Very accurate.

The other levers look like primitive technology vs. the BLR. Not that they are bad but it is like comparing a Ford model T with a Toyota Tundra in terms of versatility, accuracy and reliability.
 
ArmedCorgi

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zorro said:
The Winchester’s all seem fairly expensive
Click to expand...
The Japanese ones yes. They are very expensive. Good quality as I understand it but pricey.
I can understand if you want new but the original Winchesters, the pre 64's are still solid quality and have plenty of life in them. They have the history behind them as well and can still be found in very good condition for at or under your budget.
 
2WheelGnnr

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I got myself a marlin in .30-.30 last year for christmas.... nice I love it a bit of a kick but not bad....know your shootin a GUN!! Im debating taking it hunting this weekend.
 
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tony

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You won't go wrong with a Marlin .30-30. I never liked the Winchester '94 because it rattled a lot. The top eject or the later angle eject made scope mounting awkward. I'm sure it has killed lots of critters regardless. I like the Marlin, side eject, solid top receiver. The .30-30 Win. caliber with the new fangled ammunition, I believe it's called "LeverEvolution" is probably good to 200 yds. or so.

I still have a Marlin .30-30 that I received for Christmas in 1968. It was used when my Dad purchased it and I have taken a lot of deer with it.

MY B-I-L has a Browning BLR in .308 Win. and it is a very nice shooting iron. I like that too.
 
@thewheels

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The big box stores will give you grief if you don't have your PP and you try to buy ammo for a pistol caliber lever but you can still buy online. For now.
Search the site for vendors that will still ship to your front door.

I'd go with a Marlin in 357 or 44 over a 30-30 just for the extra capacity. Shooting 357/38 and 44 from a lever is great fun and it's not going to crush your wallet. Especially with how cheap 38 is.
I'll pass on scoping a lever UNLESS it's my go to for hunting at which point the side eject would be a priority for me and I'd avoid Henry tube end feeding like the plague.
Side loading gate is one of the best attributes of a lever gun.
 
Podmonkey

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Again for range use either the .44 or 30-30 will be just too expensive.
.38 special is pretty cheap and .357 Magnum will certainly satisfy the desire for something with "kick".
@meketrefe is the BRL available in .223?
That is the goto range round for centerfire rifle.
Or 7.62x39.
Actually I see that it is. They are expensive rifles though. For range plinking the best rifle calibers are .223/5.56 and 7.62x39 due to cost.
If a bigger boom is wanted the .308 can be had for a reasonable price online. Retail though its $1 a shot and to me at least that is too much.
 
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tony

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.30-30 Win. does appear to have gone up a bit in price as Pod stated. I suppose I am just dating myself but it used to be available for under $10 a box when it was on sale at K- mart or Walmart. Must be longer ago than I thought, hahaha... There is certainly ammunition available at a lower cost but I would think the lever action rifles chambered in a high intensity cartridge would cost more. Decisions, decisions...
 
cgrutt

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I have Win94 AE in .307 Win and a Marlin 336 in 35 Rem both nice guns with some "kick". The AE is a nice feature if you want to scope it. I'd like to buy a pistol caliber lever gun at some point. Fun guns with awesome history.
 
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