Looking for a cheap lever rifle

B

Briwesk85

.40 S&W
Messages
127
Reaction score
178
Location
Orange County
What would people recommend for a cheap lever action rifle?

never owned one, would like to own one. Wouldn’t care on caliber as it will just be target shooting. Suggestions on ones that won’t break the bank?
 
Xae289

Xae289

.223 Rem
Messages
1,229
Reaction score
2,094
Location
Westchester County
Briwesk85 said:
What would people recommend for a cheap lever action rifle?

never owned one, would like to own one. Wouldn’t care on caliber as it will just be target shooting. Suggestions on ones that won’t break the bank?
Click to expand...
You say you wouldn't care about caliber – The cheapest lever actions are .22 LR and go for about $300. If you want something more substantial, Black Aces Tactical makes a 12 gauge lever-action shotgun for around $400. That's about as cheap as I've seen a levergun that will put a hole bigger than .22" in anything.
 
B

Briwesk85

.40 S&W
Messages
127
Reaction score
178
Location
Orange County
thanks all for the suggestions. I have a Ruger 10/22 which fulfills my plinking needs, but I just like the "interaction" of lever action for shooting. I will have to look around and maybe look after the "pandemic" buying is over.

I do have my eye on a Mossberg 464 SPX, they run for $449 give or take.
 
nortatoga

nortatoga

.338 Win Mag
Monthly Donor
Messages
8,279
Reaction score
18,689
Location
Saratoga County
Vapor said:
The mossbergs generally have issues.

If you can wait, see what ruger does with marlin. Heck, I have a .30-30 remlin. She isn't pretty but runs well.
Click to expand...

That's just what I am doing now! I wanted the new Henry X-model in 357 mag, but now I will wait to see what Ruger does!!
 
Deplorable Me

Deplorable Me

.700 Nitro Express
Messages
24,377
Reaction score
47,612
Location
Western Front; Occupied NY
Vapor said:
Personally, my .357 is about the most fun. Before all this non sense .38s for pinking was awesome.

.357s pack a wallop. Like pushing 2000 fps with a 158 grain out of a 20" barrel wallop.

Kinda get a plinker than can really haul too.
Click to expand...
Remember the great .22 shortage? I was rolling .38 SWC and feeding my 1894C fairly cheap.
 
M

Mk44

6.5 Creedmoor
Messages
1,549
Reaction score
1,708
Location
NY
Briwesk85 said:
What would people recommend for a cheap lever action rifle?

never owned one, would like to own one. Wouldn’t care on caliber as it will just be target shooting. Suggestions on ones that won’t break the bank?
Click to expand...
A Henry lever action in .22LR will be your least expensive lever action to purchase & shoot..

Any brand of lever action chambered in .357 will be harder to find and expensive. .357 lever action is in high demand.

I own a few lever actions.. everything from big bore to pistol calibers. old Marlins & Wins. even a couple of Rossi's.

I'm not a fan of the Moss 464 SPX. read the reviews. Plus I think the thing is hideous looking. not my preference.
 
Criticalt

Criticalt

.338 Win Mag
Messages
8,361
Reaction score
15,612
Location
WNY
I have a Henry in 357 and one in 45/70.
Both are expensive to shoot but I won them both at the local Rod and Gun so im not complaining.
I sold my mid 1980s Marlin 30/30......wish I didnt do that.
If you reload 30/30 can be pretty cheap and its the "traditional" caliber for a cowboy gun.
I will be buying another if Ruger makes them.
 
W

wtf7301

22lr
Messages
15
Reaction score
32
Location
Rockland County
Was in the same boat as you. I was looking at the Rossi R92 in .357 which currently about 600. Finally just decided on a Henry Holden Boy in .22LR.

Eventually, I’ll likely get a Marlin CSBL if they become easier to find.
 
Jchrisls

Jchrisls

6.5 Creedmoor
Messages
1,678
Reaction score
2,738
Location
Incognito
wtf7301 said:
Was in the same boat as you. I was looking at the Rossi R92 in .357 which currently about 600. Finally just decided on a Henry Holden Boy in .22LR.

Eventually, I’ll likely get a Marlin CSBL if they become easier to find.
Click to expand...
Also own the goldfish boy in 22. Tons of fun, great to plink with.
 
218bee

218bee

.44 mag
Messages
836
Reaction score
970
Location
Westchester
If you reload 30-30, and just want to plink...you can use any 110 gr. 30 cal M1 Carbine bullets on the cheap and get great results. Have a 1950's vintage plain-Jane Win 94 Carbine with a period Lyman peep sight.. Had some military pull-downs and some old 2400 powder to burn up and did this on a whim ...was pleasantly surprised..it also smacked the 100 yd plate pretty damn hard too. My guess is MV is around 1500 fps..maybe less.

IMG_6512.jpg
 
Jmac00

Jmac00

.475 A&M Magnum
Messages
18,215
Reaction score
49,635
Location
somewhere in America
you want a fun lever gun to shoot, get the Marlin 45-70, its the only lever gun on Marlins website that will kill a T-rex. Trust me, it works, I dropped a T-rex last Saturday night, dropped that fucker with one shot, like a sack of potato's, why it was carrying a bucket of candy, I don't know?
 
Darth

Darth

Bunny In Chief
Messages
19,332
Reaction score
24,349
Location
MoCo
I have a Henry lever .22 Frontier.

No mag limit on attached tube fed rimfire. 22.

I think it's like 14 .22LRs or around 21 .22 Short.
 
Jcp123

Jcp123

.357 mag
Messages
702
Reaction score
908
Location
Rochester-ish
Wouldn’t mind unloading my Marlin 336 for cash.

Honestly, get whatever cheap lever action you come across. I’d argue they’re less obsolescent than a bolt rifle, and I was MOA with hand loads. Get one and have fun.

I’d never buy another one in anything but a pistol chambering though. 3030 kicks way too hard in mine for a mild rifle round.
 
Last edited:
Vapor

Vapor

.308 Win
Messages
4,375
Reaction score
8,146
Location
Susky county PA
Jcp123 said:
Wouldn’t mind unloading my Marlin 336 for cash.

Honestly, get whatever cheap lever action you come across. I’d argue they’re less obsolescent than a bolt rifle, and I was MOA with hand loads. Get one and have fun.

I’d never buy another one in anything but a pistol chambering though. 3030 kicks way too hard in mine for a mild rifle round.
Click to expand...


Jm or remlin? Post it up.
 
Jcp123

Jcp123

.357 mag
Messages
702
Reaction score
908
Location
Rochester-ish
Vapor said:
Jm or remlin? Post it up.
Click to expand...

It’s a 1972 build, has pretty wood furniture. Not gonna do pics tonight but it’s otherwise a nice gun. I put maybe 300 rounds through it. It hates 150 grain, prefers 125 first and foremost, and is pretty passable with 175, both near max pressures. Doesn’t rupture cases, functions smoothly, extracts, ejects, and feeds well. Has an overkill 3-9x scope with mounts which let you use iron sights. Bought it for $125, so pay me that plus shipping from 75701, and it’s yours. $10 extra if you want the 15ish rounds of factory load ammo I still have for it.
 
Vapor

Vapor

.308 Win
Messages
4,375
Reaction score
8,146
Location
Susky county PA
Jcp123 said:
It’s a 1972 build, has pretty wood furniture. Not gonna do pics tonight but it’s otherwise a nice gun. I put maybe 300 rounds through it. It hates 150 grain, prefers 125 first and foremost, and is pretty passable with 175, both near max pressures. Doesn’t rupture cases, functions smoothly, extracts, ejects, and feeds well. Has an overkill 3-9x scope with mounts which let you use iron sights. Bought it for $125, so pay me that plus shipping from 75701, and it’s yours. $10 extra if you want the 15ish rounds of factory load ammo I still have for it.
Click to expand...

I would be crazy not to. I absolutely will if you're serious. I still would love pictures. You can just PM me them if you want.

Edit: PM sent
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top