i need help deciding on a lever gun

[styxvalleydan]

i have been kicking around the idea of a lever gun for a while now. i want something that i can take in my back woods and easily kill a deer with or travel and go black bear hunting with. also i would like to hold a good amount of rounds and have a relitivly popular ammo so if i traveled i could find my ammo at the local walmart if needed. a 200 yard effective range on white tail would be nice ......not that i would take that shot very often. the brownings are a bit high priced for me i went to the local gun shop and the salesmen and i narrowed it a bit to the 44 mag or the 35 rem. i had my mind made up on the .308 but if they go out of production i dont like the idea of handloading all the time any sudgestions would be a great help

[weedwalker]

What about the 45/70? They are common and ammo is available anywhere. They are a hard shooting big game round.

[raven_over_easy]

What about the 45/70? They are common and ammo is available anywhere. They are a hard shooting big game round.

45/70 would be my choice aswell.

[brasskeeper]

My first two choices would be 45-70 and 444 marlin. I have owned 45-70's for many years and its a great round.


Where are you comming up with .308 going out of production?

[Brewtus]

Henry Big Boy




http://www.shootingtimes.com/newproducts/SThenry470A.jpg

Henry Repeating Arms returns to the era of big-caliber lever actions with the Big Boy, its first .44-caliber model since 1862. Chambered in .44 Magnum/.44 Special, the Big Boy has a 20-inch octagon barrel with a 1:38 right-hand twist and an overall length of 38 1/2 inches. Sights are a fully adjustable Marble semibuckhorn rear sight and white diamond insert and brass bead front sight. The Big Boy has a bright brass receiver, buttplate, and barrel band and a stock made from American walnut. Weight is 8.68 pounds. The suggested retail price is $749.95. For more information, contact Henry Repeating Arms, Dept. ST, 110 8th St., Brooklyn, NY 11215; 718-499-5600; www.henryrepeating.com (http://www.henryrepeating.com/)

[headoftheholler]

i had my mind made up on the .308 but if they go out of production i dont like the idea of handloading all the time any sudgestions would be a great help
The .308 you are referencing is the .308 Marlin Express, a new cartridge that enables similar .308 ballistics from a lever gun. While many cartridges come and go Marlin has a reputation for standing behind their namesake cartridges. Personally, I use the 1895 Marlin guide gun (45-70) As mentioned before hard hitting and can be loaded from 300 grain hollow points to the Garrett 540 grain Hammerhead. The guide gun just feels awesome in your hands and can be had with stainless as well
Henry Big Boy




http://www.shootingtimes.com/newproducts/SThenry470A.jpg

Henry Repeating Arms returns to the era of big-caliber lever actions with the Big Boy, its first .44-caliber model since 1862. Chambered in .44 Magnum/.44 Special, the Big Boy has a 20-inch octagon barrel with a 1:38 right-hand twist and an overall length of 38 1/2 inches. Sights are a fully adjustable Marble semibuckhorn rear sight and white diamond insert and brass bead front sight. The Big Boy has a bright brass receiver, buttplate, and barrel band and a stock made from American walnut. Weight is 8.68 pounds. The suggested retail price is $749.95. For more information, contact Henry Repeating Arms, Dept. ST, 110 8th St., Brooklyn, NY 11215; 718-499-5600; www.henryrepeating.com (http://www.henryrepeating.com/)
The henry is nice, but the bright brass reciever is a little much for me.

[styxvalleydan]

for those who replied i thank you very much. it seems like the big bore lever guns are the way to go. my only question is will they carry the power for whitetail at 200 yards and blackbear at 100. i guess to save everyone the headache i should just find a trajectory curve or ballistics chart anyone know where i can find one on the web. thank you all again
........just for kicks any opinions on the .35 rem vs. the 44. mag would be apreciated ....good shootin to yall:)

[westkybanded]

Um... Yes. Back in the good ol' days, the 45-70 was one of the most popular loads for buffalo out west, with some shooters capable of kills nearing 1000 yards.

The hot loads for a 45-70 meet and sometimes exceed factory loadings for a .458 Win mag. It's an awesome caliber!

[styxvalleydan]

anyone know anything about the 1895 cowboy... marlins web page says its good for long range....what kind of knock down power will it have at long range .....what kind of game could i take with it


i guess all in all im looking for a lever gun that isnt hard on my wallet, has the traditional cowboy look. will put a round a good distance down range with enough umph behind it for white tail, boar, and other medium sized game, including black bear at 150 yards , and has a reletively flat trajectory and i could pick my ammo up for it at the local gun shop.

i talked to a gun salesman and he seems to think a 44 mag will do it. i just think if im going to spend the money i would like to cover as many bases as possible

[westkybanded]

........just for kicks any opinions on the .35 rem vs. the 44. mag would be apreciated ....good shootin to yall:)


You've got to understand you're looking at two TOTALY different animals. The .35 Rem is a rifle cartridge, while the .44 Mag is a pistol round. I wouldn't hesitate to shoot a deer at 150 yards with a .35 Rem. That's pushing the limits of what a .44 mag will do.

[headoftheholler]

anyone know anything about the 1895 cowboy... marlins web page says its good for long range....what kind of knock down power will it have at long range .....what kind of game could i take with it. i talked to a gun salesman and he seems to think a 44 mag will do it. i just think if im going to spend the money i would like to cover as many bases as possible
The 1895 cowboy is quite a bit more than a standard 1895, major difference being the longer barrell and full length mag tube.

Now, what dollar amount are you looking to spend?
Marlin has the 1895 xlr in all the major calibers, laminated stock and 24" barrel for increased velocity for +/- $600

Then you got the standard 1895 walnut stock/blued metal for +/- $400 to $500

Next is my fav, the 1895 guide gun, 18.5" barrel perfect balance, in blue +/- $480 / stainless +/- $550

Do yourself a favor and dont buy the 44 mag, its great in a S&W but has limited yardage when compared to 444 marlin/45-70/ and 450 marlin.

[brasskeeper]

I own two 45-70 Marlins one is a 1895 older strait stock and the other is the 1895ss newer model with a safety and the stock that is checkered pistol grip. They are both great rifles.

I have shot a 45-70 Marlin ported guide gun quite a bit as well and it is a fine gun, light weight and easy to maneuver. But if you shooting long range I would suggest either the full size or the cowboy with the longer barrel, the down side is that they weigh more.

As far as caliber both 444 marlin and 45-70 are great rounds but you have the option of heavier bullet weights in the 45-70, up to 405 grains. If you want to hand load or buy custom loaded ammo the 45-70 can be loaded close to the .458 win mag but your shoulder will pay for it. Personally I would pass on the 44 rem mag, it may be easier to find but you will be sacrificing power.

Just my opinion, your mileage may vary

[styxvalleydan]

so whats everyones opinion on the marlin .308 express i heard if they go out of production than there is no way to find ammo except to reload yourself....would you by the rifle knowing this....or can u just buy bullistic tip .308 rounds

[westkybanded]

No. Different cartridge. A regular .308 won't work.

Seriously tho, with the new lever-evolution rounds and the guns you've been talking about, anything in the .35 Remington .45-70, .444 Marlin, .450 Marlin, will suit you fine. Don't over-analyze it! If you get a gun you don't like, then buy another! It's just money. I bet you'll make more.

[Cornpile]

I have hunted for years with a 444 marlin.The hornady ammo made this gun a fairly long distance rifle ,I would shoot 200 yds easily.In the woods on short range shots ,this caliber will flat thump a deer.Most deer , I have shot with it fall in their tracks.If not, there is a massive blood trail even a blind man could track.Go with a 444 you will not be sorry.The 45-70 has more load choices and can be loaded up to awesome power and is also a deer thumper.either one is a fine deer rifle.

[MikeKy]

I've got a Marlin 1895 Cowboy rifle and love it. Right now I'm shooting hot 300 gr. hollow point loads. About 5 shots with that round make my shoulder and half my chest look like a rainbow of colors. They're good for 200 yards and beyond if you know the trajectory. They sure make a whopper of a hole in a deer. The only drawback to a .45-70 that I see is that all the off the shelf ammo I find is 405 gr. loaded at blackpowder pressure. That's not really a drawback since that round is capable of taking any game native to North America.

[MikeKy]

One other thought if you might be into classic guns. You can still buy brand new Winchester Model 1895's in .30-06 or .405 Winchester. They are beautiful guns. Teddy Roosevelt used one. Of course .405 Winchester ammo is hard/impossible to find but .30-06 is about as common as it gets and will certainly take a bear. Also, there are a lot of Savage 99's chambered in .308 out there. The 99 is a real classic. Beautiful lines and the three I have had were all real shooters. I still have two and am looking for a third.

[Haves]

You can also find Winchester 94's around if that is your thing. I prefer Winchesters to Marlin. I have a 30/30 and .44 mag. in the 94. The .44 would make a good Black Bear, Deer, or Hog rifle at 100 yards or less.

[headoftheholler]

You can also find Winchester 94's around if that is your thing. I prefer Winchesters to Marlin. I have a 30/30 and .44 mag. in the 94. The .44 would make a good Black Bear, Deer, or Hog rifle at 100 yards or less.
'94's are nice but since they went out of production prices on these have skyrocketed. Mossberg just introducted a '94 clone in 30-30 also. Marlin makes a high quality rifle with nice wood and good manufacturing.

[weedwalker]

You can check the ballistics of several rounds here......

http://ballistics.ntinnovations.com/OpenLoad.aspx

[stalkingbear]

Do yourself a favor and check out the excellent browning BLR. It's heads and shoulders above conventional lever guns as far as range,accuracy,and you can get them in any "modern" caliber. In fact,they have the same capability as most bolt actions.

[headoftheholler]

Do yourself a favor and check out the excellent browning BLR. It's heads and shoulders above conventional lever guns as far as range,accuracy,and you can get them in any "modern" caliber. In fact,they have the same capability as most bolt actions.
While BLR's are nice, I've shot a few, thier design feels funny in my hands, not natural like a marlin or '94. The BLR uses a rotary type magazine oppposed to the traditional tube feed.

[daking]

I'd look for an old Savage 99 in 308. It will do everything you want to do and more.

[headoftheholler]

I'd look for an old Savage 99 in 308. It will do everything you want to do and more.
Including break the bank. . . . :(

[RocketRider]

I love lever guns! I have a Marlin 336 in 30/30 that I use the new hornady ammo with, great gun! I also have a Ruger ninety-six in .44mag that is my choice for thick stuff with deer and boar. That thing shoots incredible 100 yard groups with factory winchester 240 gr. loads, I couldn't be more impressed with it.
During the normal hunting season I leave the purdy long range guns in the safe & opt for a lever one. Good luck with your choice!

Oh, and a footnote. Unless you're a big 'ol boy, you might wanna shoot someone else's 45/70 or .444 first. Both are great big bore rounds, but they'll shake your cracker-jacks every time!



RR~

[trust me]

A plain old 336 in 30-30 will do any deer or bear work you need. The 30-30 gets poo-pooed by everyone but it just flat works. With the new pointed ammo available you should be able to do good work out to 150 and 200 yards.

A long time ago I confiscated my brother's 336, mounted a Leupold 1.5x5 on it and could shoot half inch groups at 100 yards all day long and occasionally get a one-hole 5 shot group. My brother took it back, alas.

[Georgia Transplant]

i have been kicking around the idea of a lever gun for a while now. i want something that i can take in my back woods and easily kill a deer with or travel and go black bear hunting with. also i would like to hold a good amount of rounds and have a relitivly popular ammo so if i traveled i could find my ammo at the local walmart if needed. a 200 yard effective range on white tail would be nice ......not that i would take that shot very often. the brownings are a bit high priced for me i went to the local gun shop and the salesmen and i narrowed it a bit to the 44 mag or the 35 rem. i had my mind made up on the .308 but if they go out of production i dont like the idea of handloading all the time any sudgestions would be a great help

The 308 will never go out of production. I have a Browning BLR and it is the bomb. I killed a buck out to 270 yards with it using Remington 150 grain factory loads. I had shot at this same buck the year before at 400 yards and missed it 4 times with this gun. I actually did hit it one time in the front right leg at the joint where I found the scar. My gun was zero at 1 inch high at 100 yards.