lever rifle? calibers?

[fastbs]

Share your lever rifle knowledge please.

Been wanting a lever gun for years and I may snatch one up in the next few months. Never really looked into them much but here's my criteria and questions.

probably open sight use only.
used for yotes, deer, hogs, and paper.
is marlin the best for the money? Chances are it will be customized a bit so i prefer a popular make with easy to find parts.
Prefer a popular caliber but i will reload for it.

leaning toward 44 mag but have been looking at 357, 30-30, and 45-70 gov. something about a caliber begining with a 4 just makes a nice sound but it's not a must.

Am i overlooking anything? Any and all info/opinions welcome

 

[ROUGH COUNTRY HUNTER]

i have a marlin 336 in 35cal,i love mine

 

[AllOutdoors]

35 Rem. If its got to start with a 4, then it would be the 444.
In a Marlin.

 

[Plateau Hunter]

An older Marlin would be better than the current version according to a lot of internet evaluations. As far as caliber if you are using iron sights about any would be ok. A Savage 99 in .300 Savage would be a dandy but pricier than any Marlins or Winchesters. PH

 

[ShaneHallum]

Marlin 336cs in .35rem shooting Hornady 200gr. will flat knock a deer on its butt. Love mine, wouldn't sell it for anything.

 

[stik]

if i ever get another lever gun, it will be 45-70.

 

[marlin45/70]

I have the .35, 30/30, and the 45/70, If deer hunting heands down the .35, and if bear or hog hunting i grab the 45/70. I would recommend that if you do get one of the 4's then look at the guide gun with the ported barrel, a regular 45/70 will kick twice as hard as mine in the guide gun.

 

[Deerhunter]

i have a marlin 336 in 35cal,i love mine

X2

 

[Dienamic]

Have a 336 scout scoped in 30/30 and a 1894? In 45/70. The 45/70 is a better looking gun with the long octagon barrel. The 30/30 is the handier all around gun. Especially with the scout scope/ghost ring combo.

 

[rem270]

ive got a marlin in 30 30 and love it.

if i was going to buy a new lever gun it would be the new marling leverution. comes in 30 30 or 308

 

[Kimberman]

I have to 2nd the Savage 99 route. They were very nice guns and one in 250-3000, 300 Savage or 308 will give you all of the lever gun feel and nostalgia plus it will be in a more capable round. The Winchester model 88 was nice lever gun that came in larger rifle cals as well.

 

[pcrc]

Marlin 336cs in .35rem shooting Hornady 200gr. will flat knock a deer on its butt. Love mine, wouldn't sell it for anything.

I sold mine and would kill to have it back. Of all the guns I have sold over the years this is the one I regret the most. Mine had the dark walnut checkered stock and was in mint condition. Am trying to replace it but a 336 with that style stock seems awful hard to locate.

 

[fastbs]

Think I've found one.
Early 80s 336 30-30. Looks carried a lot and shot little; blueing is worn and wood is in good shape. Pretty much exactly what I want for this project except for the caliber, but for $175 think I'll pick it up tomorrow.

Seems dang hard to find anything used in a caliber other than 30-30 around here. Found a couple winchesters but the top eject and reputation doesn't seem great. Also found a remington said something motor company under remington; neat but it was in rough shape. Can't seem to find anything about the remington on the web, hmmm...

 

[mr.big]

I would like a 375 Win or a 38-55 in a long barreled model with a tang mounted ladder type target peep sight.

Ballard rifelings would be nice also,

 

[fastbs]

I would like a 375 Win or a 38-55 in a long barreled model with a tang mounted ladder type target peep sight.

Ballard rifelings would be nice also,

The 336 I've found is micro groove but I'm hearing ballard is the way to go but havnt really looked into why.
Some sort of sight upgrade is on the build list. Any sight brand/model recomendations?

 

[mr.big]

the Ballard rifleings are deeper and make shooting pure lead cast boolits in the 38-55 or 45-70 a lot more accurate.

I haven`t used them yet but plan on a set of the Marbles tang sights on a Henry 22.

they have different length elevation adjustment rods and are windage adjustable in the base..

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/131854 ... uctReviews

 

[fastbs]

I'll look into those sights. Lookin for something a bit hunt and target friendly.
Don't have a pic of the whole gun but here's my $175 find.

 

[mr.big]

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/774488 ... inum-black

 

[RUGER]

You did good.


My favorite was my Marlin guide gun in 450 Marlin.
Sold it and regretted it ever since.

 

[44fanatic]

My name says it all...

Have a Marlin 1894 that I am working up with cast boolits..it has the micro groove and aint shooting that accurate yet. Still need to slug the barrel and size the boolits from there. After that it should be accurate enough for hunting.

 

[quigleysharps4570]

I have an 1876 Winchester replica that I have become quite fond of. Went with the 45-60 chambering because I had plenty of 45-70 brass on hand to cut down. Don't see that cartridge on any store shelves so it's a reloading matter.

 

[fastbs]

some neat stuff floating around here.

Picked up the Marlin 336 in 30-30 and ordered these sights
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/799753 ... inum-black
and 30-30 dies.
gonna try to clean it up and when the sights come in I'll put a few rounds through it. After deer season it will probably get torn down and refinished , may try to get one with it

Wish the large loop lever handles weren't so stupid expensive. i really like the look. $140 just seems nuts for what it is.

Anyway thanks for all the info. I'll post some target pics soon i hope.

 

[cateyes]

Been looking for a 35 for a while. No one has them for sale, or will show up with it. Do you know anyone?
Best gun to hunt with.

 

[fastbs]

Been looking for a 35 for a while. No one has them for sale, or will show up with it. Do you know anyone?
Best gun to hunt with.

There's one in palmer tn on www.gunownersclub.com listed for trade. Seems that people that have don't want to part with them.