I need help recommending a lever gun

[Markbo]

My older step son has after much watching and learning has decided that he must have a lever gun. He has pretty much ruled out a .45-70 class lever gun so my personal expertise is moot as all the lever guns i have are .308, .444, .45-70 types.

He "thinks" he wants one in a plinking round like .45 Colt or something similar - maybe the .44 mag would be a better choice due to ammo availability. I am guessing he will be happier with a carbine because this will be deer lease vehicle carry and for fast targets of opportunity.

I know that Winchesters are spendy, but replicas such as Uberti, Cimarron, Puma, EMF and maybe any others? are reputable and more affordable. I don't have any of these and was hoping you sixgunner types could lead me to make the best recommendation as far as brand and what to watch out for.

Safety is a given and accuracy is a must. Whether a '73 or '92 being 'handy' is too and I could always help him shorten a barrel and forend to the right balance.

I appeciate any experience and help
Mark

[Cucuy]

Markbo,

If y'all are considering a .44 mag, don't forget about Marlin's 1894. You can pick one up new for $500ish, they digest most bullets and loads, are quite handy with the 20" barrel, and even I have difficulty missing the target with mine.

[tek4260]

Hard to beat a Marlin 336 in 30-30 for an all around lever rifle. It will better the 44 and 45, plus it's cheaper to shoot. I saw ammo at the box store the other day priced at $11 for Remington 150's.

My preference is the 35 Rem, but ammo is more expensive if you don't reload.

[brionic]

If he's planning to plink, you can't beat the .357/.38 levergun. Check the leverguns forum for info. Nate Kiowa Jones is a great resource guy there.

The .44 levergun is neat, too, and ammo is far more plentiful than the "good" .45 stuff, and it offers a lot of punch for hunting.

[ohnomrbillk]

If you are interested in quality time spent with him, I'd recommend one chambered in a wheelgun round that you already have. You can load ammo together that way. A modern Marlin 1894 will handle any load your wheelgun will.

I run a Marlin 1894 cowboy in 45 colt. It is one of my favorites. You can run cowboy action loads for cheap plinking, and ruger only loads for most anything he'll try to hunt.

Let us know what he decides.

[Markbo]

Thanks guys. I am 99% sure he wants to stick with a pistol round. the .30-30 suggestion got me only a frown and a 'ooooh... I don't know' reponse.

I told him I would help him with the purchase but he has to decide what he wants and feel has a lot to do with that. I've suggested Collector's Firearms here in Houston to go handle a whole bunch of different ones to see what he likes the feel of first.

Their prices are good, but they have the best selection in town.

Thanks again
Mark

[warhawk]

A 357 Rossi or Marlin would be hard to beat.

[nonpcnrarn]

I would get a 92 in 454. You can load the cartridge down to 45 Colt levels for plinking and use some Buffalo Bore ammo if he needs the power of a 45-70. A Limbsaver recoil pad would be a given. I got one in 480 Ruger before they were discontinued and love how light and handy it is. But these old eyes need it tapped for a receiver sight. I got it because it was being discontinued. But living in CA it is easier to find lead free bullets in .452. Both Barnes and Northfork make all copper bullets. I am encouraging Franz at Northfork to make one in .475 cal.

[perterra]

I've got a Winchester 94 trapper in 357, great gun and cheap to shoot. I bought it because I could use it at the indoor range I used to hang out at. The only warning is the feeding on some of them get a little hinkey when using shorter rounds like 38 spec or 44 spec. Plenty accurate and hot 357's feel about like a 223 on the way down the barrel.

[sixshooter]

Not cheap but the Henry in 38/357 is really nice. I handled one recently and was impressed.

[cherokee]

I would go with Marlin 1894 in 357 Mag for factory ammo, 45 Colt if reloading is to be done. My 45 Colt Marlin is a great shooter. I also have a Win Trapper in 45 Colt that shoots great as well - very handy rifle.

[Markbo]

Thanks for all the input. He ended up buying a Winchester 94 in .30-30. Just couldn't bring himself to stick with a 'puny' sixgun caliber! ;D

[derekr]

Great......Everybody should own one Winchester 30/30. I have more fun reloading the 30/30 than any cartridge I load for!

[Markbo]

Well Derek I am sure that is next. He doesn't reload and I don't have a .30-30. Any advice on what all to try?

[derekr]

Apr 26, 2010 12:39:27 GMT -5 Markbo said:

Well Derek I am sure that is next. He doesn't reload and I don't have a .30-30. Any advice on what all to try?

The 30/30 can be loaded to with so many powder/bullet combos I wouldn't know where to start. My hunting loads are 34.5 grains of W748 and a 150 grain Speer FP or 30 grains of W748 and a RCBS 180 grain cast FP. Both shoot great in several Winchester and Marlin guns. My plinking round was picked for the sake of economy. I bought some Meister 115 grain SWC at .312 diameter and ran them through a Lee .311 sizer. I then seat them to the crimp groove over 7.5 grains of Unique. They are both accurate and fairly quiet. I have played with a .311 round ball over a small charge of Unique, but accuracy was tough to find. I have also bought a special order Lee mould that cast a copy of the Lyman 311041 - only in plain based style. I am still working on the best load for that one.

Pick a powder and one of the flatnose 150-170 grain pills and start playing!