Lever action question.

[robsterclaw]

Cripple creek was nice to me last night, and I've always wanted a lever action rifle. I like the looks of the Henry, and thinking 30-30. Anyone have one of these? And if you were going to buy one, would you go 30-30 .45 357 or 44 magnum? May have to put one under the tree.

[Ah Pook]

I like the Marlin '95 in .44mag. The .44 has very similar ballistics to the 30-30. I also like the idea of a companion .44 handgun.

[hurley842002]

I guess the big question is, what will you be using it for? Just a plinker? Deer rifle? You really can't go wrong with the 30-30 for a lever gun. My favorite however, would be the Marlin 45-70 Guide gun, sweet little thumper. I prefer Marlins for lever guns.

[Marlin]

There is only one true caliber for a lever gun.. .45/70...

That said, (Hee,,hee..) .30/30 is an excellent round, I kind of miss mine.

However if you already have a handgun in .38/.357, .44, or.45 Colt. it would make a fine companion piece..


Oh, a +1 for the Marlin also..

[theGinsue]

You just can't beat the quality and support provided by Henry Rifles. I don't have a Henry, but if I were to get another lever action I'd most probably go with a Henry.

Now, for caliber. The standard that everything forst thinks of when they consider lever actions is 30-30. I shot my first whitetail with a Marlin 30-30 lever action. I won't discount their power, accuracy, and reliability. I have a couple (er, had...before the tragic boating accident). BUT... If I were to get another lever action, I'd probably go with a .357 so that I could use the same ammo between my regular mountain carry handgun and the rifle.

Once I get a new leather western gun belt and holster set-up made for .45 Colt, I'll be changing that over to my new mtn carry gun combo (Ruger Blackhawk and Wincheser 94).

[robsterclaw]

Two Marlin mentions. I'll have to go peek at some. It would be just for fun. Not for hunting or anything. Just a different style rifle to shoot. And the only reason why I picked Henry's is I like the octagon barrel.

[Marlin]

A few Marlins with an octagonal barrel also..

[robsterclaw]

.357 was my second choice. Too bad Cripple Creek wasn't nice enough to me to get 2 rifles. Well it was but wifey took her half. She takes her half as we go along so in case of divorce, she already got her half!

Marlins with Octagons? Yep have to go peek at gunbroker porn again.

[Colorado Osprey]

I have a few levers. From the 45/70 and smaller. Some with heavy octagon barrels, but most have standard barrels. From experience using these hunting, the octagon are cool looking but really heavy in comparison.

Henry makes good rifles. Marlin makes good rifles. Winchester used to make good rifles.
I have all of the above.

Do you prefer the pistol grip or straight stock?

Don't feel under-gunned with the 30-30. With Hornady LEVERevlution it is just shy of the 308 Win ballistics.

The Marlin 1895's can handle really stout reloads.

The Winny 357 mags, most have trouble feeding 38 Special.

The levers in 45 Long Colt when handloaded outperform the 44 mag versions.

For a collector the Henry usually demands the most $$.
For reliability and utility factor the nod goes to Marlin.
For nostalgic factor it is hard not to get a winny.

Good luck with your purchase.

Don't count out some other nostalgic rounds like 44-40,25 WCF and 32-20
These are also usually the most expensive to buy and shoot.
Not really hunting rounds but it gets the, whoa cool factor.

[funkfool]

I just got my first lever... a '69 Marlin Western Field 30-30 in immaculate condition - back when the appearance of the wood mattered... for a price so low I can't mention it...

Love it.
All it needs is the screw that holds the end cap on the tube...