Lever Action Hunters

[EastMont]

I had one of those mornings where you wake up, an decide you need something. Then a day turns into months and I finally decided to commit to it. My new to me Marlin 1895CB 26in Octogon Barrel JM in 45-70. I'm excited to go down the lever action road.

I'll likley be shooting one of the Leverevolution catridges through it. I'll use it for everything from Antelope to elk to bear. . I'm going to scope it at first while I figure it all out and then get a nice set of skinner sights and go iron sights someday.

Has anyone had luck with their lever gun? Post some animals you got with your lever. Seems like long range rifles are getting all the love recently.

 

[Chefofthewoods]

While I admit to buying a 6.5CRM bolt gun during Christmas sales . . . My two favorite guns to shoot are both levers. A model 1895 Marlin guide gun in 444 Marlin. The 265gr Hornady LeverRev's shoot just better than MOA. Taken 2 black bears, Ontario and Michigan whitetail, and several Texas boars up to 200lbs. Hard hitting, easy and fun to handload.

Second is a Savage Model 1899 in 250 Savage. One deer taken while still hunting. I felt like a deer hunter from the early 1900s with that rifle.

I'm left handed so levers are ++ for handling/cycling needs.

Good buy!

 

[EastMont]

I'm left handed so levers are ++ for handling/cycling needs.

Good buy!

Same here, I've got a couple left hand bolt actions that are amazing but I am looking forward to the change.

Also you always see, X brand of synthetic rifle with a turretted scope at the trailhead. It'll be neeat to have something different.

 

[TxxAgg]

Love me some lever guns! A couple of my favorites from several years back.

edit
Marlin 336 30-30 made in '83

 

[FLAK]

Oh, No you didn't!!!!!

And Hey, AGG. You cant just throw out pics like that w/o some
info on that weapon. At least caliber???

 

[Desk Jockey]

Ugh. I have been drooling over a big bore lever for years.

I have and love a 30/30 and a 22lr. I think they are great guns but I wouldn’t use that 30/30 beyond a 200 yard shot on a critter. Too much bullet drop for me.

Levers are nostalgic and fun but to be honest, I think they really shined in a different time. Fairly accurate, fast follow up, iron sights were the norm. Combine all that with Shorter shots, wooded terrain and a higher likelihood of needing a fast follow up shot with older bullet technologies and they were a great defensive arm and a fantastic hunting gun option. Today, I just think they aren’t as easy to embrace for general hunting. If I lived or hunted a lot in brown bear country, I think a 45/70 would make a lot of sense. I also think they have a place where firearm restrictions limit defensive options. I just can’t bring myself to drop the coin on something I know has a limited utility.

 

[squirrel]

Dont you put that scope on there! Nobody ever retreats from that. They talk about it but it never comes off!

 

[OXN939]

I cannot imagine I'll ever be anywhere in the ballpark of style points associated with taking this buck any time soon. Case Colored Winchester '94, 20" octagonal barrel, .357 magnum. For sure one of the coolest hunts of my life.

 

[FLAK]

I love my LA's, and might need to pick up another.

 

[Chefofthewoods]

Same here, I've got a couple left hand bolt actions that are amazing but I am looking forward to the change.

Also you always see, X brand of synthetic rifle with a turretted scope at the trailhead. It'll be neeat to have something different.

It also happen to be excellent without scope too; consider what happens if the scope gets knocked out of alignment.

I slipped and fell on my LH Ruger M77 sidehilling next to a rocky Ontario waterfall. Fell on the scope. Jumped a 3.5yo looking 8pt 45 minutes later from his bed. Grunt-stopped him @75yards and missed twice. No iron sights = missed buck due to that fall. I was so bummed.

 

[Chefofthewoods]

I cannot imagine I'll ever be anywhere in the ballpark of style points associated with taking this buck ever again. Case Colored Winchester '94, 20" octagonal barrel, .357 magnum. Absolutely one of the coolest hunts of my life.

View attachment 171572

That's a great picture! That bright colored blood looks like it was a devastating lung shot.

 

[FLAK]

Yeah, that's one slick Winny.

 

[Runningwater]

I have a fun little collection of lever's. A 1942 vintage 94 in 30-30, a 50's Win. 64 in 32 special, a 50's Savage 99 in 300 savage, a 1972 marlin 1895 in 45-70, and an early 80's 9422 in 22lr. We (myself and a friend who also likes lever rifles) used to hunt the Nebraska doe only river season on my folks ranch during Oct. Both our kids HS football has interrupted that for several years - but both are seniors so looking forward to combo doe rifle and shotgun sharpies this fall! A few pics.

 

[JohnnyB]

There is something aesthetically pleasing about lever guns. Always wanted one, never made it happen.
Another Rokslide thread that is going to cost me...

#noscopesonleverguns

 

[OXN939]

That's a great picture! That bright colored blood looks like it was a devastating lung shot.

Sure was. We got a wild cold snap in VA that morning- 22 degrees when I pulled the trigger- and I remember seeing a puff of warm air from the lungs at impact. Found my dude in that thicket about 20 yards from where he was hit, as if he had just laid down. Zero suffering, perfectly clean harvest. Basically, the kind of experience you couldn't put a price tag on. Doing it with old school, minimalist gear definitely made it that much cooler.

I have a fun little collection of lever's. A 1942 vintage 94 in 30-30, a 50's Win. 64 in 32 special, a 50's Savage 99 in 300 savage, a 1972 marlin 1895 in 45-70, and an early 80's 9422 in 22lr. We (myself and a friend who also likes lever rifles) used to hunt the Nebraska doe only river season on my folks ranch during Oct. Both our kids HS football has interrupted that for several years - but both are seniors so looking forward to combo doe rifle and shotgun sharpies this fall! A few pics.

That's the .30-30 '94 in the first picture, yeah? That thing is gorgeous!

 

[Runningwater]

Yeah thanks, that's the old 94 30-30! They just get better looking with a bit of wear and patina on them! My model 64 is too clean. It looks like its right out of the box and doesn't look near as cool! Here is the 64 in 32 special..

 

[BuckSnort]

I wouldn't scope it.. I'd put a Williams peep on it and shoot the shit out of it.. But that's just me..

 

[Runningwater]

I wouldn't scope it.. I'd put a Williams peep on it and shoot the shit out of it.. But that's just me..

I agree! Or find a vintage set of Lyman or Redfield peeps for it!

 

[TxxAgg]

A couple more from this year

 

[Chefofthewoods]

I like that moose pic. That's what I wanna use my 3rd levergun for.

I picked up a used .348Win project rifle that had been drilled for a side-mounted scope. I removed the mount and had a shop clean up the rifle's internals, install flush-mount screws in the old scope bracket holes and oil the stock. Looks great. I haven't hunted with it but intent is keeping it pure iron sights with a Skinner rear peep for still hunting, stalking boars or thru dark timber, that's my favorite method.

I also bought great bullets to hand load it and scrounged old (new) brass casing to build for it. My favorite ones: 200gr Swift A-frames. I need to pursue moose and black bears with this bullet loaded up!