Lever action or straight pull

Joined
Feb 9, 2021
Messages
377
Location
New Jersey
Recently sold off my main deer rifle and now I’m looking for opinions on what I’m considering for a replacement. I had my eye on a Henry lever gun in 45-70 or 30-30 for awhile and it seems like a good fit for a deer rifle, my deer hunting takes place mostly within 100 yards and if I hunt anything with greater distances I have other rifles for that. But recently the savage impulse has really caught my attention. Maybe it’s just new and cool to me but what is your opinion on straightpull rifle or lever gun for primarily northeast deer hunting.
 
Joined
Aug 9, 2017
Messages
886
Location
Montana
My vote would be for a Marlin 45-70 guide gun with ghost rings sights.
Great for tight thick woods. Load light for deer or hot and give them the hammer. 45/70 is just a fun caliber that is capable of slaying anything.
 

Wapiti1

WKR
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Sep 18, 2017
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Indiana
If you were talking a Ross straight pull, then that is what I'd go with. The Savage is not an answer to any problem, IMO. And it is heavy.

Now for your situation, I'd look for a .308 or .358 Winchester in one of a Winchester Model 88, Savage 99, or Browning BLR.

If you're feeling a little off the wall, a Remington 7600 pump in .35 Whelen.

Jeremy
 

abbrown

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Aug 19, 2019
Messages
129
I recently picked up a Browning BLR Lightweight Stainless Takedown in 7mm-08. I am pretty much in love with this lever gun. Has awesome iron sights and is drilled/tapped to take traditional scope mount or scout scope mount. Breakdown will be sweet for packing for fly-in trips, sneaking through areas with anti-firearm eyes, etc - but they make non-breakdown models as well. Highly recommend. There are currently some listed on gunbroker in 300WSM.


 

TxxAgg

WKR
Joined
Dec 27, 2019
Messages
1,999
As much as I love levers, the Henry single shot in 45-70, 308, or 243 is pretty slick and inexpensive.

It does require a $5 spring change out to make the trigger bearable.

Here is a 45-70 and 243
 
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TxxAgg

WKR
Joined
Dec 27, 2019
Messages
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Whoops. Here:
 

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Spoonbill

WKR
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If you were talking a Ross straight pull, then that is what I'd go with. The Savage is not an answer to any problem, IMO. And it is heavy.

Now for your situation, I'd look for a .308 or .358 Winchester in one of a Winchester Model 88, Savage 99, or Browning BLR.

If you're feeling a little off the wall, a Remington 7600 pump in .35 Whelen.

Jeremy
Second the BLR, if you end up with a shot over 100, you can take it no problem. A 358 would be a good choice.
 
Joined
Aug 16, 2018
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1,149
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Alaska
If you want a strait pull buy a real strait pull (Blaser or Merkel) don't waste your money on the cheap crap..if you don't want to spend the money on a quality straitpull then fin your self sexy lever gun..you won't regret either decision.
 

seawolfxix

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Jan 18, 2019
Messages
106
Location
Kansas City
I recently picked up a Browning BLR Lightweight Stainless Takedown in 7mm-08. I am pretty much in love with this lever gun. Has awesome iron sights and is drilled/tapped to take traditional scope mount or scout scope mount. Breakdown will be sweet for packing for fly-in trips, sneaking through areas with anti-firearm eyes, etc - but they make non-breakdown models as well. Highly recommend. There are currently some listed on gunbroker in 300WSM.
How’s your trigger? Mine definitely needs some work.
 

ericacymcdonald

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Dec 22, 2020
Messages
266
I'd go with a lever action... And a savage. Kill 2 birds with one stone and find you a model 99 or 3
 

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pk_

WKR
Joined
Jul 30, 2017
Messages
368
Location
Florida
Can’t be clever, without a lever...

Seriously tho a well balanced lever gun just feels so natural in the timber it is unreal. Absolute pleasure to hunt with.
 

abbrown

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Aug 19, 2019
Messages
129
How’s your trigger? Mine definitely needs some work.
It's not amazing, that's no secret. I don't consider myself an expert rifleman or anything close to it and I'm unsure how much the trigger is really having an effect on my overall performance. I only have the open sights right now, but I'm hitting coke cans at 100yds with it with consistency which is A OK in my book, probably not going to pay to adjust it, at least at this stage.
 
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