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Shooting & Reloading - Mausers, Big Bores and others >> Rifles
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Ripp
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An Ode to the Lever Action Rifle
      #329921 - 09/07/19 02:07 AM

https://www.americanhunter.org/articles/...kTg3jf2H1MYi_k4

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Rule303
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Re: An Ode to the Lever Action Rifle [Re: Ripp]
      #329937 - 09/07/19 09:00 AM

Thanks for posting Ripp. I know what he is saying. The first center fire rifle I bought was a Model 94 in 30-30.

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NitroXAdministrator
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Re: An Ode to the Lever Action Rifle [Re: Rule303]
      #329945 - 09/07/19 01:40 PM

Had a read of Massaro's latest article.

My only lever action is a modern version, the Browning Lever Action with a box magazine in .308 Winchester. Managed to get the older model second hand. Don't like the cheaper and nastier modern models.

Mine has a saddle straight stocked "pistol" grip stock. Quite nice walnut. Is very accurate. Quick and easy to shoot. The trigger is quite good. Can be scoped easily.

In the absence of being able to own a BAR, the BLR makes a handy scrub rifle, and fast shooting rifle perfect for running game. And as the BLR is so light, handy and accurate, really could be used for almost anything medium game. Including as a "mountain rifle" it is lighter than most of my bolt actions. I have to develop some 180 gr loads for it, and try it out on sambar next time. But along with the 9.5x57.

Makes a great pig hunting rifle. But I used it more on donkeys on the NT trip it got used on more exclusively. I always try to stick this rifle in the 'cruiser when going on trips. Lots of ammo for it, and a good stand by if there is lots of game available.

Have used friends .22 RF Model 94 styled LAs with tubular magazines. Have handled but never shot a .30-30 or pistol cartridge version.

One day I would like a true old styled cowboy LA in a pistol cartridge. Just for shooting fun.

--------------------
John aka NitroX

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DarylS
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Re: An Ode to the Lever Action Rifle [Re: NitroX]
      #329946 - 09/07/19 02:37 PM

Lever guns can be a joy to shoot for sure.
I always feel kinda special when shooting my 1876 Centenial model, the 50/95.
The older Brownings were indeed nice rifles, a 'mite' more modern than the 76, but certainly nice rifles, .243, .308 or .358.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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DarylS
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Re: An Ode to the Lever Action Rifle [Re: DarylS]
      #329947 - 09/07/19 02:51 PM

That was a good read, Art. Tks.
My first lever gun was a 99 Sav.in .300. I shot a whack of gophers and Jack's with it while in basic training, loading g my 110gr. Sierra HPs in the barracks using a Loader set of hand dies. My rockchucker & RCBS powder measures left at home. Weekends would find me driving around the 25 sections of the ancestral ranch in Southern SASK. WOW! Such memories. Thanks for stirring that pot, Art.
My grandpa Peter Sapergia bought that land back when the date preceeded 1900.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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NitroXAdministrator
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Re: An Ode to the Lever Action Rifle [Re: DarylS]
      #329951 - 09/07/19 05:35 PM



Damn this was 15 years ago!



Hunting on my 'indigenous' 'ancestral' lands.

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
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Ripp
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Re: An Ode to the Lever Action Rifle [Re: NitroX]
      #329965 - 09/07/19 11:51 PM

Quote:



Damn this was 15 years ago!



Hunting on my 'indigenous' 'ancestral' lands.



Great Pics... and yes, I think the little Browning BLR is a great little rifle.. have used/shot one on several occasions..have a good friend who owns one..

I too had a Winchester 30/30 back in the day ..used it for hunting whitetail deer in the river bottoms..close quarters shooting.. quick shots, worked very well.. so well, traded it for a different rifle..

Still have several lever actions.. one is a Marlin 22 rimfire.. another Marlin in 45/70 that I keep in my camper trailer for bears and such when camping with the family...modern, stainless, laminated stock, ghost ring sight.. had the trigger worked on as it sucked out of the box.. now is very nice and shoots very well.. thinking of taking it to Africa John, hunt some buffalo..

Lever actions are very fast and fun to shoot... plain and simple..

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xausa
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Re: An Ode to the Lever Action Rifle [Re: Ripp]
      #329973 - 10/07/19 02:39 AM

I own five lever action rifles: a Winchester 92 in .38-40, three Savage 99's in .22 Savage High Power, .250-3000 Savage and .300 Savage, plus a Model 88 Winchester in .308. I have killed deer with all of them, except for the Model 92, which has open sights only and I am no longer able to use them.

I have to confess a weakness for the Savage 99's, partly because of their handling qualities and accuracy and partly because all three of the calibers I own were designed by Charles Newton, a great favorite of mine. (I also own Newton 1916 rifles in .256, .30 and .35 Newton calibers.)

All but the Winchester 92 are fitted with scopes and since I am compelled to shoot off the left shoulder, the fact that all three models are ambidextrous, except for the safeties, is a real plus.Unfortunately I have no photos to display.

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CptCurlAdministrator
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Re: An Ode to the Lever Action Rifle [Re: xausa]
      #329986 - 10/07/19 10:35 AM

I've got a few myself.

Winchester 1892 .25-20
Winchester 1892 .32-20
Winchester 1892 .44-40
Winchester 1886 .45-90
Winchester Mod. 71 .348 Win.

Each one is loads of fun in its own right.

The '86 is just awesome. I shoot it with black powder and a 325 grain cast bullet. It would be great to hunt with - its original purpose. I think it would be a real "hammer of Thor."

The Mod. 71 is a fine shooter and would hold its own against any game in North America. It has the bolt aperture sight and is quite accurate.

The '92s are sweetest of all. The .25-20 is my most recent. I got it "by accident" on GunBroker a year or so ago. I fell in love with it the first time out to the range. It's surprisingly accurate with the standard sights, as are the two other '92s.

These rifles are just plain fun.

Curl

--------------------
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YOUR DOUBLE RIFLE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND.



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CptCurlAdministrator
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Re: An Ode to the Lever Action Rifle [Re: CptCurl]
      #329987 - 10/07/19 10:42 AM

I'll spice up this thread with a few photos.

This is the first post of a thread I started over on the Smith & Wesson forums back on December 22, 2015.



A Couple of .32-20s at the Range Today.

I had a nice afternoon at the range today. During part of the time I was shooting a couple of guns chambered in .32-20.

The Winchester dates to 1902. The Smith & Wesson is only slightly younger. It shipped in December 1909.















It's not a bad day playing with a couple of pieces of history well over a hundred years old! They shot pretty darn well too.

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cordite
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Re: An Ode to the Lever Action Rifle [Re: CptCurl]
      #329998 - 11/07/19 12:03 AM

I have a number of them, Winchester, marlin and savage. Took a 1899 savage chambered in 303 savage on my last caribou hunt. It did well.

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CptCurlAdministrator
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Re: An Ode to the Lever Action Rifle [Re: cordite]
      #330006 - 11/07/19 05:49 AM

Quote:

I have a number of them, Winchester, marlin and savage. Took a 1899 savage chambered in 303 savage on my last caribou hunt. It did well.







That's an honorable way to hunt! Nice Savage.

Curl

--------------------
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YOUR DOUBLE RIFLE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND.



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DarylS
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Re: An Ode to the Lever Action Rifle [Re: cordite]
      #330010 - 11/07/19 11:46 AM

Quote:

I have a number of them, Winchester, marlin and savage. Took a 1899 savage chambered in 303 savage on my last caribou hunt. It did well.





Gotta love those old long barrelled rifles.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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Ripp
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Re: An Ode to the Lever Action Rifle [Re: DarylS]
      #330025 - 11/07/19 10:49 PM

Quote:

Quote:

I have a number of them, Winchester, marlin and savage. Took a 1899 savage chambered in 303 savage on my last caribou hunt. It did well.
--

(quote)Gotta love those old long barrelled rifles.


-

Funny how that goes... in todays world that is one of the complaints by many for the RUM calibers.. need a "long barreled rifle"..
-

Looks like a fun hunt... and cool rifle to do it with..

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cordite
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Re: An Ode to the Lever Action Rifle [Re: Ripp]
      #330033 - 12/07/19 02:46 AM

I consider the idea that "one needs a short barreled rifle in the brush" to be a gun writer myth. As a person that often hunts with a long barreled muzzleloader, I have never had any difficulties. To me it is all about balance, with no scope a long barreled gun can be a wonderful thing.

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Ripp
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Re: An Ode to the Lever Action Rifle [Re: cordite]
      #330055 - 12/07/19 10:52 PM

Quote:

I consider the idea that "one needs a short barreled rifle in the brush" to be a gun writer myth. As a person that often hunts with a long barreled muzzleloader, I have never had any difficulties. To me it is all about balance, with no scope a long barreled gun can be a wonderful thing.



Agreed,,, I don't have an issue with longer barrels as well..never have...

I do however like lighter weighted rifles when I am hunting 10,000ft or more on a regular basis..

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DarylS
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Re: An Ode to the Lever Action Rifle [Re: Ripp]
      #330059 - 13/07/19 02:13 AM

My old (1986) 14 bore Sporting Rifle is a superbly balanced rifle for hunting in the Bush or field. It's 31" barrel, short just for such hunting, is a joy to pack and shoot.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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cordite
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Re: An Ode to the Lever Action Rifle [Re: DarylS]
      #330063 - 13/07/19 07:16 AM

Daryl, your 31 inch barrel is considered short and quick handling for a muzzleloader but on any center fire it would be consider ridiculously long.

When I had a 50 Alaskan made up on a marlin lever action I kept the barrel at 26 inches. Everyone else seems to want to cut them off short but I love the long sight radius and the extra weight.

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cordite
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Re: An Ode to the Lever Action Rifle [Re: cordite]
      #330064 - 13/07/19 07:36 AM

The 50 Alaskan has also taken a caribou. I had a scope on it for this hunt but that has now been replaced with a receiver sight. So yes, I do like lever actions.

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cordite
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Re: An Ode to the Lever Action Rifle [Re: cordite]
      #330065 - 13/07/19 07:51 AM

Here's a better picture of the Alaskan. With a big flat nosed hard cast bullet there aren't too many critters it couldn't handle. With the longer barrel it balances perfectly.


Edited by cordite (13/07/19 07:55 AM)

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DarylS
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Re: An Ode to the Lever Action Rifle [Re: cordite]
      #330066 - 13/07/19 07:58 AM

That's a hell of a good ctg. Had one on a Rollingblock for a while. Had to trade it off to get my Sharps back. LOL too many spur-of'the moment deals. The 50 was great with BP and smokeless. Got 91gr. SWISS 1-1/2 in it with a 600gr. Bullet @ 1,201fps.
Bro still has one on his 1874 Shiloh Sharps.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V

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cordite
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Re: An Ode to the Lever Action Rifle [Re: DarylS]
      #330068 - 13/07/19 08:19 AM

I haven't tried blackpowder in it yet but I plan to soon. The case has more capacity than I really need for smokeless. Recoil gets to be an issue in a hurry. 1200 fps is plenty with that big bullet.

Edited by cordite (13/07/19 08:22 AM)

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tinker
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Re: An Ode to the Lever Action Rifle [Re: cordite]
      #330078 - 13/07/19 12:13 PM

Like Daryl, my first lever rifle was a Savage 99 in 300 Savage.
Like John, I have a BLR in 308
I've had Winchester rifles in 30-30
Like Roscoe I have a 92 in 25-20. It was my dad's rifle. Real sweetheart.

At the shop I've handled a couple of Jack's modified Marlin rifles in 500 JRH
So slick!
There are a handful more on the rack, some to complete, some to completely convert. Some of them are clients' rifles, there will likely be a couple of spec rifles too.
The 500 JRH in the Marlin is quite a package.

--------------------
--Self-Appointed Colonel, DRSS--



"It IS a dangerous game, and so named for a reason, and you can't play from the keyboard. " --Some Old Texan...

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cooch
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Re: An Ode to the Lever Action Rifle [Re: cordite]
      #330085 - 13/07/19 10:14 PM

Quote:

I consider the idea that "one needs a short barreled rifle in the brush" to be a gun writer myth. As a person that often hunts with a long barreled muzzleloader, I have never had any difficulties. To me it is all about balance, with no scope a long barreled gun can be a wonderful thing.



My perspective is that of a hound-hunter.
It is a very active style of hunting that frequently requires movement through heavy vegetation along game-trails not designed for human progress.

I acquired a carbine length 1895 Marlin for fun, more than anything else. At that time, my serious bush rifles were a a Sako A3 in .300WM and a Browning A-Bolt in .375H&H. Both were more than adequate for Sambar and more versatile for the occasional longer shot, but when I carried the Marlin for the first time, I rapidly came to appreciate the ease with which I could carry it on a sling without the additional barrel length snagging on every limb that i’d ducked my head to pass under.

Regards......Peter.

--------------------
"The only logical response to an animal that lives obsessed with avoiding capture is to chase it." - Jose Ortega y Gassett

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Rule303
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Re: An Ode to the Lever Action Rifle [Re: cooch]
      #330093 - 14/07/19 09:05 AM

Quote:

Quote:

I consider the idea that "one needs a short barreled rifle in the brush" to be a gun writer myth. As a person that often hunts with a long barreled muzzleloader, I have never had any difficulties. To me it is all about balance, with no scope a long barreled gun can be a wonderful thing.



My perspective is that of a hound-hunter.
It is a very active style of hunting that frequently requires movement through heavy vegetation along game-trails not designed for human progress.

I acquired a carbine length 1895 Marlin for fun, more than anything else. At that time, my serious bush rifles were a a Sako A3 in .300WM and a Browning A-Bolt in .375H&H. Both were more than adequate for Sambar and more versatile for the occasional longer shot, but when I carried the Marlin for the first time, I rapidly came to appreciate the ease with which I could carry it on a sling without the additional barrel length snagging on every limb that i’d ducked my head to pass under.

Regards......Peter.



My findings to Pete. The little Win model 94 and the Valmet hunter were easier to get through the thick vegetation with and handier to use. Carrying a 25" barrel CZ550 through the jess in Zim required it to be slung barrel down, even then it was catching. Was it a major problem, no, just a nuisance even when carried in the hand.

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