Posted on 11/07/2017 6:52:15 AM PST by w1n1
There was a time when we all thought repeaters were “out,” at least as far as hunting was concerned. Lever guns are for nostalgic geeks, right? Somewhat surprisingly, repeaters are experiencing a kind of renaissance. The truth is, even though bolt action and AR-platform rifles are most common in the deer woods, veteran hunters are increasingly switching to lever action, or back to lever action after a break from it.
Newer hunters, too, are drawn to the cowboy style rifle, though not always for the same reasons. One reason is that they know the vast majority of deer are taken at close and mid range, and most lever guns are built for accuracy, and maneuverability, at those moderate distances.
Especially for spot-and-stalk hunts, which have grown in popularity, the maneuverability and light weight of a lever gun can be preferable. Same goes for hunting brush country. Lever gun manufacturers such as Henry and Winchester have been improving on the classic design with new, refined guns in a broadened range of calibers. Ammo manufacturers have followed suit with lever-specific ammo that increases power, accuracy and safety.
Here are three lever guns from Henry Repeating Arms to look at:
The Big Boy All Weather .44
A major departure from any kind of John Wayne gun, the Big Boy All Weather is a durable weapon meant to go with you through the most demanding conditions. Although some of our friends had shot other models of the Big Boy and found it slow or difficult to load, compared to the 30-30 and .308, we found this one quicker to load with no jams, possibly because of the cartridge itself. Which is to be expected, since Henry has a long history with the .44 rimfire.
The Lone Ranger .308
This is Henry’s answer to the Browning .308 repeater, and it’s every bit as reliable. It will perform comparably to your bolt action at the same long ranges. Yes, it may be strange to see a lever gun in this caliber, but once you shoot it, you won’t want to put it down. Read the rest and full descriptions of cowboy lever action rifles here.
Not on your life, they are the next best things to semi-auto’s for rapid fire.
The Marlin 336 is the poor man’s assault rifle.
You can add rounds to the magazine tube before it’s completely empty (like the Winchester 94).
Shoot three, load three.
Effective.
I always bring my Model 94 Winchester as a backup gun to my Ruger American Rifle when I deer hunt.
Lucas McCain was the original `bumpfire’ shooter, and also rapid reloader; during the Rifleman intro he fired seven and reloaded seven more so fast you couldn’t see it, for a total burst of fourteen (count ‘em).
;^)
Inside 100 yards, the Marlin and Winchester .357 magnum lever rifles are more than adequate for hunting AND home defense.
Only from my cold dead hands will you take my Mossberg 479 30-30.
And hard to find with side loading. I want a .357 so bad I can taste it. I just don’t like loading down the tube.
I didn’t know Henry Repeating Arms had a gun called the Lone Ranger .308.
What did Bass Reeves use, besides his matched pair of revolvers?
Inside 100 yards, the Marlin and Winchester .357 magnum lever rifles are more than adequate for hunting AND home defense.
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Quite right. They are fun guns. I own a Marlin in .357 and a Winchester in .44 mag.
But the problem is range. It gets hard to get hits past about 150 yards. My go to rifle for defensive purposes is an AR.
If you want .30-30 ballistics, go with a .300 AAC (very close). Same mags and mag capacity as an .223 AR15, and an advantage as an excellent subsonic suppressed rifle with 180 grain + projectiles.
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I normally hunt with a pistol, but when I go out with a rifle, it is my grandad’s Marlin 336 in 35 Remington.
I bought my wife a Henry lever-action .22 because her wrist strength wasn’t good enough for a bolt action or to use a charging handle. She loves it ...
I’ve got a Marlin in 44 magnum. I don’t hunt. Strictly a home defense type weapon. When I was in Afghanistan, my wife and daughter moved into the upstairs bedrooms. I told my wife that if she heard noises, grab the rifle, call the cops, and wait. If they come upstairs, they aren’t looking for loot - so shoot as they reach the top of the stairs.
Happily, she never had to test that plan.
I’m trying to figure out the best way to get a cut-down version of a lever gun for my truck. Probably sheath it behind the front passenger seat so I can reach it and unlimber it easily enough.
A very nice mix of maneuverability and distance/power. Seems to me a short, little .30-.30 lever gun would provide all kinds of advantages over a pistol.
PLUS...if things go a little south during my travels and I have to break that boy out, I’ll get another second or two while the baddies think, “What the hell am I looking at, here?!”
Good plan though ... there are now laser aiming additions that can be attached to the lever mag tube or barrel.
I read a story about a retired Montana State Trooper who showed up at a 3 gun competition with a beat up old Winchester lever gun, a 1911, and a pump shotgun.
He was going up against guys half his age with ARs and semi scatter guns.
He waxed their behinds.
Sometimes it ain’t the tool but the Workman who matters.
L
Look at the ‘Ranch-hand’ in 44 mag.
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