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Firearm Advice
Vanity | Myself

Posted on 11/13/2008 10:07:22 AM PST by Labyrinthos

Like many Americans in these uncertain times, I plan on purchasing additional firearms over the next few days. I already own a Remington 870 12g, which I use for both sport and home defense, as well as several .22 rimfire rifles for target shooting. I would like to buy a versatile o/u for field and range; and a centerfire lever action rifle for field, range, and defense. I don't want to spend a lot of money on either.

My budget on the o/u is less that $1000, and I have been looking at guns from Charles Daley, Mossburg, Spartan, and Dick's Diamond (Franchi). I would also consider a higher quality second hand gun in my prince range. I welcome your thoughts and recommendations.

My budget for the lever action is under $600 and Marlin seems to be the lever action of choice in that price range. I have never fired a centerfire lever action rifle and would appreciate you advice on make, model, and most importantly, caliber (I don't want to bust the budget on ammo).

Thanks in advance.


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: banglist
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To: Labyrinthos

Any more it is more important how you buy it not what you get.

Go to a Gun Show and buy it used from an Individual. Lay down your cash and walk away.


41 posted on 11/13/2008 12:18:54 PM PST by ImJustAnotherOkie
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To: Labyrinthos
Shotgun World Classifieds
42 posted on 11/13/2008 12:19:08 PM PST by P8riot (I carry a gun because I can't carry a cop.)
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To: Labyrinthos
I have owned a Savage Model 99 lever action in 300 Savage caliber for 50 years, and have gotten outstanding service from it. This unique lever action has a built-in rotary magazine which allows the use of pointed ammunition. The 300 savage comes within a wisker of .308 ballistics (as a matter of fact, I use reformed .308 brass for reloading my ammo).

This gun is also available in .243, 250/3000, and .308 (in the newer versions). Some of these guns were "take down" models that you could remove the barrel for backpacking or transport purposes.

The action on this rifle is much stronger than either the Winchester or Marlin lever actions because it is milled from a single piece of steel as opposed to using two or more pieces screwed together.

Sadly, the Savage 99 is no longer in production, but you should be able to find one on the used market. Prices should be $600 to $1200 depending upon condition.

43 posted on 11/13/2008 12:25:14 PM PST by Retired COB (Still mad about Campaign Finance Reform)
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To: Labyrinthos

Why not just take up bowling or read a book? /Clinton BS


44 posted on 11/13/2008 12:26:25 PM PST by gundog (We shall overcome.)
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To: Labyrinthos
I have owned a Savage Model 99 lever action in 300 Savage caliber for 50 years, and have gotten outstanding service from it. This unique lever action has a built-in rotary magazine which allows the use of pointed ammunition. The 300 savage comes within a wisker of .308 ballistics (as a matter of fact, I use reformed .308 brass for reloading my ammo).

This gun is also available in .243, 250/3000, and .308 (in the newer versions). Some of these guns were "take down" models that you could remove the barrel for backpacking or transport purposes.

The action on this rifle is much stronger than either the Winchester or Marlin lever actions because it is milled from a single piece of steel as opposed to using two or more pieces screwed together.

Sadly, the Savage 99 is no longer in production, but you should be able to find one on the used market. Prices should be $600 to $1200 depending upon condition.

45 posted on 11/13/2008 12:26:44 PM PST by Retired COB (Still mad about Campaign Finance Reform)
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To: Red_Devil 232
I hope you don't mind if I use your post to ask a few questions about ammo for the weapons I have?

By all means.

46 posted on 11/13/2008 12:33:03 PM PST by Labyrinthos
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To: Red_Devil 232

wal mart for the 38 secial


47 posted on 11/13/2008 12:42:58 PM PST by garykfd (American by Birth, Southern by the Grace of God!)
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To: Red_Devil 232

wal mart for the 38 special..


48 posted on 11/13/2008 12:43:47 PM PST by garykfd (American by Birth, Southern by the Grace of God!)
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To: Labyrinthos
For a o/u shotgun Get a good one, Ruger, Browning, Beretta( my favorite)etc., Its like money in the bank. For a lever gun look at a Savage 99 in .308, a Winchester 88 in .308,or a Marlin 1895 in 45-70 Go to Gunbroker.com or Auctionarms.com.
49 posted on 11/13/2008 12:45:33 PM PST by MCF
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To: Red_Devil 232

wal mart for the 38 spec ammo


50 posted on 11/13/2008 12:50:10 PM PST by garykfd (American by Birth, Southern by the Grace of God!)
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To: Armedanddangerous

Winchester Model 94s are good to. I’ve owned both a Marlin 336 and Winchester 94 and loved them both. To shoot, the Marlin is a better fit for my large frame and I’m more accurate with it. That said, the Winchester is lighter, a little more compact and easier to carry on long hunts.


51 posted on 11/13/2008 12:52:41 PM PST by InABunkerUnderSF (Illegal Immigration is not about the immigration. Gun control is not about the guns.)
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To: Labyrinthos

Marlin lever action in .308 Marlin. Has similar ballistics to .308 winchester. Probably very accurate and good out to 300yds or more. Marlin makes a very nice rifle.

Browning makes lever actions in a huge number of calibers. “Browning BLR”, but will cost you more than $600


52 posted on 11/13/2008 12:53:35 PM PST by petca-tim (Thanks)
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To: Armedanddangerous

Winchester Model 94s are good to. I’ve owned both a Marlin 336 and Winchester 94 and loved them both. To shoot, the Marlin is a better fit for my large frame and I’m more accurate with it. That said, the Winchester is lighter, a little more compact and easier to carry on long hunts.


53 posted on 11/13/2008 12:54:48 PM PST by InABunkerUnderSF (Illegal Immigration is not about the immigration. Gun control is not about the guns.)
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To: Labyrinthos

Mossberg International with two barrel sets...about $800.00.

Marlin 1895 in .45-70 can be handloaded very cheap.

But, if the emphasis is on self-defense get an M-1 Garand through CDM for about $800. Proven man-stopper and good up to elk-sized animals. Surplus ammo isn’t particularly cheap but available.


54 posted on 11/13/2008 12:57:03 PM PST by x1stcav (11/05/2008: the day the Resistance began.)
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To: Red_Devil 232

For the S&W and AR180 any place that carries 38 Special and .233 Remington(Wal-mart, K-mart,)Midwayusa.com or Sportsmensguide.com The Mauser 7.65 is the same as the 32 Auto (ACP)This is very common ammo.


55 posted on 11/13/2008 1:10:10 PM PST by MCF
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Comment #56 Removed by Moderator

To: Labyrinthos

Get a reloading set and learn to use it and get a caliber for which you can take ammo off a Civilian Homeland Defense troop or a soldier. You can probably get a Little Red Book from the first one, also. Ammo is going to get scarce and I wouldn’t mess with calibers for which it will be hard to scrounge it.


57 posted on 11/13/2008 1:24:48 PM PST by arthurus (Old Age beat itself with its own guile and lack of enthusiasm.)
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To: Labyrinthos

Someone may have already commented on this, for some reason, I can’t get more than 23 replies to load on my computer.

I really like the look of a lever action rifle and whole cowboy thing but they have some real limitations. The chief being that you can’t use pointy ammo. The recoil can make the point detonate the next rount in the tube. The second issue is the caliber, you they do not come chambered for good modern calibers which means you will have a rifle with less punch and more expensive ammo.

If you are short on money, a good bolt action rifle will be less money and shoot less expensive ammo while giving you the option of many more calibers.


58 posted on 11/13/2008 2:04:12 PM PST by dangerdoc (dangerdoc (not actually dangerous any more))
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To: Labyrinthos
If this keeps up, I'm going to start demanding consultant fees.
59 posted on 11/13/2008 3:01:06 PM PST by Shooter 2.5 (NRA - Vote against the dem party)
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To: RetiredNavy

Thank-you very much. Given my desire for a lever action that “does everything,” including defense, would you recommend the Marlin .357 or .44 over the 30-30?


60 posted on 11/13/2008 3:03:26 PM PST by Labyrinthos
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