The Accurate Reloading Forums
What is your favorite lever action rifle?
22 November 2003, 15:41
PJWhat is your favorite lever action rifle?
I have a Winchester Model 53 in 25-20 manufactured in 1924. It is a hoot to take to the range because it sounds like a .22 LR, but shoots 2 inch groups at 100 yards with iron sights.
Pete
23 November 2003, 09:45
JOE MACKMine would have to be my Marlin 1894CCL in .41Magnum followed closely by a Marlin 1895LTD V in .45-70. Still working on a Winchester 1895 in .405Winchester.
23 November 2003, 00:29
shepherdI really like my Marlin 336C in .35 Rem but I love my Savage 99 in .300 Sav. It's extremely accurate.
23 November 2003, 01:16
Hawkeye47Iron Buck,
I have had several lever guns that were special!!!
1st was a Marlin 39A in 22 caliber that I received from my folks as a gift, 2nd a Savage 99DE in 243 that was my first deer rifle, and a Winchester 55 in 30-30 Win that my Grandfather hunted with for years.
Hawkeye47
24 November 2003, 02:07
7-30 WatersI own two as of now. Win 94AE carbine in 7-30 Waters and Marlin 336C in 35 Rem. Just bought the Marlin last spring. Harvested a nice 3x3 whitetail buck last week with it. I hated to leave my 7-30 lever gun home but she needed a rest. 4 deer in the last two years was plenty.
Would love to see Marlin make a 1894 CL in 25-20 or 218 Bee. I think the Bee would make a good trapping rifle.
24 November 2003, 05:11
45nutAnother "big" fan of leverguns here. I suppose my Winchester trapper 45 colt would be my favorite but they all see use...I have 2 Sav. 99's in 308,one was a reclaimation project. The fellow I got it from had let it lay on the floor of his camper for 3 years that I know of and never moved it
![[Frown]](images/icons/frown.gif)
The left side of the action was severely corroded while the topside was scratched and scarred from objects passing over and on it.
I was pleased to see the bore was in fine shape
![[Big Grin]](images/icons/grin.gif)
I sent it home with a friend that applied a camo scheme that turned out nicely and it is now passable to me.
The rest of the line up includes a Henry 22lr,a Rossi puma 357,a 94 in 25-35,another 94 in 30-30,A marlin 1893 38-55,a marlin 45-70 GG,a Win 1886 in 38-56 another 94 BB 375 Win.......probably forgot some but hey,you get the idea ! Cast Boolits are the preferred fodder for all

45nut
24 November 2003, 06:00
Orygun MarkToo many to choose from:
336 RC 30/30 1953
336 RC 32Spl 1952
336 SC 35Rem 1953
1894FG 41 Mag 2003
94 Win 16" 44Mag
94 Win 16" 45LC
Rossi SRC 16" 357 Mag
and am looking at buying a 1950 336A in 35Rem if I can get it cheap enough. Orygun
25 November 2003, 06:58
Big Bore FanI like my Browning Mod. 1886 in .45-70, but my favourite lever is the Marlin 1895M in .450Marlin.
The next big bore lever on my christmas list, is a Custom-Marlin with 26" octagonal barrel in .50 Alaska.
[ 11-25-2003, 11:07: Message edited by: Big Bore Fan ]25 November 2003, 11:32
MikelravyPlain jane Marlin 336 in 30/30 for me.
27 November 2003, 16:30
7x57Iron Buck,
My favorite lever gun is my 444ss Marlin.
I added a Wild West Guns trigger kit,very nice.
I really like the way the 444 hammers deer! I had a Ruger 44 mag. lever gun a few years back, I think it was a model 96. It is the slickest lever action I have ever handled although I didn't care for the stock. Bryan
29 November 2003, 07:13
meteBrowning 1885, 45-70 ,with that round you don't need more than one.Took another deer with it yesterday, winchester's 300nosler load.Barrel's been cut to 22" for lighter and handier gun.
29 November 2003, 15:46
John L. MooreMy four Marlins, five Winchesters, one Browning and one Ruger are all my favorite levers. It just depends which one is in my hands at the moment.
30 November 2003, 07:27
akplsIt's a toss-up for me between my Marlin 1895M in .450 Marlin or my Savage 99 in .300 Savage. The Marlin has been extensively "tweaked". The Savage is still pretty much "standard".
30 November 2003, 11:22
Rooster
.356 Win. Model 94
444 Marlin
45-70 Marlin 1895CB W/Custom Wood
45-70 Win 86 EX LT Miroku
45-70 Win 86 26" OCT Barrel & Crescent Butt
Love every one of em'
![[Wink]](images/icons/wink.gif)
19 December 2003, 09:35
The MazWithout any doubt the Winchester 88 is my favorite. If I can ever get the cash I'd love to get a set in .243, .284, .308, and .358.
20 December 2003, 03:12
BrentMy personal favorite:
In .45-100 SS.
Brent
20 December 2003, 04:49
RSY1. Any .30-30.
2. My M94BB in the unsung .375 Win.
RSY
20 December 2003, 06:39
BrentOne more of my lever actions - and the results of some action with it...
Brent

22 December 2003, 17:29
Dr. LouSako Finnwolf 308/243
M64 Win 30-30
M1886 Win 45-90
M99 Savage 358 Win
1895 Marlin 45-70
22 December 2003, 22:14
Dave In LBMy Marlin 1895G. Even before I got theis gun Home I knew it would be a favorite and what's worse is that it touched off a dormant and previously unkown desire to own a lot more levers.
The wish list would be Marin 1894P, 336D, 336 in .375Win, and a Model 99 in .358. May add a 30-30 fo r my wife and son or just teach them to use the 1894P

Actually a selected few of these would make me totally content too.
23 December 2003, 11:07
DPhillipsOther than my Ruger No.1's (that have a lever), this Z-Hat modified Winchester 1895 in 411 Hawk would be it.

23 December 2003, 16:28
AmphibiousAnything Marlin!
Winchesters are Junk!
Brownings are damn Ugly!
Currently toting a Marlin 1895MR in .450, my favorite rifle by far.
24 December 2003, 07:32
AfrikaanderMArlin 1895 (mine is model SS) in 45-70

28 December 2003, 01:00
BwanaBobMy favourite lever action is the Winchester 1895 and I have two - a .30/40 Krag and a .405 Win. However, I also have a soft spot for the Savage 99 and I have two 99a's, both takedowns: a .30/30 and a .250Sav. I also used to have one in .308 but had the poor judegement to sell it!
28 December 2003, 11:10
EnglanderHere's a photo to make 7-30 waters jelous.......
yep its my .218 Bee...

30 December 2003, 12:27
TBEAR99My favorite of all time is like many the tried and true savage 99.As that is why i own several in different calibors but for current production the Marlin is a fine gun i own a 444 that will not let me down but not as pretty or sleak as the o'l 99's
31 December 2003, 18:02
BlackHawk11. Marlin 1895SS 45-70 Govt (Got)
2. Winchester Pre 64 M94 .30-30 (Got)
For those I don't have yet....
3. Winchester 95 405 Win (Wishin')
4. Marlin 1894 .41 Mag (Wishin')
5. Marlin 336CB .38-55 (Wishin')
6. Marlin 39A .22LR (Wishin')
01 January 2004, 08:27
POPMarlin 1895 Ltd IV 45-70!
05 January 2004, 04:37
SCGunNutThere are currently 11 lever guns in the safe(s):
Marlin 1894CL .25/20 Win.
Winchester 94AE 7-30 Waters {24" barrel}
Savage 99 .303 Sav.
Winchester 94AE .307 Win.
Winchester 94 .32 Win. Spl. {late '60s vintage}
Browning 71 Carbine .348 Win.
Marlin 336ER .356 Win.
Browning BLR .358 Win.
Winchester 94AE Wrangler II .38/55 Win.
Marlin 1894S .41 Mag.
Marlin 1894S .44/40 Win.
My next will likely be one of the new Marlins in .475 Linebaugh. My "holy grail" of lever guns is to find a mint, AFFORDABLE Savage 99 in .375 Win.
11 January 2004, 05:49
Dutch4122My favorite used to be anything in a Winchester 94; but now I'll have to say that the Marlin "Guide Gun" has won me over. I just love the handling qualities of my 336D and 1895GS.
Still like the Winchesters. Just think that Marlin is currently making a much better product; and is listening to the needs of the consumer better than Winchester

At the moment I'd have to say it's the 336cs that I had converted to .356. I really like my winchester black shadow 444 but it has taken a 2nd place to the marlin, for now anyway. JT
13 November 2012, 20:50
slugslingerConcur with the Savage 99 as a favorite! 250-3000, 300, 358 are all great - good luck finding a nice 358.
NRA Endowment Life Member
USAF Veteran
13 November 2012, 21:31
PatM1In first my Winchester 1895 405 WCF
In second my Winchester 1892 44-40 WCF
In third my Marlin 1894 44 Rem.
In fourth my 1894 30-30 WCF (1913)
14 November 2012, 03:47
ShofI have a couple lever actions. My favorite is my Marlin 1895, laminated stock/stainless action, chambered in .45/70...
14 November 2012, 06:50
buckeyeshooterSeveral years ago, I bought a new marlin 'cowboy' in 45/70. Immediately sent it to Doug Turnbull and had it rebarrelled to 50 Alaskan. Its been my 'go to' bear gun from day 1! Love it! Holds 8 and the 535 Woodleigh's thump those bears had!
14 November 2012, 10:36
Idaho Sharpshooter1886 TD in 50-110 Winchester. I had one built on a ratty M71 about six or seven years ago. I killed a 2700lb Bison Bull with one shot four years ago at about 90yds. Right between the eyes. He sat back on his haunches like a dog, licked blood out of his nose for about ten seconds, then fell over dead. 500gr cast GC slug at about 1850fps.
I hope to take it to Africa in 2014 for Eland and a Leopard.
15 November 2012, 05:58
Greg Kquote:
Originally posted by 7x57:
Iron Buck,<br /> My favorite lever gun is my 444ss Marlin.<br />I added a Wild West Guns trigger kit,very nice.<br />I really like the way the 444 hammers deer! I had a Ruger 44 mag. lever gun a few years back, I think it was a model 96. It is the slickest lever action I have ever handled although I didn't care for the stock. Bryan
The only lever I own is a Ruger 96, I'm very pleased with it so far. It's a new addition to the family.
15 November 2012, 08:28
armed_in_utahAny of the pre Rem Marlins...
I have a couple 1894 357's one is pre x/bolt with gold trigger(1979)..the other is three yrs newer w/x bolt safety..(1982)both super slick Marlins & fun to shoot...
Another 1894 I have is a SS 44 mag....a serious 44 cal thumper...
Two others..just in case..
1895GS in 45-70..and a 1895M in 450...
these are for anything that walks our planet Earth..

15 November 2012, 10:26
Henry BuckMy favorite is a Browning 71. I love that 86/71 action. Second is a '51 336 A in .35 Remington.
I had a Browning 65 and a 53 in .218 Bee and .32-20 that I foolishly sold.
I've been looking hard for a 336 Cowboy in .38-55, but the ones I've found have been over priced and I've just missed two that were fairly priced but missed out by just a couple of hours.
"Be kind and polite to everyone you meet. But have a plan on how to kill them." From an old Marine.
15 November 2012, 15:08
MyDogsHuntIt's a toss up.
1946 M39 22LR
1968 1894 44Mag
If push came to shove though, I'd probably keep the 39.
I'd still like to have a 99 in 250Sav although I have no idea why?
Field sports are not about targets and scores. Score-keeping is necessary in competitions between humans, unattractive in competitions with weaker adversaries. Constant scores of many to zero do not smell of struggle and chance. They smell of greed.