HELP! Can't decide on which rifle I want!

[rick_b23]

Hey Guys,
HELP! I seam to be at an impass. I want to purchase a new rifle. So far I have whittled my choices down to 3 manufacturers. Henry, Remington, or Howa. I have also whittled down my choices in caliber. .308 Win. or .30-30 or 45-70. I love both lever action and bolt action. So, I am assuming the caliber choice will determine weather it will be lever or bolt action. I have been researching the Henry All Weather Stainless Steel Lever Action Rifle in .30-30 Caliber. Model H009AW. Or the same manufacturer in the 45-70 caliber. (beautiful guns!). But... as a ameture gun enthusiast. I know that the good old American Remington rifles are the Chevy 350s of the gun world. The workhorses, ole dependable. Super easy to obtain parts, easy to repair and relatively inexpensive. And I have experience with the Rems. I have been researching the 700 series Remingtons. I am overwhelmed! The configurations are endless! But, during my research I have learned that Howa produces MANY different brand rifles. So that being said... I am now back to square 1. It seams that the more research I do. The more questions it conjures. I should also mention that I am no way a wealthy man so money IS an issue. But for the sake of my research I am NOT focusing on the money at this time. I am strictly focusing on the rifles. I am inviting ANY feedback, arguments, comments, or opinions. So PLEASE feel free to jump right in to this conversation!

[baih777]

It really depends on what you sre going to do with the rifle. Collectable. Target shooting. Hunting.

[ToOTHroTT]

Get all three you only live once and cant take the money with you.

[Jimmy's]

What is your intended use for the rifle?

[Milsurps]

The only input I can give is, Henry although beautiful well made lever actions, the tube feed/load stops me cold.

YMMV

.

[MyOdessa]

Take that one, its really, really good.

[Wren1911]

I can't help you on which brand of rifle.However bolt action I would go .308,ammo is easy to find but most ammo is pointed so not so good for lever actions.For lever action I would go 30-30 if you don't reload,45-70 if you do reload.Both are great cartridges,but 45-70 ammunition is harder to find and way more expensive to buy.My personal favorite is .308 bolt action,i own 2 of them.

[rick_b23]

Gentlemen, What great input!! EVERY COMMENT has made perfectly good sense!!! Also to answer the question . What is my intended purpose for the rifle? Long distance target shooting. And a personal collection to pass down to my sons when they are old enough and responsible enough to own firearms. And, I would like to comment on the tube magazine issue. That IS a deal breaker! It has affected my purchases in the past! For sure!

[baih777]

308 or 6.5 creedmore bolt action.
Remington.

One of these.

https://www.remington.com/rifles/bolt-action/model-700/model-700-sps-tactical-aac-sd

Buy a chassis or stock. Buy a trigger and buy a DBM.

Years down the road. This was dads rifle.

[condor]

Buy 'm all.... It's the American way.....

[RNE228]

.308 is just fine for lever action:
New - Browning BLR or Henry Long Ranger.
Used - Savage 99, Winchester 88, Browning BLR

I shoot Savage 99 in 300 Savage(parent cartridge to 308). It is a sweet shooter... Rotary magazine, round counter, classic lines...

I can't help you on which brand of rifle.However bolt action I would go .308,ammo is easy to find but most ammo is pointed so not so good for lever actions.For lever action I would go 30-30 if you don't reload,45-70 if you do reload.Both are great cartridges,but 45-70 ammunition is harder to find and way more expensive to buy.My personal favorite is .308 bolt action,i own 2 of them.

[rm1911]

Don't discount the 45-70

https://youtu.be/kLP1s0IeIWw

[RNE228]

Same could be said of silly loading gate too... Box mag on Browning BLR is much nicer than silly loading gate. And Savage 99 rotary internal mag is sweet...

The only input I can give is, Henry although beautiful well made lever actions, the tube feed/load stops me cold.

YMMV

.

[DrewN]

Same could be said of silly loading gate too... Box mag on Browning BLR is much nicer than silly loading gate. And Savage 99 rotary internal mag is sweet...

Tube is faster than a gate for most folks as well. Just not cowboy enough, I expect.

[JTROKS]

The 45/70 in a strong lever action will take any big game and dangerous animal in North America. It's not a long range round, but if you get within 250 yards and don't flinch then your solid gold. 405 grain level 2 loads will get your attention and don't get too close to the scope if you don't have an intermediate eye relief scope.