Need Advice on First Lever Gun

[marksmandowntown]

Thanks for coming by.

I'm asking for advice. I'd like to pick up my first lever gun. I'm a C&R guy and I love the old octagonal barrels and the original wood stocks with the old school sights.

I want a lever-action rifle that I can target shoot and have the option of hunting with it. I'd prefer a real C&R, but would settle for an accurate reproduction with nice wood. I don't even know what lever guns cost to shoot, but I'd like to spend .12 to .50 per round if that is anywhere near realistic. I own two SMLEs and they are awesome, but I'm too cheap to shoot .303 British so they stay in the safe most of the year. Yes, I know, I need to reload. I plan to start this year.

I looked at some C&R Winchester 30/30s on Gunbroker. I liked the "Special Smokeless Steel" thing and the old school tooling. Are these viable hunting and plinking rifles? The good ones were pretty expensive (over $1k). What's the ammo situation? Is it generally considered safe to run modern ammo through those guns? If not, are affordable ammo options available?

I also looked at the Henry Big Boy. Not C&R and it has none of the old school stuff I like, but it seems to kick a lot of *** and be affordable. Pistol caliber lever gun for hunting and plinking? Opinions? What would this rifle do with that Steel Case .45 Wolf Ammo?

A Rossi 92 was another one that I looked at. Opinions?

I'm looking more for a cowboy gun with nice wood rather than a tacticool gun with a polymer stock and a rail. I'd like to spend $700ish, but I'll go to $1,200 for something really cool or $1,500 if it will wash my car occasionally.

I don't have a problem with reproductions if they look cool and work well. I love my cheapo Confederate Navy 1851 Pietta .44 Black Powder Revolver.

Opinions, advice and suggestions would be appreciated.

[NordicDave]

Winchester is releasing new 1873 and 1892 lever rifles in various configurations and calibers for 2014.

All in your price range.

http://www.winchesterguns.com

[JLM Ranger]

I completely enjoy my Big Boy. Mine's in .357 and dead on. So much fun to shoot!

[Sosoomi]

This would be my old look lever gun... Rossi 92, case colored receiver, 24 inch octagonal barrel, Marbles tang sight in a .44 Magnum...

[MongooseV8]

Either a pre 64 Winchester 94, or a pre 2007 Marlin Cowboy Limited are my favorites. Everything else is lacking.

[Model94Guy]

Looking at the money your willing to spend on ammo i don't think your being realistic. Even the pistol cal. magnums are more than .50 cents a round. The least expensive rifle cal. is 30-30 at about .75 cents a round. I own two pre-64 winchesters and two model 94's made in the early 70's, they are all good shooters and rugged. I also own a Marlin 336 carbine (straight stock and lever) and it is great gun. Good luck in your search.

[Sosoomi]

Either a pre 64 Winchester 94, or a pre 2007 Marlin Cowboy Limited are my favorites. Everything else is lacking.

IYHO....Not mine!

[Vin63]

Many years ago (early 1990s), I switched from my 30-30 lever guns to at Win 94AE .357 mag because of cost - i was already loading for .357 mag/.38 spl. There wasn't much of a muzzle velocity or energy drop for what I was using the rifle for at that time. Since I have several revolvers in .357 mag, it helps with ammo consolidation and flexibility (I can shoot .357 mag or .38 sol).

All of the offerings from current manufactures that I've shot are really nice (I think I've shot them all). I would just go by what caliber, features and style you like that fits into your budget.

[Iskra]

Looking at the money your willing to spend on ammo i don't think your being realistic. Even the pistol cal. magnums are more than .50 cents a round. The least expensive rifle cal. is 30-30 at about .75 cents a round. I own two pre-64 winchesters and two model 94's made in the early 70's, they are all good shooters and rugged. I also own a Marlin 336 carbine (straight stock and lever) and it is great gun. Good luck in your search.

.38 special is about $18-20 for a box of 50.

I have a Rossi .38/.357 and love it, it's worked fine since the day I took it out of the box. I did the steve's gunz work on it (the DVD is super easy to follow) and now its slick like an old C&R that's had 100 years of rounds through it. I didn't want a old one because I wanted to shoot the same caliber as my revolvers.

I also have a 1979 Marlin 39A and a modern Henry, both in .22. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend either one. Lever guns are the best.

[inthemountains]

Savage Model 99 or a Winchester Model 88 in .308 would work and possibly be C&R.

[Mute]

Winchester is releasing new 1873 and 1892 lever rifles in various configurations and calibers for 2014.

All in your price range.



http://www.winchesterguns.com

$1000+ for leverguns? They're out of their gourds.

[golfish]

I have two Rossi's, if you want NICE wood I'd stay away from them unless you want to use aftermarket furniture.

Have you seen the Uberti Short Rifle? That's a real perdy gun right there.

http://www.uberti.com/1873-rifle-and-carbine

[barrage]

$1000+ for leverguns? They're out of their gourds.

Wow! No kidding.

MSRP of $1200 for what's likely to amount to an outsourced rifle made with cheap parts? You can get a post '64 30-30 still for under $500 and any of the 357 Rossi's for the same.

[golfish]

Wow! No kidding.

MSRP of $1200 for what's likely to amount to an outsourced rifle made with cheap parts? You can get a post '64 30-30 still for under $500 and any of the 357 Rossi's for the same.

The 73 is made in Japan along with the rest of Winchester's lever guns. I haven't read anything bad about em

Here's an American made oldie but goodie that just came back into production. MSRP is 2300.00

[MongooseV8]

IYHO....Not mine!

Sorry dude the Rossi guns just arent on the same level. I have a stainless 24" octagon barrel in 45 Colt and its rough to say the least. Same goes for all the others I have personally handled. Not saying they are bad, especially for the price. However to compare them to a Pre64 Winnie 94 or a Pre Remlin Marlin just isnt right.