Favorite Lever Action Rifle and Cartridge

Limited experience with lever guns. First deer I shot at was with a borrowed Mod 94 32 WinSpl when I was about 14. Bought a Marlin 336RC 35Rem couple years ago. Was quite accurate most groups under 1 in some little better. Nothing wrong with it just wasn't for me. Traded for something else.
 
The only lever action I have, is one that I gave as a gift to my dad.
A couple of years before he died, he gave it to me to ensure I had it.
Henry Golden Boy 22lr
 
I'm partial to the Marlins. I have a 336C in .35 Rem that's my favorite. Handles every bullet very well and I've shot several sub-moa groups with it. A couple years ago I got an 1895 SBL in 45-70 that's awesome too, but haven't killed much with it. My buddy has a 39A that I've tried to buy from him going on 20 years!
 

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Guess I'm a bit prejudiced in favor of the Winchester M94 and its variations. Most favored is a 94 carbine made in 1911 that originally belonged to my Great grandfather. Just a plain old 30-30. I have another that I use for a shooter made around 1979 or 1980. Number two favorite is a Model 64 dated to 1938, my birth year. I also have another from 1957 which I think was the last year they made the m64 in its original form The ones that were new release years later just didn't have the class of the pre64s in looks or quality. When you compare my 1938 M64 against the 1957 issue, you can see the deterioration on the quality of even pre64 rifles. There was a change in the M94s as well When I snap the 1911 gun to my shoulder the sights are perfectly line up. Do the same with later post 64 I have and after snapping it to my shoulder I have to jiggle my head around just to locate the sights and line them up. I removed the rear sight and replaced it with a receiver sight and now I get proper sighting when going to my shoulder. M 30-30s are my cast bullet fun guns.

I have one browning BLR .358, one Savage 99 .358 and one Marlin Texan in 30-30.
Paul B.
 
I know I’m a little late to the party…
My wife just purchased for my B Day a Marlin 1894 SS 44 Mag. I’ve been wanting one for years. I’ll be cleaning and shooting it today. Plan on reloading for this rifle. I’ve got some homework to do first.

Also in the safe is-
Savage 99 in a 300 Sav
Henry 22WMR - that has been a blast to shoot.
I had a Marlin 336 in 35 Rem that I traded years ago that I on occasion wish I had not let go.
 
I know I’m a little late to the party…
My wife just purchased for my B Day a Marlin 1894 SS 44 Mag. I’ve been wanting one for years. I’ll be cleaning and shooting it today. Plan on reloading for this rifle. I’ve got some homework to do first.

Also in the safe is-
Savage 99 in a 300 Sav
Henry 22WMR - that has been a blast to shoot.
I had a Marlin 336 in 35 Rem that I traded years ago that I on occasion wish I had not let go.
Gotta love a wife that feeds your passion! 😁
Lucky to have one too!
 
Gotta love a wife that feeds your passion! 😁
Lucky to have one too!
Yes I am !
Not to side track the thread - but a marriage is a "Long term Commitment to your Partner" You get out of it what you put into it.
 
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I really like the doggone ol' 30-30, particularly in the Marlin rifle. The Glenfield pictured is just a low-budget Marlin, and my goodness, I surely do appreciate it.

Regards, Guy
I have a Glenfield in 30/30 that is JM stamped. It is and always has been a really good shooter with a great trigger. I own 4 marlin levers, this is one of my favorites. There is a crazy story behind this gun, but I'll never let it leave the family.
My Dad bought it for my brother as is his first. We were short on a lot of things growing up, so at one point my brother and I both hunted with this gun. I took a turkey at 225 yard with it one fall, it was our thanksgiving bird. If we didn't get one, we weren't having turkey on turkey day. Rested off my Dad's shoulder. Dad ended up selling it to a member at work to pay some bills. 20 years later the guy asked Dad if he wanted it back for the same money he sold it at (125 usd). He said yes. Here the employee knew he was dying and wanted Dad to have it back. Two weeks later he passed, his wife gave my Dad an envelope, the money was in it and a sticky note said the gun was always yours glad I could help my friend.

It was rusted, scratched, and the action hung up. Dad had me redo the gun and get it back to top shape. I worked on it while we were out in our cabin for February. Took it all down, cold blued it, cleaned the action, redid the stock, and put a new scope and sling on it. I bore sited it and took it out to shoot. A few shots and it's spot on at 100. Shoots and cycles rounds like a dream!

I gave it back to him and November that year he handed it to me while we were on a hunt. Said see if you can hit one of those hogs on that hill. So I did, in the eye, from 210 yards out on the rangefinder. Didn't think i would actually get him and wanted to ensure I missed completely, turns out my elevation guess was spot on. When i handed it back to him he said, it's yours.. as long as you give it to one of your kids when the time comes. His initials are on the butt stock, other than that and the tiger strips, its original parts.

PS - sorry if the hog picture is too much for this site, new and still learning.
IMG_8691.jpg67953437431__74563063-F412-4EFF-887D-4D26D3C39E1C.jpgIMG_0043.jpgIMG_0130.jpgIMG_4762.jpgIMG_0229.jpg
 
I have a favorite for each occasion haha
Doing deer drives in the woods its my Henry X (modified) in 44 mag
Stand Hunting my Glenfield 30-30
Bear Hunting My Marlin 444s in 444
Running hogs with the dogs I carry my 336 in 45-70
Shooting steel fast is my modified 1894 in 30-30. Has a lot of work done but shoots like a 22. I can reset quick with that ole girl.
 
I have a Glenfield in 30/30 that is JM stamped. It is and always has been a really good shooter with a great trigger. I own 4 marlin levers, this is one of my favorites. There is a crazy story behind this gun, but I'll never let it leave the family.
My Dad bought it for my brother as is his first. We were short on a lot of things growing up, so at one point my brother and I both hunted with this gun. I took a turkey at 225 yard with it one fall, it was our thanksgiving bird. If we didn't get one, we weren't having turkey on turkey day. Rested off my Dad's shoulder. Dad ended up selling it to a member at work to pay some bills. 20 years later the guy asked Dad if he wanted it back for the same money he sold it at (125 usd). He said yes. Here the employee knew he was dying and wanted Dad to have it back. Two weeks later he passed, his wife gave my Dad an envelope, the money was in it and a sticky note said the gun was always yours glad I could help my friend.

It was rusted, scratched, and the action hung up. Dad had me redo the gun and get it back to top shape. I worked on it while we were out in our cabin for February. Took it all down, cold blued it, cleaned the action, redid the stock, and put a new scope and sling on it. I bore sited it and took it out to shoot. A few shots and it's spot on at 100. Shoots and cycles rounds like a dream!

I gave it back to him and November that year he handed it to me while we were on a hunt. Said see if you can hit one of those hogs on that hill. So I did, in the eye, from 210 yards out on the rangefinder. Didn't think i would actually get him and wanted to ensure I missed completely, turns out my elevation guess was spot on. When i handed it back to him he said, it's yours.. as long as you give it to one of your kids when the time comes. His initials are on the butt stock, other than that and the tiger strips, its original parts.

PS - sorry if the hog picture is too much for this site, new and still learning.
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That's a great story and a mighty fine looking Glenfield!

Guy
 
I have a few lever actions and most are Winchesters based on the M94. All are chambered to the 30-30 except one Pre-64 M94 carbine in .32 Win. Spl. and another that may or may not be a Winchester short rifle. I'm thinking not but it'ss my only 25-35. Of the 30-30s, two are M94 carbines, one from 1911 and the 1979 or 80. I'd have to go look it up again. Then there are two M64s, one from my birth year, 1938 and the other from the last year of production, 1957. There's a big different in the quality of the two rifles. There is an oddball Winchester mix in with the lever guns in the somewhat rare M54, a neat bolt action 30-30 that I've shot often with cast bullet loads Looks like it was rode hard and put away wet bit I'e won more that my fair share of the old Burrito matches my buddies and I used to hold. Final 30-30 is a Marlin 336 Texan in very nice condition I picked up at a gun show before prices went through the roof on the JM guns.
Other lever guns are a Browning BLR .358 Win. and a Savage M99 in .358 Win. I guess that would include the falling block lever actuated Ruger #1s and a Browning B78. hey must be lever actions; after all Mr. Quigley claimed his custom falling block Sharp's was a lever action and we all know he was right. Right????
Paul B.
 
I have a Glenfield in 30/30 that is JM stamped. It is and always has been a really good shooter with a great trigger. I own 4 marlin levers, this is one of my favorites. There is a crazy story behind this gun, but I'll never let it leave the family.
My Dad bought it for my brother as is his first. We were short on a lot of things growing up, so at one point my brother and I both hunted with this gun. I took a turkey at 225 yard with it one fall, it was our thanksgiving bird. If we didn't get one, we weren't having turkey on turkey day. Rested off my Dad's shoulder. Dad ended up selling it to a member at work to pay some bills. 20 years later the guy asked Dad if he wanted it back for the same money he sold it at (125 usd). He said yes. Here the employee knew he was dying and wanted Dad to have it back. Two weeks later he passed, his wife gave my Dad an envelope, the money was in it and a sticky note said the gun was always yours glad I could help my friend.

It was rusted, scratched, and the action hung up. Dad had me redo the gun and get it back to top shape. I worked on it while we were out in our cabin for February. Took it all down, cold blued it, cleaned the action, redid the stock, and put a new scope and sling on it. I bore sited it and took it out to shoot. A few shots and it's spot on at 100. Shoots and cycles rounds like a dream!

I gave it back to him and November that year he handed it to me while we were on a hunt. Said see if you can hit one of those hogs on that hill. So I did, in the eye, from 210 yards out on the rangefinder. Didn't think i would actually get him and wanted to ensure I missed completely, turns out my elevation guess was spot on. When i handed it back to him he said, it's yours.. as long as you give it to one of your kids when the time comes. His initials are on the butt stock, other than that and the tiger strips, its original parts.

PS - sorry if the hog picture is too much for this site, new and still learning.
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Beautiful rifle and awesome story!
 
I have a Glenfield in 30/30 that is JM stamped. It is and always has been a really good shooter with a great trigger. I own 4 marlin levers, this is one of my favorites. There is a crazy story behind this gun, but I'll never let it leave the family.
My Dad bought it for my brother as is his first. We were short on a lot of things growing up, so at one point my brother and I both hunted with this gun. I took a turkey at 225 yard with it one fall, it was our thanksgiving bird. If we didn't get one, we weren't having turkey on turkey day. Rested off my Dad's shoulder. Dad ended up selling it to a member at work to pay some bills. 20 years later the guy asked Dad if he wanted it back for the same money he sold it at (125 usd). He said yes. Here the employee knew he was dying and wanted Dad to have it back. Two weeks later he passed, his wife gave my Dad an envelope, the money was in it and a sticky note said the gun was always yours glad I could help my friend.

It was rusted, scratched, and the action hung up. Dad had me redo the gun and get it back to top shape. I worked on it while we were out in our cabin for February. Took it all down, cold blued it, cleaned the action, redid the stock, and put a new scope and sling on it. I bore sited it and took it out to shoot. A few shots and it's spot on at 100. Shoots and cycles rounds like a dream!

I gave it back to him and November that year he handed it to me while we were on a hunt. Said see if you can hit one of those hogs on that hill. So I did, in the eye, from 210 yards out on the rangefinder. Didn't think i would actually get him and wanted to ensure I missed completely, turns out my elevation guess was spot on. When i handed it back to him he said, it's yours.. as long as you give it to one of your kids when the time comes. His initials are on the butt stock, other than that and the tiger strips, its original parts.

PS - sorry if the hog picture is too much for this site, new and still learning.
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Man! What a story!!!
 
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