Best Lever Gun

The older Marlins and Glenfields are excellent. But if shopping for NEW, I suggest Mossberg model 464. Buy the model with walnut stock, curved lever w/pistol grip stock. They're accurate, sturdy, and dependable just like Mossberg shotguns.

Jack
 
Malrin 336 see through mounts and old Tasco scope. Set it up in 1973. When I'm hunting in bad weather, tight conditions requiring quick reactions, and any time I need "rifle comfort food", I carry it.

Single load 110 grain hollow points for varmits.

Note do not load sharp pointed ammo into the magazine. Can cause bullets in mag tube to function with disasterous results.

Good luck and have fun.
 
Marlin 336

Much as I like the history and romance of the Winchesters, if I had to pick one lever rifle, it would be a Marlin, likely a 336 in .30-30.

Why? Cause you can field strip the thing w/ a screw driver and clean from breech, access the ejector and extractor........maintenance is plain simpler.

Thirty-30 cause the ctg is still abundant. Used 336 are everywhere in my area, every shop seems to have a couple, often pre-cross bolt, which suits me.

The new Henry........weighs a ton.
 
"the best 30-30 lever gun that does not load with the pull out rod like the 22s and the Henry."

Other than the Henry, I don't think there's ever been a .30-30 made that loads that way.
 
I wouldnt mind it loading from the tube because you will get less chance of deforming the bullet. Its really no big deal either way. Im not not gonna buy one because thats the way it loads.
 
I have a 336 30-30 from 1988 and still looks like new. About 3 years ago I put a Nikon prostaff 2-7 shootgun scope on it with see thru sights and it is an awsome brush gun.
 
A year ago, I would have suggested the Marlin. Now I'm not nearly so sure. The loading method for the Henry makes me a little twitchy, but it's probably a better piece overall than the current production Marlins are, and (at least in the round-barrel configuration) is still relatively light. I've only fooled around with the Mossbergs at the store, and thought they felt kind of cheesy. That was at least a year ago, though, so maybe they've improved ... or maybe I'm biased. Or maybe both. You'll want to check 'em out for yourself.

All things considered, buying a carefully inspected used piece might be your best bet.
 
I cast my vote for Marlin as well. Excellent balance between price and performance. My 1894 in 44 mag has served me well. I had some issues early on with screws working loose from the recoil, but a little blue loctite and it's been great since. All kinds of great aftermarket mods for Marlin weapons too.
 
Marlin.

Apparently "new" production Marlins are having some QC issues, so I'd buy a used one. They are just about everywhere, and if you shop the pawn shops, you can find them around $300 all day long.

I've got no heartburn with Winchester levers... I had a BigBore in .375 that was a sweet shootin gun, but I traded it for a Marlin 1895, mainly for the caliber, but the Marlins are just slick. Mine won't shoot 1/2" groups at 100 yds, but it will shoot 1 1/2" groups. ;) I'm not shooting prarie dogs with it. :cool:
 
marlin 336 is probably the best. winchester 94 is also a very dependable rifle but usually run at much higher cost than the marlin
 
Some years ago, I bought my first 30-30 lever action at a gun show, used. $130.00. It is at another location at the moment. As I remember, it is a Western Auto brand and very likely to have been made by Mossberg. I like everything about it except that loading the magazine is neither fast nor easy. Getting the cartridge in far enough to permit the "side gate" to close requires pushing the cartridge with another one. Fingers just will not do the job. Accuracy and function otherwise are quite good.
 
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