I love lever guns. I’ve got 2 Henry rimfires that are among my favorite rifles.
I’ve been lately very interested in getting a 45-70 lever action and would like to hear from those of you who have used or owned one.
I recently bought a Marlin 30-30 which I got rid of. I did not like its quality, and everything I’ve read about the hit or miss experiences many have had since Remington bought Marlin makes me want to avoid another Marlin until the bugs are worked out.
The Henry all-weather model is appealing. All of the Henrys get good reviews, and the brass model is a beauty. I prefer the gate loading to the magazine tube, but it’s not a deal killer.
The Japanese made Winchester 1886 short rifle looks good, but I’ve never handled one. I’m also intrigued by the Chiappa Ridge Runner takedown model, but, again, I’ve never handled one - it gets good reviews but is nearly twice the cost of a Henry. Right now I can handle the cost of the Winchester or the Chiappa if I can be convinced that either is overall better than the Henrys.
And then there’s the Browning BLR which isn’t available in 45-70 but is availabe in 450 Marlin which is I understand a hotter load with nastier recoil than the lighter 45-70 loads. The price on the Browning is not bad, and it is a Browning.
I’ve been around long enough to know nothing is perfect and there are trade offs no matter what I decide.
What say you?
I’ve been lately very interested in getting a 45-70 lever action and would like to hear from those of you who have used or owned one.
I recently bought a Marlin 30-30 which I got rid of. I did not like its quality, and everything I’ve read about the hit or miss experiences many have had since Remington bought Marlin makes me want to avoid another Marlin until the bugs are worked out.
The Henry all-weather model is appealing. All of the Henrys get good reviews, and the brass model is a beauty. I prefer the gate loading to the magazine tube, but it’s not a deal killer.
The Japanese made Winchester 1886 short rifle looks good, but I’ve never handled one. I’m also intrigued by the Chiappa Ridge Runner takedown model, but, again, I’ve never handled one - it gets good reviews but is nearly twice the cost of a Henry. Right now I can handle the cost of the Winchester or the Chiappa if I can be convinced that either is overall better than the Henrys.
And then there’s the Browning BLR which isn’t available in 45-70 but is availabe in 450 Marlin which is I understand a hotter load with nastier recoil than the lighter 45-70 loads. The price on the Browning is not bad, and it is a Browning.
I’ve been around long enough to know nothing is perfect and there are trade offs no matter what I decide.
What say you?