Lever vs. Bolt
- Thread starter DeadEyeJack
- Start date
Gunplummer
New member
I still use both, but rarely have a scope on the lever action. I simply can not get a good fit with a scope on a lever gun. It is hard to beat an iron sighted lever gun that fits you when it comes to snap shots in heavy brush. Rifle length DOES make a big difference then.
stagpanther
New member
I like anything that sends a bullet--but without a doubt a lever gun is 1,000 times sexier than any bolt gun. : )
Im not a big fan of scopes on either really, although I do have a couple of bolt guns with a scope mounted, but they are more of a "precision" type rifle.
A bolt with a proper stock (IE, think pre 50-60s commercial rifles, or issue military rifles of the last century), that has a proper LOP and comb that is meant for irons, is just as handy and mountable as a lever gun. The problem these days, you dont see many rifles stocked this way anymore. Seems everyone wants a scope these days, and a recoil pad, and the gun makers are happy to oblige. This isnt a problem with just the bolt guns either, Ive had to deal with a couple of lever guns lately, with overly long stocks, and had to modify them as well. Besides the scope thing, seems many these days, are recoil shy, even on guns with no recoil.
Contrary to what some will tell you, a bolt action rifle is not removed from the shoulder to work the action. With proper tecnique, a bolt action is not "slow" to operate either, and its more solid in the shoulder, as the operation of the bolt drives the butt into your shoulder, not down towards the ground.
Then there is the loading/reloading issue, which is strictly in the bolts favor.
I have a number of both types, and shoot them both a good bit. While my pistol caliber levers are probably the handiest, my favorite bolts, are not much bigger, and still very handy. They also will outperform the pistol caliber guns in most respects. My rifle caliber levers are very comparable to those same bolt guns, in both size and weight, and again, still usually fall behind in the performance department.
The only way to figure this out, and understand the pluses and minuses, is to put the time in with both, and figure things out, or at least what works best for your needs.
Personally, I think a lot of the misconceptions against the bolt guns, is simply due to the lack of realistic training in shooting them these days, and the lack of rifles properly set up for field use with iron sights.
A bolt with a proper stock (IE, think pre 50-60s commercial rifles, or issue military rifles of the last century), that has a proper LOP and comb that is meant for irons, is just as handy and mountable as a lever gun. The problem these days, you dont see many rifles stocked this way anymore. Seems everyone wants a scope these days, and a recoil pad, and the gun makers are happy to oblige. This isnt a problem with just the bolt guns either, Ive had to deal with a couple of lever guns lately, with overly long stocks, and had to modify them as well. Besides the scope thing, seems many these days, are recoil shy, even on guns with no recoil.
Contrary to what some will tell you, a bolt action rifle is not removed from the shoulder to work the action. With proper tecnique, a bolt action is not "slow" to operate either, and its more solid in the shoulder, as the operation of the bolt drives the butt into your shoulder, not down towards the ground.
Then there is the loading/reloading issue, which is strictly in the bolts favor.
I have a number of both types, and shoot them both a good bit. While my pistol caliber levers are probably the handiest, my favorite bolts, are not much bigger, and still very handy. They also will outperform the pistol caliber guns in most respects. My rifle caliber levers are very comparable to those same bolt guns, in both size and weight, and again, still usually fall behind in the performance department.
The only way to figure this out, and understand the pluses and minuses, is to put the time in with both, and figure things out, or at least what works best for your needs.
Personally, I think a lot of the misconceptions against the bolt guns, is simply due to the lack of realistic training in shooting them these days, and the lack of rifles properly set up for field use with iron sights.
4runnerman
New member
I would not go so far as to say levers are faster, buy I will say Bolts are more accurate. Sighted in a lever last year in 270. While it was fun, I found it no faster than a bolt, but did notice it was not as overall accurate. Now this would be barring the Rifle Man from our tests
Arizona Fusilier
New member
A lever- action, particularly in classic pistol calibers, is a light-weight, fast-handling seductress of the highest order.
Alas, it is actually a lot more complicated action than a turn-bolt, with no where near the versatility and power of modern ammunition selection for its use.
The bolt is the better choice, hands-down. Maybe not "home defense", but good grief, we all know there are better choices for that, right?
Alas, it is actually a lot more complicated action than a turn-bolt, with no where near the versatility and power of modern ammunition selection for its use.
The bolt is the better choice, hands-down. Maybe not "home defense", but good grief, we all know there are better choices for that, right?
stagpanther
New member
I have a 16" lever carbine in 44 mag that weighs under 5 lbs and is capable of around MOA (probably less since I'm not a very good shot) at 100 with very warm loads. I can comfortably navigate with it in heavy woods all day. Can't think of a bolt gun off the top of my head that compares. Even though 44 mag is a relatively modern adaptation--lever guns are just plain cool cause they scream American history--just like a good wheel gun vs. a semi-auto pistol. : )
Ive had a couple of Winchester Trappers in .44 mag, and currently have one in .45 Colt. They are handy little rifles, and accurate enough, but they are/were never as accurate as the rifle caliber guns, including other levers.
Difference in power is also pretty obvious, although the stout loads in both pistol loading are not really all that fun to shoot. I always considered them 50 yard guns, not that you cant hit things at 100, but I never found the accuracy to be all that great (its OK) at that distance.
I also have a Marlin 336Y (youth version) in 30-30, which is basically the same size as the Trappers, but it is heavier, and the pistol grip changes the feel, which to me, seems to want to lever the gun out of your shoulder more, when you work the action. I have two Marlins, and their actions are rougher than the Winchesters, which also just aggravates the issue.
Difference in power is also pretty obvious, although the stout loads in both pistol loading are not really all that fun to shoot. I always considered them 50 yard guns, not that you cant hit things at 100, but I never found the accuracy to be all that great (its OK) at that distance.
I also have a Marlin 336Y (youth version) in 30-30, which is basically the same size as the Trappers, but it is heavier, and the pistol grip changes the feel, which to me, seems to want to lever the gun out of your shoulder more, when you work the action. I have two Marlins, and their actions are rougher than the Winchesters, which also just aggravates the issue.
2ndsojourn
New member
I have some of both, but find I'm more accurate with the bolt actions.
A lot of myths about lever guns, many from watching too much TV in our youth.
All things being equal lever actions are heavier than bolt rifles. When you have that much steel in the action and hang a steel magazine tube under the barrel it adds up. My lightest lever action, a Winchester 94 @ 6.5 lbs is exactly the same weight as my heaviest bolt rifle. Almost all of my bolt guns are lighter with scopes on them than the lever actions are without optics. Most Marlins, Henry's and other lever actions are 7.25-9 lbs. Add any optics and you are 8.5-10 lbs.
Shooting levers faster than bolt rifles comes mainly from Hollywood. With pistol calibers you can unload a magazine downrange a little faster than with a bolt rifle (were talking about fractions of a second) but if you add the requirement of actually hitting a target there just isn't any measurable difference, especially with rifle calibers. Assuming someone actually learns how to shoot. Too many just assume a bolt gun is slow and never practice. The military seriously considered lever actions prior to WW-1, but their testing proved no difference in the rate of accurate fire. And from prone or other supported positions a lever is far, far slower.
Accuracy and reliability aren't even close, bolt guns win by a wide margin.
I like levers, and own more of them than any type. I enjoy shooting and hunting with them when in the mood. But from a practical perspective a bolt gun wins or ties in every category.
All things being equal lever actions are heavier than bolt rifles. When you have that much steel in the action and hang a steel magazine tube under the barrel it adds up. My lightest lever action, a Winchester 94 @ 6.5 lbs is exactly the same weight as my heaviest bolt rifle. Almost all of my bolt guns are lighter with scopes on them than the lever actions are without optics. Most Marlins, Henry's and other lever actions are 7.25-9 lbs. Add any optics and you are 8.5-10 lbs.
Shooting levers faster than bolt rifles comes mainly from Hollywood. With pistol calibers you can unload a magazine downrange a little faster than with a bolt rifle (were talking about fractions of a second) but if you add the requirement of actually hitting a target there just isn't any measurable difference, especially with rifle calibers. Assuming someone actually learns how to shoot. Too many just assume a bolt gun is slow and never practice. The military seriously considered lever actions prior to WW-1, but their testing proved no difference in the rate of accurate fire. And from prone or other supported positions a lever is far, far slower.
Accuracy and reliability aren't even close, bolt guns win by a wide margin.
I like levers, and own more of them than any type. I enjoy shooting and hunting with them when in the mood. But from a practical perspective a bolt gun wins or ties in every category.
Unfortunately, I have to disagree. Having all of the "standard" magazine/tube-fed actions around (bolt, lever, pump and semi-auto), it is the lever action which most closely approaches the semi-auto in aimed speed in all normal shooting positions.
- I can train myself to ignore that bolt coming back at my face w/o pulling my cheek weld loose.
- I can train myself to moving my trigger/shooting hand in a multi-directional Up-Back-Forward-Down-Reacquire to inside the trigger guard motion
- I can train myself to somehow keep the back-and-forth movement of my forearm-holding hand w/ a pump in the prone/sitting/kneeling support positions from affecting the aimpoint of that front sight during all the motion....
But only the lever-action does all these things without any thought at all.
- I can train myself to ignore that bolt coming back at my face w/o pulling my cheek weld loose.
- I can train myself to moving my trigger/shooting hand in a multi-directional Up-Back-Forward-Down-Reacquire to inside the trigger guard motion
- I can train myself to somehow keep the back-and-forth movement of my forearm-holding hand w/ a pump in the prone/sitting/kneeling support positions from affecting the aimpoint of that front sight during all the motion....
But only the lever-action does all these things without any thought at all.
stagpanther
New member
I also have to disagree--my 16" 44 mag lever carbine weighs 4.8 lbs--a tad more when fully loaded with 8 full-power cartridges and the occasional scope-- less than any of my light-weight bolt actions. For northern thick woods hunting it's my rifle of choice--and I have more than a few of em to choose from. But whatever--it's not a matter of which is better--more like what does the job--and maybe is more fun while doing the job.
robinsroost
New member
I have and use both. I have lever action rifles in .22LR, .44 magnum and .45 Colt, and bolt actions in .243 Winchester, 6mm Remington, and .270 Winchester. All of the bolt guns wear scopes, usually 3 x 9 power. the .22LR lever wears a 3 x 9 scope, the .45 Colt wears a 1.5 x 5 scope and the .44 wears a red dot scope. I like the red dot for fast action rifles for several reasons; if you shoot with both eyes open, it appears that you see the dot with both eyes, there is no paralax, target acquisition is almost instant, there is only one reference point, and they are light weight.........Robin 
Super Sneaky Steve
New member
My 92 Rossi in .357 magnum is ideal for home defense or shooting things within 100 yards. With a skinner peep it gets on target fast. 4.8lbs carries great in a shotgun scabbard. The pistol caliber gives you many choices of bullet types. It's easy to find the level of recoil, velocity, power ect. that meets your needs.
My Remington 700 SPS Tactical is ideal for hunting at 100 yards or greater. 7.5lbs or over 8 with a scope makes it perfect for bench rest shooting. The .308 Caliber is efficient and has taken large game.
My Remington 700 SPS Tactical is ideal for hunting at 100 yards or greater. 7.5lbs or over 8 with a scope makes it perfect for bench rest shooting. The .308 Caliber is efficient and has taken large game.
HawkEyeEarl
New member
leverguns versus boltguns
If only 1 choice I would choose a model 92 lever action for home defense over any pistol or bolt action rifle. I would choose it over the shot gun though not by much. I like them all but the lever action is hands down the fastest for me to use accurately.
If only 1 choice I would choose a model 92 lever action for home defense over any pistol or bolt action rifle. I would choose it over the shot gun though not by much. I like them all but the lever action is hands down the fastest for me to use accurately.