Lever vs. Bolt
- Thread starter DeadEyeJack
- Start date
I think a lot of the differences are probably what you learned on, and how you learned to shoot.
We learned on military bolt gun and autos, and how to use, work, and properly shoot them. I feel the same about them as you do the lever guns.
Levers for me came later, and more as a novelty than anything else. I still feel that way about them. More toys than anything else. I kind of feel the same way about the current bolt guns as well, as they are not the greatest either. Pre WWII was the heyday for both, and beyond that, things just go south.
To me, a proper bolt gun is, or is based on a military action, with a stripper guide, a stock with a proper LOP, a comb for iron sights, a sharply checkered, steel butt plate, and a good set of sights. A straight bolt is a plus, but a bent bolt is OK. A good "shooting" sling is also a plus.
I prefer the same stock set up for the levers as well (and how they used to be), but their sights and actions were/are still not up to the bolts.
Mosin-Marauder
New member
My M24/47 is quite a handy rifle, on the lighter side of my rifles as well.
I started on my father's Model-70/220Swift when 9 years old, his Springfield`03/`06 at 10. Got my NRA JRDistingished at 15 with a Model-52. Did my JR_ROTC Range quals w/ another `03 Springfield -- Then the Army w/ this here rifle-gun called an M-14....
Nowadays I regularly practice a 40-to-10 yard/4-second/4-shot lion charge drill w/ my Ruger M77African 458WinMag. Like I said... I can and did train to operate a bolt w/ speed....
But those `94 and `95 Leveractions are just fluid flow in operation.... and all natural.
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stagpanther
New member
This discussion is VERY similar to one in archery--what is better: modern compound vs. traditional longbow. I have both but as far as which is more fun and rewarding--the traditional wins for me. In terms of sheer velocity and accuracy, the modern compound wins--for most people--but there are master archers who can do unbelievable things with a sightless wooden longbow--and even the performance advantage of modern compounds can be equaled if one is strong and skilled enough to handle a Mongolian or similar double recurve style bow. And well made wood bows and arrows are far more appealing (sexier, if such a thing can be said about a weapon) than carbon cam wonders--I view the lever vs bolt comparison the same way.
Pathfinder45
New member
Consider this:
Take a lever-action in 44 magnum or 45 Colt. Now let's assume we can push a 300 grain bullet to just 1,500 fps. Now, let's take a 30-'06 or 270 with 150 grain bullets and assume we can push those to just 3,000 fps. On the one hand, you have a bullet at half the speed of the other, but at twice the weight. On the other hand you have a bullet of half the weight, but twice the speed. These numbers are a little bit variable,but not unreasonable. It looks to me that within 100 yards they are all a lot more equal than most would think.
Take a lever-action in 44 magnum or 45 Colt. Now let's assume we can push a 300 grain bullet to just 1,500 fps. Now, let's take a 30-'06 or 270 with 150 grain bullets and assume we can push those to just 3,000 fps. On the one hand, you have a bullet at half the speed of the other, but at twice the weight. On the other hand you have a bullet of half the weight, but twice the speed. These numbers are a little bit variable,but not unreasonable. It looks to me that within 100 yards they are all a lot more equal than most would think.
Teddy Roosevelt referred to his 1895 in .405 Winchester as his "Big Medicine" for African Lion,Why not use the lever for the lions then?
the rifle/cartridge combination he favored for Africa’s most dangerous game.
http://www.chuckhawks.com/winchester_1895.htm
Well... if TR liked it....
* postscript: We can duplicate the 405Win's ballistics (300gr/2,200fps/3,200ft-lbs)
with the 45-70 in an 1895 Marlin/20" for a measly 32ksi. For 34ksi, I can get the same
3,200ft-lbs with a 405grainer as well. That 45-70 in an`95Marlin is incredibly flexible.
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i own all of the rifle type actions mentioned and all have pro,s and con,s for different uses. but for me the remington 760/7600 series pump rifles are what i carry for fast repeat shots if needed, nine round magizines if wanted and in good large calibers for all but the most dangerours game(.270,30-06,35 whelen), low scope mount, trigger hand never leaves the grip(quicker back on target). weighes less than eight pounds loaded (30-06 carbine),scoped and slinged and the best for last, if a case head lets go or any other thing that would cause a blow up to happens the shape of the action directs all gases down and not back into your face. eastbank.
Eastbank, i agree with you on the remington pump rifles. I have a 3006 chambered gun that i shot my second buck with. Has some very elegant wood and blueing. Fast shots are great on deer drives and is plenty accurate (normally 1.5 inch at 100 with win. power points) when i do my part. Not to mention how much easier it is to scope and doesnt loose its handling or maneuverability like a lever action when scoped. However the savage 99 carries with a scope quite nicely especially a weaver k4.
stubbicatt
New member
Mostly I enjoy plinking from my hind legs. For that I really enjoy my 1873 Uberti in 357 magnum.
For shooting from prone, I prefer bolt actioned rifles, as they are easier to shoot in that position.
For some reason, psychological no doubt, I find that I tend to take a little more care in shot execution with bolt or lever rifles than I tend to do for semi autos. Perhaps that is the same reason I find my bolt rifles to be a bit more accurate than my "shell shuckers."
I have not tried any of the more modern lever actions, which feed from a vertical magazine. They might be swell also.
For shooting from prone, I prefer bolt actioned rifles, as they are easier to shoot in that position.
For some reason, psychological no doubt, I find that I tend to take a little more care in shot execution with bolt or lever rifles than I tend to do for semi autos. Perhaps that is the same reason I find my bolt rifles to be a bit more accurate than my "shell shuckers."
I have not tried any of the more modern lever actions, which feed from a vertical magazine. They might be swell also.
Lever
When I lived on my rural property we had a few Cougars around. Being western oregon, range across the meadow was about 70 yds. I kept an old Winchester 30-30 in the front closet for predator control.
Could be better options but the lever never let me down. Simple and easy
Now days for close up black bear hunting, I have a Winchester Big Bore in 375 Win. Nice rifle but the old 30-30 has a long legacy.
When I lived on my rural property we had a few Cougars around. Being western oregon, range across the meadow was about 70 yds. I kept an old Winchester 30-30 in the front closet for predator control.
Could be better options but the lever never let me down. Simple and easy
Now days for close up black bear hunting, I have a Winchester Big Bore in 375 Win. Nice rifle but the old 30-30 has a long legacy.
This is about opinions, and while everyone's opinions are completely valid, for them, a lot is being said here about entire classes of rifles, based on a single example of the type. And that, essentially makes them of little value, other than as they pertain to the specific rifle used as the example.
Light weight pistol caliber carbine lever guns are one example. Very fine guns for a lot of things, but don't imply ALL lever guns are like that, because they aren't.
The same goes for bolt actions, one example of the class does not even begin to cover the entire range.
I have personal experience with Winchester, Marlin, Savage and Browning lever guns, ranging from .22 to .45 cal. Tube fed and box mag fed.
Bolt guns from .22RF to .458 Win mag. Mauser, Remington, Ruger, Winchester, Springlfield, Krag, Arisaka, Schmidt Rubin, Moisin Nagant, Lee Enfield, and others.
The only thing they all have in common is a bolt action has a bolt handle, and a lever action has a lever.
If you are going to make comparisons, you have to stick to roughly comparable things.
A Browning BL-22 (one of the fastest lever guns ever made) compared to a Winchester M70 .458 Win Mag is a lever to bolt comparison, but the only valid conclusion from that is they both shoot.
Light weight pistol caliber carbine lever guns are one example. Very fine guns for a lot of things, but don't imply ALL lever guns are like that, because they aren't.
The same goes for bolt actions, one example of the class does not even begin to cover the entire range.
I have personal experience with Winchester, Marlin, Savage and Browning lever guns, ranging from .22 to .45 cal. Tube fed and box mag fed.
Bolt guns from .22RF to .458 Win mag. Mauser, Remington, Ruger, Winchester, Springlfield, Krag, Arisaka, Schmidt Rubin, Moisin Nagant, Lee Enfield, and others.
The only thing they all have in common is a bolt action has a bolt handle, and a lever action has a lever.
If you are going to make comparisons, you have to stick to roughly comparable things.
A Browning BL-22 (one of the fastest lever guns ever made) compared to a Winchester M70 .458 Win Mag is a lever to bolt comparison, but the only valid conclusion from that is they both shoot.