lever action rifles

[BrianD]

I currently hunt waterfowl, but am thinking about trying for california deer/pigs. I want to get a lever action rifle but don't enough about these guns or the calibers needed to make an informed choice. Could anyone offer any advise or opinions on this. Thanks Brian

 

[Speckmisser]

Hey Brian,

This is real close to the lid on a can of worms, so I'll offer only some basic suggestions (not gonna even get into the "best/worst" discussion).

Depending a lot on the areas you think you'd like to hog hunt, you can't go wrong with a good lever gun. The more "traditional" rifles like the Marlin 336 and the Winchester 94 offer some good pig calibers, from 30-30 on up.

I, personally, would avoid buying a rifle in any of the pistol calibers (.357, .44 mag, .45 LC), because you lose some versatility in the woods. Some guys like the .44 mag in a rifle, and I won't fight that battle anymore. To me, if you're buying a rifle, use a rifle bullet.

I've always liked my 30-30 as a deer gun, and I have no doubt it'll knock a pig down. But I usually end up carrying an -06 instead, opting for a little extra range if needed. You don't get many opportunities to shoot at a public land pig, so I want to maximize my odds on the off chance I ever actually get to put the sights on one.

Browning makes a really nice lever gun in the BLR. I have one of these in .243, and it's an absolute tack driver ('til the thin barrel gets hot... then it strings the shots... this isn't a problem in hunting situations, though). They offer the BLR in a bunch of modern rifle calibers which would be great for deer and pigs.

The Marlins and Winchesters are tube fed, and you're restricted to blunt point bullets. That's the main reason that these rifles aren't offered in more calibers. On the other hand, the BLR is clip fed, so you can use pointed ammo.

Hope that's enough info to start with. I'm sure you'll be seeing some more soon.

 

[Coues]

I can vouch for the Browning BLR's. I had a 30.06 that I loved but it was real heavy and I got tired of lugging it up the hill. The extra weight really helps cut down the recoil though. When I bought mine, Browning was the only one making a lever in long action, hunting calibers. The other one I would recommend would be a Savage Model 99. I know that they made a .308, but am not sure what other calibers it was offered in. They are no longer Mfg'd, but you can often find a used one at the shows and or in the paper. Very good gun.

 

[yotegetter]

I know everyone's got their stories to tell and suggestions. The real deal with me is that I've shot all my pigs (all three of them) with a 30-30 Winchester Model 94. Same with pops. He swears by them. All on private property and the furthest one approx. 150 yds. Not all may agree that this is the best gun to use for pigs, but this is what I've used. It's just all I had at the time. To me it's an awesome all-around firearm. Since my last pig I've bought a .243 which I also plan to use with 100 gr. core-lokt. I've met many guys who use them as well for pig hunting.

On the other hand if you don't have a rifle at all and looking to buy one is another story. If I were looking for ONE all around rifle I'd go with a .270. This would do for pretty much all North American Big Game. Another great advantage of the .270, besides ballistics, is that you can find the ammo everywhere.

Speckmisser is right on the levers using pistol ammo. If you're looking for a rifle, get a rifle caliber. I've heard some horror stories of chasing pigs with a .357 lever. Maybe if you're using the pistol within 25 yards.

 

[boarhuntr]

I hunted with a Marlin 30/30 for years until one day I missed a buck of a lifetime due to range mis-estimation. I thought it was farther than it really was, due to bad light at daybreak, so I held over its shoulders. After it ran off I paced the distance and it was about 75 yds. Had I held on his chest area that buck would be hanging over my fireplace instead of a story about the one that got away. What caused my miss ? I was led astray by talk about the rainbow trajectory of the 30/30 round and also by my childhood use of air rifles to shoot birds. With an air rifle anything beyond 25 yds you might miss due to the pellet hitting under, so I learned to compenate by holding over. Had I used a flat shooting rifle my mind would not have played tricks on me, the point blank range would have been longer, and I would have become used to aiming right on out to 2-300 yds.
But actually most of the game I have shot have been under 100 yds, and I wager that is the case with most other hunters. So a 30/30 is not actually that bad of a handicap. Practice enough at different distances and you should get range estimation down pat.
I would put a low power scope on a lever action. Don't go for those big 3x9's. It ruins the balance of the gun, and the whole point of a lever action is its handiness and portability. Maybe a fixed 4x or 1.5x 5 something. Iron sights are not that great for woods hunting because often an animal will be in the shadows or behind some brush, and iron sights can only give you a crude sight picture. When the only deer you see in several hunting trips is partially blocked from view you'll appreciate a good low power scope. Right now I've been playing with a Weaver 4x on my Savage mdl 24, 30/30-20 ga. combo, and 4x is just right for snap shooting. Don't overscope your lever action. It just doesn't make sense.

boarhuntr

 

[jrifenbark]

I'm sure some are sick of hearing about it, but I'll never get tired of repeating the story. I took a pig at Tejon with a Marlin 336 in 30-30. It was only 20-30 yards in moderate cover. Suffice it to say I apprecieated it's light weight when hiking back out of a canyon I shouldn't have gone down into in the first place.

I think a BLR in .308 would be awsome.

 

[New Pig Hunter]

I'll wade into this topic with only my second posting here at Jesse's, though I have lurked here over a year now.

I found myself in the same quandry last year: what pig gun to buy ?? I settled on a Winchester Model 94 "Trapper" in .45LC. One big reason is that I have a Ruger New Model Blackhawk in .45LC, and I want the convenience of one cartridge. I've found the lighter-weight Trapper to be very nice when hiking.

Another major reason is that I intend to be up-close to take the shot, no more than 50 yards. I also intend to bowhunt, so sneak-up training is important to me and part of my personal hunting experience. I want to be very certain of the shot, and I also have shooting sticks.

I spoke with Ken at Ten-X Ammunition in Ontario, CA about suitable ammo. He makes up for his own hunting use a +P 250 grain Hornady XTP bullet which he assures me is more than sufficient at 50 yards. Considering what that cartridge does to my shoulder after 10 practice rounds, a properly placed shot will be quite humane and lethal. I have not yet been a successful pig hunter so I cannot yet give my own comments on this cartridge.

 

[Dave in LB]

Heres my two pennies and what I am planning to do. My next rifle will be a Marlin 1895 Guide Gun in 45-70 Gov't. Plenty of power for deer, piggies and bears. Not to mention a few other critters. Ammo is available if you don't reload and If you do it's easy to get components. Plus you can load hot or mild depending on game sought. If I didn't like the whole blunt nose bullet deal I would buy a Savage Model 99 in either 300 Savage or look for one in .308. Certainly will cover deer and pigs and possibly elk with the right bullet and shooter at reasonable range. M99 is a very nice rifle and not nearly as expensive as a BLR. Only downside is you can't buy a new one since Savage discontinued them some time ago. the only other lever gun I would consider for your application would be the Marlin 1895 Outfitter in .444 marlin. Loads of power, good bullet selection for reloading less recoil than 45-70 and .450Marlin, and can use same bullets as your 44 Mag should you own one.Best wishes.

 

[Quacker Wacker]

For what it's worth. There was a book written about hunting pigs in California, by I believe Bob Robb. He recommended and used, if I remember correctly, a Browning BLR in .270. Flat shooting and with good bullets plenty of power out farther than I can shoot properly. I'm not a pig veteran, but the few places I've hunted have had opportunities for long-shots. If you don't want to pass up shots past 150 yds, I'd stay away from all calibers offered from tube-fed guns(winchester, marlin, etc.) I personally have killed more deer in D5 with my Winchester 30-30 than anything, but my longest opportunity was only about 80 yards in 20 years of hunting.

Good Luck!