The best levergun poll.

getitdone1 · Post by **getitdone1** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 8:29 pm

Hopefully this post will have lots of members responding with what they consider to be the best levergun of all.

Maybe several, like me, are kind of torn between the Winchester model 71 and 86--or, Browning clones.

What's your favorite? Got reasons?

My reasons are: Top quality, dependable, good power, nice to carry in one hand, great looks.

Don McCullough

iceman · Post by **iceman** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 9:05 pm

I guess I'll get this started. I have had a few different levers in my little time here. A 99F in 300 sav. A early BLR in 308. A marlin 444. A win 88 in 308. A pre 64 94 in 30 wcf. A 94 BB AE in 356 win. last but not least a 9422. Of all the above I have kept the 3 Winchesters, and prefer the 356. Reason is ease of carry, accuracy, dependability, looks and history. All of the others had good points also but personal taste is what it boils down to I guess.

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 9:21 pm

I can't think of any bad ones.......I have a sweet spot for each and every one I have......The 9422Mag is not on my favorite list, but it is utile....

jbm1968 · Post by **jbm1968** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 9:23 pm

Without a doubt it has to be the Winchester M-94BB in 375 Winchester with a Williams FP Reciever Sight and Sourdough front sight.

Why: Because I have one.

More reasons: Light Weight, Compact and easy carrying, Powerful enough, accurate enough, plus it looks good to boot.

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 9:27 pm

My 1894 Marlin 44 Mag Stainless.

Rugged, Reliable, Accurate enough for my needs with ghost ring sights, Potent enough to drop whatever needs dropped at 100 yards, and Light and Short enough to grab when I go check on the livestock.

Lots of others I like, but you asked for the favorite!

FWiedner · Post by **FWiedner** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 9:40 pm

I have a limited experience on historic models, but within my realm of experience, I think the Model 94 in .30-30 is THE one.

But just for druthers I'd pick that same Model 94 in .356Win.

william iorg · Post by **william iorg** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 9:41 pm

For me it is the trio of the Winchester Model 64, 65 and 71. Hard to beat the rifles and the cartridges they were chambered for.

If I think about the best all around hunting rifle it has to be the Model 1886 Lightweight in .50-100-450. It is probably the best of the old hunting rifles.

for the modern rifles I prefer the .307 Winchester in the Big Bore rifle.

getitdone1 · Post by **getitdone1** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 9:47 pm

We're making a good start here.

I'll tell ya, my two picks are on the heavy side and I could easily get along with an older model 94 Winchester or Model 92 Browning in 357 mag.

I just kinda lean toward more power. I see the .348 model 71 as a nice compromise between the power of the smaller guns and the 86 loaded hot. But...the looks and brute power of a heavily loaded 86 is also mighty appealing.

Of my very favorite lever guns I'm only missing one and that's the Browning model B-92 chambered for 357 mag. One makes an appearance below 850 and it's probably mine.

Don McCullough

william iorg · Post by **william iorg** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 9:55 pm

If you want a pair of rifles which compliment each other get a .348 or a .356 and a .218 Bee. The trajectory over 200 yards is about the same when sighted properly. Using iron sights you can use the same sight setting and bead placement. Francis sell dubbed the .218 Bee his "Understudy rifle."

jhrosier · Post by **jhrosier** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 9:55 pm

"Best" might just depend on the hour of the day, or the phase of the moon...
There are just so many "Bests" that I don't hardly know where to start.

My best plinker is the trusty Marlin M39
But then the .357 Model '94 Winchester has a little more satisfying effect when rolling tin cans around the range,
For silky smooth action and sledgehammer power, there's the 45-70 Model 1886,
But wait! You can't forget the nostalgia of TR's "Medicine Stick," the .405 Model 1895.
All of these serve well, but none better than the Savage Model 99, which has served well in peace and war for over a century.
When game gets scarce, ranges longer, and vision clouded by age, a scoped Browning BLR can flatten out the trajectory with modern high-performance cartridges.
In an election year, it is hard not to consider popularity, and there is no more popular candidate than the tried and true "thuty-thuty' Model 94.
Still, when things go bump in the night, the .44 mag Marlin 94 can be a great comfort and trusted companion.

I think that you may have asked a question that doesn't have a better answer than "The one that is in your hand when you need it."

Jack

JerryB · Post by **JerryB** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 9:56 pm

For me it would either my Winchester 1892 32wcf or one of my Winchester 1894 30wcf's,that should do it.

getitdone1 · Post by **getitdone1** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 10:20 pm

Ha! I recall famous guitarist Les Paul saying that when he was young he'd position his guitar where when he woke up it was the first thing he'd see.

May have to try that with a gun or two and get my days started right.

Don McCullough

pharmseller · Post by **pharmseller** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 11:07 pm

getitdone1 wrote:We're making a good start here.

I'll tell ya, my two picks are on the heavy side and I could easily get along with an older model 94 Winchester or Model 92 Browning in 357 mag.

I just kinda lean toward more power. I see the .348 model 71 as a nice compromise between the power of the smaller guns and the 86 loaded hot. But...the looks and brute power of a heavily loaded 86 is also mighty appealing.

Of my very favorite lever guns I'm only missing one and that's the Browning model B-92 chambered for 357 mag. One makes an appearance below 850 and it's probably mine.

Don McCullough

You'll have to beat me to the Browning!
Of my levers I prefer my Browning 71 rifle. Easy to carry, scary accurate, hard hitting. Just a joy all around, and handsome, too.

Quinn

505stevec · Post by **505stevec** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 11:13 pm

1860, 1866, 1873, 1876, 1886, 1892, 1894, Savage 99, 9422, Win. 71. If I dont have one I want one.

brucew44guns · Post by **brucew44guns** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 11:20 pm

I lived in Oregon, hunted the "Tillamook Burn" area of the Coast Range of mountains. I carried an early long tang Deluxe model 71, 200 GR SilverTips. A large spike elk ran out one season about 70 feet or so away and stopped. It was his last stop, 1 shot and it was instant good-bye. My dad bought the rifle new when he was young, it is easily my favorite, wish I had favorite eyes still to aim it good, but till I'm more blind it will still work just fine.

piller · Post by **piller** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 11:23 pm

I still like my Marlin 336C in 30-30 that my wife took from me. She had the stock cut down for her, and I still miss that rifle. It shot exactly where I pointed it. When she goes deer hunting with me, that is what she takes. Some mass production guns just seem to be put together better than others. That gun is one.

Post by **Old Savage** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 11:25 pm

Too many - I like them all. The parameters would have to be narrowed.

leverhunter · Post by **leverhunter** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 11:58 pm

I enjoy my Win 94 in 44 mag, but, why oh why did I sell a very nice old Marlin in 444 about 20 years ago? Sure miss it still today. The new ones feel solid but this one had soul!!

GEOFF · Post by **GEOFF** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 12:00 am

My favorite:

Marlin 1893 .38-55. My favorite because it shoots so doggone good for me. Actually shot for me a record score of 38 out of 40 in long range silhouette with it a while back. Won another match with it just last month. Just seems to help me be a good shot!!!!!!!

Then I can take it all apart and clean it from the breech which sure is nice.

Just my opinion!!!!!! LOVE THAT RIFLE!!!!!

Geoff

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 1:38 am

Well, I could say it was the Model 1886 or maybe the 1892... but no, I'd be prevaricating... it is simply the Model 94 or its' predecessor, the 1894. With something nearing 7 MILLION of them built, I believe that the buying public agrees!

71fan · Post by **71fan** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 2:20 am

It is a close call between two of mine - the Winchester 71 and the Winchester 55. The reality of it is, the 71 is a bit heavy for long jaunts in the mountains, while the 55, at two pounds lighter, is just the ticket. Plus the takedown feature is just plain cool.

Wrangler John · Post by **Wrangler John** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 3:13 am

"Best," that word is hard to define. My favorite is the Browning or Winchester Model 1895 in .30-40 Krag or .30-06. Mine is in .30-06. What it offers is better balance with the box-type magazine, use of pointed bullets, and a cartridge with more ballistic prowess than many others. Ammo is available anywhere, in many flavors, and the selection of bullets for handloading is nearly overwhelming. It is a fast handling and hard hitting combination with good accuracy when equipped with a receiver sight. If the reproductions were equipped with the clip loading slots for 03 Springfield 5 round stripper clips, it would be even more ideal.

Second choice would be the Model 71 carbine, although it suffers from having that tubular magazine and enormously heavy action. The .348 cartridge was designed to duplicate the .30-06 in a traditional lever action. It is limited by bullet and cartridge availability. My ideal would be to rebarrel it to .35-348 Winchester Ackley Improved which safely surpasses the .350 Remington Magnum, and offers better bullet selection. Runner-up would be the Marlin .444, which was one of the most accurate 100 - 150 yard rifles I ever owned, and allowed use of a scope.

Slick · Post by **Slick** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 3:49 am

I know there's folks here that don't like foriegn-made lever-guns, but I have to say the at he current best-made guns are the Miroku 1886 action copies.. The Miroku 1892 copies are right there too.

El Chivo · Post by **El Chivo** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 4:13 am

I think a lot of us are getting misty-eyed over old Winchesters, and I certainly love mine, but I have to admit the Marlin 336 is the best levergun.

tman · Post by **tman** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 5:36 am

win 94-.356wfc. quick handling, enough power for n.a. game, and decent range for a tubular magazine rifle

24thMICH · Post by **24thMICH** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 6:25 am

Well, for me as far as overall feel goes, I'd have to say my favorite is my Winnie '94 made in 1952 with its Marbles tang sight. It just feels good in the hands.

But beyond feel, if you want the best overall, I'd have to say for me at least is my Marlin .308 MX. Feel-wise, it's a close second to my '94. As far as the rifle itself is concerned, I have total confidence that, as far as my skill will let me, I can reach 'way out and touch whatever it is I want to touch with that round, and that when the round gets there, it will completely do its job.

.

Noah Zark · Post by **Noah Zark** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 8:27 am

getitdone1 wrote:Hopefully this post will have lots of members responding with what they consider to be the best levergun of all.

My reasons are: Top quality, dependable, good power, nice to carry in one hand, great looks.

Excellent question, and a tough one for a levergun fan to answer, IMO. In most cases when a question is asked to name a "best" something, it begs the immediate response, "best for what?" IMO, that not necessary in this case.

"What they consider to be the best levergun of all" implies that there's a king of the levergun hill. I tend to view that question as to representing a particular rifle design as opposed to a rifle/cartridge combination.

While my personal "favorite" preference in levergun design lies with the 1886 and 1892 Winchesters because of the incredibly slick action, for purposes of this thread I'd have to with the Winchester 94 for "best levergun of all."

Why the 94? Simply because of versatility, ubiquitous popularity, and sheer numbers. The 94 and its follow-on siblings like the 64 have been chambered in a variety of rifle, pistol, and even .410 shotgun cartridges over the years, and have a reputation for performing with all of them. There have been a wide range of barrel lengths and styles, and both straight and PG stock configurations. That's versatility. Popularity? There's seemingly one in every household. That's a facetious statement, but if there's a shooter in the house, and particularly a hunter, there's a 94 in the gun cabinet, safe, or closet. Nearly any gunshop will have at least one used 94 in the rack, and some will have several. "They're everywhere, they're everywhere!" as the annoying TV commercial of a decade or two ago used to scream. As to numbers, how many made now? Five million? Maybe counting 94s, 64s, and all.

Noah

brucew44guns · Post by **brucew44guns** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 8:43 am

piller wrote:I still like my Marlin 336C in 30-30 that my wife took from me. She had the stock cut down for her, and I still miss that rifle. It shot exactly where I pointed it. When she goes deer hunting with me, that is what she takes. Some mass production guns just seem to be put together better than others. That gun is one.

Im heartened to see a guy like you so lucky to have a sporting wife who enjoys getting out with you to hunt. You're fortunate, even if it did cost your favorite rifle!!!!

Sixgun · Post by **Sixgun** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 8:57 am

Thats an impossible question to answer. They all have different uses and appeal to me in different ways. With all considerations aside, I will pick the 1886 Winchester with a 26" heavy octagon barrel, full magazine, shotgun butt, chambered in a big bore cartridge as my all time favorite.

If I am hunting big game, I will still pick an 1886 in a big bore caliber, but in the extra-lightweight configuration for obvious reasons.

A woods bumming rifle has to be a 1892 in 32-20. Its light, in a low noise caliber to take pot shots at rocks, floating sticks, etc.

An NRA silhouette rifle has to be a 26" 1894 with full mag. Those long barreled 1894's are the perfect off hand rifle.

My "grab-off-the-wall-to-shoot-a-fox-or other-nasty-critter" has to be a Marlin 218 Bee.

My get-out-the-dumps- rifle is a 1899 Savage in 38-55. It just brightens up my spirit.

But nothing stirs the soul like a 10 pound 1886 in 45-70-------Sixgun

dz86 · Post by **dz86** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 9:08 am

FWiedner wrote:I have a limited experience on historic models, but within my realm of experience, I think the Model 94 in .30-30 is THE one.

I think that FWiedner hits the nail right on the head.

I have a couple of other levers that I love (Model 71, 86 in .33 WCF, Model 64, Browning 92 in .357 Magnum) and others that are neat (1895s in .405 and .30-06) but for an all-around, practical, favorite rifle it would have to be my pre-64 Model 94 in .30 WCF, with sling swivels and a Lyman receiver sight.

This rifle is light, easy to carry, slender, maneuverable in close quarters, comes to shoudler quickly, accurate, and is chambered in a caliber useful for everything from varmints to moose (depending upon the load of course).

As FWeidner said, "the Model 94 in .30-30 is THE one".

Dave

PS: 71fan - That's an excellent photo of you with the Model 55.

Mike D. · Post by **Mike D.** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 1:20 pm

Although I own just about all of them, I prefer the 1886 over all else.

Bronco · Post by **Bronco** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 1:36 pm

Howdy,
There are many that I really, really like. However my favorite ones are the ones that I own

, not as many as I would like. Got me a couple of Brownchesters, M71 in 50-110Win. and a 1886 SRC, to be a 50-110 some day. My brother has my dads first deer gun, and the first that I used on deer, a Win. 94 in 30-30. If I owned that, due to sentamental reasons, it would be my most favorite of all time.
John

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 1:45 pm

I haven't had much experience with centre fire Leverguns the only one I have owned was a Rossi ss .357 But for fun shooting and squirrels my 9422 is hard to beat. I've had Marlin, Erma and Uberti but my Winchester 9422M and my 9422LR stand out for shootability and style.

leveractionjunkie · Post by **leveractionjunkie** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 1:46 pm

I would have to say that I love them all from the antique '94's to the new off the shelf malin 1895Cowboy. Probably my favourite though is my marlin guide gun since I grab that one every time I go hunting, and it's killed all my big game. Would I have been just as well off with a win or marlin 30-30? Definatly but the 45/70 was the one I grabbed and fell in love with.

getitdone1 · Post by **getitdone1** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 2:43 pm

Ya know I expect leveractionjunkie has a point. Your favorite lever action is probably the one you use the most. There gets to be a kind of partership.

I'm starting to feel that way with my Browning model 71 carbine.

Although I don't need the power of the 71 or 86 at this time seems I've gotten used to the feel of a bigger gun and the model 92's seem kind of puny. Of course each is great for their intended purposes. And, the 92 carries the best of any gun I know of. As most guys here know they all use basically the same action, one bigger than the other. A very exceptional action !

Don McCullough

Lefty Dude · Post by **Lefty Dude** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 2:49 pm

Savage 99 in 308, or a Browning BLR in 308.

new pig hunter · Post by **new pig hunter** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 3:14 pm

Winchester 9422.

because I could hit, 99% of the time, whatever I was aiming at.

Cheers,

Carl

TNBigBore · Post by **TNBigBore** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 3:27 pm

It would be a tough call between my Savage 99F 300 Sav, Marlin 336RC 35 Rem or Winchester 1892 38-40. I guess if push came to shove I would pick the Savage 99F for its overall utility and light weight. I think Savage 99s are good looking rifles too. The 1950s 99F (Featherweight) models were as light as many of todays "ultralight" bolt rifles and had a lot more character.

iceman · Post by **iceman** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 4:35 pm

As I said when I started this off, I really enjoy my 356 and a quiet a few also said positive remarks about it. Funny how that cal or the other 375 and 307 never really caught on. Maybe on the next generation whenever it arrives will have the option available. Oh well you can always dream.

bunklocoempire · Post by **bunklocoempire** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 5:11 pm

Just have experiance with two, Winchester 94 30-30 Great-grandfathers with a Redfield peep he added and sighted in, sights haven't been fussed with at all for many many years, still dead on at 50, my sister currently is using that. The second is my new 336 in 30-30, needed one quick and am quite happy with it, Williams FP rear. Both fine guns. I'll be doing the straight stock mod and sanding down the fore. Best for me is any 30-30 that is "on" and comfortable stocks. Looking foreward to trying more!

Bunkloco

canonsix · Post by **canonsix** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 5:37 pm

I am going with my Rossi '92 in 357.I just flat love that carbine.

Doug

wm · Post by wm » Thu Feb 07, 2008 6:45 pm

I have several Marlins, Winchesters, and Savage lever action rifles.....qasking me which one is best is like ask Hugh Hefner which blonde he prefers!

Wm

Lastmohecken · Post by **Lastmohecken** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 8:37 pm

I don't think you can define best without being more specific as to the task involved.

Task #1 Best all around for taking Cpx 2 game at any range from 10yds to 350yds, anywhere. Older steel framed BLR in .308 win with a 2x7 Leupold scope. And even Cpx3 game can be taken with it, too. Although in some tight siduations, I might prefer a Browning 1886 SRC in 45/70, of course.

Backup gun for the big bears, and most other really large or dangerous game. I would choose the Browning 1886 SRC with a receiver sight, and heavy 45/70 loads.

Close range light walking rifle, for deer/hogs in the brush and timber, unless I want a scope, would be the pre-64 Winchester 94 30/30, with either the original semi-buckhorn sights, or a Williams receiver sight and a ghost ring aperature. But I would feel just as good carrying a Browning 92 in 44mag.

That's really all you need, other then a good 22 rimfire in which case three deserving honorable mention are Browning BL22, Marlin 39, Winchester 94/22 and also the 94/22mag.

Other guns deserving consideration are the Winchester or Browning 71's in .348 Win. And of course the Winchester or Browning Model 95 in 30/40 Krag or 30-06. Not a real favorite of mine but deserving consideration, is the Savage 99 in .300 Savage.

What? Do I hear some mumbling out there? Oh alright lets not forget the Marlin 336's, 444's, and 45/70's.

However, If I had to give them all up but one, it would have to be the Browning BLR, steel frame, in .308 Win. If I could snag another, it would be the pre-64 Winchester model 94 30/30. And if I could have a third it would be the Browning 86 SRC in 45/70. And number 4 would be the Browning 92 in 44mag. Those would be my first choices.

bj94 · Post by **bj94** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 8:49 pm

I think the 20" Winchester 94 is best. A lot of them have been produced over a long period of time. It has some of the best attributes of a levergun- handy , reasonably accurate, powerful enough for most hunting.

Of course the 92 came first, the 86 is more powerful, the Marlins might be more accurate, the BLR has modern improvements over all of them. In reality you can't go wrong iwth any of them, depending on your needs and what attributes you prefer.

Grizzly Adams · Post by **Grizzly Adams** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 9:16 pm

For better than three decades, when a fella said he had a Winchester, it usually meant that he had an 1873. With that rifle, a fella could defend home and hearth, put food on the table, and dispatch pesky critters that molested his stock.

If I could only have one, it would be the 1873 SRC in 44WCF.

dbateman · Post by **dbateman** » Wed Feb 13, 2008 8:37 am

winchester 94 trapper 30-30 very close 2nd 94bb375

Buckeye · Post by **Buckeye** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 7:29 pm

I have a bunch of leverguns...but I lean toward one that I don't have and that would be the 71 Winny. next would be a 336 in 35 Rem.

Henry McCann · Post by **Henry McCann** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 8:19 pm

My favorite is a Marlin 336A from '51 in .35 Remington. Next two runner's up are a '49 Marlin 336RC in .32 Special and a Browning 71 rifle.

marlinman93 · Post by **marlinman93** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 8:22 pm

The model 1893 Marlin is my choice. Simple design, great calibers, dependable, and lots of variations to choose from.

Jarhead · Post by **Jarhead** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 10:00 pm

In my humble opinion

Well, I like the Model 71 Carbine with a bolt peep sight. It is so well balanced with the shorter barrel, especially for instant sight alignment on a quick shot in the timber or brush. Also, like the Marlin 1895GS 45-70/457 Wild West Magnum because it can push a 45 caliber 350gr bullet @ 2200fps, and it's a tack driver to boot. In addition, it's stainless and allows me to hunt in the bad weather whithout worry

Also, like the Belgium BLRs in .308/.243 for smaller critters like coyotes and ground hogs.

The best levergun poll.

The best levergun poll.

model 71

Re: The best levergun poll.

What do you consider "best"?