Lever action as a hunting rifle?

[BradenSH2001]

I am very familiar with semi-auto and bolt action rifles but I don't know anything about lever actions. I wanted to ask if anyone had any reviews, knowledge and recommendations for lever actions. Would it be a good general/multi-purpose rifle for deer, hogs, coyotes, and raccoons?

[Bucknaked]

After original muzzle loaders these were the first repeaters developed . Even the old drop blocks used levers . If they can kill injuns they can kill anything else .

I only have a few but I own one in .22 Lr, 22 magnum , .300 savage , original Marlin 45-70

i use a bow now though

[Walker]

Probably a 30-30 but I'm partial to 300 savage in model 99

[fish4food]

Haven’t killed any deer with it yet, but it’s my main gun I carry when I’m running my dogs.

[Lslite]

Scoped .30.30 Marlin has been my main Hill Country deer rifle for many years. We don't have a shot over 100 yards anywhere on the place

[rolylane6]

I've been using a Marlin 30-30 for years. All my kids learned to hunt with it and now my grandson is as well. About 10 years ago I started using 160 grain leverevolution ammo in it with a cabelas lever scope that's calibrated for that ammo. I usually try to keep shots under 150 yards but I have taken deer out to 225 yards with it, no problem.

[Big pig]

Sure. Levers have worked for many, many years.
That Marlin 30-30 mentioned above is adequate for most deer hunting.

Really curious why you are going that route. Is it an inherited rifle or just the feeling of nostalgia ?
I used Dad’s .257 Roberts pump action a few times to remind us of the old times.

BTW My favorite raccoon round is a .22 mag or .17 HMR
Not $2 center fire rounds. . Yes, I am very “frugal”

[xman59]

I've been using lever actions for over 50 years, my all time favorite is a pre safety marlin 1895 in 45-70, but over the years i have had Winchester model 94 in 30-30, ,marlin 30-30, marlin 35 Remington, Marlin in.444 , browning blr .308, 2 marlin 1894's in .44 magnum, Winchester .22 mag, browning 22lr, marlin 22lr, they may have been a couple i can't even recall right now,,,,, during that same period i have at some time owned bolt actions in 30-06, 308, 243, 7mm08, 270, 7mag,, 22magnum, most of these only stayed with me a couple years, except the 45-70 which was around over 40 years, given the choice i will almost always grab a lever action over a bolt gun..... just as effective with the same cartridge, but much handier to carry and get up on target quickly,,, scoped or not at least in my hands.....
the 30-30 is real good all around choice out to about 200 yards,,, but you can get them in .308 and .243 for more range if you think you might need it,,,, there are even some built in 30-06 and 270,,,, although i have not ever used these calibers in a lever gun, mostly never wanted them..... my current want is for a .357 lever gun,,, maybe it will happen, maybe not,,,, but for now my .44 mag makes a lot of trips to the woods,,, its highly effective on deer and hogs out to about150 yards, maybe farther but most of my shots at 75 yards and closer,,,,,,,, just remembered Win model 94 in 32 win special

[SJP51]

The Browning BLR is a great rifle. Had them in 308, 30-06, and 358 Win. Wish I'd have kept one! Now I kind of want one in 7mm-08.

[canny]

The Browning BLR is a great rifle. Had them in 308, 30-06, and 358 Win. Wish I'd have kept one! Now I kind of want one in 7mm-08.

Absolutely, killed my first deer with one in 243 that belonged to my grandfather. It now resides in my safe.

[huntmaster]

I've been a lever fella all my life. Killed my first deer in 63 with a Win 94 25-35. I have several Win 88's in 243,308 n 284. All are great shooters and have killed several deer,pigs n coyotes. I also have a couple of BLR's 270 n 300winmag. that have killed whitetail,muledeer n elk. I have never owned a bolt gun.

[HoustonHunter94]

Maybe it comes from watching The Rifleman growing up and I had a Rifleman lunchbox but I have always liked levers. I have a safe full of guns now but always like to pull out my Marlin 30-30 for pigs the occasional deer hunt. Used a Winchester 94AE in 444 to kill my biggest deer ever in Iowa a few years ago. I will always have a couple in my arsenal.

[dclifton]

Was a huge lever fan as well in 3030 until i started shooting suppressed and that fell off. Of course now the are coming threaded and i have had a few threaded. but just lost the luster for me.

You cant go wrong with a Marlin 3030

[Big pig]

I never not shooting suppressed now.

But that Browning BLR in .243 is a great around Texas gun

[Voodoo]

I’ve used every type of action and gravitate towards my leverguns almost every day. There are certain considerations that only you can figure out.

Whats its main purpose

Barrel length -vs- Caliber

Scope, Red dot, Ghost Rings (or combos)

Modern features or old school. (Stock types, mlock, light mounts)

Brand

Action types (I only dot he simple 336 design)


I truly believe the New S&W 1854 44 Mag is a top contender for a red dot/ghost sight, mlock light, modern ranch gun.

I also feel if you are using a 45/70 or 444 or 30-30 in a sub 20” barrel, go 44 Mag

If you go with the 30-30 under 20”, use 170 gr

One of the best feeling is the Henry BIg Boy Steel Carbine after you swap the big loop lever for regular loop and top it with a RPP mount and a Holosun 509T or a Skinner low steel Delta Point mount and a Leupold Delta Point.

I only have Stainless Leverguns now because I’m hell on them. In this case the two 30-30 contenders would be the new Marlin trapper or Rossi R95 of the same.

https://www.marlinfirearms.com/s/model_70906/