new lever action rifle

[Python]

Originally Posted by LDBennett

I also am not a Henry fan. They are flashy deluxe and don't compare to even to a Marlin.
LDBennett

You get what you pay for, flashy deluxe and all.

[Little Rooster]

Originally Posted by mrt

Check out the Henry Rifles. I have not only sold them (Bass Pro/Dicks) I have also shot them as well. I firmly believe they are an outstanding firearm with an extremely smooth action.have a great day!

sounds like a factory rep

[hardluk1]

reminton 1990 You sound like your now looking to buy a purty rifle not one for hunting, just a purty little range gun. At least get the 454 cassul. Darn you can nuy a nice bolt rifle for the cost of those thangs.

[remington1990]

I would like to have one for both. the 44-40 is out I can't find any ammo for hunting for it so I will more then likely get the 30-30 in a marlin thank

[oldbrass]

Marlin levers have gone down hill since they were picked up by freedom group and sent to remingtons Newyork facility, If you find one with "JM" stamped on the barrel just in front of the reciever its a real marlin.

[pricedo]

Originally Posted by LDBennett

I have never owned or worked on a Marlin that was accurate, but that may just be me. Mossberg may be the manufacturer to go to for a really cheap shotgun but they have not proved themselves capable in centerfire, at least not yet.

If it is a classic lever gun you want it is hard to beat a Winchester in 30-30. Tons (is it 5 million or more?) were made and there are many on the used market. Pre 1964 versions get a pretty good premium used. The last ones are good enough for hunting in the East and can be found used much cheaper than the early versions.

But the absolutely best lever you can buy is the Browning BLR. You can find them used, either made in Belgium or later ones that were made in Japan. Both are excellent. They work on a rotating bolt principle so they can lock up as well as any bolt gun. The lever throw is short and all of the trigger guard moves with the trigger so there are no pinched fingers when operating the lever. It is available in many rifle cartridges from 243 to 300 Mag. It is well made (either Belgium or Japan). It been around for nearly 50 years so there are many out there used. Most have a deep beautiful Browning blue job and some have exceptional wood as well.

http://www.browning.com/products/cat...ent=BLR-Rifles

LDBennett

I have one in .308 Win that is the last of the BLR 81 Lightweights in the Takedown version.
They still make the 81 with the barrel band but not in the Takedown version anymore.
I like the barrel band.
The barrel band reminds me of my old much beloved 1950's vintage Win 94 I lost in a house fire.
My BLR is a "gold trigger" Miroku Japanese made gun.
The only thing I hate about the gun is the trigger.
I'm going to have Neil Jones tune the trigger up for me whenever I have a chance to get to PA.
He's one of the few 'smiths that can tune a BLR trigger with a noticeable improvement.
Others will "polish" the action and hand you a bill and the only thing lighter will be your wallet.........bin there, dun that.
If you want to see your local gun smith turn colors and change the subject in a hurry ask him about tuning your BLRs trigger.

[pricedo]

Originally Posted by jacksonco

you may want to check out Rossi. They have a Rio Grande 30-30 model that is reasonably priced. I can't speak for the Rio, but their 92 models are excellent.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/p...ducts_id/61513

and LD Bennett is spot on with the BLR

My Rossi Rio Grande in .30 WCF is an excellent gun after I cleaned the brown Rossi GUNK out of the barrel, action and mag tube.
It came in the box full of a mixture of cosmoline, rust, machining cuttings and dirt that I had to wash and purge out with dechlorinated brake parts cleaner.
It seemed like the gun was warehoused in a mud puddle.
Luckily the discoloration was superficial with no permanent pitting or corrosion.
After lubing with Remoil the gun was as smooth as silk.
Very accurate, smooth and the BEST trigger I've ever seen on a levergun.
I had a Rossi Puma 92 that came in the box full of what I'll now call Rossi GUNK.....again superficial.......after cleaning & lubing the gun was fantastic.

[BlackEagle]

Originally Posted by LDBennett

But the absolutely best lever you can buy is the Browning BLR. You can find them used, either made in Belgium or later ones that were made in Japan. Both are excellent. They work on a rotating bolt principle so they can lock up as well as any bolt gun. The lever throw is short and all of the trigger guard moves with the trigger so there are no pinched fingers when operating the lever. It is available in many rifle cartridges from 243 to 300 Mag. It is well made (either Belgium or Japan). It been around for nearly 50 years so there are many out there used. Most have a deep beautiful Browning blue job and some have exceptional wood as well.

http://www.browning.com/products/cat...ent=BLR-Rifles

LDBennett

I have my eye on two BLR's:
http://www.guntrader.co.uk/GunsForSale/110601172822000
http://www.ukgunroom.com/viewGun.jsp...romSearch=true

Both same price: £495 ($785).

Is this a good price? Which one would be better? Other thoughts?

For some reason the one in the UK Gunroom has been around for about a year, so the seller might give a price break.

Thanks.

[The_Rifleman]

I can only speak to that which I've handled and shot.

My Winchester 30-30 has never jammed in the almost 30 years of use. It is as accurate as most bolt rifles. Unfortunately, the new ones are very expensive.

I have shot Henry rifles in 45 colt and 22 mag. Both rifles had minor problems but were fixed after being sent back to the factory. The 45 long colt was a "Bigboy" which was pretty heavy. Both rifles were accurate, the 22mag being better with 1.25" groups at 100 yards.

My brother had a Marlin 30-30 a while back, beautiful rifle! From what I remember it was reliable and accurate. It was a bit on the heavy side.

Good luck!

[BlackEagle]

The majority of gallery rifles in our gun club are Marlin. Our club won a number of medals at last year's national competition at Bisley, and won our regional championship.

I shoot in the competitions and make the others look good!!

From benchrest, I can shoot the center out of the target with my Marlin lever action .357 at 25 yards.

Many seasoned gallery rifle competitors don't clean their gun barrels between stages in the competition because, they say, the barrel needs to have some leading to maintain precison. One of the guys in the club said he cleaned in spring, but won't clean it again until November, after the competition season is over. He does clean the action, but not the bore.

Hunting? Some of the club members have police permission to use their .44 magnum rifles to hunt deer, foxes, and rabbits (pest control). No long shots, most under 100 yards.