Open sights lever on a budget

[Adirondack]

I hunt the Northeast woods, shots under 100 yds and often under 50. Still hunting, tracking if we have snow. Can be 10 mile days of walking with super low deer densities, and I’m sick of carrying my heavy-ish rifle. I want a light, compact rifle I can carry (not slinged). Especially for snowy and rainy days. Thinking a lever gun with open sights (maybe with the option for a red dot as my eyes worsen down the line). Premium on well-balanced carry.

The question - can I get this done for $800 or so? Any recommendations?

 

[robtattoo]

Winchester 94/Marlin 336. Either/or.

Round here, the 336 used to be known as the 'Tennessee three hundred dollar bill' Not so much nowadays, but still to be found around the $600 mark for a JM stamped model.

94s seem to go for a couple hundy more.

336 is better in every aspect bar one.
The 94 is much, much nicer to carry.

 

[Nickofthewoods]

Mindlessly surfing gunbroker for cool lever guns has become a semi-serious passtime of mine. As the owner of an old Marlin 336 I recommend them as well, though mine is definitely on the heavy side. You could also look at the Rossi r92 line. You can get a brand new r92 for around $600 and in some interesting calibers for lever rifles such as 44 mag, 45 colt, 357, and with 16 or 20 inch barrel options as well. I don't own one yet but they are good looking rifles with a decent price point. A 44 mag with 16 inch barrel would be an awesome short range woods gun IMO and I think only weighs around 6 pounds.

 

[Sandhills]

Mindlessly surfing gunbroker for cool lever guns has become a semi-serious passtime of mine. As the owner of an old Marlin 336 I recommend them as well, though mine is definitely on the heavy side. You could also look at the Rossi r92 line. You can get a brand new r92 for around $600 and in some interesting calibers for lever rifles such as 44 mag, 45 colt, 357, and with 16 or 20 inch barrel options as well. I don't own one yet but they are good looking rifles with a decent price point. A 44 mag with 16 inch barrel would be an awesome short range woods gun IMO and I think only weighs around 6 pounds.

Rossi R92 in 44-40 would be my choice

 

[stank.243]

I have a Rossi and really like it. 44 mag with the 16” barrel threaded. Came with a pic rail and peep sight. I haven’t shot it for groups as of yet but I like the way it handles and found the action to be just as nice as other much more expensive lever guns on the shelf

 

[Wolfshead]

I hunt the Northeast as well.
I grew up on the Marlin 336, 35 Remington from 1950, and it was actually the first rifle I ever shot. Beautiful rifle!
It was my Dad’s and was a wedding present from my Mom to him.

I have a Winchester model 94, 30-30, top eject.
I believe that it is much better balanced, and also noticeably lighter than the Marlin.
So very easy to point and shoot, very quick and agile.
Aside from that, Marlin is a great rifle.
I just prefer my 94.
It is so easy to carry all day. I have a peep sight on mine, and it makes it easier to see for my aging eyes than the buckhorn sights. Peeps are very easy to pick up a sight picture and shoot quickly for me.
I have a sling for it in my pack, in case I need it, but don’t hunt with it on.
I got mine on gunbroker around ten years ago now, for $400. Not sure what they go for now.

 

[tt_johnsclist]

Robtattoo nailed it. You can easily get this done with a used lever. My 336 is better in all regards, including iron sight accuracy, but the 94 carries light as a feather. Not that the 336 is excessively heavy.

Edit to add that I think you will find that the 336’s will generally be easier to adapt a red dot optic, especially the newer 336’s.

 

[onlybrowning]

If you want something even easier to carry, get a Marlin or Henry in .44 mag with a 16” barrel and put a Skinner peep on it.

 

[Adirondack]

That is all great stuff, thanks guys. Had not heard that the 94 carries lighter than the 336. That might make the difference for me. If I’m going to walk all day and see no deer, I’d like to be carrying a light, well balanced rifle!

 

[Cmb213]

I was able to find a gently used Marlin 1894 in .44 mag. Took the stock sights off and replaced them with Skinner sights. Larger front sight and an aperture rear. Looking forward to using it for deer hunting in new england. I was hoping to find a .30-30 or .35 rem but I have no doubts about the .44 mag being a good deer round within 100 yards or so.

 

[Coopsdaddy]

Mindlessly surfing gunbroker for cool lever guns has become a semi-serious passtime of mine. As the owner of an old Marlin 336 I recommend them as well, though mine is definitely on the heavy side. You could also look at the Rossi r92 line. You can get a brand new r92 for around $600 and in some interesting calibers for lever rifles such as 44 mag, 45 colt, 357, and with 16 or 20 inch barrel options as well. I don't own one yet but they are good looking rifles with a decent price point. A 44 mag with 16 inch barrel would be an awesome short range woods gun IMO and I think only weighs around 6 pounds.

I haven’t seen these,going to check them out.

Robtattoo nailed it. You can easily get this done with a used lever. My 336 is better in all regards, including iron sight accuracy, but the 94 carries light as a feather. Not that the 336 is excessively heavy.

Edit to add that I think you will find that the 336’s will generally be easier to adapt a red dot optic, especially the newer 336’s.

curious why the 336 is better?

 

[robtattoo]

I haven’t seen these,going to check them out.

curious why the 336 is better?

Stronger action

Simpler action

Easier to strip & clean

Easier to mount an optic

Easier lever manipulation

Better shooting ergonomics

Generally smoother action

Better/easier to work on trigger

The only downside(s) are that it weighs about a half pound more than the 94, yet manages to  feel about 3lb heavier. Still lighter than Henry though..... And the lever hinge point is  exactly where your hand wants to be to carry it.

Rossi's '92 is a fantastic repro of the Winchester & honestly, the quality is probably better than Winchester. They do need action & trigger work for them to really shine though. If I had to choose between a '92 & '94 I'd 100% take the Rossi.

I've had many 336s, in all configurations & several 94s (actually, the same 1, 3 times!) & my little cutdown .44mag 336 is still my 'forever' rifle. Left hand rifle in the first pic.

 

[Eleven]

I’m in the northeast and grew up doing what you’re talking about. 336 in .35 rem is a great little loafer gun. Capable of 200 and under. Wonderful memories. And if I’m going to be doing some swamp busting I’ll often reach for that rifle.

 

[wytx]

The Rossi in .454 is a great rifle, we have 2 of them.
Henry also makes a nice levergun, we have a few of theirs as well.
I like the Henry .41 mag I have a lot, however it was before they made side gate models.

 

[Adirondack]

Stronger action

Simpler action

Easier to strip & clean

Easier to mount an optic

Easier lever manipulation

Better shooting ergonomics

Generally smoother action

Better/easier to work on trigger

The only downside(s) are that it weighs about a half pound more than the 94, yet manages to  feel about 3lb heavier. Still lighter than Henry though..... And the lever hinge point is  exactly where your hand wants to be to carry it.

Rossi's '92 is a fantastic repro of the Winchester & honestly, the quality is probably better than Winchester. They do need action & trigger work for them to really shine though. If I had to choose between a '92 & '94 I'd 100% take the Rossi.

I've had many 336s, in all configurations & several 94s (actually, the same 1, 3 times!) & my little cutdown .44mag 336 is still my 'forever' rifle. Left hand rifle in the first pic.

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Robtattoo, you’re a wealth of knowledge. Thanks.
Looking around online for used options in 336 and 94. Any thoughts on the 16” vs 20” model 94’s?

 

[Sandhills]

The Rossi in .454 is a great rifle, we have 2 of them.
Henry also makes a nice levergun, we have a few of theirs as well.
I like the Henry .41 mag I have a lot, however it was before they made side gate models.

A 41 mag rifle you say? Id be all over that.

 

[robtattoo]

Robtattoo, you’re a wealth of knowledge. Thanks.
Looking around online for used options in 336 and 94. Any thoughts on the 16” vs 20” model 94’s?

Honestly, it's six & 2 threes. In a .44 or other pistol chambering, 16" is fine. In .30-30, I'd err towards the 20", in fact I'm not sure anyone makes a 16" .30-30.....but for the kind of hunting you'll be doing it really doesn't matter.
A 20" will generally be a couple hundy cheaper than a 16" Trapper model though.

 

[keystone112]

I have a couple Marlin and a few Winchester lever guns. I like them all.

For light weight hand carrying, nothing beats a Winchester with a peep sight.

I prefer the 375 Win. but that might be over your budget. Find a good used one in 30-30 or 32 Special and get it.

 

[7RemMag]

Does it have to be a lever gun? There are some options for bolt action “scout” rifles in that price range as well. Might expand your options of cartridge too, if not unfortunate enough to reside in a straight wall state.

 

[Adirondack]

Does it have to be a lever gun? There are some options for bolt action “scout” rifles in that price range as well. Might expand your options of cartridge too, if not unfortunate enough to reside in a straight wall state.

It doesn’t have to be a lever gun, no. In my wandering through possible purchases I’ve spent some time obsessing over Ruger American Gen II, Howa Superlite, Tikka T3, maybe putting a red dot on one of those models since they don’t tend to have sights….

Just happen to have settled most firmly on lever guns recently, but open to any advice!