Open sights lever on a budget

[Deere_Man]

If you look on some of the used gun auction sites, there is a version of the Marlin 336 called the Glenfield 30 or 30A. Occasionally one will pop up with a half-magazine instead of the full length and they are typically birch stocks which seem lighter than walnut to me.

 

[robtattoo]

If you can wait a bit, I have 2 Rossi 92 leverguns in 480 Ruger, one brand new in stainless and one with 3 shots out of it in blue. I had the metal on the stainless one vapor honed and nicely engraved with deer scenes on the side plates. The blued one with factory hornady ammo shot those 3 shots into an inch at 50 yards with the open sights. They are quite accurate and carry like the winchester 92. Both are extremely rare (less than 50 in total) so I do not know what they will auction for when they hit gunbroker on a consignment. I sold more than 40 leverguns from 357mag to 45/70 and 405 Winchester and everything in between over the past 4 months. Mostly Winchesters and Marlins in all versions. I had quite the collection of the hard to find versions that sold...in addition to 60 handguns and 50 bolt rifles....and perhaps 50 guns to sell yet. The 480 Ruger in a 92 is an awesome levergun for sure. You won't see another person with one and only Rossi had that very short run of them. One of the rifles I sold was a 7600 35 Whelen Carbine. I hate myself as I used that one for bear in Cameron and Potter County for many years and shot the biggest 10pt buck in my life with that rifle in Cameron.

If I had the cash, I'd wait a reeeeally long time for a '92 in .480!
It's a stunning little round & puts the whomp down with authority (wrist being surprisingly mild in the recoil dept!)

Here's a comparison with a .44........


I always loved the idea of a levergun in .460 S&W but I'm broke & I've got more than enough sub 300yd guns!

Model 90 460 S&W 18" Barrel Hunter Black Lever Action Rifle with Scout Scope Mount - Big Horn Armory

Honoring the long tradition of great American sporting rifles, the new Model 90s provide hunters with pride in ownership, and a powerful advantage afield

www.bighornarmory.com

 

[KenLee]

If I had the cash, I'd wait a reeeeally long time for a '92 in .480!
It's a stunning little round & puts the whomp down with authority (wrist being surprisingly mild in the recoil dept!)

Here's a comparison with a .44........
View attachment 919795

I always loved the idea of a levergun in .460 S&W but I'm broke & I've got more than enough sub 300yd guns!

Model 90 460 S&W 18" Barrel Hunter Black Lever Action Rifle with Scout Scope Mount - Big Horn Armory

Honoring the long tradition of great American sporting rifles, the new Model 90s provide hunters with pride in ownership, and a powerful advantage afield

www.bighornarmory.com

Lort!

 

[nm.otter]

I'm itching to get my hands on a .338 ARC lever gun.

 

[UnckleBob]

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

curious why the 336 is better?

It is easier to mount an optic on.

I would get a used Marlin (not made by Remington) in 30-30 and put a red dot on it.

 

[KenLee]

It is easier to mount an optic on.

I would get a used Marlin (not made by Remington) in 30-30 and put a red dot on it.

I firmly believe the later Remlins are much better guns than the later JM stamp Marlins

 

[Adirondack]

This has been great feedback and insight, thanks everyone. Think I’ll see out a 94 in 30-30.
Next question - pre 64/post 64 - does it matter for these purposes? Maybe a better question - pre 64’s seem to be in a totally different price range. Assuming I’m then looking at post 64 rifles, anything in particular to look for or steer clear of? I don’t plan to mount a sight, so the top eject doesn’t bother me on principle.

 

[Deere_Man]

This has been great feedback and insight, thanks everyone. Think I’ll see out a 94 in 30-30.
Next question - pre 64/post 64 - does it matter for these purposes? Maybe a better question - pre 64’s seem to be in a totally different price range. Assuming I’m then looking at post 64 rifles, anything in particular to look for or steer clear of? I don’t plan to mount a sight, so the top eject doesn’t bother me on principle.

lol. You read all of that and came away with wanting a 94 instead or a 336???

 

[Adirondack]

lol. You read all of that and came away with wanting a 94 instead or a 336???

Man I did! I think what pushed me that way was people saying it carried better.
At the rate I see deer in this country, how well it shoots mostly feels like a theoretical concern vs practical one.

 

[Steve300xcw]

This has been great feedback and insight, thanks everyone. Think I’ll see out a 94 in 30-30.
Next question - pre 64/post 64 - does it matter for these purposes? Maybe a better question - pre 64’s seem to be in a totally different price range. Assuming I’m then looking at post 64 rifles, anything in particular to look for or steer clear of? I don’t plan to mount a sight, so the top eject doesn’t bother me on principle.

Not goona matter IMO. Would prefer a pre '64, for sure a pre safety rifle. But for what you are goona do with it, I wouldnt be to picky. Find somethin clean that's in the budget and party on.

Dont overthink it.

I always liked the XTR's

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1119457022

Also you might luck into a model 64 thats in that price range

 

[Deere_Man]

Man I did! I think what pushed me that way was people saying it carried better.
At the rate I see deer in this country, how well it shoots mostly feels like a theoretical concern vs practical one.

If I had to choose a 94 I think I’d go with a 32 Win Special, pre-1964

 

[Rotnguns]

Man I did! I think what pushed me that way was people saying it carried better.
At the rate I see deer in this country, how well it shoots mostly feels like a theoretical concern vs practical one.

A good decision. Remember, the 94 is top eject so you might consider a Williams peep rear sight rather than a red dot. Both fine rifles, but a 336 in 30-30 is darn near unobtanium.

 

[Rotnguns]

This has been great feedback and insight, thanks everyone. Think I’ll see out a 94 in 30-30.
Next question - pre 64/post 64 - does it matter for these purposes? Maybe a better question - pre 64’s seem to be in a totally different price range. Assuming I’m then looking at post 64 rifles, anything in particular to look for or steer clear of? I don’t plan to mount a sight, so the top eject doesn’t bother me on principle.

I wouldn't worry much about the pre-64. From some sources, Winchester went to sintering and stamping some parts after 1964 for economy; they supposedly changed back after 1970. That being said, the Canadian Centennials, made in 1967 with 26 inch barrels, are much desired and quite popular in our rifle caliber lever-action silhouette game; each match is 40 or 60 shots and with practice thrown in, we put lots of rounds through our rifles. I've got a '67 centennial and I find it reliable and fun to shoot. Of course, the long 26 inch barrel is a plus for shooting offhand; likely you'll want a much shorter barrel '94 for hunting.