Winchester M 94, early to mid 20th century, rebarreled to .25-35. Ridiculous 400 yard tack driver with original iron sights.



Winchester M 94 .375 Winchester Big Bore. Great looking, great shooting, but ammo, well, who knows.....



Pre-USRAC M 94 in .30-30, with Williams peep sight. Death on whitetails.



Not pictured is a Marlin Guide Gun in .45-70 that's a remarkable shooter at 100 yards.

Also not pictured are the many Model 94s I sold some time ago, mostly .30-30s, one .44 Magnum, and a M92 Rossi in .44-40 that I sold. I was planning a large collection of 94s but for various reasons I changed my mind. Letting go of the Legendary Frontiersman in .38-55 was hard. The NRA Musket in .30-30 was easy because it was sooooo long it was hard to shoot well. I also still have a Navy Arms Rossi M92 with an octagonal barrel,.45 Colt, my primary cowboy action shooting rifle and it has a number of clean matches to its credit. I do like lever rifles.

Thanks for the memories! I enjoyed thinking about those guns.

So, now, a note. The new Winchester lever guns are, AFAIK, all made by Miroku in Japan. Nice guns but NOT CHEAP. I'll echo the sentiments of others above in re Marlin today (I don't have one but I can sense the risk presently) and I can tell you that a side loading Henry would get my attention but otherwise no (they make a tacticool* version now, too!). Henry's are not inexpensive either.

Big Boy XTM in pistol calibers.

So, what to do, OP? For target shooting and deer hunting? Look for an older Model 94 or Marlin 336 in .30-30 caliber - not too old - really old guns are nearly as expensive as new ones.

BUT - pistol caliber ammunition is less expensive than rifle ammunition so don't rule out a .45 Colt, .357 Magnum. or .44 Magnum in a Model 92 from Rossi or Uberti because they'll all take deer and at the range you can have great fun shooting them fast - the short action is great for that!

Good luck and happy hunting!

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Come and take it!!

The older Winchesters are great rifles. For us with older eyes the Marlins work much better for mounting a scope. I had a 45/70 Marlin but sold it after building a 450 Bushmaster as I really don't need either here in Florida much less both.

I would shop around for a used/clean Pre-64
Winchester 94 in 30-30.

Secondary note - a pre-64 Winchester M94 can be pretty pricey. A pre-USRAC M 94 might not be nearly as expensive.

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Come and take it!!

Winchester markets a Miroku built 1892 that is a great little levergun, and in 44 Magnum is a very useful rifle. Usable with plinker 44 special loads to bear buster 44 magnum loads.

I agree with you 100%.

Two of the three Marlins in the picture I posted, the 336 and the 39A, are pre-Remington JM guns. The third, an 1895 GBL, recently purchased new, is just as good in every respect.

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Only a cold warrior

I have 2 marlins of recent manufacture. A 1895GS and a 1894 CST. Both guns are as good as anyone could ask. The 1895 was a bargain, Remington had a $100 mail in rebate at the time I bought it. The CST was a little high priced but I’m glad I got it when I did. I needed a threaded barrel and it was the first marlin to hit the market with one. They are nowhere to be found now

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-Matt

If iron sights are desired, the question of caliber comes down to how good can you see.

I, over the 1/2 century mark, really like my Henry in 357, because the terminal effect matches the 50-100 yards I can confidently shoot with iron sights. At those ranges, 357 is awesome, especially in a good jacketed soft point.

I’ve looked at Marlins lately and they are getting better in the QC department. Can’t speak to shooting qualities however. Winchester’s are also very good. Lots of nostalgia for the old guns, most would probably be fine, but I have seen plenty that where never right to begin with or beat to hell and a shell of their former selves.

Get what you like, what feels good to you, what you can afford. If it doesn’t tick all the boxes the first time out, they are going to be making lever guns for a long time, just get another one.

You’re asking the wrong person. I am hooked on the versatility of a 45/70.

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-Matt

Find an old Savage 99.Best of the best.

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Very timely thread. I’m looking for a pistol caliber carbine length lever gun and have learned a lot from reading this thread. Years ago, I had a Savage 99C in .308 Win that was my primary whitetail gun when I used to hunt. Loved that gun, but let it go to pay some bills that came up unexpectedly. I like what I’m reading about the Marlin 336 and I’m considering a Henry in .327 Fed Mag...decisions...decisions.

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USS Brewton FF1086
SWCA#3597

I am very fond of lever actions, but I claim being old fashioned.



As can be see, two Marlins, .45-70, .450 and a Henry in .357, I say the Henry is Better Half's since it was a gift from elsewhere online where she is active, although I do get to shoot it.

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KM
S&WCA 3110 S&WHF 625