Lever Action Build Help!!!

[Bald1]

I laugh every time I hear things like “ the butt cuff throws off the balance”. If that’s the case don’t use one or better yet go to the gym. It’s 8 rds. OP I think your gun will be fantastic. Check out Brass Stacker for all things leather. You won’t be disappointed.

 

[30-30remchester]

I just came back from our trap league. 32 participants and zero butt cuffs or slings. It actually does have everything to do with balance. It is amazing how different a gun handles shooting at running or flying game or hunting offhand when using a butt heavy gun. Even carrying afield is different. I once owned a stunning first year production 1899 Savage deluxe 250/3000. Off a bench it shot under 1" with iron sight. The barrel was very thin and the butt very heavy. I missed nearly every game animal I shot at with this rifle including an elk at close range. Totally off balance. It carried afield as poorly as it shot. On the reverse I had a Winchester model 54 with a standard weight 24" barrel and it was a dream to shoot offhand. Shot a number of running jackrabbits a few flying birds along with elk, deer and even a buffalo all offhand with it over the decades. It pointed like a finger and settled down instantly. A 94 Winchester has a natural balance point just ahead of the lever. This changes with added butt weight. Shooting targets offhand with either handgun or rifle, a muzzle heavy gun is the key to better scores. Often target guns have added barrel weights. Has zero to do with someone needing more gym time. It all boils down to what the owner wants to do with the rifle. Carry it to a tree stand and have a nice solid rest then a sling and butt cuff works fine. Jump shoot an elk running through the timber then those added accessories are often a liability. I have plenty of hunting rifles with slings, but I always considered lightweight carbines to be an entirely different breed and reserved for woods wanderings and the "always there" gun, while my hunting rifles sleep in a safe. After 60 years of hunting, I don't recall any big game animal that was shot at 6 times that hung around while the shooter reloaded.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

I laugh every time I hear things like “ the butt cuff throws off the balance”. If that’s the case don’t use one or better yet go to the gym. It’s 8 rds. OP I think your gun will be fantastic. Check out Brass Stacker for all things leather. You won’t be disappointed.

A neighbor came to my range to zero his 30-30 336. with Vortex scope. Had a leather butt cuff.......We tried and tried to zero it. We set it at a shot and the next shot would be inches off. Hard to figure.....Told him to remove the butt cuff and shoot it. 3 shots and we had it dead on at 100 yards......You had to cheek weld on the cuff....Every time we shot it. The rifle would move in the cuff....NONE will ever reside on my rifles.......In my 60 years of deer hunting I've never saw a deer hunter with a rifle with b-c on it

 

[Model 15-4ever]

Ruglin 1894 .357 Mag:

FarrowTech plate with Holosun 507 and XS sights:

Co-Witness - for emergencies:

I like my sporting rifles traditional, but those open sights no longer mesh with my eyesight. The red dot is an eye-opener (bad pun), and this set-up looks the least tactical that I can find.

I have skinner sights on other guns - very nice, as accurate as you are, but require a new front sight. The XS sights come as a set (front and rear) so there is no guesswork.

Not a fan of scopes on lever actions in general - the combs are too low. I do have a Marlin 1895G with a scout scope, and a Marlin 375SS with traditional scope, but those are exceptions.

I also am not a fan of the stock-cuff ammo carriers. Leather is heavy, traps moisture and flotsam/jetsam, and ends up making your stock look like doodoo when removed - and laced up that's not an easy removal. Cartridges also turn to green goo kept in leather. The nylons ones look cheap, lose their elasticity and drop rounds, and slide forward when shooting. Both ruin the handling qualities of the carbine. I'd rather have a simple velcro nylon cartridge belt pouch handy with the rifle, and put in on my belt when nedeed. Takes all of 5-10 seconds.

 

[Bald1]

I just came back from our trap league. 32 participants and zero butt cuffs or slings. It actually does have everything to do with balance. It is amazing how different a gun handles shooting at running or flying game or hunting offhand when using a butt heavy gun. Even carrying afield is different. I once owned a stunning first year production 1899 Savage deluxe 250/3000. Off a bench it shot under 1" with iron sight. The barrel was very thin and the butt very heavy. I missed nearly every game animal I shot at with this rifle including an elk at close range. Totally off balance. It carried afield as poorly as it shot. On the reverse I had a Winchester model 54 with a standard weight 24" barrel and it was a dream to shoot offhand. Shot a number of running jackrabbits a few flying birds along with elk, deer and even a buffalo all offhand with it over the decades. It pointed like a finger and settled down instantly. A 94 Winchester has a natural balance point just ahead of the lever. This changes with added butt weight. Shooting targets offhand with either handgun or rifle, a muzzle heavy gun is the key to better scores. Often target guns have added barrel weights. Has zero to do with someone needing more gym time. It all boils down to what the owner wants to do with the rifle. Carry it to a tree stand and have a nice solid rest then a sling and butt cuff works fine. Jump shoot an elk running through the timber then those added accessories are often a liability. I have plenty of hunting rifles with slings, but I always considered lightweight carbines to be an entirely different breed and reserved for woods wanderings and the "always there" gun, while my hunting rifles sleep in a safe. After 60 years of hunting, I don't recall any big game animal that was shot at 6 times that hung around while the shooter reloaded.

Of course there’s no butt cuffs and slings on trap guns. Why would there be. My point is the same as with guy’s complaining about grip size and barrel lengths on handguns. You adjust to the gun you’re shooting. No 2 guns feel or shoot the same. You adjust.