Posted on 11/07/2017 6:52:15 AM PST by w1n1
There was a time when we all thought repeaters were “out,” at least as far as hunting was concerned. Lever guns are for nostalgic geeks, right? Somewhat surprisingly, repeaters are experiencing a kind of renaissance. The truth is, even though bolt action and AR-platform rifles are most common in the deer woods, veteran hunters are increasingly switching to lever action, or back to lever action after a break from it.
Newer hunters, too, are drawn to the cowboy style rifle, though not always for the same reasons. One reason is that they know the vast majority of deer are taken at close and mid range, and most lever guns are built for accuracy, and maneuverability, at those moderate distances.
Especially for spot-and-stalk hunts, which have grown in popularity, the maneuverability and light weight of a lever gun can be preferable. Same goes for hunting brush country. Lever gun manufacturers such as Henry and Winchester have been improving on the classic design with new, refined guns in a broadened range of calibers. Ammo manufacturers have followed suit with lever-specific ammo that increases power, accuracy and safety.
Here are three lever guns from Henry Repeating Arms to look at:
The Big Boy All Weather .44
A major departure from any kind of John Wayne gun, the Big Boy All Weather is a durable weapon meant to go with you through the most demanding conditions. Although some of our friends had shot other models of the Big Boy and found it slow or difficult to load, compared to the 30-30 and .308, we found this one quicker to load with no jams, possibly because of the cartridge itself. Which is to be expected, since Henry has a long history with the .44 rimfire.
The Lone Ranger .308
This is Henry’s answer to the Browning .308 repeater, and it’s every bit as reliable. It will perform comparably to your bolt action at the same long ranges. Yes, it may be strange to see a lever gun in this caliber, but once you shoot it, you won’t want to put it down. Read the rest and full descriptions of cowboy lever action rifles here.
Easy answer.....Ruger Ranch Hand. A variation of the old “Wanted Dead or Alive” hawg leg. Not available in 30-30 however.
Adjustable M4 style buttstock, picatinny rails for lights and lasers, and A2 style bird cage flash hider.
.30-30 has very similar ballistics to the 7.62×39mm so its a very powerful hunting and self defense round.
Someday I’m going to get a Winchester 73 clone rife (Uberti).
I would like it in 44-40 like the old timers, but I hear that .45 LC or .44 magnum is more practical.
I looked up the Ranch Hand and found two important bits of information. One, it’s a Rossi product. Two, it’s no longer in production, so you would have to find one used.
Franken-lever.
The Marlin 336 is a much stronger action than the Winchester, plus you have the option to mount a peep in the appropriate place. If I were starting this project I'd probably pick a .44 Magnum chambering rather than the .30-30. Down range performance are pretty equal but magazine capacity would be greater.
“...my grandad’s Marlin 336 in 35 Remington.”
Old School — like it! I hit the deer woods with a 336C in .30-30 and it does great in the kind of country I hunt.
Used to be standard southern longarm for the Couldn’t Afford Browning or Weatherby working man or just liked a good value long arm
Hung on the rack in the back of his single cab pickup
It was ubiquitous
Briefly eclipsed by the Rugsr Mini 14 by younger rural lads late 70s early 80s
I still have a Marlin 30-30
Very few rifles in gun racks anymore
Close ballistics
35 has a slightly larger grain bullet available
Teddy Roosevelt used 35 Remington a lot
I always thought that Lucas Mccain was the inspiration for Al Bundy's TV hero, "Psycho Dad." ("He's quick with a gun, but he loves his son.") Old Lucas racked up quite a body count during the run of that series.
It would still be in production, but its production tooling and machinery flat wore out a few decades back, and was too expensive to replace. But for those who own them, the 99s are "keepers." 
look up a mare’s leg, it’s a lever action pistol. Think of a Winchester 30-30 with about a 12” barrel and rear stock cut off just behind end of lever. Like Steve McQueen carried on the old “Wanted Dead or Alive” TV show.
Legally it’s just a pistol, because it is manufactured that way and is not a cut down rifle (that would make it an NFA weapon) subject to a $200 tax and a BUNCH of paperwork and about a six month wait.
I believe that it was called a Mares Leg by Steve McQueen.
We’ve got one of those inn 30-30! Still shoots great. It’s in original condition, meaning it’s 120 years old.
The author got it wrong as usual its the “LONG RANGER”
https://www.henryusa.com/rifles/the-long-ranger/
comes in .223 .243 .308
Never give up my stainless Marlin 30-30. Best darn deer rifle for my neck of the woods.
One of the most reliable rifles available, that can be fired at near semiauto speed if you’re good enough, and can go all the up to .45 caliber. A great piece of survival gear, or all around piece.
.45 reference was in regard to matching what’s on your hip.
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