Looking to purchase a level action rifle for hunting?

[bigdog]

I'm looking to purchase a 'level action' rifle for hunting.

Lever action rifles new seem to be bringin a premium price, even if you can find them, that said, I prefer buy a good 'used' rifle.

Thoughts where I could purchase, and what to look for, caveats,
when purchasing a used rifle?

Thanks !

[Slickcraft]

Winchester 94 30-30. Many prefer pre-1964 models as changes were made in '64 to reduce production costs.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwEjlMY2vK0

[Kamper]

He said, twice, he wants a "level action" rifle. Stop trying to foist a LEVER ACTION rifle on him!

[ApS]

Originally Posted by Kamper

He said, twice, he wants a "level action" rifle. Stop trying to foist a LEVER ACTION rifle on him!

'Bearded guy who ran a car repair shop ("Werke" in the title) on Kings Road, Wolfeboro, spends hours at on-line gun sales. Shop now closed, and retired, he can probably fix you up. I last saw him at the Wolfeboro Falls Post Office last summer.

Maybe member tis knows of him/phone?

[MikeF-NH]

Lever action is a great choice for NH woods. They are short and easy to carry in thick woods. Keep in mind that south of Concord...its hard to find an area where you can use any rifle due to shotgun only restrictions.

The two major manufacturers are Winchester (the model 94 mentioned earlier) and Marlin 336. Both are great reliable and accurate guns at most NH shooting distances. The major differences are:
1.) Winchester has a "straight grip stock" that matches the straight lever. While Marlin has a pistol grip stock that matches its curved lever. Some people prefer one and some the other...pick up both and decide what YOU like.
2.) the ejection port. On the 94, the ejection port is on the top. I've never heard a complaint from guys about the brass ejecting and distracting them but its a consideration if you want to put optics no the rifle as weaver style mounts won't work...you have to get special side of the receiver mounts. The 336 ejects from the right side of the receiver so the top (already drilled and tapped for optics) is solid.

I bought the 336 because I wanted a scope with a see-through mount so I could use the iron sights if for some reason my scope became fogged or I couldn't see through..the iron sights were easy to pick up. Also as a lefty...the hammer comes with a reversable hammer piece that makes finding an cocking the hammer for a righty or lefty easier than the straight hammer.

Also to my knowledge, the only caliber for the 94 is 30-30...a very capable round for NH. However, I like 35 Remington better based on ballistics which helped make the 336 a choice for me. Marlin also carries lever actions in other larger calibers that are moose-ready should you choose such as 45-70 on its 1894 big bore model.

Mind you that due to stock shape...pound for pound a lever action has more recoil that most bolt action guns at larger calibers like the '06 or even 300 win mag. IMHO. I shot my '06 at the range for about 1/2 hour then picked up my 35 marlin and was amazed at how much a cartridge that looks minuscule compared to the '06 kicked. Note...its not overwhelming but if you have a chance to shoot both a lever action and I bolt action...I think you will agree.

While I have both a bolt action '06 and lever action .35, if I were to buy another center fire today for NH...it would be a .308...the swiss army knife of cartridges.

Final note: savage USED to make a lever action (the 99) that since it didn't have a tubular mag...wasn't limited to blunt nosed cartridges. I'm not sure why they stopped making them but you can still find them in the used gun sections of gun sellers.

Hope this helps. As for price...browse the used sections of big stores like Kittery Trading Post to save some cash. Or stop in at one of the many gun stores around the area. Otherwise retail won't vary much from store to store.

[tis]

Originally Posted by ApS

'Bearded guy who ran a car repair shop ("Werke" in the title) on Kings Road, Wolfeboro, spends hours at on-line gun sales. Shop now closed, and retired, he can probably fix you up. I last saw him at the Wolfeboro Falls Post Office last summer.

Maybe member tis knows of him/phone?

Wagon Werks?

[bigdog]

Thanks everyone for all their great suggestions, much appreciated !

Bigdog

[ApS]

Originally Posted by tis

Wagon Werks?

Sounds right.

First name is Randy...

[tis]

Originally Posted by ApS

Sounds right.

First name is Randy...

After you said that I looked it up and apparently he does sell rifles.

[bigdog]

Originally Posted by tis

After you said that I looked it up and apparently he does sell rifles.

I looked up WagonWerks in Wolfeboro on the Internet and got tel#: (603)-589-3364 and called, went directly into voice mail, no name that I could identify ?

Does anyone have the actual tel# for WagonWerks, or to Randy directly ?

Thanks !

[tis]

Originally Posted by bigdog

I looked up WagonWerks in Wolfeboro on the Internet and got tel#: (603)-589-3364 and called, went directly into voice mail, no name that I could identify ?

Does anyone have the actual tel# for WagonWerks, or to Randy directly ?

Thanks !

I think the gun place was a different phone number. I will see if I can find it for you again.

[tis]

https://411gun.com/listings/wagenwerk-wolfeboro-nh/

603-569-2239