Which lever action would suit a custom 303 build?

[Canuck Bob]

Yes, I'm doing a bunch of speculating as I have once again been bitten by the 303 lever gun bug. The 303 is listed usually as a touch over 3" in length. The pressure is listed as 42-43 CUP and 45-49K psi on internet sources. This would rule out the 2.5" actions like the 336, 94, and Savage. I like the 95 Winchester's looks but not its price.

Which late and current actions would suit this round? Italian clones, Brownings, and modern rifles are possibilities. I have a soft spot for traditional levers, tube mag, external hammer, and iron sights.

[Buck Elliott]

Bite the bullet and keep looking for a '95.. You won't be sorry...

[olyinaz]

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIt ... =280582564

Needs a little work on that forearm, but overall not bad.

How about a Ruger #1 in .303?

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIt ... =280662159

Oly

[BigSky56]

the only one other than the 95 that comes to mind is the brning BLR. A savage 99 would carry the pressure and might work with a blunt bullet seated deeper as the col of the 308 is 2.875 a 284 win is 2.950 and the 303 brit with a 174 RN is 2.975. Maybe you just need to get a 99 in 303 savage and call it even. danny

[Ji in Hawaii]

The Russians ordered 300,000 long-barreled musket versions of the Winchester Model 95 lever-action, chambered in the service caliber of 7.62 x54R so converting a Brownchester 95 seems the most logical choice.

[Canuck Bob]

I must admit the long stocked military levers are growing on me more and more. I know this a major small point but I like the receivers of traditional levers. Nothing hand carries like a Winchester 94 or Marlin 336 style action with iron sights. This and the easy reload function of a lever is what makes them the best rifle ever made in my humble opinion. The 348 action would work but even more expensive I think.

The talk about the Savage 99 is interesting. 2.8" is real close to 3". A 303 99 would be quite a rifle. I can picture it with one of those dandy tang sights and a rotary mag!

[airedaleman]

I must admit the long stocked military levers are growing on me more and more. I know this a major small point but I like the receivers of traditional levers. Nothing hand carries like a Winchester 94 or Marlin 336 style action with iron sights. This and the easy reload function of a lever is what makes them the best rifle ever made in my humble opinion. The 348 action would work but even more expensive I think.

The talk about the Savage 99 is interesting. 2.8" is real close to 3". A 303 99 would be quite a rifle. I can picture it with one of those dandy tang sights and a rotary mag!

That 2 tenths of an inch difference is the killer for a Savage. Their magazines are very caliber specific, and the 303 British is just too big...

[barbarossa]

I would for a second hand winchester reissue carbine in30/40 and if you still want it in 303 all thats needed is a barrel change.I have one in 30/06 and love it.

[ving-thorr]

I would for a second hand winchester reissue carbine in30/40 and if you still want it in 303 all thats needed is a barrel change.I have one in 30/06 and love it.

+1

keep your eyes peeled. my browning 1895 in 30-06 i found on the rack in a gunshop for $500!!! And no, not in 1984, this was last year!

[Killer Kanuck]

Hey Canuck Bob, wouldn't you know it, just the other day (just hours after the long gun registry died in fact) I discovered a Winchester 95 carbine in 303 sitting under a pile of dust. Not the prettiest girl on the block, but goes bang. Would be great for someone that wanted to customize one. I can email you a few pics if you're interested.

[M. M. Wright]

Kanuck Bob,
Sounds like you better jump on that one!

[Canuck Bob]

Hey Canuck Bob, wouldn't you know it, just the other day (just hours after the long gun registry died in fact) I discovered a Winchester 95 carbine in 303 sitting under a pile of dust. Not the prettiest girl on the block, but goes bang. Would be great for someone that wanted to customize one. I can email you a few pics if you're interested.

pm sent.

[damienph]

I think that all of us who have been following this thread would like to see pics of that carbine.

[Hobie]

Bite the bullet and keep looking for a '95.. You won't be sorry...

If you find a Browning in .30-40 that would be the easiest to convert, were a conversion the only way to go about it.

[Canuck Bob]

Well Killer surprised me. I will be chatting with him about things but I can't buy for a few months as I just upgraded the families computers to Mac and the well is dry, sadly....

I also found the Pedersoli has a 86/71 clone in 45-70 and 444. If anyone has one of these please take a look and see if it would swallow a 3" cartridge. It should if it is a faithful clone.