Lever vs. bolt.......

[L_Kilkenny]

Another cold winter night has arrived. Shoveled snow for the umpteenth time this record setting winter and I think my mind must be a little numb......

Obviously we are here because for some dang reason we like lever guns. I don't know why I think that, maybe it's the title to the forum that gives us away.

But what advantages does a lever gun have over a bolt gun for a shooter? Too tell the truth, I can't think of many. As I stated on a recent thread I'm almost as fast with a bolt as I am a lever. I don't seem to have trouble missing multiple times with either. A proper fitted bolt gun can be just as handy as a lever. Bolt guns are, for the most part, more accurate. Bolt guns have more range than 95% of the lever guns we own. Bolt guns are IMO easier to troubleshoot and fix when they do have accuracy problems. Also IMO, bolt guns are more durable.

I'll admit lever guns have history and style. Style is nothing to be scoffed at either. I don't recall ever seeing John Wayne shooting a bolt gun.

Oh heaven help me,

LK

BTW, I don't think it has to be an either/or thing. I can dang well like both if I want too!

[TedH]

Some of us like them for the DISadvantage they provide over a bolt gun. Makes the hunting more like hunting rather than long range sniping.

I do love my bolt guns too though they don't see much time afield anymore. I sometimes wonder why I keep them all, but I do tend to have mood swings with firearms.

[n2t]

for me? They don't make many factory bolt guns in med velocity med and big bore cals. I don't care much about "power" I shoot a .243 win for most big game. That which is too heavy boned for a .243 I want a slow moving big hunk of lead to throw at them. A .308 has more recoil than I enjoy no matter how light it kicks, 30-30 bolt guns are a pain, and I have yet to see a .357 mag bolt gun, so I picked up a .35 rem. The 30-30 also fits the bill, as does a .357, .44 mag, or .45 colt levergun. Now..there is the 300 savage bolt gun that crosses over well, but for me, I like short range bone breakers, and long range flat shooters and I find those things occur in two diff types of rifles. Lever gun advantage, bone breaking power, low recoil, 30-30 and .35 cals rule that niche imho.

[madman4570]

I just like the Levers best of the two! (ex. Marlin 45-70)They are indeed faster for me in that respect.
Honestly, I think as far as rifles go though the best all around fastest/accurate/handling "rifle" I ever
owned was a Remington 760 Gamemaster 30-06 (pump)

Gave it to the nephew! That is a nice rifle in all respects.

[FWiedner]

I use the gun that gives me the best chance of success.

My leverguns fit 90% of my applications hunting in Texas hardwoods, but when the terrain opens up and the shots stretch out to 300 or 400 yds and beyond, I change both hunting tactics and hunting arms.

It's an issue of using the right tool for the job at hand.

[2X22]

I pack a rifle about 200 days of the year, maybe more. Packing a flat sided levergun as compared to a scoped bolt gun leaves me no thoughts of why I pack a lever that is in the same caliber as my pistol.

2x22

[Lastmohecken]

As a Lefthanded shooter, I started with righthanded boltactions, as a kid, because that was all we had in the house, but later when I got to making money on my own, I purchased my first leveraction, and it was a Marlin 45/70, after a couple of years or so, I had a shot at a deer out there a ways, and those 405 grain factory loads were hitting dirt before they got there, which prompted me to trade it for a Remington 700 in 30-06, and stuck with flat shooting bolt guns for several years, but still kept an old Marlin 30/30 with a receiver sight for a spare.

Then about 20yrs ago, I purchased my first Browning BLR in .308 win. I wasn't really very excited about the caliber, as I preferred rounds like the .270 win to any sawed off 30 caliber carbine, as I usually ended up taking game accross farm country fields etc., but the little .308 shot plenty flat enought, and for me anyway often anchored game faster the my .270 did, (probably bullet choice there), but the little fast handling BLR slowly kept growing on me, to the point that it has become my favorite gun, ever.

About the only thing a boltaction has on my BLR is a little better trigger, and that only applys to boltactions with tuned triggers, as out of the box, most new bolt triggers are worse then my BLR's. For extreme long range, I would choose a bolt gun, but it's rare that I need to shoot anywhere near the outer capabilities of my BLR.

Tradition leveractions, are just that, they are fine for the closer ranges, and many carry and handle quite well. I love leveractions of all kinds, but I don't kid myself into thinking that they have the range and accuracy of a fine bolt gun, they both have a spot in my gun safe.

[shooter]

I like both. They are both used for different purposes. I like my levers better, and I like shooting them more often as they are more fun to shoot, IMO. I do like shooting bolt guns, though, and that's what I use when I really want to reach out and touch something.

[Bogie35]

Other than access to longer range cartridges, I can't think of any real world advantage that a bolt gun would have over the lever in terms of hunting and self-defense. Sure a bolt is more accurate...by 3 hairs. In the field, whatever accuracy advantage the bolt gun provides is not necessary, unless I'm trying to shoot a squirrel in the left eye from 300 yards.

Also, while working a lever, my trigger finger stays a little closer to the trigger and more in position to launch the next round than while working a bolt.

Besides, a lever gun just looks sleeker and prettier than any gun with a goofy side handle doo-hicky.

bogie

[oic0]

I like the reloading method. I don't like thinking about how much ammo I have in the gun or worrying about running out. No reloading a clip etc... I just stuff more rounds in to the side of the gun. A pump gun could work too but style pushes it in favor of the lever

I also just like the style and amount of thick strong metal in them. Gives them a substantial feel. I know its just a mental thing but hey, what else is there in life.
Whats the most important decision you make in your life? probably who or if you marry huh? and how do you pick a wife? its a matter of taste and what you like. Hence I dont feel bad about picking my guns and other toys the same way

[Old Time Hunter]

You ever try to cycle a bolt while riding a horse? How about as you are trying to scadaddle from a upset (pis#ed off) hog twenty feet away? The lever does it much easier. At least thats' my take. Besides, most of those loose wrist thingys don't come in .444, .45-70, or even the .30-30.

[greyowl]

I'm a left hand shooter, the son of a left hand shooter. Old enough that as a kid left hand bolt rifle were very limited in selection and even more limited for my Dad in his youth. Levers were lefty friendly. Also I'm a woods hunter, so long range shooting is of limited value to me. If you like open or receiver sights the stock dimensions on a lever rifle are more user friendly too. I have owned some bolt action rifles, they are real shooters and cartridge variety is big. Even for leftys now days. Traditional style lever rifles just seem to have more personality to them. I'm not saying they are better, I just like them better.

[allhands]

The only thing I can add is my personal experience with my Winchester Model 88 in .308. It is "clip" fed, which is very convenient for loading/unloading, it fires a very potent long range cartridge, it cycles quickly and with my handloads, will group 3 shots in 1/2 and inch at 100 yards.

WHat more can you ask for?

[Aussie Chris]

For me, leverguns just feel more comfortable. This is the reason why I purchased my new 444 Marlin for sambar deer here. Its not that my T3 in 06 doesnt do the job, I just feel more comfortable with a lever in my hands...

Chris

[Hobie]

I own and shoot what I like and what interests me. In some ways I'm a retro kinda guy. Guns is one of those "ways".

[edsguns]

There are surely pros and cons for either type of action, as with most others. A single shot carries the most respect for it's owner when uncased in camp, but almost certainly restricts it's owner to one good shot (normally works fine). The semi-auto allows for softer recoil and the fastest additional shots (partly because of recoil reduction). The pump rifle allows fast follow-up shots, when needed, but has never caught the interest of even the millions of pump shotgun devotees. The combination rifle/SG allows it's owner many options, not found elsewhere, but is mostly cost prohibitive. And the double rifle, close to perfection many agree, still is only one round more than the single shot, along with being expen$ive .

I own rifles of all these types of actions, but like anyone, have my favorite type. The bolt gun has become our most common action type for big game hunting and manufacturers have mastered the art of the "cheap build". They are found in caliber from less than .22 to as large as someone's imagination (and money ) takes them. The pluses are that they make accurate repeating rifles. The down side is that they are not the most comfortable firearms to carry, weight not withstanding. They are somewhat club-like and simply do not feel "right" in single hand carry at our sides.

The lever rifle just seems comfortable in hand. One hand carry feels like the right way to carry, whenever safe. It used to be that we had to sacrifice something? to arm ourselves afield with a handy lever gun. To carry a rifle of well under 7 lbs for deer and big game hunting, we sacrificed shooting game at over 200 yds or so (was that really that bad?). We sacrificed pointed bullets of newer type construction and superior BC. We also sacrificed superior accuracy only found in other action types (or so we were lead to believe).

That day/era is over. We no longer sacrifice anything by carrying a compact slim-sided lever rifle. Want a short-range stopper? Grab a 45-70 or .450 Marlin. Want a medium power CXP2 rifle? Grab a 30/30, .308 ME OR Win and shoot game to 300 yds. Need a long-rang rifle for antelope, deer, elk, moose or whatever? Grab an appropriate WSM caliber (or similar) and find out your rifle will still be slim sided and under 7 lbs and as accurate as the average bolt gun.

We may think about times 125 yrs or so ago as the golden era of lever rifles, but it's my opinion we are right smack in the middle of the true golden era, right now, today and how cool is that!

[MrMurphy]

While i love leverguns for their handling, history and just general "cool" factor....I'm a bolt gun guy. Really, i'm a military semiauto guy given my background but I started off in Milsurps.

I started shooting with a 1918 dated WW1 Mauser 98 Kar A (NOT a 98k) and my first rifle was a Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk1. In my defense, my first pick was a Savage 99 in .308 that someone snapped up by the time i came back with the $$.

Most "modern" bolt actions are bulky because hunters are convinced they need a scope big enough to see into the next galaxy to hit a deer across a 100 yard feed plot/assassination zone. An ideal modern bolt gun (what I will eventually build up) would be a .30-06 or .308, stainless/synthetic with a good front sight, Williams rear, and maybe a 2-7X scope at most on it. Most guys honestly would be better off with a 4X fixed scope than anything else for a lot of hunting (Texas stand hunting, etc) though when you start getting into stuff like pronghorns where you're shooting into the next zip code, things change.

As to weight..... I used to carry a machine gun, my expectations of weight are different. My old pastor said my 9lb Lee-Enfield was too heavy (he hunted the Rockies for the high-altitude stuff)...my reply was "for you". I wouldn't take my L-E by choice for that sort of thing, but I could do it if i had to.

[Pathfinder09]

Well let me see, I have one bolt gun, Rem. 700 in .30-06 had it about 35 years. I also have 9 lever guns, and revolvers. That should tell you something. I have resigned myself to only hunting with the leverguns. I just enjoy the challenge of the hunt. These guns were getting meat long before I got here and they still are great.

Just my passion.

[COSteve]

I like GUNS!!! I like new ones, old ones, big ones, small ones, handguns, rifles, carbines, tube fed, mag fed, clip fed, and single shot. I like levers, bolts, semi-autos, selectable semi/full autos, and machineguns too. I like recoilless rifles, tank main guns, field pieces, and even mortars.

[Blaine]

I have a Ruger bolt action '06, and a Model 88 in 284...both with scopes. My favorite .22 is my old Win 72. Having said that, I truly love my levers, and would never get rid of them.

[76/444]

Re,... OP,... the only advantage I find is my trigger finger finds the trigger more naturally (for me) with a lever gun.

I also find my lever gun much more comfortable at 200yds and less,... especially at less than 50yds, in heavy brush, when in bear country.

At 200yds plus,... I feel I can take my time and do feel more comfortable MAKING MY SHOT with my Mauser bolt ought6.

[TCB in TN]

I have always felt that for each job there was a proper tool. I hunted deer growing up with a bolt gun, even in to my late 20's, but before that my little marlin 39a golden mountie was my squirrel, rabbit, varmint gun. It points and shoots so natural that it is second nature. About the time I hit 30 I started shooting a lot more rim fire again. I noticed that I shot it a lot better (especially on snap or off hand shots) than any of my more expensive guns. Decided to get an old Marlin 30-30 to use when we drove thickets etc, and I have not looked back. I still feel that a good bolt gun has its place (although my .308 BLR can fill that role pretty well). But for most of the hunting and shooting I want to do a good lever gun will fit the bill.

As others have said I see a few advantages with the lever gun. My marlins can be topped off w/o opening the action, as can my BLR. IMHO the 336, win 94, and BLR are better balanced for carry, and are quicker handling than any bolt gun I have ever had. As for accuracy I have not see a bolt gun that was really more accurate when off hand shooting. Most of the bolt guns I had shined off the bench, but in the kind of hunting and shooting I do, there really isn't enough difference to notice. When you are leaning against an old pine for a rest, the lever gun just seems to perform as well. Further more I can accurately cycle and shoot a lever gun faster than I can a bolt. I have actually shot more center fire with bolts, but the time spent shooting the old 39 during my youth makes a lever more natural to me.