I haven’t seen many of the older guns of the calibers we are talking being shot out. I brought this up recently to someone else. Unless it’s 220 swift or 22-250 the older guns just didn’t get shot the way we shoot them today. Most of these gun sat in the corner until deer season and were sighted in then maybe one or two shots for a deer or two then cleaned and back in the corner until the next year. If you check the bore good you will be fine. Not sure about replacing the barrel. I’m sure it could be done if needed. Good gunsmiths can fix just about anything.
Ok, that’s good. I’m sure someone can fix it, but I didn’t know if it was one of those things where there’s a market for the parts, or just a “i hope they can still find the steel to make this” LOL.
That makes sense too. Up to this point, that is what my family has done (except they don’t hunt, so it was a once a month ammo burning trip).
I’m a proud antiquarian. I like old stuff, just because it’s old, and I love seeing it in use. That being said, I don’t know if I want to buy something old like that for this. I think this is THE project for that though, since even a shot up Mosin nagant can hit a deer at 2 or 300 yards LOL
I did a quick and they can replace the barrels. I also found where they say the 88 is generally more accurate. I love both of them. They are my favorite lever actions by far and I have a bunch. Marlin 1894’s are also up there as well. The side ejection was superior in my opinion. Not sure why they weren’t as popular. I have a brand new pre 64 Winchester 32 special unfired and in the original box. The Marlins are still my favorite of the traditional lever action guns. You could more readily mount optics on them. I have one in 44 magnum and I’m still looking for one in 41 magnum. They make great deer hunting rifles. All of them!
Thanks!
Would any of the traditional ones make it out to 300 yards? Or are they too weak by then?
Good to know they can replace the barrels. Now I just need to find one!
The traditional lever actions I have wouldn’t work at 300. 150 max for the pistol round ones. My 45-70 would be about 200 or a little more. These are up close and personal hunting rifles. It’s sort of like bow hunting with a rifle. Lol.
Ok, that’s what I expected.
I’m going to try to talk to a guy in MO I know. He should be able to point me in the right direction. I like the idea of the classic lever guns, but I’m worried I’ll miss an opportunity because I don’t have a powerful enough rifle.
If you go the Winchester 88 route or the Sako Finwolf. There will never be a deer that is within 400yards you can’t shoot. I forgot to tell you about the Finwolf. It’s an outstanding lever action. Probably one of the best ever produced. I will own one one day. They can be pricey but probably under your budget.
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I’m sure either would be great, but the Sako doesn’t have near as many options out there. And they are $1200 at the minimum, with $2200 to $2800 being the mean cost.
At that point, I’d absolutely get two different guns.
I may still end up with a classic lever gun. But I’ll have to figure out what the hunting environment is like before I really make a decision.
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I’m limited on what I can use for deer hunting here in Ohio. Used the 45-70 last year along with a 350 legend. I might actually try the 44 mag this year.
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I have the T3X Lite Veil Wideland in 6.5 CM, I know from your (Jim’s) review you questioned the difference in price for a painted stock, and Cerakote, but it does have a threaded barrel.
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Thanks, I’ll take a look at that.