Decided to get a lever action, lets start a conversation

[ATC-Eric]

Ive decided to get myself something for Christmas, Ive been good so its time for a new toy. Im looking at lever action rifles for the time being. I work at Dicks Sporting Goods right now, so the rifle I purchase needs to be availible through them for me to get my discount. I should also tell you all I really will ever do with the rifle is screw around. I may take it hunting, depending on what I get, and if I ever go hunting. For the most part it will only ever be a play gun. I understand price will come into play when it comes to just taking it to the range, or cruising throught the brush, that wont bother me to much. I will be getting into reloading in the near future, so I can cut my costs down across the board.

If I can get one, this is on the top of my list:

A Henry Big Boy 44 Cal.

http://www.henryrepeating.com/rifle-big-boy.cfm

If that doesnt work, Im thinking that something like this 1895 Cowboy by Marlin chambered in a 44, 45LC, or 357 just like the Big Boy:

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firear...894_45Colt.asp

I've also considered going with something I really dont need, that would cost around a buck and a half per trigger pull, the 45-70:

http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firear...1895Cowboy.asp

I like the idea of the 45-70, big power, got a 26" barrel, just a bad to the bone machine.

So what do you people out there think? Pros and cons to different calibers? Any other suggestions now that you know what sort of gun Im in the market for? Im decently knowledgable when it comes to firearms, just asking this here to get a fun conversation started.

[hoosierlogger]

Those Henry rifles sure are a work of art.

[ATC-Eric]

EVERYONE Ive talked to that owns any Henry tells me its the nicest smoothest action lever there is. If I get that Big Boy, I highly doubt Ill be disapointed.

[hoosierlogger]

Plus the Walnut that they use to make the stocks on them comes from MO.

[JasonB]

lol sorry I 'persuaded' you to go with a real gun over the 22 and sorry for not texting you back earlier I have been super busy today.

I really like the Big Boy by Henry, that thing is purdy. I REALLY want to pick up a Judge but cant figure out what toys I would have to sell to come up with some money for that. I still need to shoot yours

[chuckiedog04]

i have an original stevens favorite, single shot lever action .22. my grandfather gave it to me. i know your talking about a new one. i know that henry has very nice .22s. though i have never shot a larger caliber henry.

[ATC-Eric]

Every review I can find about the big boy is good. Nothing but flying colors for it. Retail through Dicks is 699.99, if I cant get a little more off that I will have to walk away. I can get the 45-70 for 400 and change......


And Jason, Im still buying a little 22, just going to make the bigger purchase right now.

[RIDE-RED 250r]

The Henry's are wonderful rifles no doubt... But don't count the Winchester 1886, .45-70 out. Downside is they will run about twice as much cost-wise.

I'm a bit of a gun nut as well. I'll be bringing home a S@W M19-3, 4" in a couple of weeks and just ordered a S@W 1911 E-Series Stainless, Tactical...

[atc007]

The Henry's are wonderful rifles no doubt... But don't count the Winchester 1886, .45-70 out. Downside is they will run about twice as much cost-wise.

I'm a bit of a gun nut as well. I'll be bringing home a S@W M19-3, 4" in a couple of weeks and just ordered a S@W 1911 E-Series Stainless, Tactical...

I think you're a stockholder over there at S & W : )

[atc007]

My.02.. Is it REALLY ,, FUN,,having a 45 70 smashing your shoulder back?? I don't think so ! Get something much smaller that you can reload reasonably,,and SHOOT,,and have FUN.. Not just dread because you got the biggest dam thing they have. I see no shame in a smaller rifle you can actually be deadly accurate with... My 2 pennies.

[Swinger]

I was never really a big gun enthusiest but have wanted a Henry for a long time. Ive always done my hunting with my bow. Ever since I met my wife she has had horses and I thought it would be great to have a Henry rifle so when we go for a ride through the woods I could take it and pretend Im the Duke! Ha ha, sorry just figured I let you know that I think those are sweet guns IMO.

[brapp]

i completly agree woth atc007 i have a thompson center 4570 single shot i use in bear season only and its nowhere near as much fun as my winchester 94ae chamberewd in 30-30 great gun to shoot and have droped alot of deer and coyotes with it. but save ytioyself soemn money and finbd a good used big bore and still buy the 22 to plink with.

[brapp]

and another personal oppinion i live ther way the stainless marlins and rugers look with the laminate stocks.

[ATC-Eric]

I agree with you guys on the big bore pains. Ive just always been drawn to the firearms that you shoot on a dare. I have considered a 30-30, dont know if I would prefer that or a 44. Both will cost about the same to shoot.............

And yeah Josh I agree. LOVE stainless, but would be completely okay with a brass accented rifle as well

[RIDE-RED 250r]

I think you're a stockholder over there at S & W : )

Yes, yes... I definitely have an infatuation of sorts with S@W handguns..... That and trikes! Both can get me in trouble with the Mrs. from time to time..


Something else to ad to the original topic...

Hornady has the Lever Revolution ammo out for popular lever gun cartidges. IE 30-30, 44mag, 32spl, 357mag and maybe a couple others. They basically put a plastic conical tip to the projectile giving the much better accuracy out to and even beyond 100 yds than the old flat nosed rounds of yesteryear. The orginal flat nose rounds were made that way to prevent accidental discharge of rounds in the magazine tube. Can't have a hard, pointy bullet nose under spring pressure, butted up against the primer of the round in front of it!

I can understand the allure of the .45-70. I have shot quite a few powerful long guns and handguns over the years up to and including a .50BMG, single shot sniper rifle, S@W 500, 454 Casul, .300 Win Mag/Wby Mag, etc. The thing to remember though, is that the lever guns are inherently lightweight rifles. A .45-70 is gonna punch you in the shoulder pretty sharply. But as with shooting everything from full house magnum handguns to a .50BMG, proper stance, grip/shouldering and control go a long way in lessening felt recoil.