Varmiont Rifle Selection

JESSEEAST · 07-20-2007, 09:18 AM

Hey, Guys & Gals

Im new to the forum, so please help me out. Im in need of a varmint rifle, and am considering a lever action in Stainless, 0.300 or larger.

Can someone tell me whats available new, and what I may be looking for in a used version?

Thanks, Jesse East

ArkansasHunter · 07-20-2007, 10:04 AM

HI JESSEEAST WELCOME to GUN and GAME were delighted you joined !
If your wanting to varmint hunt why would you choose a leveraction ?

The best leveraction for possible varmint and over all hunting would be the
new Marlin XLR 308 cailiber rifle.
If your not aware Hornady and Marlin have developed cartridges and rifles that have a little bit more edge in distance and accuratcy notetably
the 308 model.
Depending on what varmints you shoot, this cartridge would be your best choice for the leveraction rifle.
The Marlin XLR are better rifles due to them haveing Ballard rifleing, 24'' barrels and thier adorned with laminate stocks and stainless steel metal.
I had an opportunity to handle one of the 308 models and let me tell you it is a dandy !!! Feels good to hold and aim and looks really nice.
But they retail under 675 bucks. Also be mindful about the fact, if Marlins XLR models or a particular caliber does'nt sell, they will discontinue it like they did my .375 then ammo for it will skyrocket and be hard to find.

I hope other members will enlighten you about boltaction rifles if your gonna do some serious varmint hunting, so hang around and enjoy the site.
A.H

lefty o · 07-20-2007, 10:29 AM

leverguns, do not usually make the best varmint rifles. consider taking a hard look at a bolt action. if your truly wanting it for varmints think .223, 22-250,220swift.

ArkansasHunter · 07-20-2007, 08:25 PM

lefty I guess Jesseeast ain't com'in back or forgot the web address/

lefty o · 07-20-2007, 09:29 PM

like many, 1 post and gone.

JESSEEAST · 07-20-2007, 09:48 PM

Not gone yet------been looking at the gun lineup at Gander Mountain. They have hundreds!

I agree that a bolt action can be more accurate at long distances (>200yds), but most of my shots will be well under that----stray dogs, ground hogs, foxes, and an occasional deer (reason for the .300 caliber).

Browning BLR says their LA functions like a BA since they have a rack & pinion mechanism feeding the chamber. And, this is why one can order magnum chambered barrels in this model. I have seen several web sites that sell the 81 Stainless in a 243 chamber for about $700.

Any other comments?

Thanks for your help.

Jesse East

lefty o · 07-20-2007, 09:51 PM

wlecome back. the blr is a pretty good choice, and the .243 will accomplish what you want to do.

ArkansasHunter · 07-20-2007, 10:24 PM

I started to mention the BLR, but I reasoned he wasn't intersted in magnums or guns that shoot pointed bullets. You can shoot everything in a BLR because it's clip fed.
It's an excelent choice and it was on my list until I settled for a Ruger Hawkeye boltaction in 308...A.H

JESSEEAST · 07-21-2007, 12:17 AM

Im thinking real hard about the blr right now. Can anyone tell me the differences between the various types of rifleing that are presently being used? Micro, Ballard, Standard, etc...

Thanks, Jesse East

lefty o · 07-21-2007, 12:24 AM

i wouldnt worry too much about which type of rifling. when you buy a new rifle, you either get a good barrel or a turd. the method with wich it was produced has little to do with it.

wraco · 07-22-2007, 05:51 PM

Jesse: --- Have you considered looking for a good used rifle in 257 Roberts. The 257 is a necked down 7x57 and it'll lay them 117 gr bullets in there like you never seen before.

The 257 had fallen out of favor for awhile but has recently been enjoying a comeback. A box of ammo is a tad more than the 243 but readily available.

I've used the 257 rbs. for quite a spell now, in a pre-64 M70 Winchester, and it's an enjoyable cartridge to use.

Regards:
Rod

Triggerjerk · 07-22-2007, 06:32 PM

Hey now Jesseeast! Stray dogs? I hope you mean wild dogs. I hope that we're not shooting stray dogs, here.

mrmajestic · 07-22-2007, 09:34 PM

If you are looking for a used lever that will handle pointed bullets you might check out the Winchester Model 88, Sako Finnwolf, or the Savage Model 99. Sounds like the previously mentioned .243 Win. would be a great choice for caliber.

jerseyboy · 07-28-2007, 11:03 PM

Why The F_ _ _ Would You Should Stray Dogs. Think Twice About A Gun Purchase!!!!!!!

JESSEEAST · 07-29-2007, 04:44 PM

Hey---Bad choice of words. I would never shoot a stray dog, without cause.

Jesse East

Triggerjerk · 07-29-2007, 04:54 PM

Okay...

killer · 07-29-2007, 06:12 PM

I have the BLR in a 30-06 caliber and compared it with a .308 one day at the range. The 30-06 looks like Fort Knox compared to the .308, I was surprised just how beefy it was next to it.

The one complaint I have about the trigger detaching with the lever as you cock it is you must make sure you have the lever pulled up tight against the stock in order to engage the sear.

I'm right in the middle of putting a new peep on it (XS sight system).

07-20-2007, 09:18 AM	#1
JESSEEAST Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 4	Varmiont Rifle Selection Hey, Guys & Gals Im new to the forum, so please help me out. Im in need of a varmint rifle, and am considering a lever action in Stainless, 0.300 or larger. Can someone tell me whats available new, and what I may be looking for in a used version? Thanks, Jesse East

07-20-2007, 10:04 AM	#2
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 10,984	HI JESSEEAST WELCOME to GUN and GAME were delighted you joined ! If your wanting to varmint hunt why would you choose a leveraction ? The best leveraction for possible varmint and over all hunting would be the new Marlin XLR 308 cailiber rifle. If your not aware Hornady and Marlin have developed cartridges and rifles that have a little bit more edge in distance and accuratcy notetably the 308 model. Depending on what varmints you shoot, this cartridge would be your best choice for the leveraction rifle. The Marlin XLR are better rifles due to them haveing Ballard rifleing, 24'' barrels and thier adorned with laminate stocks and stainless steel metal. I had an opportunity to handle one of the 308 models and let me tell you it is a dandy !!! Feels good to hold and aim and looks really nice. But they retail under 675 bucks. Also be mindful about the fact, if Marlins XLR models or a particular caliber does'nt sell, they will discontinue it like they did my .375 then ammo for it will skyrocket and be hard to find. I hope other members will enlighten you about boltaction rifles if your gonna do some serious varmint hunting, so hang around and enjoy the site. A.H Last edited by ArkansasHunter; 07-20-2007 at 10:51 AM.

07-22-2007, 09:34 PM	#13
mrmajestic Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Lititz, PA Posts: 5	If you are looking for a used lever that will handle pointed bullets you might check out the Winchester Model 88, Sako Finnwolf, or the Savage Model 99. Sounds like the previously mentioned .243 Win. would be a great choice for caliber. Last edited by mrmajestic; 07-22-2007 at 09:53 PM. Reason: update information

07-29-2007, 04:54 PM	#16
Triggerjerk Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 978	Okay... __________________ We old dogs can learn new tricks. We just may not like performng them. TJ

07-29-2007, 06:12 PM	#17
killer Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: In the rat race Posts: 926 Images: 6	I have the BLR in a 30-06 caliber and compared it with a .308 one day at the range. The 30-06 looks like Fort Knox compared to the .308, I was surprised just how beefy it was next to it. The one complaint I have about the trigger detaching with the lever as you cock it is you must make sure you have the lever pulled up tight against the stock in order to engage the sear. I'm right in the middle of putting a new peep on it (XS sight system). __________________ "Yeee Hawww...I'm a cowboy on an iron horse." Killer's cabin: http://buckmountainchateau.com/ Last edited by killer; 07-29-2007 at 06:17 PM.

07-20-2007, 10:29 AM	#3
lefty o Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: mn Posts: 5,103	leverguns, do not usually make the best varmint rifles. consider taking a hard look at a bolt action. if your truly wanting it for varmints think .223, 22-250,220swift.

07-20-2007, 08:25 PM	#4
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 10,984	lefty I guess Jesseeast ain't com'in back or forgot the web address/

07-20-2007, 09:29 PM	#5
lefty o Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: mn Posts: 5,103	like many, 1 post and gone.

07-20-2007, 09:48 PM	#6
JESSEEAST Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 4	Not gone yet------been looking at the gun lineup at Gander Mountain. They have hundreds! I agree that a bolt action can be more accurate at long distances (>200yds), but most of my shots will be well under that----stray dogs, ground hogs, foxes, and an occasional deer (reason for the .300 caliber). Browning BLR says their LA functions like a BA since they have a rack & pinion mechanism feeding the chamber. And, this is why one can order magnum chambered barrels in this model. I have seen several web sites that sell the 81 Stainless in a 243 chamber for about $700. Any other comments? Thanks for your help. Jesse East

07-20-2007, 09:51 PM	#7
lefty o Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: mn Posts: 5,103	wlecome back. the blr is a pretty good choice, and the .243 will accomplish what you want to do.

07-20-2007, 10:24 PM	#8
ArkansasHunter Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 10,984	I started to mention the BLR, but I reasoned he wasn't intersted in magnums or guns that shoot pointed bullets. You can shoot everything in a BLR because it's clip fed. It's an excelent choice and it was on my list until I settled for a Ruger Hawkeye boltaction in 308...A.H

07-21-2007, 12:17 AM	#9
JESSEEAST Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 4	Im thinking real hard about the blr right now. Can anyone tell me the differences between the various types of rifleing that are presently being used? Micro, Ballard, Standard, etc... Thanks, Jesse East

07-21-2007, 12:24 AM	#10
lefty o Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: mn Posts: 5,103	i wouldnt worry too much about which type of rifling. when you buy a new rifle, you either get a good barrel or a turd. the method with wich it was produced has little to do with it.

07-22-2007, 05:51 PM	#11
wraco Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Vancouver Island Posts: 28	Jesse: --- Have you considered looking for a good used rifle in 257 Roberts. The 257 is a necked down 7x57 and it'll lay them 117 gr bullets in there like you never seen before. The 257 had fallen out of favor for awhile but has recently been enjoying a comeback. A box of ammo is a tad more than the 243 but readily available. I've used the 257 rbs. for quite a spell now, in a pre-64 M70 Winchester, and it's an enjoyable cartridge to use. Regards: Rod

07-22-2007, 06:32 PM	#12
Triggerjerk Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 978	Hey now Jesseeast! Stray dogs? I hope you mean wild dogs. I hope that we're not shooting stray dogs, here.

07-28-2007, 11:03 PM	#14
jerseyboy Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 9	Why The F_ _ _ Would You Should Stray Dogs. Think Twice About A Gun Purchase!!!!!!!

07-29-2007, 04:44 PM	#15
JESSEEAST Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 4	Hey---Bad choice of words. I would never shoot a stray dog, without cause. Jesse East