Lever action rifle with modern performance cartridges?

[Prettybird]

Hi all,

As above, I'm interested in a lever action rifle but ideally want something with modern performance cartridges.

Something suitable varminting, maybe small game for the future.

Seems everyone's keen on the pistol or 'classic' calibres like 45-70, .357, .44 and so on for their cowboy shoots which is fair enough but not something I'm really into. I'd like something in a modern cartridge...

I already have a .223, would be awesome if I could match rounds with that and not have to handle 2 loads of ammo.

Suggestions?

[jordy]

A second hand Winchester Model 88 or the newer Model 95?

Might be going in the wrong direction for you for calibre though... They're chambered in .303, .308, 30-06 and other calibres in that neighbourhood from memory. Nothing as small as a .223 I don't think so will be overkill for varmints, but good for game if you go down that road.

[Herdsman]

Don't forget, part of the reason for calibre choices are the tubular magazine.

Need to have suitably flat tipped bullets so that primers aren't fired in the tube by the bullet behind it.

A chain of match tip hollow points lined up tip-to-primer = bad.

Ergo, cartridges like the .357 etc. are popular.

[Vati]

Isn't someone making soft ballistic tip cartridges or something like that for tubular magazine these days?

I mean actual soft rubber or something similar, not lead "soft points".

[Atter]

Isn't someone making soft ballistic tip cartridges or something like that for tubular magazine these days?

I mean actual soft rubber or something similar, not lead "soft points".

Hornady LEVERevolution - http://www.hornady.com/store/leverevolution

[Atter]

There are options with box magazines too so you can avoid the tube magazine drama.

Winchester 1895, Browning BLR, Ruger 96... All box magazines with 3-4 shots depending on the calibre.

Browning BLR comes in everything from .223 to .325 Winchester Short Magnum. Definitely find a calibre in between those that you like...

[Grated]

Browning BLR comes in everything from .223 to .325 Winchester Short Magnum. Definitely find a calibre in between those that you like...

I was looking at the BLR's today as it happens.

Trying to decide between a takedown model in .308 or regular in 7mm-08.

What to do, what to do...

Also had a play with a Winchester 88. Didn't really like it compared to the BLR which felt much better built...

[VICHunter]

Browning claim the accuracy of the take down and 1 piece models are the same.

Might as well get the take down if that's truly the case.

[Granting]

Scope alignment can be and issue with the take downs though if I recall correctly? Vaguely remember reading something about it a while ago?

[VICHunter]

Scope alignment can be and issue with the take downs though if I recall correctly? Vaguely remember reading something about it a while ago?

If you're using the iron sights which are on the front half of the rifle no. If you had a scope mounted on top of the action (back half of the rifle) maybe.

If you're using a 20" lever action though, chances are you're hunting in scrub and/or 50m - 100m ranges and aren't going to need pinpoint accuracy.

They're not F-Class rifles obviously

[Monty]

If you're using a 20" lever action though, chances are you're hunting in scrub and/or 50m - 100m ranges and aren't going to need pinpoint accuracy.

They're not F-Class rifles obviously

That's probably fair enough.

Still, there are a few people I've seen shooting iron sight levers at 300m which put me to shame with my bolt action