Lever action problems

[jpuke]

When people say that lever actions, because they shoot blunt bullets are primarily short range rifles, what exactly is the problem?  Are they short range because they don't have enough power to kill at longer ranges or is it the curved trajectory that makes longer shots difficult.  I'm talking primarily about 30-30, 35 Rem ballistics.

[John Traveler]

There are several reasons why lever action rifles are limited to relatively short-range shots:

Lever action rifles (tubular magazines) typically chamber modest performance rounds (.30-30, 32 Winchester Special, .35 Remington, etc).

The tubular magazines prevent use of pointed, more streamlined bullets.  Additionally, the round nose and flat-noseed bullets intended for these calibers typically have thinner jackets for expansion at reduced velocities.

The relatively arched trajectory, and iffy bullet performance at longer ranges makes these rifles short-range jobs.

HTH
John

[John Y Cannuck]

John is right, but on the other hand, most game is shot well within reach of most lever guns.

[Oldtimer]

While I admit that lever actions are not tackdrivers, it is because of the entire package being designed for hunting, not target shooting.  Further, I would add that the lever action was designed for large game.  For fun, offer to shoot offhand against a friend with one of the supershort supermagnums in a lightweight rifle, like the Remington Model 7.  If he has a multipower scope, the odds will be even more in your favor.  I once had a customer shoot a Model 1873 Springfield against another customer's Winchester model 70 in .270, with a scope.  I had loaded for both guns and knew that both loads were accurate.  After the seventh shot at an oil can at 75 yards, the Winchester shooter got mad and left.  The Springfield had made about 5 hits, and threw dirt on the can with the other two shots.  The Model 70, offhand, could not hold a candle to the old gun.  Now, for a final shot, it is not hard to get a lever action to shoot 3 inches at 50 yards, but a  bolt action that will shoot into an inch at one hundred yards,  will not shoot 3 inches at 300 yards.  It is, therefore, easier to shoot game humanely with a lever action at 50 yards, than with a scoped bolt action at 300 yards. Differences in range estimation, wind, etc., will cause the groups to open up so that it will be unlikely for a shooter shooting at 300 yards will collect game, even with all the bells and whistles, than a lever action shooter at fifty yards.
Anyway, don't feel like you are at a disadvantage hunting with a lever action.  Any gun, after all, is just a tool.  Your hunting success with depend on your skill, no matter what weapon you happen to use.

[Siskiyou]

By today's standard the Model 94 and the Model 336 are short range rifles.  But compared to the rounds around in the late 1890's they were a very good medium to long range rifles.

Back in the early 1950's dad had a M64 Winchester in 32 Special with a Lyman tang site.  This was an improvement over the factory issue buckhorn sights. I can still remember a lot of bucks being brought into be wieghted for the "Big Buck" contest that had been taken with lever action rifles.  A number of those rifles had octagon barrels.  

When my scope sighted 30-30 Marlin was new it liked Federal factory ammo.  Today it would rather be fed Remington CorLocks.  Because of the accuracy of the Remington factory ammo in this scoped rifle I consider it a 200 yard rifle on a standing deer.  Frankly I leave it at home on days when I expect a 200 yard shot.  But it is a handy heavy cover rifle.  I also appricate it's light wieght.