Lever or bolt?
 

Ok I need your opinions. With all the crazy hoarding going on with AR's (and I have 3 plus the SCAR) but I'd like to add at least another rifle not semiauto. So, I'm interested in either a bolt action or lever action, probably in .308 but caliber isn't set.
I'm not a hunter, got burned out on that years ago so it's gonna be a range/HD rifle to add to the stash that fell overboard.
Whatcha think? Bolt or lever, caliber and why?
Thanks........

Lever, just cuz I like it, and don't own one. I just had the same dilemma a few months ago, and opted for a bolt action in 30-06. Why? Because I'm planning on taking up hunting again, and IMHO, the bolt will be a bit more accurate than a lever action. Just my opinion tho.... For a lever action, I was partial to the Marlins because they eject to the side, rather than upwards like the Winchesters. The bolt action is both range and field friendly, but a carbine length lever action in .357 magnum would work nicely for a home defense weapon. And it is fun to shoot at the range!

DaFadda

Ron, I would rather have a Bolt Action over a lever action are meant for Hunting or the Rifleman:

Here are two Bolt Action Scout Rifles Top one is Ruger and Bottom is Styr:

I would prefer the Ruger more ammo:


http://i547.photobucket.com/albums/h...ps5f53d8e1.png

Here is the Ruger Gunsite Scout Rifle web page:

http://www.ruger.com/products/gunsit...le/models.html


Clyde

Since you have mentioned the .308 caliber, I would go for the bolt action. Everyone needs a good sniper rifle. Levers are fun guns, but I still prefer the bolt for serious shooting.

Me too. What he said ^^^

Tom

you are all wrong!

















belt fed!!!!:insane::insane:

That's hard to argue with. Other than belt fed I would go with a bolt.

The reason I was thinking .308 is that my SCAR shoots that now. I also have a 300BLK and a 5.56/.223 so I'd like to stay with those calibers rather than have to stock another caliber. .308 is easier to obtain than 300BLK but normally 223/5.56 is easy to find........normally!

from a tactical/survival/HD standpoint i would have to agree with Clyde some type of Scout Rifle in 308cal with good peep sights and a scope would be the way to go, or if you want a sniper rifle some type of Varmint rifle in 308cal with a good scope would be the way to go.

however if you have a good sixgun in say 357mag, 44mag, or 45 colt you could have one of the marlin lever action's in the same caliber which would mean you would only have to carry one kind of ammo.

Good thinking in my view, and exactly my thinking when I was planning my rifle purchases. Plus I wanted to reduce the kinds of reloading supplies I needed to keep on hand.

I've never been unhappy with the decision. But I'm a shooter, not a collector. You too?

Tom

Yes, although I do tend to acquire different guns rifles, like a Coonan, a USP, the SCAR, the SBR & a few others that shall go unnamed. I share with my bro and friends and we'll go together to an unnamed range that may or may not exist.
I just thought that it would be nice to add a rifle to the mix since I only have semiauto's now. So, yes I'm a shooter and a collector in a way.

Mainly personal preference in what YOU want. I have several bolt actions in 22 Hornet, 300 WinMag, 300 WSM, 375 H&H, 270, 416 Rigby, 7-08 and 6.8 SPC. I also like my lever actions, a 92 in 44-40 and for real hunting, a BLR in 270 and 308. both high power and flat shooting with decent accuracy (~1 1/2" groups @100 yds). A lever in a pistol caliber is a fun thing and short range hunting with terrible trajectory in 100+ distances.

Have 2 AR15 uppers in 5.56 and 4 in 6.8 SPC plus an AR10. Understand your quandary as I cannot decide what I NEED next.

Oh, what I'd like is another SBR with the fun switch on it, but that ain't happening !!:eek:

Can you even get a lever action 308? I agree in keeping down to as few calibers as you can. I am not that familiar with levers but I think they are usually flat point bullets.

No 308 lever actions that I know of. Specifically because the 308 is a military bullet, all FMJ or JHP as you point out.

Now a 45-70 or a 45-90 might be fun ;)

Tom

I can vouch for the Styer Scout. Light weight, accurate(one rated hole at 200 yards, hammer forged barrels, not cheap, but outstanding firearm. 223,308, and 376 Styer.

Yes, lever actions in 308 that will take normal hunting boolits. In current production is the Browning Lever Action (BLR) that uses a magazine thus ability to use pointy boolits. In discontinued but available used is the Winchester 88 and 100. Think there were other discontinued models. I have both 270 and 308 in the BLR.

Okay, in my normal 'swim uphill fashion' I'm going to recommend a 308 levergun! Specifically(If you can find one), a Winchester Model 88 in 308. Barring that, either a Savage 99 or a BLR in 308. At the normal ranges you'd use a 308 for hunting, you'll give up nothing to a Boltgun.

Sorry, a rifle that shoots 1-1/2" groups at 200 yards means little when the Bullseye is the size of a 9-1/2" pieplate(The size of the killzone on a Whitetail)!

My first wifes' father had a brace of Winchester 308s, a Model 88 and a Model 100(Semi-Auto),both would group inside of 4" at 300 yards.

Doesn't matter if it's a 1-1/2" group or a 4" group inside that pieplate, dead is dead.

Good point Dave! Lots more options than I first thought about. That Styer is one sweet looking gun.
Would you say that the 308 would be the better all-around bullet in a bolt or lever? I sure like those in the SCAR along with 7.62 and I've been saving my brass although dont have dies to reload yet

I can't believe Dave, would choose a 308 over a 30-06. Mark this day on your calendar.:eek:

I like leavers too I have one and its fun to shoot. I am old fashion though...

My answer isn't going to make me any fans here, but when I can't make up my mind between two types of firearms I want I usually just get both. :D

Oh no. I'm a fan of that attitude, at least when I can afford it!

Tom

Oh that's usually my problem and at some point I could get both. Been reading up on the Styer Scout that Clyde showed. Interesting in .308......