Leaver Action 22lr recommendations

[LGMS441]

A bit of fun or practical in the field?
Just added 22lr onto my cert and I'm very interested in the leaver action rifles, particularly the Henry Repeating Arms Golden Boy.
However, I've never shot a leaver action so have very limited experience of how good they are in terms of accuracy, handling etc
What leaver actions do people recommend in 22lr and do you think ill be better off getting a standard bolt action? (For rabbiting/plinking mainly)
Feel free to post photos!

 

[tackb]

i might be able to help you with a nice one i am selling for a friend

 

[tackb]

 

[enfieldspares]

The gold standard at one time was the Marlin 39 and it always commanded a premium price. But nowadays the Ruger 96/22 has a following. If after rabbits there is not much, even still, that £ for £ is as accurate or as good value as a BRNO or CZ bolt action be that Model 2 or 452 or whatever. Avoid any BSA old bolt action as the magazines are like the proverbial hens' teeth.

 

[LGMS441]

The gold standard at one time was the Marlin 39 and it always commanded a premium price. But nowadays the Ruger 96/22 has a following. If after rabbits there is not much, even still, that £ for £ is as accurate or as good value as a BRNO or CZ bolt action be that Model 2 or 452 or whatever. Avoid any BSA old bolt action as the magazines are like the proverbial hens' teeth.

I do currently have a cz457 in 17hmr which is very accurate and effortless to shoot. I think I'm looking for something which may not be perfect but puts a smile on your face every time you get it out of the cabinet.
I considered one of the larger leaver action calibres like the 30-30 but with the lead ban on the horizon I'm not sure if the ammo will be as available.

 

[tackb]

I do currently have a cz457 in 17hmr which is very accurate and effortless to shoot. I think I'm looking for something which may not be perfect but puts a smile on your face every time you get it out of the cabinet.
I considered one of the larger leaver action calibres like the 30-30 but with the lead ban on the horizon I'm not sure if the ammo will be as available.

if you reload (which is not actually that hard) ammo will not be an issue

 

[paulst]

I have a Marlin 39D in 22lr which I have had for about 40 years. Shot many rabbits with it and love it. Mine has worn a small Burris 3-9 scope all the time I have had it. Shots up to 75 yards are easy enough. I know the holdovers to 100 yards but wouldn’t take these as a matter of course. Likely me that isn’t accurate enough not the rifle. It wouldn’t suit a larger scope. 15 shot tubular magazine. Easy to miss a lot of shots quickly if you get carried away. Only disadvantage of the tube magazine is that it is possible for a round to get left in there. Happened to me once, took the rifle out of the cabinet and cycled the action which loaded a round that had been stuck. Only once and it teaches you to be careful.

 

[enfieldspares]

I think I'm looking for something which may not be perfect but puts a smile on your face every time you get it out of the cabinet.

Said another, not me, "The only interesting rifles are ACCURATE rifles" and,

Says me, for "a smile on your face" get a modern Italian 70mm chambered side by side hammer gun that will take steel in the future.

 

[paulst]

I have a Marlin 39D in 22lr which I have had for about 40 years. Shot many rabbits with it and love it. Mine has worn a small Burris 3-9 scope all the time I have had it. Shots up to 75 yards are easy enough. I know the holdovers to 100 yards but wouldn’t take these as a matter of course. Likely me that isn’t accurate enough not the rifle. It wouldn’t suit a larger scope. 15 shot tubular magazine. Easy to miss a lot of shots quickly if you get carried away. Only disadvantage of the tube magazine is that it is possible for a round to get left in there. Happened to me once, took the rifle out of the cabinet and cycled the action which loaded a round that had been stuck. Only once and it teaches you to be careful.

As an addendum to this, I fitted a short moderator to mine. This takes a bit of ingenuity but can be done. I removed the foresight and installed a brass sleeve threaded to accept the moderator and internally tapered to slide over the barrel.

 

[LGMS441]

I have a Marlin 39D in 22lr which I have had for about 40 years. Shot many rabbits with it and love it. Mine has worn a small Burris 3-9 scope all the time I have had it. Shots up to 75 yards are easy enough. I know the holdovers to 100 yards but wouldn’t take these as a matter of course. Likely me that isn’t accurate enough not the rifle. It wouldn’t suit a larger scope. 15 shot tubular magazine. Easy to miss a lot of shots quickly if you get carried away. Only disadvantage of the tube magazine is that it is possible for a round to get left in there. Happened to me once, took the rifle out of the cabinet and cycled the action which loaded a round that had been stuck. Only once and it teaches you to be careful.

Cheers, I did wonder about bullets in the mag and keeping track of how many was put in and how many have been cycled. I guess it's one of those that you just need to keep track of and be extra careful of.

 

[castbullets.co.uk]

Cheers, I did wonder about bullets in the mag and keeping track of how many was put in and how many have been cycled. I guess it's one of those that you just need to keep track of and be extra careful of.

The accepted NRA standard for clearing a lever action rifle is to rack it multiple times - at least three cycles of the action after the last round has left the action, while of course keeping it pointing in a safe direction at all times.

You should, as a matter of course, clear the rifle before putting it away immediately after use, again before putting it into your safe when home and once again when taking it out of your safe. This way you're always as sure as you can be that your rifle is clear each and every time you handle it.

I have a few lever action rifles and shoot with them week in, week out and follow the above procedures without fail.

 

[KimE]

I do currently have a cz457 in 17hmr which is very accurate and effortless to shoot. I think I'm looking for something which may not be perfect but puts a smile on your face every time you get it out of the cabinet.
I considered one of the larger leaver action calibres like the 30-30 but with the lead ban on the horizon I'm not sure if the ammo will be as available.

You can cast you own lead bullets for 3030 and copper bullets do exist.

 

[Bavarianbrit]

You can cast you own lead bullets for 3030 and copper bullets do exist.

The op wanted a .22lr.

 

[tackb]

The op wanted a .22lr.

he also brought up the 30/30 post#5

 

[Bavarianbrit]

he also brought up the 30/30 post#5

Oh.

 

[West5575]

So as above the Marlin and Winchesters were the gold standard. Marlin doesn’t make them anymore and either will cost a pretty penny. If you are cool with spending some money look for a used one in either or those in great shape. You will be happy.

Chiappa and and Rossi both make levers. They are fine from what I hear but haven’t handled one.

Browning if you can find one makes a nice 22 lever. It’s more expensive but is considered closer to the Marlin/Winchester level. But as all things it is not as nice as a vintage 39 or 94/22.

I settled on Henry. In fact I just picked up a new one yesterday. $300. It is buttery smooth and has nice walnut. It feels like a very nice rifle. There are some that will down talk the Henry for using cast parts and alloy receiver case. But it’s a 22. It will outlast me and my kids. It functions flawlessly and definitely brings a smile to your face. Nothing about it feels cheap to me. They have lots or models but I didn’t see the point in spending twice as much for the same basic action. Notice the brass colored 22s are not actually brass but some sort of coating. I wouldn’t pay extra for that imo.

The classic H001 is my recommendation.

 

[LGMS441]

So as above the Marlin and Winchesters were the gold standard. Marlin doesn’t make them anymore and either will cost a pretty penny. If you are cool with spending some money look for a used one in either or those in great shape. You will be happy.

Chiappa and and Rossi both make levers. They are fine from what I hear but haven’t handled one.

Browning if you can find one makes a nice 22 lever. It’s more expensive but is considered closer to the Marlin/Winchester level. But as all things it is not as nice as a vintage 39 or 94/22.

I settled on Henry. In fact I just picked up a new one yesterday. $300. It is buttery smooth and has nice walnut. It feels like a very nice rifle. There are some that will down talk the Henry for using cast parts and alloy receiver case. But it’s a 22. It will outlast me and my kids. It functions flawlessly and definitely brings a smile to your face. Nothing about it feels cheap to me. They have lots or models but I didn’t see the point in spending twice as much for the same basic action. Notice the brass colored 22s are not actually brass but some sort of coating. I wouldn’t pay extra for that imo.

The classic H001 is my recommendation.

Cheers that's really helpful information. The Chiappa take-down models looked particularly interesting too.
Being 22 I would think second hand guns would still be very shootable unless they've been treated very badly so I'll keep an eye out.
Oh I didn't realise that about the brass finish being a coating, if ever it got scratched it would pretty disappointing!

 

[Bavarianbrit]

he also brought up the 30/30 post#5

Oh.
I have around 900 steel cased copper washed 30-30 cases I bought they are new but primed with berdans so a throw away after use.

 

[jammygunner]

Used to use a Marlin lever action 39A rifle, very reliable and never had any malfunctions would recommend.

 

[CreedSnore]

As said by many get a Marlin 39a, superbly made and accurate, my 1960 39a Mountie aways makes me smile. Can be actually be found for very little money too. Im sure I saw two in the rack at Gardners Guns the other day?