[FA18CUB]

I was curios what you all thought the strongest action was. Win. 1186, Win. '95, Win. 1895, Marlin 1895? Did I forget any? Win. 64, 71, 88? Savage 99.

 

[FA18CUB]

I intended to write Win. 1886 and 94s.

 

[Marshall Stanton]

This topic was moved to the Leverguns forum.

Thanks,

Marshall

 

[MikeG]

Win 88 and BLR, have real 'bolts' that lock up just like a bolt gun, chambered in .308Win and such.  But some folks might not consider these 'real' leverguns.

Savage 99 - .308 Win, etc.

Win 1895, .270, .30-06, etc.  50,000CUP class but a rear-lockup so you might get a little case stretch.

Win "Big Bore" - look at the .307 & .356 cartridge specs, these are pretty hot also.

I would put the modern 1886 next, with good steel it is pretty stout.  Heck it was handling 40,000CUP loads a century ago.

Marlin 'modern' 1895 (ie Guide Gun).  While it is pretty strong, I think if you look at the lockup on the 1886, with equivalent steel, the 86 has more area on the locking lugs.

Then you get the rest.... 'standard' Win 94, Marlin 336, etc.

Actually if you think about all the lever guns and cartridges that have been out over the years, there are some really potent combinations, and the lever guns should not be classified as 'weak' in general.

Just my opinions...

 

[jackfish]

Winchester 1886
Winchester 1892 (PUMA M92)

 

[alyeska338]

I would think that the BLR (chambered for 7mm Magnum and 300 win mag) is probably the strongest design.  The M71 I'm sure is pretty stout also.

 

[mike]

While BLRs amd Win. 88s are true lever action rifles I don't think that are in the category of leverguns as we all know them. The modern 86 and even some prewar 1886s and 71s are in a category by themselves. I know that I've run some major heavy loads through some of my old 1886 Winchesters without any sort of obvious signs of overpressure. I don't believe that any of them were over 40K CUP,though. I only shoot the real bad stuff through my 86EL, and not too often either. The recoil is a bit much, what with a steel bp and all. I just loaded a batch of 300 LBTs over 28/2400. These should be good target loads at 100 yds. I use  26/2400 with a 225SP(.375) in my 38-56, again for 100 yarders. It's all fun. Just my two cents worth, anyhow. Y'all take 'er easy. Mike

 

[FA18CUB]

Mike is that one of last years Win. 1886 EL? What does it weigh? I put one on the scale today, 8 1/4lbs. Seemed kind of heavy for an "extra light".