Leverage with a Lever Action

When I first started hunting, I wanted to do something a lot of folks were afraid of doing: Hunt with an AR style rifle. I had very rarely seen AR’s used to take big game, and I wanted to break the stigma that “military style rifles” didn’t make good deer rifles. A lot of older hunters told me that “evil black rifles” were “machine guns” that didn’t belong in the woods. But, this was the rifle I was familiar with, the gun I taught people how to use for self and home defense, the gun I carried in my truck…why wouldn’t I want to use it? I knew it inside and out. I laughed at the notion of other hunters scoffing at “assault rifles” being used to hunt deer…after all…every muzzle loader used during black powder season is a derivative of the Kentucky Long Rifle…the original “assault rifle”…so why not use an AR? Firearms evolved with the times, so why shouldn’t we as hunters?

As the years went by, I successfully and ethically harvested deer, bear and wild hogs with AR style rifles in .223, .300 Black Out and .308. In 2018, I wanted to use a Pistol Caliber Carbine (PCC) in 10mm to shoot a bear. The issue with that, was finding a reliable platform that I could trust, if I had to get closer than I wanted with a bear. Since I couldn’t find something I felt reliable enough, but wanted to use a PCC, I switched gears, and picked up a Henry Big Boy Carbine in .357 Magnum.

I was familiar with lever guns, as a Marlin 30/30 was the second rifle I’d ever owned, but had long since sold. Taking the Henry to the range for the first time, was like taking a step back in time. It brought me back to being 18, and remembering how excited I was to shoot a lever action for the first time. A buttery smooth action, sleek lines, and dead on accuracy at 50 yards…yep…this was rekindling the flame of the love affair I had with cowboy guns.

After I harvested a trophy black bear with my Big Boy Carbine, I knew I was hooked. Carrying that rifle through the woods was a breeze. It was light and handy, pointed naturally, and came up on target quick. I went home and started doing research on other lever actions, and went to a local shop to play with a bunch, determined to harvest more game next season with them.

The lever action rifle is iconic. It’s nostalgic. It’s the gun that won the west. The first repeating rifle. It’s a timeless design that has deep roots in American History and tradition. Wanting to keep that tradition, I picked up another Henry rifle. This time, The All Weather in 45/70…an absolute cannon of a gun. Henry has been making rifles since 1860, and with the fit and finish, attention to detail, smoothness of operation, it’s no wonder why they’ve stood the test of time. With the addition of their “Cowboy Carbine” line of side loading rifles, as well as the tube fed guns, it doesn’t make sense to own at least one Henry Rifle.

After reacquainting myself with the lever gun, I realized just how beneficial it is to hunt with them. First, as I stated before, they’re light and handy. Second, even though it’s a “repeating” rifle, they don’t fall under semi auto bans that some states have when it comes to hunting restrictions (ie Pennsylvania). And trust me, if you practice, you can crank shots off with a lever gun just as fast as a semi auto. Third, they don’t fall under the ammo restrictions that most states have. The majority of states limit you to five rounds in a magazine, but because lever actions are tube fed, they escape these restrictions. Next, they’re guns that are easily transported across state lines, for states with restrictions on certain types of rifles, as well as into Canada. I took my two Henry lever actions to Canada this past Spring, and will be doing so again in the fall, without issue. Finally, in terms of follow up shots, if need be, you can work the action on the gun, without taking your head off the stock, and off target, unlike a bolt action. Another, less important reason, and not viable for everyone, if you thread the barrel, they sound AWESOME suppressed.

I’m glad I made the switch to hunting with a lever gun. I can see myself hunting with lever actions for years to come. Just carrying the gun in the woods, brings back childhood visions of pictures of early pioneers on horseback, exploring the newly settled lands, memories of watching the Duke, and the Outlaw Josie Wales with my dad, playing cowboys and Indians, and of course shooting a Red Ryder BB Gun. There’s not much NOT to like about a lever gun. They come in just about every viable hunting caliber. Pistol caliber, rifle caliber, good for plinking, and getting others into the shooting sports, and just overall fun. Companies are even now making “modern” add-ons for the guns to include rails for lights and sights, sling mounts, and carrying extra ammo, making them a practical home defense rifle as well, especially in states with semi auto rifle restrictions. If you don’t own a lever action rifle yet, you’re missing out. I can’t wait to get mine back in the woods and post pictures of my success with these classic rifles.