Benjamin Tyler Henry can be credited with inventing the first lever-action rifle in 1860. The Henry, as it was known, was among the first repeating rifles, and it saw extensive use in the American Civil War and later at the Battle of the Little Bighorn, where its purported use by the Sioux helped lead to the destruction of the 7th Cavalry, who weren’t armed with such modern repeating rifles.
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The original lever-action rifles of the latter half of the 19th century were blackpowder cartridge firearms, and hence had large bores to match those early cartridges, but today’s powerhouse lever rifles offer bores that few would want to stare down. These big-bore rifles are often used to take down large game and more. In fact, the term “big bore” is believed to have come from Africa, where big-game hunters would carry these types of rifles because they were the only ones truly up to the task at hand.
Rossi R92
This Rossi lever action packs 10+1 rounds of hard-hitting .44 Magnum ammunition—more than enough to get the job done in a hurry. The R92 in .44 Magnum also weighs just 5.96 pounds unloaded. It is a reliable firearm with an attractive polished black oxide finish that can stand up to harsh elements, while its ultra-slick lever action means shooters won’t have to take their eyes off the target. All of this makes for a carbine that is ideal for brush hunting and trekking deep into the wilderness. (rossiusa.com)
Specifications
Caliber: .44 Magnum
Barrel: 20 inches
OA Length: 37.20 inches
Weight: 5.96 pounds (empty)
Stock: Wood
Sights: Drift adjustable front, adjustable buckhorn rear
Action: Lever
Finish: Polished black oxide
Capacity: 10+1
MSRP: $809.99
Winchester Model 94 Trail’s End Takedown
Oliver Winchester’s Model 1873 may have “won the West,” but he refined it with the Model 1894. Today this same model is a solid choice for big-game hunting, especially in brushier and tighter conditions where a bolt-action rifle simply won’t do. The Model 94 Trail’s End Takedown is available in .450 Marlin and offers a steel loading gate for smoother loading and an articulated cartridge stop that improves feeding. This lever action is drilled and tapped for scope mounts to let you make shots at long range as well. (winchesterguns.com)
Specifications
Caliber: .450 Marlin
Barrel: 20 inches
OA Length: 38 inches
Weight: 6 lbs. 12 oz. (empty)
Stock: Walnut
Sights: Front post, adjustable rear
Action: Lever
Finish: Brushed Polish
Capacity: 6+1
MSRP: $1,589.99
Marlin Model 1895 SBL
Here we have the first Ruger-made Marlin firearm and it’s probably the most eye-catching big-bore lever action on this list. The rifle features a 19.1-inch barrel with a threaded barrel that has a match-polished, factory-installed thread protector with an 11/16″-24 pattern to accommodate a muzzle brake or other barrel accessories. Picatinny rail provides a sturdy mounting surface for scope rings and the optics of your choice. (marlinfirearms.com)
Specifications
Caliber: .45-70 Government
Barrel: 19.1 inches
OA Length: 37.25 inches
Weight: 7.3 pounds (empty)
Stock: Gray Laminate
Sights: High Visibility Tritium Fiber Optic front, Adjustable Ghost Ring rear
Action: Lever
Finish: Polished Stainless
Capacity: 6+1
MSRP: $1,479.00
Cimarron Model 71 Hogzilla Killa
While no big-bore lever rifle will take down a mythical monster, the Cimarron Model 71 Hogzilla Killa might just be the one to give it a try. The Model 71 line is based on the Winchester Model 1886 and offers equal parts strength, reliability, and eye-catching beauty. The Hogzilla Killa sports a traditional pistol-grip stock, an adjustable semi-buckhorn rear sight, and a European walnut stock. It packs quite a big punch in a relatively small package. (cimarron-firearms.com)
Specifications
Caliber: .45-70 Government
Barrel: 19 inches
OA Length: 38.5 inches
Weight: 7.69 pounds (empty)
Stock: Walnut
Sights: Fiber-optic front, scope rail
Action: Lever
Finish: Blued
Capacity: 5+1
MSRP: $1,846.48
Big Horn Armory Model 90A
Big Horn Armory produces its Model 90A to chamber the .454 Casull with a 17-4 stainless steel barreled action that is properly hardened to deliver downrange performance year after year. The rifle is fitted with front and rear sling swivel mounts, a curved lever for easy operation with gloves, a rear aperture sight, a front post sight, and a pistol-grip stock with a 1-inch-thick buttpad to help absorb recoil. (bighornarmory.com)
Specifications
Caliber: .454 Casull
Barrel: 16, 18, or 22 inches
OA Length: 35, 37, or 41 inches
Weight: 8.6 pounds (empty)
Stock: Black Walnut
Sights: Front blade, aperture rear
Action: Lever
Finish: Color Case Hardened, Hunter Black Stainless Steel, or Matte Stainless Steel
Capacity: 6+1
MSRP: $4,899.00
Chiappa 1886 Kodiak
For those who don’t want basic gun metal with their lever-action rifle, the Chiappa 1886 Kodiak offers a fine mix of comfort and aesthetics. The stock and forend wood has “soft touch” paint with a layer of matte black rubber that provides a firm yet pleasant grip, while the rubber buttplate will help absorb the rifle’s .45-70 Government recoil. The receiver, bolt, lever, and barrel are protected from corrosion and rust—and even fingerprints—via a special hard chrome treatment that provides an opaque finish and will look good year after year of rugged use. (chiappafirearms.com)
Specifications
Caliber: .45-70 Government
Barrel: 18.5 inches
OA Length: 37 inches
Weight: 7.8 pounds (empty)
Stock: Rubber Coated Walnut
Sights: Skinner
Action: Lever
Finish: Matte chrome
Capacity: 4+1
MSRP: $2,099
Henry .45-70 Lever Action
Dubbed “the choice of big-game hunters,” Henry’s .45-70 Lever Action (Model H010) is capable of handling even the largest game in North America. It features a blued steel receiver with a round, 18.43-inch barrel and a tubular magazine with a four-round capacity. The pistol-grip stock and steel-capped forend are crafted from American walnut and cut with checkering for a sure grip to help shooters make every shot. A version with an octagonal barrel is also available. (henryrifles.com)
Specifications
Caliber: .45-70 Government
Barrel: 18.43 inches
OA Length: 37.5 inches
Weight: 7.08 pounds (empty)
Stock: Walnut
Sights: Bead front, adjustable semi-buckhorn with diamond insert rear
Action: Lever
Finish: Blued steel
Capacity: 4+1
MSRP: $1,057
Taylor’s 1892 Alaskan Take-Down Chrome
Should you answer the call of the wild, you may want to have the 1892 Alaskan Take-Down from Taylor’s & Co. Firearms at your side. It combines a traditional design with modern technology, and the result is a fast-handling lever action that is designed specifically for today’s hunters. While the version shown is a .44 Magnum with a 16-inch barrel, a 20-inch barrel is also available as well as a .357 Magnum version with a 16-inch barrel. (taylorsfirearms.com)
Specifications
Caliber: .44 Magnum, .357 Magnum
Barrel: 16 or 20 inches
OA Length: 34-38 inches
Weight: 5.95 pounds (empty)
Stock: Soft-touch wood
Sights: Dovetail fiber optic front, peep rear
Action: Lever
Finish: Matte chrome
Capacity: 7+1
MSRP: $1,740.88
Uberti’s 1866 Yellowboy Deluxe
Just one look at the classic Model 1866 is enough to know that you’re in the presence of the Yellowboy. Uberti updated this rifle to accommodate the needs of the modern shooter, which is why it is chambered in .45 Colt. The brass receiver welcomes engraving to make this rifle truly your own.
Specifications
Caliber: .45 Colt
Barrel: 20 inches
OA Length: 36 inches
Weight: 8.2 lbs.
Stock: Walnut
Sights: Bead front, folding rear
Action: Lever
Finish: Case-hardened
Capacity: 10+1
MSRP: $1,799
