The lever motion rifle has an extended and storied historical past. Having its origins within the Volcanic pistol of 1854, the motion kind has turn out to be as a lot part of Americana – particularly the “Outdated West” – as has apple pie. Who doesn’t keep in mind John Wayne, atop his horse, twirl-cocking his Winchester as he scowls on the dangerous guys? Or, how about Chuck Connor’s well-liked late-’50s TV present “The Rifleman”? That opening footage below the credit, with him firing and emptying his journal tube as quick as he may work the lever obtained me (and a number of other thousand different children) hooked on the gun.
Initially chambered for pistol cartridges such because the .44-40, lever weapons later included many rifle calibers such because the venerable .30-30 and even the .45-70. I gained’t go into the historical past an excessive amount of, apart from to say that the Volcanic pistol that began all of it was launched by Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson … sound acquainted? The Volcanic Repeating Arms firm finally morphed into Smith & Wesson, which is the corporate that makes the gun now we have earlier than us immediately. Solely – this ain’t your grandpappy’s lever rifle! Outdated married new, and what a shooter they produced!
So What’s Totally different?
Let’s take a fast stroll down Lever Motion Lane. The standard lever-action rifles that have been (and nonetheless appear to be) so well-liked usually have these options:
Wooden inventory, normally walnut or beech
Buckhorn-type rear sight, marginally adjustable
Blued end on metallic. some completed higher than others
Chambered in pistol calibers or presumably .30-30
Winchesters make the most of high ejection – optics mounting is tough
That’s a brief listing. It isn’t meant to be condescending towards conventional lever actions. I’ve owned a number of of those and I like them. However, let’s see how this 1854 rifle stacks up within the above classes.
Inventory and Fore Finish: Black polymer. The climate can’t have an effect on it, nor can a briar patch.
Sights: Absolutely-Adjustable Rear and Brass Bead Entrance.
The rear sight adjusts by loosening two screws to regulate left-right and up-down. Plus, the rear sight has an outsized XS aperture that enables super-quick goal acquisition. I got here to understand it once I shot the rifle. I can see its utility within the deer woods. If these sights will not be ok for you, there’s a Picatinny rail atop the receiver, so mount no matter sight you need.
As for the following two factors, the blued metallic and caliber, the stainless end is clear and the rifle is chambered in .44 Magnum, an ideal woods cartridge (particularly out of a rifle).
Aspect Ejection: To handle the ultimate level, right here we see the motion open… on the aspect, a la Marlin and Henry.
Specs
Caliber: .44 Magnum
Weight: 6 lbs., 9 oz.
Width: 1.6 in
Size: 36 in
Capability: 9 + 1
Barrel: 410 SS, 19.25 in., threaded
Inventory: Polymer, fore-end additionally with three M-Lok slots
Sights: Entrance, gold bead; rear, XS giant aperture, adjustable, optics prepared
Security: Cross-bolt
Colour/End: Black/stainless-steel
Body: Chrome steel
Capturing The 1854
I gathered three forms of .44 ammo from my not-large provide of .44 ammo and headed to my yard vary. Right here’s what I introduced, with a little bit ballistic information I obtained from the usage of my Garmin Xero C1 Professional chronograph.
Load: Velocity, fps: Power, ft./lbs:
PMC Bronze 180-grain JHP 2,174 1,889
Hornady Leverevoltion 225-grain FTX 2,165 2,342
Fiocchi Vary Dynamics 240-grain JSP 1,478 1,164
Handload, 240-grain Lee TL SWC/10 grains Lengthy Shot 1,395 1,036
I used to be actually impressed with the rate and vitality readings for each the 180-grain and the 225-grain hundreds. I did a little bit of analysis and found that the 225-grain load is producing vitality virtually on par with what a .30-30 can do with a 170-grain bullet. The 180 wasn’t far behind. After wanting on the targets and vitality column, I consider I’d put money into a couple of bins of the 225-grain Leverevolution load. It was essentially the most correct and led within the vitality division.
Now, don’t get me fallacious, the .30-30 will do higher, every single day, at longer ranges because of the ballistic coefficient of its bullet trumping that of the .44’s bullets. However, on the across-the-holler ranges we usually discover right here in my little a part of the Hoosier State, fancy ballistic numbers don’t matter. A doe killed at 60 yards is just not going to know that the bullet that killed her is “ballistically challenged.” Heck, one deer I killed with the same cartridge, a .45 Colt handload I’d put collectively, went down at a tape-measured 104 yards. I used to be utilizing my 5.5-inch-barreled, open-sighted Ruger Blackhawk revolver. This was earlier than I owned a spread finder. If I’d recognized the gap, I’d have waited a bit extra for her to return in, however she didn’t look that distant.
My level is that the bullet that put her down wasn’t ballistically “elite.” It was considered one of my hard-cast 260-grain flat factors. However, as I stated above, she couldn’t inform the distinction. Even so, it’s nonetheless higher to place an efficient 180- or 225-grain JHP/JSP out of the barrel at round 2,000 fps. You will get speeds nipping on the heels of rifle velocities out of this 19.25-inch barrel with the fitting load.
One issue that helped with accuracy was the set off. Its break was crisp, with little or no take-up and minimal creep. It broke at just below 5 kilos. It actually helped with the teams. On the opposite aspect of the coin, that giant “O” on the rear sight was nice for fast goal acquisition however made precision taking pictures tough. I’m simply glad that the teams turned out as tight as they did!
Listed below are three consultant targets.
You’d be well-served in closer-range deer woods with any of those hundreds. I used to be particularly blown away by the handload’s efficiency. In case you discover one which works, you can also make as many as you need to apply and hunt with. This was with iron sights. I’m unsure how a lot an optic may enhance on that.
Ideas On The 1854
We’ve seen the way it shoots and what it seems like. However, why am I not going to ship this rifle again? It’s a keeper. Listed below are some ideas I had about it.
Weight
I do know what my digital scale says; I put the burden within the specs above. However, it simply doesn’t really feel that heavy. That’s one benefit lever motion rifles have. They steadiness properly in your hand when carried. Slim and slim work for me each time, although I’m not slim or slim, I like my rifles to be that means!
Accuracy
I’m not the perfect shot in our household, to make sure. Most of my sons and some daughters-in-law can outshoot me. My aged eyeballs are simply not the perfect with open sights. After I adjusted the rear sight up – it was taking pictures low, as I discussed – I used to be pleasantly shocked to see consecutive holes lower in or close to the middle of my home made targets. This was with all three hundreds … I used to be amazed. Although the gap wasn’t that far (I set targets at 25 yards in case the zero was off – I didn’t have that a lot .44 ammo), the gun carried out admirably. With minimal bullet drop at 50 yards, I will probably be good for no matter deer season brings since a lot of the deer I’ve harvested over time have been pretty shut in.
Capability
The journal tube holds 9, plus one within the chamber – that’s 10. Ten .44 Magnum cartridges equals a complete of 23,420 foot-pounds of vitality!
Massive Loop
The additional-large loop is nice in the event you’re sporting gloves. Let’s face it, a lot of the searching this rifle will take part in occurs when the climate is chilly, a minimum of round right here. Go forward and put your extreme-temperature-puffy-insulated gloves or taking pictures mittens on. You may nonetheless work the motion.
Modularity
Usually, you hear this “M” phrase about an AR. However I’m right here to let you know that this old style lever rifle additionally advantages from the power so as to add issues to it. You could have the Pic rail up high. Add no matter optic you need, be it a scope or pink dot. The included hammer extension means you’ll nonetheless be capable of cock the rifle with a scope mounted. These three M-Lok slots on the fore-end are an ideal place so as to add a lightweight or a laser. I’m unsure in regards to the laser when it comes to most searching situations, however I may see it for an up-close critter at the hours of darkness woods and even in residence protection use. Talking of modularity, you lose the M-Lok slots on the walnut-stocked model. That’s one other benefit of the polymer furnishings.
The Burris Quick Fireplace 4 is a superb companion for the 1854. This sight works on handguns or lengthy weapons and has 4 reticles and 4 ranges of brightness. It even features a climate protect for rain or snow. Not dangerous for round $400!
I’ve been round lengthy sufficient to recollect when lever rifles by Marlin, Winchester and others have been all the fad on Opening Day. In case you didn’t have a rifle in .30-30, you simply weren’t cool, dude. After all, that has modified a bit over time as states at the moment are permitting many different calibers and weapons for use within the deer woods. Indiana has modified its tune, as properly … on personal land, anyway. The purpose is that, until you reside in a jurisdiction that simply flat forbids its use, you can use a lever rifle to place venison in your freezer. I do know I will probably be doing that come subsequent November, and my rifle of selection will most certainly be this 1854 stoked with Hornady Leverevolution 225-grainers. I’ve killed a number of does with my S&W 629 revolver. I’d wish to see what including virtually 11 extra inches to the barrel will do. It must be an excellent factor … I can’t wait! In case you’re wanting so as to add a lever rifle to your gun cupboard, test it out. Even if you’re into polished blue and walnut, S&W has you lined … in addition they make one like that for $120 extra. So, no excuses!
The place To Purchase
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