Looking at trying the smallbore lever class. I have been shooting a 10/22, but I want to try the lever, and a great excuse to buy another rifle.

SO if I was to buy a new rifle, I really like the Golden Boy or the Octagon Frontier model from Henry, or an old used Marlin M39a.

Which one is typically more accurate? They both run around $400-$500, but the Marlin has some collectablility that I would have to pay for. Also you hardly ever see a used Henry on the market, is it is because they are that good, I have only held two and shot one, it was a slick little rifle.

TIA WBC

One of the best shots I've ever seen used an old pump .22 for a national Championship. I have shot with a guy in Arkansas that shoots an old remington semi-auto and does VERY well. Find a good , legal, .22 you like and find what it likes to shoot. Put on some good sights, slick up the trigger and you'll be on the level with anyone.

Thanks, I am kinda partial to the lever guns. I know a guy at the last match was using a old Remington pump, he was really slaying them.

I'm partial to marlin lever guns, but I'm always looking for that old pump gun with good sights to play with. Jeanne had a Remington 572 that we spent money on trying to get it going and it was a waste of time. I've never encountered a Marlin 39 that wouldn't shoot pretty good. The targets are large. Lon Pennington used an old , beat up pump gun that I think his grandfather gave him....and he spanked a lot of good shooters with it. He told me once that the gun was made in 1906...and I asked him if he'd bought it new. He has a great sense of humor.

Henry Frontier hands down biggest bang for the buck. You give up a little barrel weight that you'd get with a 39a but the action is butter smooth and the one I bought for my son is BY FAR the most accurate lever gun I have played with. 1/2"ish at 40, 2"ish at 100 yards.... They are easy to sight, easy to get a good trigger.

39A are very hit and miss. I have had a few that shoot acceptable for this game but it's a crap shoot whether you get a good one or not.

WILD BILL

The results from the last several years at the Nationals show Marlin 39a the hands down favorite at Cowboy Silhouette...especially among those that win. Get any good , legal .22 you like, but take it from the winners, Marlin 39as rock. Come to Oklahoma City and shoot with us if you are ever in the area.

Thanks I might, I looked at a Henry the other day, and I was surprised how nice the action was and the trigger. I would rather buy a gun that shoots better than I can, then buy a cheaper one that I can upgrade later.

I am strictly speaking for myself here but when standing up swaying on the wind looking at your iron sights it's hard to find a gun that doesn't shoot better than I can......

Love my ancient 39A....

What about the BL-22 with the 24" barrel guys
I have one and it shoots like stink IMHO

Well, I found a 39a made in 1950, the stock and handgaurd have been replaced by someone with some beautiful wood, too bad they carved a Cougar in the side of the stock.

I will probably replace the stock one day, and I want to get a Marble tang sight.

Lf side

Oh Yea.....

I'd shoot it just like that... then if your hooked ad sights and fix pull and check weld if needed.

what manufacturer is the sight? It looks like a Lyman 56 or a Redfield. Either way you scored because you got a Ballard rifled barrel and a good receiver sight. Lyman 56 with target knobs sell for upwards $250

So, what years was it that has Ballard barrels?