Lever-action rifles are a staple of American life. Not only are they fun to use, but they’re often necessary for keeping animals off your property or for hunting with your friends. Versatile, powerful, and accessible, lever-action rifles represent a core part of country life and self-reliance.
But finding the best lever-action rifle for your needs might be tricky, particularly if you’re searching for your first firearm. Where’s the best place to look?
This guide, of course. We’ve compiled a list of the best lever-action rifles across a number of different types and designs. All major lever-action rifle calibers are represented in our selection, as well.
While some are more expensive than others, each rifle on our list is perfectly suitable for both hunting expeditions and target practice sessions alike. We’ve even got a few budget lever-action rifles if you need something effective but affordable.
Ready to get started? Let’s go!
17 Best Lever-Action Rifles
This rifle has the power and ease-of-use necessary for hunters chasing after big game.
Key Features
- Takes 45-70 Government cartridges
- 22” barrel length
- Blue finish
- 4+1 capacity
- Accepts Weaver scope mounts
- Has sling attachment studs
This rifle utilizes the famously hard-hitting .45-70 cartridges many hunters know and love. This extra power allows the rifle to be used for taking down larger North American game without trouble, although all of that power comes with a ton of recoil.
The rifle boasts a large loop lever that allows you to engage the lever-action smoothly and easily. The rear sight can be adjusted so you can fine-tune your accuracy with a fixed front sight. For even more accuracy improvement, feel free to attach a Weaver-style mount with the slides already included on the weapon.
Finally, this rifle is noteworthy thanks to its classic American Walnut stock. It’s both a beautiful color and long-lasting material.
Pros
- Adjustable rear sight, fixed front sight
- Large loop on the lever
- Very accurate and lots of power
Cons
- Hard recoil
The accuracy, accessibility, and power of this rifle are excellent for those who can control the tough kick of the firearm.
2. Henry Repeating Arms Lever-action Youth
This rifle is easy to use, fun to shoot, and won’t make your shoulder ache after a day at the range.
Key Features
- 22 Long Rifle cartridges
- 12+1 capacity
- 16.125” barrel length
- 33” overall length
- Blue finish
This rifle is both affordable and practical for novice hunters and shooting enthusiasts alike. It uses the common and recoil-light 22 long rifle round; in fact, this is one of the best lever-action 22 rifles you can find on any market.
It has a well-built Walnut stock and steep parts with a blue finish. The adjustable rear sight is a welcome addition, as is the smooth lever-action motion that’ll let you feed new rounds into the firing chamber with lightning speed. It’s also one of the lightest lever-action rifles around, measuring in at only 4.5 pounds.
While this rifle already has a grooved receiver that is perfect for adding on your own scope, the shorter length of the barrel will lessen your accuracy somewhat. That said, this is still an amazing rifle for short to medium range hunting at distances of 120 yards or less.
Pros
- Very light weight
- Smooth lever-action
- Receiver is already well-grooved for scope mounting
Cons
- Low barrel length stifles accuracy at range
This is the best lever-action rifle for money due to its overall practicality for many types of hunter and affordability, and it’s particularly good for young shooters learning the ropes.
3. Henry Repeating Arms Carbine Model Lever-action
This rifle has a lot to like and an affordable price tag, so it’s accessible to both hobbyists and serious hunters alike.
Key Features
- 22LR cartridges
- 12+1 capacity
- 16.125”barrel length
- 34” overall length
- Blue finish
This rifle shares many similarities with the last reviewed 22LR rifle. It also uses 22 Long Rifle cartridges that are suitable for shooting up to about 120 yards and has a rear adjustable site that can let you improve your accuracy at a distance.
The American Walnut stock is comfortable and well -sized for an adult shoulder. The recoil on the rifle is already minimal enough that soreness from repeated firearm use should be minimal.
While this rifle suffers from the same barrel length issues as the previous pick, it’s a better size for adult users and has a larger lever-action loop to reflect the larger sizes of mature hands. The lever-action is still just as smooth and snappy, however, so you can take advantage of the high capacity magazine.
Pros
- Larger lever-action loop
- Good sights
- Comfortable to use
Cons
- Short barrel length minimizes accuracy
This rifle is perfect for adults that would like a versatile and affordable lever-action rifle with an easy to use loop.
4. Henry Repeating Arms Standard Lever
This is one of the best lever action rifle caliber 22 rifles, as it’s accurate and easy to use as well as comfortable for beginners and hunting enthusiasts.
Key Features
- 22LR cartridges
- 15+1 capacity
- 18.25” barrel length
- 36.5” overall length
- Blue finish
This rifle follows the trend of 22 lever-action rifles being easy to use and accessible to all. The rifle doesn’t have to deal with a lot of recoil, but the American Walnut stock is comfortable to use anyway. The rear adjustable sights are snappy and well constructed for frequent tuning.
The lever-action loop is snappy and crisp each time you use it, although it’s a little small for adult hands and will take some getting used to. The blue finish on the loop and the other metal parts of the firearm is excellent and boosts the overall value of the gun.
Finally, this rifle is significantly more affordable than many competing lever-action rifles, so it’s great for budget hunters.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Light weight
- Snappy lever-action
Cons
- Lever loop is small
This rifle is an excellent pick if your budget is tight.
5. Henry Repeating Arms STD Lever Small Game Carbine
This rifle has many excellent design features tailored to help you hit small targets that move quickly through the brush.
Key Features
- 22LR cartridges
- 15+1 capacity and
- 16.25” barrel length
- 36.5” overall length
- Blue finish
This rifle uses the effective 22 LR cartridges to help you effectively hunt down small game. Everything about the rifle is built for this purpose, from the high-capacity magazine to the snappy lever-action motion to let you reload and take another shot as soon as possible.
The lever-action loop is particularly nice, as it has been oversized to let you load another cartridge in quickly. To improve your accuracy when hunting small critters, this rifle also boasts a fully adjustable aperture to let you more easily zero your sights at long distances.
The receiver and barrel, meanwhile, are a little clunkier and sharper longer edges than many competitor lever-action rifles’. This is a minor flaw overall since you’ll soon get used to the feel of the weapon and learn where to grip it for the snappiest response.
Pros
- Wide lever-action loop
- Aperture can be fully adjusted for easy zeroing
- Beautiful dark wood color
Cons
- Metal parts sharper/blockier than others
This is one of the best lever-action rifles you can get for small game hunting.
6. Henry Repeating Arms Big Boy
The Henry Big Boy is a gorgeous-looking lever-action rifle with a brass receiver and wood furniture.
Key Features
- Chambered in .44 Magnum (also accepts .44 Special)
- 10+1 round capacity
- 20” barrel
- Weighs 8.5 pounds
- Wood stock with wood fore grip
- Pre-drilled and tapped for scope mounting
The Henry Big Boy is a bit unusual among lever-action rifles. While most lever-action rifles are chambered in .45-70 Government, the Big Boy is chambered in .44 Magnum. This allows you to get a bit more bang for your buck. And with a 10+1-round capacity, you can also carry plenty of rounds for most purposes. You even have the option to use .44 Special cartridges instead of Magnum.
The Big Boy comes pre-drilled and tapped for a scope, which makes it a solid choice for hunters. And if you prefer iron sights, you’re well set up with a buckhorn rear sight and brass beaded front sight. The only downside here is the 8.5-pound weight, which is a bit heftier than your average rifle.
Pros
- Attractive brass finish
- Accepts powerful magnum cartridges
- Large capacity
- Scope-ready right out of the box
Cons
- Heavy
If you want your lever-action rifle to pack a powerful punch, it’s hard to go wrong with this rifle.
7. Henry Goldenboy
The Henry Goldenboy is an affordable lever-action rifle with a 12-round magazine capacity.
Key Features
- Chambered in .22WMR
- 12+1 round capacity
- 5” barrel
- Weighs 6.75 pounds
- Wood stock with wood furniture
The Henry Goldenboy is another lever-action rifle with an unusual chambering, It accepts .22 Winchester Magnum rounds, which makes it an ideal choice for hunting small game. You’ll make quick work of raccoons or rabbits with this gun. On the downside, it’s not a good choice for medium or big game. The .22WMR cartridge simply wasn’t designed for that purpose.
The Goldenboy’s stock and fore grip have an attractive rose stain. This makes it a solid choice if you value an attractive gun. Moreover, the magazine holds up to 12 rounds. So if you’re trying to take out a whole bunch of varmints, you won’t have to worry about constantly reloading. Finally, the Goldenboy is reasonably priced. You won’t find many guns with this much function – or beauty – at this low price point.
Pros
- Attractive look and feel
- Great for hunting small game
- Large magazine capacity
- Affordable
Cons
- Not useful for medium or big game hunting
If you’re looking for a lever-action rifle for hunting small game, look no further.
8. Henry Arms Std Lever 20in
The Henry Standard Lever Small Game is an exceptionally well-designed varmint rifle.
Key Features
- Chambered in .22LR
- 15+1 round capacity
- 20” barrel
- Weighs 5.75 pounds
- Walnut stock with walnut fore-grip
- Glove-friendly large-loop lever
The Henry Standard Lever Small Game is exactly what it claims to be: a small game rifle. Chambered in .22 Long Rifle, it’s ideal for shooting rabbits, or even for plinking. Perhaps the most attractive feature is the oversized lever. It’s designed to accommodate gloved hands, which means this rifle is a good choice for cold-weather use. The lever is still easy to work with un-gloved hands, so you’re looking at a solid 4-season gun.
At under six pounds in weight, this rifle is lightweight and easy to transport. Even so, it’s attractive to look at. The stock and fore-grip are both constructed from walnut, with a smooth, dark finish. And considering the low price tag, it’s a great starter rifle for just about any collection.
Pros
- Excellent varmint rifle
- Lightweight
- Good for cold-weather hunting
- Affordable
Cons
- Not useful for medium or big game hunting
If you want to be able to work the lever while wearing gloves, this rifle is a solid choice.
9. Henry Arms Sidegate
The Henry Sidegate is a unique variant of Henry’s classic design, and loads from the side instead of the bottom.
Key Features
- Chambered in .45-70 Government
- 4+1 round capacity
- 8” barrel
- Weighs 7.09 pounds
- Polymer stock with polymer fore-grip
- Side-loading design
In many respects, the Henry Sidegate is almost identical to Henry’s classic lever action revolver. It’s chambered in .45-70 government, with a 4-round tube magazine. However, the magazine is fed from the side instead of from the bottom. This is easier to do, particularly in the field. As a result, you can easily carry your rifle unloaded, and load your magazine only when you’re ready to hunt.
The Sidegate is attractive to look at, with a beautiful brass receiver and engraved fore-grip. Unfortunately, the fore-grip and stock are polymer, not wood. This means you’re going to experience more recoil than you would from a traditional wood-stocked rifle. But unless you fire a lot of rounds at a time, this shouldn’t be a significant problem.
Pros
- Easy to load
- Attractive brass receiver
- Powerful and accurate
- Good choice for hunting big game
Cons
- Relatively high recoil
If you like the way a lever-action rifle works, but not the way it loads, the Sidegate is worth checking out.
10. Taylors & Company 1873
The Taylors & Company 1873 Rifle is chambered for the powerful .357 Magnum cartridge.
Key Features
- Chambered in .357 Magnum
- 10-round capacity
- 20” barrel
- Weighs 7.9 pounds
- Walnut stock with walnut fore grip
- Hand-polished receiver
The Taylors & Company 1873 Rifle has a truly classic look. It’s designed to look like an old-school Comanchero rifle, complete with an engraved, hand-polished receiver. It’s truly beautiful to look at, and is sure to draw a few eyes when you take it out of your bag at the range. It also features a rounded, ergonomic butt end that distributes recoil evenly across your shoulder.
The 1873 Rifle isn’t just designed for look and feel; it’s an ideal choice for hunting. It utilizes the .357 Magnum cartridge. This load might be a bit light for bear, but for deer hunting, it’s more than good enough. It produces less recoil than a .308, while still delivering enough force to bring down a whitetail in one clean shot. And with a 10-round magazine, it’s also a solid range rifle.
Pros
- Large magazine capacity
- Powerful cartridge
- Ergonomic butt end
- Beautiful, museum-worthy design
Cons
- A bit pricey
If you’re willing to pay top dollar for a beautiful rifle, the 1873 Rifle is an excellent option.
11. Taylors & Company 1892 Alaskan
The Taylors & Company 1892 Alaskan is available in two different chamberings: .357 Magnum or 44 Magnum.
Key Features
- Chambered in .357 Magnum or .44 Magnum
- 5-round capacity
- 16” barrel
- Weighs 5.9 pounds
- Walnut stock with walnut fore-grip
- Pre-drilled and tapped for optics
- Takedown design
The Taylors & Company 1892 Alaskan is a powerful hunting rifle that’s designed to be easily portable. If you’re hunting medium game, the .357 Magnum variant will be more than powerful enough. If you’re looking for a big game rifle, get the .44 Magnum version instead and you’ll get plenty of punch. It’s pre-drilled and tapped for optics right out of the box, so you can mount a scope without taking it to a gunsmith.
Perhaps the 1892’s most attractive feature is the fact that it has a takedown design. The barrel and fore-grip screw directly into the receiver, which makes assembly and disassembly quick and easy. If you’re hiking deep into the wilderness to hunt big game, you’re looking at a very well-designed rifle.
Pros
- Powerful and accurate
- Compact and lightweight
- Sight-ready out of the box
- Great for backpacking
Cons
- A bit pricey
The 1892 Alaskan delivers plenty of punch in a package that’s very easy to transport.
12. Henry Standard Lever 22LR
The Henry Standard Lever 22LR is similar to the Lever Action Youth, but sized for adult shooters.
Key Features
- Chambered in .22LR
- 15+1 round capacity
- 25” barrel
- Weighs 5.5 pounds
- Wood stock with wood fore-grip
If you want a lever-action rifle for plinking or small game hunting, the Henry Standard Lever 22LR is a great place to start. As its name implies, it’s chambered in .22LR, so ammo costs are low and recoil is virtually nonexistent. And with a 15-round magazine, you can run through a lot of ammo in no time flat. Keep in mind, though, that you won’t be able to hunt deer or big game with this rifle.
The Standard Lever 22LR is priced for entry-level buyers. You won’t find another comparable rifle at this price. Even so, it doesn’t look cheap. It has a wood stock and furniture, just like many pricier rifles. No plastic here!
Pros
- Compact and lightweight
- Large magazine capacity
- Great for plinking or varmint hunting
- Affordable
Cons
- Not suitable for hunting medium or large game
The Standard Lever 22LR is a no-frills plinking and small game rifle that comes at a reasonable price.
13. Henry Repeating Arms Big Boy All-Weather
This rifle possesses excellent recoil and handling innovations to compensate for its heavy-hitting rounds.
Key Features
- 357 Magnum rounds
- 10+1 capacity
- 20” barrel length
- Stainless steel finish
- Overall length of 37.5”
- Drilled for scope mount
- Fully adjustable rear sight
- Beaded front sight
This rifle uses 357 Magnum rounds to deliver excellent accuracy and range and enough power to successfully take down game on your next hunting expedition. It only weighs 7 pounds, you can easily maintain accuracy even when on the move.
To assist with recoil, the firearm is equipped with an impact-resistant recoil pad. This recoil pad cushions your shoulder and prevents you from feeling the brunt of the kick with each shot. An adjustable rear sight is yours to customize.
The stainless steel finish of the firearm will ensure that it continues to work for a long time to come, as stainless steel is rust-resistant. It looks excellent, too. Unfortunately, the loop for the lever-action is a little small, but this is a minor downside compared to everything else.
Pros
- Very good material
- Comes with excellent recoil pad
- Light weight
Cons
- Small lever-action loop
This rifle is a superb choice for anyone who needs a rifle with decent power but who doesn’t like too much recoil pain.
14. Marlin 1894 44 Magnum
The Marlin 1984 provides power and recoil protection in one reliable frame.
Key Features
- 44 Magnum rounds
- 10+1 capacity
- 20” barrel length
- 38.5” overall length
- Blue finish
This rifle uses the expensive but powerful 44 magnum cartridges that many hunters prefer for ensuring a kill. Despite the typical recoil issued by Lever-action rifles that fire 44 magnum rounds, this rifle eases the burden on your shoulder thanks to a rubber butt pad. It’s well-made and relatively comfortable to allow you to continue the hunt even after several shots have been fired.
The rifle boasts a tap for a scope mount atop the receiver, plus an adjustable folding rear sight and a fixed front brass bead sight. This front side has a Wide-Scan hood to give you greater field-of-view when looking down the barrel.
The lever-action is crisp and smooth, although the loop is very small and may be difficult for hunters with larger hands use quickly.
Pros
- Excellent Wide-Scan hood on front sight
- Butt pad reduces recoil
- Black walnut stock looks incredible
Cons
- Very thin lever-action loop
This rifle is ideal for hunters who will make use of the scope mount and adjustable sights to improve their accuracy.
This rifle looks and operates like a firearm out of the Old West and is still suitable for modern-day hunting.
Key Features
- 45-70 Government cartridges
- 22” barrel length
- 40.4” overall length
- 4+1 capacity
- Blue finish
This rifle seeks to harken back to the Old West of America in terms of its aesthetic and design. Its Walnut stock is complemented by a well-made steel frame and receiver pieces, all of which are accentuated by a blue steel finish to increase its lifespan.
The rifle uses powerful and recoil heavy .45-70 Government cartridges. The power brought to bear by these cartridges is only increased thanks to the long barrel. The barrel combines with the adjustable rear sight to give you excellent accuracy at a distance and plenty of stopping power for taking down larger game.
The lever-action is snappy and quick, particularly once you get used to the motion. The only negative is the smaller magazine size than average; you’ll need to spend more time reloading than you may be used to.
Pros
- Long barrel boosts accuracy
- Snappy lever-action
- Iconic design and appearance
Cons
- Low capacity increases reload frequency
It’s an excellent firearm for any hunter who styles himself a capable cowboy.
16. Henry Repeating Arms Varmint Express
This rifle uses a lesser-known cartridge type in several excellent design features to great effect.
Key Features
- 17HMR cartridges
- 11+1 capacity
- 20” barrel length
- 37.5” overall length
- Blue finish
This rifle is built from the ground-up to allow you to handle any small animals or pests on your property without trouble. It uses the powerful and accurate 17 HMR rounds to deliver stopping power and plenty of accuracy even at long distances.
The barrel length helps with this, as do the adjustable rear sight and fixed front sight. The firearm is snappy in its lever-action, too. Gripping the weapon is easy and relatively unique, thanks to the shape and sturdiness of the Monte Carlo stock.
The loop for the lever-action is a bit small but otherwise, this is a fantastic firearm.
Pros
- Very smooth lever-action
- Monte Carlo stock makes the firearm easy to grip
- Great barrel length for accuracy at range
Cons
- Very small lever-action loop
This is an excellent lever-action rifle for hunting small game.
17. Henry Repeating Arms Goldenboy Rifle
This rifle has one of the flashiest looks you’ll find and plenty of good features besides.
Key Features
- 22LR cartridges
- 11+1 capacity
- 16.25” barrel length
- 33.75” overall length
- Blue finish
This rifle uses 22 LR cartridges to help you take care of smaller game. It’s one of the most accurate lever-action rifles you can find despite its shorter barrel length due to the balance of the weapon as a whole. Snappy lever-action movements and a great trigger pull help to counteract the barrel length.
The stock is Native American walnut wood and the receiver and barrel ring are both made of shining brass that’ll help the rifle stand out amongst the others.
While the shining brass receiver is particularly nice looking to other hunters, it does have some drawbacks it comes to actual hunting. It may even alert critters to your presence when you are trying to be stealthy. But overall, this is a fine firearm for a variety of uses.
Pros
- Beautiful receiver
- Brass buttplate improves recoil defense
- Well-balanced barrel
- Both sights are adjustable
Cons
- Shining brass isn’t too practical
This is a good lever-action rifle for those who appreciate aesthetic above total practicality.
Bottom Line
Overall, any of the above lever-action rifles will be perfect for general use or daily hunting. Several of them are suitable for scope mounts, so consider whether or not you already have an additional optic that can fit their mounting positions already.
No matter what your decision, remember to test out the lever-action motion of your new rifle before taking it into the field. Lever-action rifles become better as you use them and get used to their unique feel.
Check out all the other gun articles put together by our expert team here at Guns & Safety Reviews;
The Review
Best Lever-Action Rifle
We've reviewed the best lever-action rifle on the market today to help you choose which one to buy.
Review Breakdown
- Henry Repeating Arms Big Boy Steel Carbine
- Henry Repeating Arms Lever-action
- Henry Repeating Arms Big Boy All-Weather
- Marlin 1894 44 Magnum
- Marlin 1895SBL
- Henry Repeating Arms Big Boy Order of the Arrow
- Henry Repeating Arms Lever-action CC Hardened
- Henry Repeating Arms Lever-action Youth
- Henry Repeating Arms Carbine Model Lever-action
- Henry Repeating Arms Standard Lever
- MOSSBERG - 464
- Henry Repeating Arms STD Lever Small Game Carbine
- Henry Repeating Arms Varmint Express
- Henry Repeating Arms Goldenboy Rifle
- Henry Repeating Arms Goldenboy
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