M14 Forum

Essayons · October 1st, 2011, 01:11 PM

Ever since I read about the tubular magazine John Pedersen designed to permit the Remington Model 14 pump action rifle to shoot pointed bullets, I thought it would be cool to adapt that tubular magazine design to a strong lever action (e.g., the Marlin XLR or Winchester Model 94 "Big Bore") chambered for popular rimless rounds loaded with pointed bullets, including 7.62x51, 7.62x39 and 5.56x45. Doing so would allow lever gun lovers to shoot standard pointed bullets and--when chambered for military cartridges--practice with inexpensive surplus ammo. It would also be a nice opetion for those who don't want or can't have a military style rifle.

Here's a brief excerpt from the Wiki article on the Remington Model 14:

Quote:

This design incorporated several 'innovative' concepts. Among them was a spiral magazine tube to prevent bullet tips from contacting the primer of the cartridge in front of them.

The spiral was formed by a bead pressed into the sheet metal magazine tube.

I know about the levergun versions of standard cartridges (e.g., .307 Winchester) and about Leverevolution ammo, but IMO those are workarounds. I'd like a lever gun that could shoot popular centerfire cartridges loaded with pointed bullets. Am I the only one?

I think a good mechanical engineer could figure out how to adapt a Pedersen style spiral magazine tube to a Model 94 or another lever action.

sac troop · October 1st, 2011, 01:48 PM

I think the Savage 99 would reappear first.

Essayons · October 1st, 2011, 02:22 PM

You're probably right. I love the Model 99. I'm a huge fan of the Winchester Model 95 is nice, too, but the 99 uses a rotary magazine and the 95 uses a box. I like how easily you can "top up" the tubular magazine of a Model 94.

Unfortunately (for me) I think the market, if any, would be very small.

CharlieEcho · October 1st, 2011, 02:45 PM

I have an 1895 Winchester in 30-06. It's a light rifle for a full blown 30-06 and I have developed a hand load that makes it more fun to shoot. I use lead bullets.

Also, I once owned a a Marlin Model 62 that fired 30 carbine. It used a five round magazine, detachable. It was fun to shoot but really wasn't practical for hunting.

Though I have not tried any, some of the new ammunition with "plastic" tipped, pointed bullets is supposed to be safe for shooting from tubular magazine rifles.

redlegagent · October 3rd, 2011, 05:33 AM

I believe if the market were there, we'd see them already. As noted, the Savage 99 petered out after a time. With the new Express cartridges, we've seen a shift from the "traditional" lever calibers. If the market for these really took off, you might see additonal calibers adapted. Part of the problem may rest in the consolidation of firearms companies currently happening. Now that Remington owns Marlin, they treat it as their "economy line" which may stifle innovation in the future.