Was thinking about a lever action but not sure of the caliber.

mayosligo · March 26, 2013, 03:05 PM

I am looking to see what people like and why. I know I could use a 30-30 for hunting or even a 44 magnum but I know so little about these guns and calibers. With the ammo shortages I am not sure about a pistol caliber, but then if I got one in a pistol caliber then I could stick up on a caliber that would be useful in a pistol and a rifle. Open to any thoughts and opinions. I know this is very broad but I am looking to be educated. Appreciate any input.

DannyAbear · March 26, 2013, 03:24 PM

I like these and have 1 in 44 mag to go with my mod 29 s&w pistol. 38/357 mag is also good combo with pistol

alex0535 · March 26, 2013, 03:40 PM

.30-30 or .35 remington would be better hunting options for you.

I like .35 remington, its not quite as popular as the .30-30 but both are plenty powerful enough to take whitetail deer, hogs, or black bear.

.44 magnum is probably going to produce less muzzle energy than either of them, but still plenty to take any game in Alabama.

cvc944 · March 26, 2013, 03:58 PM

You have many choices in buying a lever gun. These little gems spit out everything from little .357 Magnum pistol rounds you won't know you fired to behemoth .45-70s that will rattle your fillings. There's also rifles with longer barrels available in high-power, flat-shooting rifle rounds like .243 and .308. Just think what you will use it for most often and go from there. I myself don't hunt with lever guns, I use bolt actions for that. I only have the levers because they are fun to shoot and to remind myself of how bad I shoot with open sights.

PetahW · March 26, 2013, 04:33 PM

.

Besides having taken more game than all the other chambering combined, the .30-30 is just about the most versatile of the classic levergun cartridges if you handload - not to mention that ammo can be found virtually everywhere in the US, if needs be (except NYC, most likely

).

.

Chaz88 · March 26, 2013, 05:08 PM

I hunt mostly with bolt actions so I like the levers in 38/357 because they are fun to shoot and I already reload a lot of that anyway.

balderclev · March 26, 2013, 05:09 PM

35 Remington is my choice for a lever action. My wife shoots one and loves it. More bang than a 30-30.

For a combination round that will shoot both, depends on what you are hunting and how far you are going to shoot. I think the 458 Casul is available in lever action assuming you can handle it in a pistol. Will take everything in Arkansas up to 150 yds pistol and probably 200 yes rifle.

Geo_Erudite · March 26, 2013, 08:06 PM

The 7-30 waters or 32 Winchester Special are intriguing, but does anyone make anything for it?

mapsjanhere · March 27, 2013, 09:51 AM

Browning BLR in 450 Marlin - there's never an ammo shortage in that caliber.

L_Killkenny · March 27, 2013, 10:01 AM

If you looking at more of a plinker with a little hunting thrown in the .357 gets the nod, the other way around the .30-30 gets the nod. The .44 isn't the plinker that the .357 is nor the hunter the .30-30 is so it's not even on the radar.

stu925 · March 27, 2013, 08:29 PM

Check out the Marlin 336 in either 30-30 or .35 Rem both make excellent hunting rifles with the .35 Rem producing just a little more thump. The 30-30 is definitely cheaper to shoot though with ammo prices being around $10/box cheaper than the .35 Rem around here. I love my .35 Rem but I'd like to add the 30-30 to the stable also. Might as well have both I guess but then I'll need to find a .32 Win Special too.

Stu

Strafer Gott · March 29, 2013, 09:18 AM

I have 94 Winchesters in .30-.30, .357, and .44 rem mag. The pistol rounds are Trappers. I'd give up the .357 before the others, because I like the power. Hornady puts out outrageous power with their .44 FTX loads.
If you need a very soft shooter, go with the .357. Reload if you need economy, and the .357 is still cheaper than the others.
Right now the big deal is that you can find ammo for these chamberings!

Chaz88 · March 29, 2013, 10:22 AM

Quote:

I have 94 Winchesters in .30-.30, .357, and .44 rem mag.

94 Winchesters! I think you won. Unless somebody can claim a higher number.

Jack O'Conner · March 30, 2013, 07:43 AM

44 MAG is very lethal out to approx 125 yards or so from a carbine. But 30-30 easliy doubles this yardage. Both have about the same recoil.

Jack

**4V50 Gary** · March 30, 2013, 10:35 AM

I like the idea of same caliber pistol and carbine. Of course, you must keep the loads within the revolver's tolerance and this detracts from the carbine's performance.

BTW, I also love the Marlin in 45-70. I was shooting one two days ago and it was a nice, soft push. Oh joy!

reynolds357 · March 31, 2013, 08:48 PM

I love the Marlin .45-70. Like you said, it pushes hard, but it does not hurt.

Meeteetse · April 2, 2013, 02:03 PM

I have several leverguns and enjoy them all but it is hard to find a "do it all" gun. If hunting is primary I like the 30/30 in a traditional levergun like the Winchester 94 or .308 in the Browning BLR. Both are a little strong for plinking.

For defensive use I like the .357, especially if it will handle .38 specials. The .44 mag/special is a great caliber too, and comes as close as any for a "do it all gun" for close in hunting (magnum loads) and defensive use with .44 specials. Both of these work well with matching handguns in the same calibers.

My personal favorite is an 1873 Winchester in .45 Colt matched up with a SAA. If you are looking for a levergun just for fun, don't forget about the little .22. Not great for defensive use or hunting of anything bigger than pests but everyone should have a .22.

All of these suggestions mean nothing if you can't find ammo. Perhaps you should make your decision based on ammo availability in your area.

Strafer Gott · April 2, 2013, 03:54 PM

The .30-.30 has much less perceived recoil than the .44 rem mag, which to me was a little surprising. The .44 mag actually does out do the .30-.30 in retained energy past 100 yards. I bought the .44 trapper as just a fun gun, but I'd take it bear hunting without feeling naked. Those heavy Hornady FTX loads have my kind of insanity. They must feel like a .454 Casull in a SRH.

WIN1886 · April 2, 2013, 06:38 PM

Word of warning....buying lever actions can become very addicting !

If I had to settle on just one , I'd really consider a 30-30.....there is popular factory ammunition offered from 125 grain to 190 grain bullet weight ( some with premium hunting bullets) for this cartridge !

olderndirt · April 5, 2013, 11:03 AM

I have several levers, Winchester, Marlin and Rossi. I enjoy shooting all of them and hunting with them. I have .22, 30-30, .35 Rem, 308 .41 Mag and .44 Mags. All get shot and are lots of fun.
Pick one for what you need and enjoy.

Skitter · April 5, 2013, 11:13 AM

I have a Marlin 336w that I thoroughly enjoy shooting! With the 150gr bullets I can shoot almost all day long, until the sharper edges of the stock start hammering my shoulder. Planning on getting a recoil pad eventually to increase the length of pull and help soften the edges.

Problem now is finding ammo as I dont have my reloading kit yet, and NONE of the local stores have any.

Good gun, I look forward to taking some deer with it this fall...

ChasingWhitetail91 · April 5, 2013, 11:19 AM

+ 1 for the .30-.30

Edward429451 · April 5, 2013, 01:48 PM

If you don't reload, I'd say a 30/30. If you do reload, I'd say a 45/70 no question. The 45/70 is soo easy to load for and a lot less finiky than bottleneck cartridges.

The 45/70 does not hurt to shoot if you know how to mount a rifle properly. That is, until you get above useful velocities into ego range.

TemboTusk · April 5, 2013, 05:31 PM

Can you shoot 45 Colt rounds in a lever action that fires 45/70? Please excuse my my ignorance.

Dr. A · April 6, 2013, 07:53 AM

45 colt shoots a .452 inch projectile. 45-70 shoots a .458. They are totally different. Different pressure parameters as well as the one being a pistol round, and the other a rifle.

The same goes for a 44 mag and a 444 Marlin. Totally different.

As to which gun to get, I'm very partial to Marlin, but have representatives of virtually every lever. The BLR is likable, but not really thought of as a plinker. Its the one with conventional rifle rounds.

The Marlins for the most part get the nod from me in that they are easily scoped, handle the popular lever calibers (357, 44, 45, 30-30, 35Rem, 375, 444, 45-70, 450 Marlin), and now the longer range 308MX and 338MX.

My go to fun guns are in 30-30, but there are many who will start with a 357 or 44. I have all of them, and still prefer the 30-30. With the new Leverevolution ammo, its fairly easy to shoot steel plates up to 400 yards or so.

March 26, 2013, 03:05 PM	#1
mayosligo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: Baton Rouge, LA Posts: 301	Was thinking about a lever action but not sure of the caliber. I am looking to see what people like and why. I know I could use a 30-30 for hunting or even a 44 magnum but I know so little about these guns and calibers. With the ammo shortages I am not sure about a pistol caliber, but then if I got one in a pistol caliber then I could stick up on a caliber that would be useful in a pistol and a rifle. Open to any thoughts and opinions. I know this is very broad but I am looking to be educated. Appreciate any input.

March 26, 2013, 03:24 PM	#2
DannyAbear Member Join Date: November 20, 2006 Location: Baton Rouge, La. Posts: 72	Rossi m92 I like these and have 1 in 44 mag to go with my mod 29 s&w pistol. 38/357 mag is also good combo with pistol

March 26, 2013, 05:08 PM	#6
Chaz88 Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2010 Posts: 1,243	I hunt mostly with bolt actions so I like the levers in 38/357 because they are fun to shoot and I already reload a lot of that anyway. __________________ Seams like once we the people give what, at the time, seams like a reasonable inch and "they" take the unreasonable mile we can only get that mile back one inch at a time. No spelun and grammar is not my specialty. So please don't hurt my sensitive little feelings by teasing me about it.

March 26, 2013, 08:06 PM	#8
Geo_Erudite Senior Member Join Date: January 26, 2013 Location: SE WI Posts: 158	The 7-30 waters or 32 Winchester Special are intriguing, but does anyone make anything for it? Last edited by Geo_Erudite; March 26, 2013 at 08:12 PM.

March 27, 2013, 09:51 AM	#9
mapsjanhere Senior Member Join Date: August 6, 2009 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 2,832	Browning BLR in 450 Marlin - there's never an ammo shortage in that caliber. __________________ I used to love being able to hit hard at 1000 yards. As I get older I find hitting a mini ram at 200 yards with the 22 oddly more satisfying.

March 26, 2013, 03:40 PM	#3
alex0535 Senior Member Join Date: November 4, 2012 Location: Georgia Posts: 908	.30-30 or .35 remington would be better hunting options for you. I like .35 remington, its not quite as popular as the .30-30 but both are plenty powerful enough to take whitetail deer, hogs, or black bear. .44 magnum is probably going to produce less muzzle energy than either of them, but still plenty to take any game in Alabama.

March 26, 2013, 03:58 PM	#4
cvc944 Senior Member Join Date: March 17, 2013 Location: Lenhartsville, PA Posts: 164	You have many choices in buying a lever gun. These little gems spit out everything from little .357 Magnum pistol rounds you won't know you fired to behemoth .45-70s that will rattle your fillings. There's also rifles with longer barrels available in high-power, flat-shooting rifle rounds like .243 and .308. Just think what you will use it for most often and go from there. I myself don't hunt with lever guns, I use bolt actions for that. I only have the levers because they are fun to shoot and to remind myself of how bad I shoot with open sights.

March 26, 2013, 04:33 PM	#5
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 4,678	. Besides having taken more game than all the other chambering combined, the .30-30 is just about the most versatile of the classic levergun cartridges if you handload - not to mention that ammo can be found virtually everywhere in the US, if needs be (except NYC, most likely ). .

March 26, 2013, 05:09 PM	#7
balderclev Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2013 Location: Benton, Arkansas Posts: 120	35 Remington is my choice for a lever action. My wife shoots one and loves it. More bang than a 30-30. For a combination round that will shoot both, depends on what you are hunting and how far you are going to shoot. I think the 458 Casul is available in lever action assuming you can handle it in a pistol. Will take everything in Arkansas up to 150 yds pistol and probably 200 yes rifle.

March 27, 2013, 10:01 AM	#10
L_Killkenny Senior Member Join Date: February 2, 2007 Location: Iowa Posts: 2,676	If you looking at more of a plinker with a little hunting thrown in the .357 gets the nod, the other way around the .30-30 gets the nod. The .44 isn't the plinker that the .357 is nor the hunter the .30-30 is so it's not even on the radar.

March 27, 2013, 08:29 PM	#11
stu925 Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2010 Location: New York Posts: 953	Check out the Marlin 336 in either 30-30 or .35 Rem both make excellent hunting rifles with the .35 Rem producing just a little more thump. The 30-30 is definitely cheaper to shoot though with ammo prices being around $10/box cheaper than the .35 Rem around here. I love my .35 Rem but I'd like to add the 30-30 to the stable also. Might as well have both I guess but then I'll need to find a .32 Win Special too. Stu

March 29, 2013, 09:18 AM	#12
Strafer Gott Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2011 Location: New Mexico Posts: 1,315	I have 94 Winchesters in .30-.30, .357, and .44 rem mag. The pistol rounds are Trappers. I'd give up the .357 before the others, because I like the power. Hornady puts out outrageous power with their .44 FTX loads. If you need a very soft shooter, go with the .357. Reload if you need economy, and the .357 is still cheaper than the others. Right now the big deal is that you can find ammo for these chamberings!

March 30, 2013, 07:43 AM	#14
Jack O'Conner Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2005 Location: Manatee County, Florida Posts: 1,976	44 MAG is very lethal out to approx 125 yards or so from a carbine. But 30-30 easliy doubles this yardage. Both have about the same recoil. Jack __________________ Fire up the grill! Deer hunting IS NOT catch and release.

March 30, 2013, 10:35 AM	#15
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,832	I like the idea of same caliber pistol and carbine. Of course, you must keep the loads within the revolver's tolerance and this detracts from the carbine's performance. BTW, I also love the Marlin in 45-70. I was shooting one two days ago and it was a nice, soft push. Oh joy! __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

March 31, 2013, 08:48 PM	#16
reynolds357 Senior Member Join Date: December 10, 2012 Posts: 6,165	I love the Marlin .45-70. Like you said, it pushes hard, but it does not hurt.

April 2, 2013, 02:03 PM	#17
Meeteetse Member Join Date: January 1, 2012 Location: Wyoming - Texas Posts: 69	I have several leverguns and enjoy them all but it is hard to find a "do it all" gun. If hunting is primary I like the 30/30 in a traditional levergun like the Winchester 94 or .308 in the Browning BLR. Both are a little strong for plinking. For defensive use I like the .357, especially if it will handle .38 specials. The .44 mag/special is a great caliber too, and comes as close as any for a "do it all gun" for close in hunting (magnum loads) and defensive use with .44 specials. Both of these work well with matching handguns in the same calibers. My personal favorite is an 1873 Winchester in .45 Colt matched up with a SAA. If you are looking for a levergun just for fun, don't forget about the little .22. Not great for defensive use or hunting of anything bigger than pests but everyone should have a .22. All of these suggestions mean nothing if you can't find ammo. Perhaps you should make your decision based on ammo availability in your area. __________________ All it takes for tyranny to succeed is for good men to do nothing.

April 2, 2013, 03:54 PM	#18
Strafer Gott Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2011 Location: New Mexico Posts: 1,315	The .30-.30 has much less perceived recoil than the .44 rem mag, which to me was a little surprising. The .44 mag actually does out do the .30-.30 in retained energy past 100 yards. I bought the .44 trapper as just a fun gun, but I'd take it bear hunting without feeling naked. Those heavy Hornady FTX loads have my kind of insanity. They must feel like a .454 Casull in a SRH.

April 2, 2013, 06:38 PM	#19
WIN1886 Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 604	Word of warning....buying lever actions can become very addicting ! If I had to settle on just one , I'd really consider a 30-30.....there is popular factory ammunition offered from 125 grain to 190 grain bullet weight ( some with premium hunting bullets) for this cartridge !

April 5, 2013, 11:03 AM	#20
olderndirt Junior Member Join Date: March 3, 2010 Location: Odessa, Texas Posts: 9	I have several levers, Winchester, Marlin and Rossi. I enjoy shooting all of them and hunting with them. I have .22, 30-30, .35 Rem, 308 .41 Mag and .44 Mags. All get shot and are lots of fun. Pick one for what you need and enjoy.

April 5, 2013, 11:13 AM	#21
Skitter Senior Member Join Date: March 5, 2013 Location: NW Houston TX Posts: 156	I have a Marlin 336w that I thoroughly enjoy shooting! With the 150gr bullets I can shoot almost all day long, until the sharper edges of the stock start hammering my shoulder. Planning on getting a recoil pad eventually to increase the length of pull and help soften the edges. Problem now is finding ammo as I dont have my reloading kit yet, and NONE of the local stores have any. Good gun, I look forward to taking some deer with it this fall... __________________ Raised with guns only to realize how much I DIDN'T know. Newly acquired personal inventory is increasing, feed my obsession for knowledge! Last edited by Skitter; April 5, 2013 at 11:21 AM.

April 5, 2013, 11:19 AM	#22
ChasingWhitetail91 Senior Member Join Date: October 10, 2012 Location: Connecticut Posts: 336	+ 1 for the .30-.30 __________________ Abraham Lincoln made all men free, Samuel Colt made them equal.

April 5, 2013, 01:48 PM	#23
Edward429451 Junior member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,494	If you don't reload, I'd say a 30/30. If you do reload, I'd say a 45/70 no question. The 45/70 is soo easy to load for and a lot less finiky than bottleneck cartridges. The 45/70 does not hurt to shoot if you know how to mount a rifle properly. That is, until you get above useful velocities into ego range.

April 5, 2013, 05:31 PM	#24
TemboTusk Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2012 Location: Anaheim, CA Posts: 139	Can you shoot 45 Colt rounds in a lever action that fires 45/70? Please excuse my my ignorance.

April 6, 2013, 07:53 AM	#25
Dr. A Senior Member Join Date: July 17, 2007 Location: Salina, KS. Posts: 215	45 colt shoots a .452 inch projectile. 45-70 shoots a .458. They are totally different. Different pressure parameters as well as the one being a pistol round, and the other a rifle. The same goes for a 44 mag and a 444 Marlin. Totally different. As to which gun to get, I'm very partial to Marlin, but have representatives of virtually every lever. The BLR is likable, but not really thought of as a plinker. Its the one with conventional rifle rounds. The Marlins for the most part get the nod from me in that they are easily scoped, handle the popular lever calibers (357, 44, 45, 30-30, 35Rem, 375, 444, 45-70, 450 Marlin), and now the longer range 308MX and 338MX. My go to fun guns are in 30-30, but there are many who will start with a 357 or 44. I have all of them, and still prefer the 30-30. With the new Leverevolution ammo, its fairly easy to shoot steel plates up to 400 yards or so.