LEVER ACTION - Best caliber for Deer and Black Bear

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fljp2002

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Fellows

I am getting close to retirement from the forces and I am looking at option for a suitable retirement gift to myself to mark 35 years of service (I'm now at 32.5 years).

I am thinking that a lever action would be such a memento to mark my career but I have little to no knowledge on these guns.

I will use the rifle to hunt deer and bear and my plan is keep it within 150m or less.

Any advise is appreciated.
 
30-30, cheaper to practice with, ammo everywhere,
more than adequate for deer and black bear.

if you live in grizzly country then 45-70
 
fljp2002 said:
Fellows

I am getting close to retirement from the forces and I am looking at option for a suitable retirement gift to myself to mark 35 years of service (I'm now at 32.5 years).

I am thinking that a lever action would be such a memento to mark my career but I have little to no knowledge on these guns.

I will use the rifle to hunt deer and bear and my plan is keep it within 150m or less.

Any advise is appreciated.
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If you plan on staying in NB, then buy a .30-30 or a .308. The .30-30 is affordable to shoot, perfect in wooded areas and can still reach out to 150m pretty easily with a scope. If you want to go blast a moose someday, .308 would be preferable.

Lots of them around NB new or used.

Everyone says to buy a .45-70, but I think most people buy them for the same reason most bikers run loud pipes on their Harley-Davidsons.
 
TheCoachZed said:
If you plan on staying in NB, then buy a .30-30 or a .308. The .30-30 is affordable to shoot, perfect in wooded areas and can still reach out to 150m pretty easily with a scope. If you want to go blast a moose someday, .308 would be preferable.

Lots of them around NB new or used.

((Everyone says to buy a .45-70, but I think most people buy them for the same reason most bikers run loud pipes on their Harley-Davidsons.))
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Yes I agree. 45 70 kind of a fad, love 308, 3030 one of my most liked calipers but the least I've hunted with. .444, 358 win, 375win would be good choices for something different but more than enough for the job.
 
Since it is a rife to celebrate a long career you should pick something with some class that you will enjoy and want to keep forever.

My suggestion would be something unique. A Winchester or Browning '71 in 348 would be great or maybe a 1886 in 45-70.
 
For something different, maybe a Browning BLR in .308 or .358. Either will do the trick easily. Great rifles, well-built and very attractive with modern appointments.
 
fljp2002 said:
Fellows

I am getting close to retirement from the forces and I am looking at option for a suitable retirement gift to myself to mark 35 years of service (I'm now at 32.5 years).

I am thinking that a lever action would be such a memento to mark my career but I have little to no knowledge on these guns.

I will use the rifle to hunt deer and bear and my plan is keep it within 150m or less.

Any advise is appreciated.
Click to expand...

Here in NB, a BLR 81 in 308 is a perfect lever action. They have enough to get a shot over a clear cut and at the same time will be nice and handy at short ranges. The BLR 81 is the last model with a steel receiver as the later ones are alloy. The detachable mag system works very well and allows for pointy bullets, something that other Winchester and Marlin rifles do not. Lots of good ammo out there for deer, bear and moose with the 308.

This in 308 would be my first choice by far. Trying to find some of the other lever ammo choices can be hard here in NB. Good luck finding 45-70, 444, 307, 356 and 358 at Walmart of CDN Tire.
 
30-30 for affordable & available ammo, 32 Special & 35 Remington also great deer and bear cartridges but more costly for ammo, Win 94 or Marlin 336 both great choices. Most people that I know here in NB shoot deer and bear at well under 100 yards, but if stretching out over 150 yards a Savage 99, BLR or Henry long ranger in 308 would be all excellent options.
 
Find yourself one of the Browning/Winchester 1895 rifles or carbines ,they were made in 270,30/06,405 win and 30/40krag.Here s mine an anniversary winchester(miroku) carbine in 30/06.Also because of magazine you are not just regulated to round nose bullets.The action of the 95 is one of the slickest lever actions going.The carbines also have that military look as they are carbine version of the 95 musket used by the Russians in ww1
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Russian version
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Levers are possibly the most nostalgic guns out there and just about any lever that is cool to you specifically is good to go. JM stamped Marlins are getting harder to come by - especially one in pristine condition; but if you find one in just about any reasonable caliber, then you are good to go for bear or deer. 30-30 would be my first choice there. Don't overlook Henrys. Very nice rifles. If a more modern design is on the menu, then the various Browning BLR's may scratch your itch.
 
Slimbo said:
Check out the Henry long ranger in 308. Just like a BLR but much better trigger!
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Ahh you beat me too it haha!

If you want a shorter, more handy, and even cheaper to shoot lever action, maybe a Henry X Model in .44mag would fit the bill. Just a little tough to find right now in these current times with U.S. demand so high and the C19 issues, hopefully production ramps up enough to get new stock to Canadian dealers faster. Also with Henry firearms being a new contributor here, figured I would give them a plug!
 
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MRP said:
Yes I agree. 45 70 kind of a fad,
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Absolutely a fad. It was adopted for service in the US Army in 1873. It's only been a common cartridge for 147 years. It'll be disappearing any day now.


love 308, 3030 one of my most liked calipers but the least I've hunted with. .444, 358 win, 375win would be good choices for something different but more than enough for the job.
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I also happen to love .308 (I have four rifles chambered for it) - but it does tend to limit your choice in lever actions. .30-30 will work just fine for deer and bear in New Brunswick. If you use good bullets and can place your shots well, it will also work for moose - although it probably wouldn't be my first choice.

If you want to hunt moose with a lever gun, .444 Marlin or .375 Winchester are solid choices and well suited to lever actions.
 
If the OP can deal with the ammo availability here in NB there is a nice used Savage 99 at the GunDealer on line for $400. That won't be there for long.
 
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