Help for a lever action

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freshman said:
OK, you guys convinced me. I'll forget about the pistol ammo. So it's either a 308 or a 45-70. Now, what make and barrel length should I go for? Bang for buck and reliability.
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You already have a .308 for the larger game. Reconsider a straight case round for your lever. .357 is cheeeep to reload and is accurate way out there, and hard hitting too. Just my thoughts on the matter...
 
OP, thanks for posting this thread! Lately I have been contemplating on purchasing a lever action rifle, ideally the 45/70. I heard so many great things about that cartridge.

Not to derail this thread or hijack in any way, but, anyone know which brand of 45/70 rifle has a good reputation? and where can one be found?

Cheerio!
 
Get a marlin 45-70, they're great guns for the price. There's tons of different models too:

1895-22" barrel pistol grip walnut stock
1895g -18.5" barrel straight walnut stock
1895gs- 18.5" barrel straight walnut gun is stainless
1895sbl- 18.5" stainless grey laminate, big loop, pistol grip with rail
1895 gbl- 18.5" brown laminate, big loop, blued, 6 shot mag tube
1895c- cowboy, 26" barrel, 9 shot tube.
1895abl- same as gbl but stock from sbl
1895sdt- rare and beautiful. 16.25" barrel, stainless, gray laminate, straight stock
 
As for 45-70, I have some examples for that rifle but what about the 308? I do like the aspect of, availability of ammo. Can someone comment for the 308! Which brand of rifle has the reliability and runs flawlessly? Now, what's the appeal for a .357/38 special carbines?
 
this my favorite all purpose gun

Just love my 30-30

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there's nothing a 357 will do that a 44 mag woun't do better, and in the same package- and reloads are not all that more expensive these days- you still get 1k bullets in a bucket if you're shooting cast,and as far as bears go, the 44 trapper makes an EXCELLENT bear stopper up to 100 yards,- and they're not dangerous at that distace- now if you're talking GRIZZLY, then you need the big guns
 
As much as I love my Marlin 336 30-30, especially now that LeverEvolution ammo has come along, the Marlin 308 Express would be an ideal choice for an all around deer/elk/moose rifle. And if elk and/or moose are the main event, the .338 Marlin Express might be even better.

Certainly options are limited on ammo, but it's not like LeverEvolution is at all pricey, and it outperforms just about anything one could roll on their own.

FWIW.
 
sir_springer said:
As much as I love my Marlin 336 30-30, especially now that LeverEvolution ammo has come along, the Marlin 308 Express would be an ideal choice for an all around deer/elk/moose rifle. And if elk and/or moose are the main event, the .338 Marlin Express might be even better.

Certainly options are limited on ammo, but it's not like LeverEvolution is at all pricey, and it outperforms just about anything one could roll on their own.

FWIW.
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the only trouble i see with that reasoning is that those MIGHT be limited -life cartridges- look what happened to the 307 winchester, and possibly the 375- the trouble with the 307 was that it filled the same niche as the 30-30 and was a far better cartridge, but the public WOULDN'T buy it- now ammo is non-existant - the fights still going on between the 444 and the 45/70 as to which is "better" and the 450 marlin has now joined the fray- we've been down this road before-i always ask myself , looking at the ballistics- is it as GOOD as my 308 winchester- even almost- or the 338 win mag?if not, then it's a second rate as far as i'm concerned-the other "problem" is of course, is that they're tube fed-this precludes the use of spitzer type ammo, which is what gives better range and performance
 
I'd be going with a Marlin 336 in 30-30 or a marlin 1895 in 45-70.

I love my 336C, and can't wait to pick up an 1895gbl as soon as I can find one.

30-30 is dirt cheap, can be found absolutely anywhere, and within it's range it'll get the job done.
 
onedayaway said:
I'd be going with a Marlin 336 in 30-30 or a marlin 1895 in 45-70.

I love my 336C, and can't wait to pick up an 1895gbl as soon as I can find one.

30-30 is dirt cheap, can be found absolutely anywhere, and within it's range it'll get the job done.
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and THAT'S the kind of thinking that KILLS better.newer cartridges- ones that have a CLEAR advantage over the old ones- people get into a rut, and DON'T like to get out
 
Pfffft...the .450 Marlin is the lawyer's Guide Gun, born out of the fear of the possible repercussions of producing hotter loads for 45/70 that might accidentally find their way into older, weaker actions. Same goes for the .444.

I have both a 30-30 and a 45/70 and both are fine. I also have a .44 Mag incoming. Any of those will get the job done admirably.
 
t-star said:
the only trouble i see with that reasoning is that those MIGHT be limited -life cartridges- look what happened to the 307 winchester, and possibly the 375- the trouble with the 307 was that it filled the same niche as the 30-30 and was a far better cartridge, but the public WOULDN'T buy it- now ammo is non-existant - the fights still going on between the 444 and the 45/70 as to which is "better" and the 450 marlin has now joined the fray- we've been down this road before-i always ask myself , looking at the ballistics- is it as GOOD as my 308 winchester- even almost- or the 338 win mag?if not, then it's a second rate as far as i'm concerned-the other "problem" is of course, is that they're tube fed-this precludes the use of spitzer type ammo, which is what gives better range and performance
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I hear ya!

However, LeverEvolution has been tremendously successful. And it's not expensive at all, which is kinda surprising considering the lock Hornady has on this type of specialized ammo. From what I've read, literally has breathed new life into sales of lever action rifles. Apparently Marlin has had a steady backlog of orders for years now.

Son-in-law bought himself a .308 Marlin Express, probably one of the first in Canada. Nice rifle, and as ballistics go, so darn close to a .308 Win. it doesn't matter. (We did, however, replace the trigger with a Wild West. Original had horrible creep, the new one broke like glass at about 3 lbs. Also had a Decellerator pad installed, with that original hard rubber pad it was not fun to shoot much at the range. A lot of kick for such a little cartridge, hardly any bigger than a 30-30!)

I'd be surprised if this caliber goes the way of the .307 Win...but who knows what the future holds, eh?
 
onedayaway said:
Simple, proven, and readily available.

What more could a guy ask for? If it's not broken why fix it.
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you fix it so you can DO BETTER- THE MODEL T still works, but would you DRIVE one?-same deal- the idea is to TAKE ADVANTAGE of new technologies, not ignore them
 
The .308 and the 45/70 are at opposite ends of the table, the .308 is a mild cartridge, for use on med. game, at up to med. ranges and also doubles as a good target rd. The 45/70 is a short to med. range hammer on med. to larger game at short to med. ranges, that can be loaded very heavy or very light, and is at it's best with heavy, cast, flat point bullets. For hunting my pick is easy, the 45/70, cheaper to reload then the .308 if using Jacketed bullets in the .308.
 
I own and use a 444 Marlin. The Marlin is a fine rifle available in many cartridges that fit your need. The Browning BLR is a strong rifle capable of high pressure cartridges. The new BLR has an aluminum receiver but if that concerns you (it is not really a problem) older ones abound with steel receivers. Both are side eject with solid top receivers ideal for scope attachment. In a Winchester you need an angle eject model to best utilize a scope. I would go to a shop and find the rifle that fits best then shop for a cartridge.

Barrel length is limited to what is available and tends to the shorter 20-22" range for many lever rifles. Marlin does make a series that include a long barrel in stainless. Stainless makes a lot of sense for a working rifle.

If you are not a gun nut and will not be handloading be aware that new cartridges come and go just as quick. There are many orphan cartridges out there. Do yourself a favor and pick something you can walk into any gunshop or country hardware store and find on the shelf. My 444 is hard to find but I reload. 45/70 needs reloading for best results. The 30-30 is a little light for big animals but it sure has killed thousands of moose. The largest pistol cartridges will work but require handloading to rifle pressure in modern guns. A stout 300 grain bullet in a 45 Colt going at least 1600 fps will do the job.

If you are not attached to the styling of the tube magazine below the barrel of Marlins and Winchesters and the clones I highly recommend the BLR. 270, 308 and 30-06 are never wrong choices. The magnums, 7MM RM or 300 WM are good choices but I personally wouldn't buy a WSM cartridge yet. The magnums will kick hard in the light rifles.
 
BLR .308, and being clip fed, takes pointed nose bullets. I think the real reason hunters like rifles with removable clips, is the ease and speed of unloading, when using motorized vehicles.
 
trebor2880 said:
BLR .308, and being clip fed, takes pointed nose bullets. I think the real reason hunters like rifles with removable clips, is the ease and speed of unloading, when using motorized vehicles.
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I would agree. Years ago if I made a short move with my Marlin I'd just drive over with the action broke open. I just bought a 32-20 Winchester but it is my last gun without a clip or opening floor plate, I think. It is also my last cartridge that is unique!

I'm tired of owning rifle cartridges that are hard to find, have limited component selection, and require specialized powders. I can live with a case that is a bit uncommon because I handload but if it isn't 224, 243, 270, or 308 forget about it.
 
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