Cowboy Guns

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mrdayle

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Hey guys, over the past few years my go-to hunting rifle has been a 30-06. Although I like the gun, I am looking for something shorter, and possibly just leave the iron sites on. Like the post says I want a cowboy action, and the possibilities I am thinking of is a 30-30 or a 45-70. I am also wondering if there is anything in-between to be considered. Although a 30-30 can kill any deer, relied upon by many, I feel I want something bigger. On the other hand, the 45-70 would be ideal for a camp gun and bear defence,but it seems somewhat overkill, and I am a bit worried about the recoil. I'm Looking for your guys's thoughts on the 2 calibers, and potential others, and what you guys are using. thanks.
 
mrdayle said:
Hey guys, over the past few years my go-to hunting rifle has been a 30-06. Although I like the gun, I am looking for something shorter, and possibly just leave the iron sites on. Like the post says I want a cowboy action, and the possibilities I am thinking of is a 30-30 or a 45-70. I am also wondering if there is anything in-between to be considered. Although a 30-30 can kill any deer, relied upon by many, I feel I want something bigger. On the other hand, the 45-70 would be ideal for a camp gun and bear defence,but it seems somewhat overkill, and I am a bit worried about the recoil. I'm Looking for your guys's thoughts on the 2 calibers, and potential others, and what you guys are using. thanks.
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My 45/70 recoil isn't any more than my 30-06. Tuck it in solid and let 'er rip.
 
Have you considered a 38-55? Excellent hunting cartridge that fits midway between the 30-30 and 45-70. Plenty of power for what you want, but very easy on the shoulder. Worth a look.
 
The lever gun field is wide open with a huge array of cartridges, everything from the 218 bee and 25-20 right up to the 50-110. If you are not a handloader then many of them are beyond your reach as they are obsolete and one must make cases and reload them. Some of the best have gone this way unfortunately like the 35 Win. However there are still a plethora of highly capable cartridges between the 30-30 and 45-70. There are the new 95s in 30-06 and the new 71s in 348 and lots of older repros like the 95 in 405 Win if you really want to raise hell. As noted there are lots of 38-55s out there in both old and new Wins and Marlins, there is the relatively new levers like the Browning and some high powered older stuff like the Savages and Win 88s and if money is no object there is the Sako Finnwolfs. These guns are available in everything from the 250-3000 Savage to the 358 Win and 450 Marlin, with such numbers in between like the 308 Win, 243 Win, 284 Win, 300 Sav and in the Brownings you can get some of the belted magnums as well.
If I were looking for a cowboy, do everything cartridge/rifle including keep my butt safe from all the imagined bear maulings, I would pick me up a new Miroku model 71 in 348 Win and be quite happy and feel very secure in my tent at night........there's one for sale right now in the EE.
 
Lots of info thanks. I reload, and thats part of the reason I am looking at this type of rifle. Another question is price. I am looking for something that works but wont break the bank. The marlington issue is precent with many reviews about "lemons", on cabelas. I have heard there are certain markings indicating who built it, pre-remington takeover. I have no issue buying used as it seems many need to initially be sent in to work properly any ways. I will be keeping my eyes on the EE and local gun shops. 1000+ is too much for a bush gun IMO.
 
I shoot all three. I have a Tikka T3 light 30-06, a pre Remington Marlin 45-70 and a pre-64 Winchester 30-30. I find the Tikka kicks the most, but it weighs less than the Marlin. The 45-70 with a hot load will get your attention. It's a serious piece of lead...over 300 grains. That's more than what I shoot out of my 50 cal. Thompson muzzleloader. It makes a great bush gun and will have less deflection from a twig than a 30-30 160 grain. If you are choosing between a Winchester or a Marlin keep in mind you can scope the Marlin if you choose because of the side eject.
 
mrdayle said:
Lots of info thanks. I reload, and thats part of the reason I am looking at this type of rifle. Another question is price. I am looking for something that works but wont break the bank. The marlington issue is precent with many reviews about "lemons", on cabelas. I have heard there are certain markings indicating who built it, pre-remington takeover. I have no issue buying used as it seems many need to initially be sent in to work properly any ways. I will be keeping my eyes on the EE and local gun shops. 1000+ is too much for a bush gun IMO.
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For a reasonably priced Bush rifle you can't go rong with a lever
 
I'm doing the same. Was my first hunt last fall. Had my 308, practiced for months at 100 yard range. I was surprised to find out I was lucky if there was a 50-60 yard shot from my hunting spot when I went to check it out the day before the opener.

I got the deer at 25 yards MAX

Fortunately my scope has a 2.5 setting, but I would have preferred open sights.

So I've picked up a Marlin in 44 mag. Can't wait till next season.
 
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