First Lever

derk22

Regular
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NB
Hello i am finally going to buy a lever action and i love the look of the henrys, witht he octogonal barrels and ive tested them and i like the feel (even the weight)

im looking for a deer gun, my last was a 270 bolt action.

the question i have is that it comes in

30-30
.44 mag
.45 colt
.357 mag

which of these is the flatest shooting? any advise on which i should buy?
 
30-30 is the flatest but still about 1/2 the effective range of your 270. Another option is a BLR in all different calibers or a used Savage in 243 or 308, to get longer range. If you are to use your lever in close range (under 200) hav e fun with the 30-30.
 
All cals you listed are plenty for deer. If you have your heart set on a Henry, get one! Very well made rifle, with butter smooth action. You won't be disapointed.
 
You post should have a different title such as; "WTB: Winchester Mod 94 in 30-30" :)

Best lever rifle you can get for the use and calibres you mentioned.
 
Of the cartridges you mentioned, they will all do the job but the 357 will be the most limiting on the list. I would tend to vote for the 30-30. I've only hunted one season with a 30-30, preferring to hunt with more ancient cartridges, but that season I dropped two nice bucks with my 30-30, both one-shot kills. I'm impressed with the 30-30 and of all the cartridges you listed, I would vote for that one. The 44 Mag and 45 Colt have pretty hefty stopping power and the 45 Colt can be loaded up to near 45-70 ballistics (see Paco Kelly's article on the 45 Colt). Still, I would give the nod to the 30-30.
 
Lever

Go with the 30-30 & if you want to get more range with it buy the Hornady "Lever Revolution" ammo turns a shorter range gun into a longer range gun. Pricey ammo and sometimes hard to find but as with all ammo for hunting "premium pays"
Cheers/luck
 
I am curious if the Answer would be different if you posted this question on Alberta Outdoorsmen. Regional differences and all that.
 
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I was of the school of thought that the 30-30 was too light for deer. However, after watching my hunting buddy produce three bang flops with his 30-30 on deer this season my opinion has been slightly altered:)


BTW this was in Sask where the overall school of thought is Magnum magnum Magnum. Funny how the deer don't drop any different based on regional viewpoints.
 
I have a pre-64 win 94 in 30-30, mint shape, like it won't sell it. Son's friend bought a new Marlin stainless laminate 30-30, slicker action and receiver drilled and tapped for a scope. He got a mambo mulie with it first time hunting this year.
 
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