Help for a lever action

freshman

freshman

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Hi guys,

I'm looking for a lever action rifle and I need a lot of help on this subject. What models are there, makes, calibers and length of barrel? Whatever else I need to know would be a great help!

I'd like to go hunting with it so a caliber that will take care of deer, moose, bear etc. I would want one that we can use revolver or pistol ammo (eg. 44, 357 or whatever). I do reload so I would just need to pick up the die set. Any info would be great. If you have other recommendations, I am all ears. I do have a 308 Rem bolt but now I'd like to get into lever action.

Thanks for the help.
Cheers.
 
For the big game you mentioned, I would not use pistol ammo. the animal deserves better. The 30-30 Winchester or Marlin will fill the spot you need. This caliber has taken more game than most other calibers altogether. With proper weight bullets and good shot placement, it will put the animal down. If in doubt, then go up to the 38-55 caliber which was developed as target ammo but bowls them over. I myself prefer the 26 inch barreled rifles over the shorter carbine which has 20. But for thick bush, the shorter barrel is easier to maneuver. Unles you can walk up to the bear or moose ( which I gravely doubt) the pistol ammo is too light for the distances you will be at.
 
The top of the heap for factory levers is the 45/70, for power and versatility, and Marlin makes one for everyone, from the 26" barreled Cowboy Gun, to std. pistol grip models, short Guide guns, the new SGL, etc. Start with light loads, to lower recoil or use factory loads and you can work up to loads that almost equal the .458 Magnum.
 
Ok, so we have the 30-30 Winchester or Marlin, .44mag or .45 colt Marlin, 38-55, BLR in .308 and the 45/70. Now, which one would be the ideal one overall? Overall in practicality, reliability, power, versatility and it won't hurt that bad in reloading (dies, casings and brass)?
 
I'd stay away from the handgun ammo, it looks great in cowboy movies but really ineffective when it comes to hunting and killing power as well as range. Can't go wrong with a 30.30 for general purpose shooting and ammo is relatively inexpensive in comparison to other hunting loads. Marlin makes a nice 30.30 lever for the price or there are still some good deals to be had with a used Winchester. Stay away from the Mossberg, I have one, the sights suck on it. Browning BLR in 308 is a great choice. Wide range of ammo to choose from, light or heavy. 308 is an excellent hunting load.
 
45-70. You can load it light, or buy factory Remington 405s, or load it right up to the point I reached, where the limiting factor is your shoulder
 
Browning in 308 since you have one already makes sense. But a 4570 lever is great . Can't go wrong with the old 3030 either. Lever Revolution from Hornady.
 
Go .30-30 or .45-70. .30-30 is cheaper than .44 magnum in most places. If you are set on handgun ammo, than an 1894 in .44 magnum/.44 special would do it. The .44 special ammo might be great for small game. This is one of the great appeals of .357/38 special carbines.
 
philthygeezer said:
Go .30-30 or .45-70. .30-30 is cheaper than .44 magnum in most places. If you are set on handgun ammo, than an 1894 in .44 magnum/.44 special would do it. The .44 special ammo might be great for small game. This is one of the great appeals of .357/38 special carbines.
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If you plan on shooting a bear with a .44mag, I hope you plan on putting the barrel in the bear's ear or you better grind off the front sight!
 
browning lever in 358 is my choice,clip fed for ease of unload light to carry and accurate top it with a vx3 2.5x8x36 rangfinding reticle,learn to shoot it and its a 250 yard gun for every animal in north america.Load it with 225 noslers and imr 4895 to 45.5 gr
 
I picked up a Savage 99C in 308 (detatch mag) several years ago and it is one of my fave rifles. Cycles flawlessly and the DM is a handy thing. 60yrs old and tight. I originally bought it because it is a tang safety and I am a leftie but friends want to play with it too. BLR is nice too but I prefer the Savage. Have a Ruger bolt 30-06 too but the 308 is a fave and they are so close unless you reload. FWIW I have an old 1894 38-55 I plan to hunt too. It will load up to 1800fps and with a 255 lead slug I figure it should put down a number of larger animals. Made in 1900 and still snug.
 
Depends on your terrain. But if you will have to reach out and smack something the 308 is hands down victor. 45/70 is big thump but runs out of steam pretty quick. Most universally available ammo is 22lr, 30-30, 308 and 30-06. If the store has only 4 cals then thats what they will have. My 308 is zeroed at 200m with a 150gr PSP and it is MOA all the way. If you are only taking one gun then you hope its a 308. Good up close and far away. However you cook it a 308 levergun is a pretty sweet package. Sure do love mine. Taking the old girl out for a week long walk in the woods next week. They are not usually fussy about barrel length from what I have read.
 
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