Lever action calibers for moose?

Steel receiver BLR in 358 Win is my choice and lever gun. 200gr Silvertip will dump 'em!
Not sure but heard rumors of Hornady loading for this round. I handload 225gr Partitions or 250's.
Can't go wrong with the 444 Marlin, shot my first moose with one at 100yds...dropped him in his tracks.
 
Woodbeef said:
Don't over look the Winchester 375 and 356 Big Bores.
Click to expand...

How hard is it to find these two rounds in the stores today? I am NOT a reloader so I will be relying solely on factory rounds.

Out of the tube fed lever action guns available today which round is easy to find, offers good performance on big game and has at least a few options in bullets weights/types available?
 
I love my Win 94 in .307. I have used this rifle with great success on all big game. Ammo is kind of pricey though, unless you load your own.
 
Max-4, Hornady makes factory ammo for the 375 win. loaded with 220gr leads, and for the 450 marlin loaded with 350gr leads.

The factory 450 ammo is pretty brisk and the hornady leads are great. The 375win factory loads are also pretty much the same as I handload for my wife. I believe they are also selling 325gr, "lipstick loads" for the 450.

Anyplace that sells Hornady ammo can easily stock it for you. I'd wager if you start looking for it you'd be surprised how often you see it on the shelf, albeit not in large quantities.
 
Max-4 said:
How hard is it to find these two rounds in the stores today? I am NOT a reloader so I will be relying solely on factory rounds.

Out of the tube fed lever action guns available today which round is easy to find, offers good performance on big game and has at least a few options in bullets weights/types available?
Click to expand...

true factory ammo isn't cheap around 40 plus $ a box and not a good variety just giving an idea though, other wise i would have to go with 45/70 with some lever evolution i like it
 
Another to consider is the Savage model 99 in either 300 savage or 308. My 99F in 300 savage shoots 1 1/2" at 100 yards with peep sights. I haven't finished sighting in my C version in 308 yet but it shows promise.
 
iceman2 said:
Another to consider is the Savage model 99 in either 300 savage or 308. My 99F in 300 savage shoots 1 1/2" at 100 yards with peep sights. I haven't finished sighting in my C version in 308 yet but it shows promise.
Click to expand...

I didn't think of this and I am surprised it hadn't been mentioned. Savage 99 in .308 would definitely be something to look in to. These are fine rifles.
 
Northman999 said:
Back when I was the sporting goods guy at our local Woolco, I sold more win 94's in 30-30 than all other centerfires combined. The vast majority of those were going to moose hunters. I also sold more 150gr 30-30 ammo than all other centerfire ammo combined. Why were they buying the lighter 150gr ammo versus the 170? It was $2 per box cheaper and the moose ended up just as dead. Now, the 30-30 would not be my first choice as a moose rifle, but I personally know people who have used them for decades, and their daddies did before them.

And if it could be done with the 30-30 using the cheapest ammo people could find, it can be done a little more confidently with any of the calibers you listed. None of the calibers you listed will give you excessive meat damage either, if loaded intelligently.
Click to expand...

My grandfather used the M94 in 30-30 exclusively. All the moose died cleanly. Incidentally most of the shots were under a 100 yards.
 
I've seen quite a few of those BLRs end up at the 'smith because of problems associated with the gears that drive the action, gears either broken or out of sync., I don't believe that leverguns need gears.
 
ben hunchak said:
I've seen quite a few of those BLRs end up at the 'smith because of problems associated with the gears that drive the action, gears either broken or out of sync., I don't believe that leverguns need gears.
Click to expand...

They generally only end up at the 'smith's if the hunter 'handyman' has taken them apart I believe, Ben. It's tricky, but can be done quite easily once you've done it. The trigger...now that's another story.

The OP should consider a BLR IMO, or a nice Win 94 in .307.
 
If you're on a budget than a Savage 99 is one hell of a rifle. Can be found in 358 winchester but there is nothing wrong with the 308 for moose. It may not be as accurate as a BLR but I find it to be a nicer rifle. 308s also don't seem to mind shorter barrels so you could get into a carbine without giving up much velocity.

If you got money to burn then a winchest model 71 should do the trick. Now those are sweet rifles.
 
Don't forget the Win 95 in 405 win , 30-40 Krag or some of the old calibers. Then there is the model 71 in 348 Win. All new manufactured if you can find them
 
spooksar said:
Don't forget the Win 95 in 405 win , 30-40 Krag or some of the old calibers. Then there is the model 71 in 348 Win. All new manufactured if you can find them
Click to expand...

That I wouldn't mind. Also, like your choice of the model 71 as that's my favorite lever gun/caliber combo. Mine isn't a repo but an original deluxe model, ;)and a keeper.

Model71Winchester348WCF-1.jpg
 
lilsurfer said:
I didn't think of this and I am surprised it hadn't been mentioned. Savage 99 in .308 would definitely be something to look in to. These are fine rifles.
Click to expand...

Fine? Better than fine. My model 99 in 308 is probably the most balanced rifle I have ever carried in the bush. Love the rotary magazine.

Still, it can't match the hitting power of a well loaded 45/70!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom