Need help deciding on my second Lever action...

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lawman_1000

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My appologies if this has been beaten to death. I have read hundreds of threads on the American forums, but everyone seems to be driven emotionally by what they have. Just looking for more objective discussions.

I just picked up a nice stainless 336ss 30-30, but I still feel like I NEED a big bore too!

Trying to decide between the 45/70 or a 444. I know practically the same for my applications (paper at range, maybe Moose/elk eventually), but looking for general pro's and cons. Also, if I pick up a big bore, will I actually still need the 30/30?? Lets hear from you that have all, or both or none at all but just have an opinion.

Thanks again guys.
 
Don't worry so much about justifying your firearm purchase. The 45/70 gets my vote, it's easier to find as well as get ammo for. I've used one with stout hand loads before and it's quite effective at a reasonable range.
Any advantage the 444 has over the 45/70 diminishes quickly once hand loading comes into play. Due to a number of older guns dating back to the mid 1800's the 45 is rarely found loaded to full potential in factory ammo. In a Ruger no.1 that potential is way up there. No slouch in a lever gun either.
 
45/70. Factory loads its tame but offers more versatility then the 444 in my opinion if it is to be used hunted. If you hand load the 45/70 is by far the best. The 45/70 is also carried in more brands.
Don't overlook the 454 or 475 Turnbull either.
The 4570 and 3030 are both classics that survived an era of simpler times and both still kick ass in this fast paced modern world
 
The 444 is just a bad joke.......45-70 all the way, or a 71 in 348 is a powerful set up like G H said. If you want the most power in a levergun go to the Win 95 in 405 WCF, a true powerhouse and ammo is available for it as well as loading components.
 
I would go with a .45/70... you can choose the platform of your choice. An older "JM" Marlin, or the current production Henry would be my choices for a lever... I would also recommend keeping your .30/30... if you sell it you will regret it...

A BLR in .358 Win would be a great choice if you can find one... a far better choice (IMO) than a .348 or .375 etc...
 
I have had a number of .444's and used them extensively for moose hunting with 300 grain soft point hand loads. That caliber is serious moose medicine out to almost 200 yards in my experience. I have also used the .45-70. Both are very cool. That being said, the BLR is a better lever - especially if we are talking new rifles. I agree that a BLR in .358 would be a nice rig, as would a BLR in .450 Marlin. I love my BLR in .243 and someday I will probably get another in .308 or even .30-06.
 
The 444 gets my vote. 22" Ballard rifling barrel version is best if you want to load it up. Most people that put the round down haven't ever shot it.

And keep the 30-30.
 
If I had to choose between the 444 and a 45-70, my choice would be the 45-70.
I did use a 444 through several hunting seasons and its ok, but the 45-70 seems to have an endless number of combinations with respect to bullets both jacketed and cast so you can do a lot of plinking.
A Mod. 71 either Browning or Winchester in 348 can be an excellent choice.... I have two original 71s and they too are excellent shooters with either cast or jacketed loads.
An ideal thing would be if you can find someone in your neck of the woods that would take you to a range with some of the rifles in your interest and then you could ' test drive '.... nothing compares like hands on experience..
 
This might not be exactly what you were asking but I have shot many deer with the 300 hornady xtp .451 bullet at 2300-2400fps in a savage smokeless muzzleloader. This is about what a max loaded marlin lever in .45-70 will do and the deer looked like they had been struck by lightning and meat damage was minimal.
 
Several factors to think about: Is this gun going to be an investment for the long term, or is it going to be for fun, and if it doesn't go up in value over the years you won't sweat it?
I have a couple of Winchesters that are investments for me. A model '92 in 38-40 and a model 64 in 30-30. I bought them so that in a few years I'll get my money back on them, but in the meantime, I hunt and plink with them.
I really can't see getting a gun that would depreciate, unless it fell in my lap at a price that was too good to let go. A beater that is a diamond in the rough maybe.
Price of ammo is another biggie. I'm lucky to be able to reload. I couldn't afford to shoot my 348 at $80/box of ammo. Between casting bullets, reusing cases and the amount of powder I use, I'm probably in the less than $10 for a box of 50. Much easier to swallow. Makes the 30-30 and the 38-40 cheap to feed, too.
Big bores are way cool to shoot, but will include a steep cost to feed.
What about a big bore pistol caliber? Something in 44 mag? Then when you get your restricted you can do the companion gun thing and have two guns that share the same loading.
Recoil is something that will also come up with the big bores. How bad is your flinch now? How bad do you think it will get? Keeping it mild with those pumpkin tossers will be easier if you reload, and\or get a heavier gun to soak up the recoil.
There's my take on it.
 
I'm a bit surprised that no one here mentioned the 38-55 or the modern version, the 375 Win.

I have a reproduction M94 in 38-55, and a 255 grain Barnes Jacketed slug at 1800 fps is very "persuasive", shall we say.

The 375 will push it a tad faster, but these chamberings both work very well with cast or jacketed bullets, and are deadly out past 150 yards.

Of course the 45-70 and the 348 are classics, that need little introduction.

Regards, Dave.
 
Eagleye said:
I'm a bit surprised that no one here mentioned the 38-55 or the modern version, the 375 Win.

I have a reproduction M94 in 38-55, and a 255 grain Barnes Jacketed slug at 1800 fps is very "persuasive", shall we say.

The 375 will push it a tad faster, but these chamberings both work very well with cast or jacketed bullets, and are deadly out past 150 yards.

Of course the 45-70 and the 348 are classics, that need little introduction.

Regards, Dave.
Click to expand...

;)Now you're cookin' with gas .

 
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