Which lever/caliber combo to buy...

S

Stefan

Member
Rating - 100%
26   0   0
hey lads,

Here's the thing, I have my 30-30 ('94 winny) for hunting over our camp's hounds back home, but now that I go to Lakehead in Thunder Bay I do most of my deer hunting around Kenora/Nestor Falls, as for moose- I live in Thunder Bay-enough said, lol. I Had a 760 in '06 for awhile and never got used to the creepy/sloppy trigger. I traded it for a 700 in .300 which I love and which does an admirable job on awfully tasty deer-I wonder if its the rifle, LOL. The problem is, I really like levers, and I'm particularly interested in finding one that'll make meat (deer and moose) out to 175-200 yds (I certainly won't shoot the .300 any further than that). Bottom line- 45-70 or .444, I'm not too interested in the .450 or the obsolete jobbies-.356, .307-I know they're probably great, but I want something that's easier to find shells for. I figure if they killed off the buffalo with the 45-70 that'd probably be my best bet. Is either any better or worse for moose sized or smaller critters out to 200 yards or so? And what is ammo like in terms of price for both. I don't reload now, but probably will start once I get settled after school-if that's helpful at all.

cheers, stef
 
If your choosing between a 444 and a 45-70, go with the .45. The reason I'm saying that is you also said you have to find shells. That tells me you don't roll your own. And factory 444 uses .44 caliber pistol bullets. Their fine on deer, but you can do better for tougher critters.
 
Well, you have your "wild west" lever gun, now you can pick up a REAL rifle with lever action.

Find a BLR in the biggest cartridge you feel like flinching to!:D
 
Well I'm afraid you already ommited your best choice!
Your not a hand loader so I would pass on my first choice the 45-70!
That leaves you with the .450 as the best non-handload gun for moose & deer!
 
My first choice would be a marlin XLR in .450 marlin, 45-70 if reloading. Second choice would be a Browning BLR in .358 or .308 :cool:
 
Put a good peep on your .30-30 (if it doesn't have one already) and shoot Hornady lever evolution .30-30's. Your winchester will become an instant 200 yard deer/moose/bear rifle.

cheers Darryl
 
blargon said:
My first choice would be a marlin XLR in .450 marlin, 45-70 if reloading. Second choice would be a Browning BLR in .358 or .308 :cool:
Click to expand...

Was thinkin about a BLrrr in 358 but he was already complaining about a creepy trigger in a 760!!! He would for sure have some complaints about the crappy non-Belguim BLrrr triggers!!
 
wade said:
savage 99 and browning blr .308 will do anything you want , forget the 45s great for in the bush, with fullpower loads, doesnt reach like the .308,wade
Click to expand...

Since the range limit was self imposed "and I'm particularly interested in finding one that'll make meat (deer and moose) out to 175-200 yds "

A hand loaded 45-70 or stock .450 will damm sure hit harder at 200yds than any 308!!!
 
444 will kick some serious butt at those ranges too. The hornady light mag or lever evolution rounds have a nice flat trajectory (for a big bore lever) and certainly aren't using "pistol bullets". Very effective.
 
Thanks

hey guys,

Thanks for all of the advice you've provided me with. Hey madtrapper143, I found your suggestion particularly appealing as I love carrying my 30-30 more than anything, I'd carry it for grouse and hare if I could find some of those accelerator shells. Saving the money I'd spend on a new rifle is definitely a factor as well. Which peep do you recommend? Williams or Lyman?


thanks again, stef
 
lever

Also keep in mind you can load it down to 110 or 125 grain bullet so you can varmint too if you want. But you know for grouse and rabbits a 22 is still pretty potent and way cheaper although 30-30 is real cheap to load too.
 
The 30/30 is a great gun, handy, light, low recoil, etc. it is however, not a 200 yd. moose gun...short range, good line of sight, yes. The 45/70 and the 450 Marlin have it all over the cals. mentioned in this string, and yes the 45/70 and others did kill Buffalo and at over 200 yds, by very seasoned shooters, who were experts at estimating range, and they were not using Hornady Evolution Ammo, they may have used it for skinny white tails but, for Bufflers they used 500gr. or heavier lead bullets propelled by black powder.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom