Which Lever Gun Caliber?

[TMB 1]

You probably wont be able to stop at just two. Next thing you know you'll want a 45/70 too, and a ___ and a ___

[jeffrice6]

.44 Hands down!

[APeter001]

I have a .30-30 marlin and it is a hoot to shoot but not quite 3x as fun as my .38 revolver so my vote is .357 if I had to have just one, only then I'd have to buy a .357 revolver so I have to have two or well, maybe 3 I think I want a .44 Mag and a revolver to go along with that, .45LC for sure in a single action but maybe not a lever.

[JTROKS]

I'd say a 45 Colt. If the action of the lever action is strong it should be able to shoot +p+ loads that can take big game. Or a 45/70 if you really want big game.

[PatC415]

don't have to worry about loading only flat nose now, Hornady has the flex tip 160gr and they work great.

+1 for the 30-30.

I have an old Marlin 336, that was a 150 yd gun at best until the Hornady Leverevolution Flextip came out. With a fixed 3x, I am good to 300yds.
Not sure if you will be hunting at long distance, but you won't see that kind of performance out of a pistol caliber....now to find a pistol in 30-30!

[NapalmCheese]

L84Cabo was already going to get a .30-30, the question is what to get for a second cartridge in a lever gun.

I still vote .22.

[MongooseV8]

45 Colt isn't really affordable unless you reload.

Its very close to the price of 357, and almost identical to 44 Mag. Compared to any centerfire rifle cartridge, 45 Colt is super affordable.

[MongooseV8]

Also great advice MongooseV8.....Side note-watcha got to kill off a Cobra??

Used to have a 300HP V8 240z that weighed in at 2400LBS. After building it and driving if for a couple years I sold it. Not many Cobras stood a chance

Now I am building a 400HP 63' Falcon hoping to weigh 2500LBS.

[finn40]

44. The 30/30 has some snap. You can load the 44 up and down cheaper. Tons of fun.

[M1NM]

Had a Winchester 94 in 30-30 I bought in the early 70s. It was ok but if I were to replace it I'd get one pre 1964. Had a Ruger auto 44 carbine that I bought to pair up with my Super Blackhawk. Sold it - I'd replace it with a 44 lever with 16" barrel. There is no way I'd purchase a newer 94 with the safety - too ugly.

[rubbman]

.45/70 don't waste your time on anything less!

[golfish]

I have a 44 mag 16" carbine, that little gun kicks like a mule. We have fun shooting our lever guns but I'll have to say the 357 is my favorite.


I haven't shot a 44 revolver, yet. I'm looking forward to it.


I'm sure you'll enjoy what ever caliber you get, just as long as its a lever gun. I don't know why I waited 50+ years to get one.

[PatC415]

L84Cabo was already going to get a .30-30, the question is what to get for a second cartridge in a lever gun.

I still vote .22.

Yes, definitely .22. Maybe a nice HENRY!

[Euphoria526]

I say anyone who needs a lever gun should just get a 30-30. Good enough to plink AND hunt with.

[Euphoria526]

On a side note is probably get a revolver caliber, in case I ever got a shell gun as well