Which Lever Gun Caliber?

[toby]

My favorites are the King of the levers, 45-70, 35 Remington, 375 Winchester for hunting applications. Stand by would be 30-30 or 7-30 Waters.

[Guardian Mode]

Being allowed to shoot in an indoor range that only allows pistol calibers could be a factor.
38/357 is relatively cheap to reload and cheap to buy factory ammo for. It allows you to shoot more. It's also shoots at a higher velocity, which makes a difference at distance. So I say shoot 357mag...and get a matching revolver.

[Ugly Hombre]

357/38 or 44 mag/44 special vote here.

357 if you don't reload probly

[TMB 1]

32-20, 25-20, 218 Bee really cool cartridges.
You have to reload to shoot them cheap.

[terry4130]

I have an 1894 in 357 and one in 44. They are both great but honestly the 357 gets much more use due to being able to get cheap 38 spl.

My wife's first gun was a Henry golden boy (golden boys are .22). That little gun has one of the smoothest actions I've ever felt. And it's a blast to shoot.


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[Triumph650]

Although they are no longer made by Winchester, their Model 9422 in either 22 long rifle or 22 Magnum would be fun way to start. Granted they are more of a collector's item which drives up cost. However in 22 caliber they make up for it when purchasing ammo. The new Henrys are a real sweet consideration too.

[elmontemike]

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

Well said rubbman

[Rottentofu]

Being allowed to shoot in an indoor range that only allows pistol calibers could be a factor.
38/357 is relatively cheap to reload and cheap to buy factory ammo for. It allows you to shoot more. It's also shoots at a higher velocity, which makes a difference at distance. So I say shoot 357mag...and get a matching revolver.

+1



I love this combo! Ruger GP100/Rossi R92.

[Killer Bee]

Which Lever Gun Caliber?

So I think I'm going to start looking for a lever gun. I've wanted once since I was a kid and can't for the life of me figure out why I've waited this long. I haven't done any research yet but the first question crossing my mind is, "which caliber?"

Or rather, I think I want two lever guns with the first one being in 30-30 as I want something I could hunt with if I needed too and a caliber that isn't horribly expensive or hard to find. So what should the second one be? For the second one I'm just looking for a fun, affordable plinking caliber. So maybe 357 or possibly 45 Long Colt...but I know nothing about that caliber. Is it reasonably affordable? How does the ballistics of 45 LC compare to 357?

So...what do you guys think? Any thoughts and/or comments are appreciated. And if anyone wants to suggest which guns to look at, that's fine too. Like I said, I haven't ever started researching yet so I don't have much knowledge yet.

I would suggest looking into vertical feed for spitzer bullet types..

these are my favorites and have several noteworthy attributes..

got both of my .308 in great shape with high quality vintage scopes for under $500.. deals are out there..

these are real honest to goodness American made rifles that almost don't exist in modern manufacturing anymore..

here's a few words I posted a while back on that..

posted the Chuck Hawks articles but there are many equally as positive reviews out there..

Browning BLR detachable box mag
pre-81 available in .243, .308. .358
81 models available in almost everything

Winchester model 88 detachable box mag
.243, .308, .358, .284
and if you're into collecting, the model 100 is a great companion auto

Savage model 99 rotary mag
various calibers

for basic heavy load round nose, the tube feeders are handy with integral mag..

good luck with your choice!


Belgium BLR .308 / Win 88 .308 / Win 94 30-30 / Marlin 336 30-30

also have the matching model 100 for that 88


and this pair for the kids.. notice the serial numbers

[cbright1]

Not sure which manufacturer, but according to De Leon, the 30 caliber, high capacity clip is the most frightening, so I would go with that.

[rromeo]

I have Marlins in 22lr, 30-30, 35 Remington, and 444, and a Rossi 45 Colt. I've sold a Henry 44 mag and a Rossi 357. The 357 was really a lot of fun to shoot, and I'll probably get another, but probably a Marlin this time.

[idntwn2]

Winchester 94 in 30-30 and a Henry Golden Boy in .22lr.

Look for a good used 94.

That would be my advice for you.

There is a lot of other good calls in this thread, but from what you stated in the OP, this is what I would suggest.

The action on the Henry is ridiculous, the gun is not expensive and 22 is about the ultimate plinker/vermin/varmint combo. The gun is crazy fun to shoot.

The 30-30 Win, 'cause Wild West.

[rromeo]

Then you didn't read the post. He's getting a 30-30, and wants advice on which second caliber to get.

[Johneracer]

If you are not reloading 44 magnum. You can hit gongs at the range or hunt. If you are reloading 45 colt is a must. Most versitale rounds, can be loaded light or exceed 44 mag energy deliver with less pressure. It is my favorite round at the range. I also hunt with it. 22lr in a pistol is great but in rifle lever sucks. I love the way metal targets move when hit with 300 grain hot 45 colt load. 45 colt will deliver greater energy than 30-30 at 100 yards. 300 grains at 1500fps will put down any animal in north america. One this to be carefull about is that not all levers can take the abuse of these hot loads. I have a marlin 1894 cowboy.

[Junkie]

I didn't realize there were lever action 308s available, interesting. Are they inherently any less accurate than bolt action? They seem a little faster to shoot to me.