Which Lever Gun Caliber?

[RNE228]

I've chimed in a couple times in this thread. I was in a similar quest, but went with Savage 99 in 300 Savage, and Marlin 94C 357, and Ruger Blackhawk 357.

I like the looks of a Win94. But, I like the Savage design and feel while carrying in the field. That, and options in spitzer bullets.

One f my points was, there are a number of options in Lever rifles besides Winchester 86, 73, 94... Like the Win88, Savage-99, Ruger-96, Browning BLR etc.

Too many options; too many fun things to shoot

All my lever guns are Winchester's. Either the original model 1894 or the later model 94. I bought my first one, an 1894 saddle ring carbine (SRC) in 30 WCF made in 1912 with a wonderful velvet smooth action and a patina'd well worn look that makes you wish the rifle could talk...

I bought my next Winchester lever gun, a model 94 also in 30 WCF, made in 1951, to carry in a scabbard on horseback into the high Sierrias for protection. I bought several more, all older SRC's made between 1910 and 1930. After a few trips on horseback with the 30-30 in a scabbard and a model 629 mountain gun on my hip, I started looking at the model 94 in 44 mag. The ballistics on the 44 mag charging out of a 20 inch barrel are pretty damn impressive out to 100 yards and I was lucky enough to stumble on two model 94 SRC's in 44 magnum, top eject, pre cross bolt safety, made in 1969. One was in mint condition and the other is and will remain NIB.

I like the idea, as the real Cowboys of the old west did, of having a pistol and rifle in the same Caliber as it simplifies ammo logistics. Why the pistol and the rifle together? If som mean critter wants to eat your horse or you, chances are the horse and the gear on it are running away at high speed from wherever you got dumped on your *** and you will need more than a prayer in those moments. I personally think that both the 30-30 and .44 magnum are very common calibers and there are probably places where they are more readily available than the ubiquitous 5.56 green tip... Lol.

Long story short, I was in a similar situation to the OP and went with 30 WCF and 44 magnum.

[smittty]

I wish they made the 1892 in 9mm. I know that sounds crazy but it's my fun caliber and the most economical. Even though it's rimless I still think it's doable. Think about the capacity a 20" tube would hold...load on Sunday and shoot all week!

[RudyN]

I would go with a .30-30 and a 45 Colt. I used to have a .30-30 and sold it (dumb me ) and have a 45LC 1892 Rossi that has been slicked up which I use for Cowboy Action shooting.

[chuckdc]

Come on now chuck, I can probably find 45 LC for 100.00 a box if I want to. Your info is not a good comparison unless you live in Dodge City

.38 sp is half the cost all day long, on the WWW or my local Bass Pro Shops

http://www.sgammo.com/catalog/pistol-ammunition/38-special

http://www.sgammo.com/catalog/pistol...n/45-long-colt

I was comparing it on-the-shelf locally here. 38 Spl 130 gr (the only non-defense ammo they had)at Gander last week was 28 something a box. It was the same price as the .357 next to it. They had Magtech .45 Colt "Cowboy loads" for 35-something a box. .38 isnt found at every Wal-Mart like it used to be, and Academy has been raising their prices on it when they have it. They actually stock more .357 than they do .38 Spl.

You also missed this: "I'm sure there are cheaper sources, but that's just insane"

Personally, I can always get the dies out and load some if I need to, will be the same with .45 when I get some dies. For my pistol, I've mostly just been running it with the .45ACP cylinder, because I can get .45 ACP for around 20 a box, sometimes even less if I go with the REALLY cheap stuff. Last box of .45 ACP I bought, I paid 17 at Academy.

[golfish]

You also missed this: "I'm sure there are cheaper sources,

Naw, I just read what you wrote in your first post.

so its not a whole lot more. .

[tpfishnfool]

Love my 336 30-30. Pigs, deer, iron sights . Keep it simple. My 2 cents.

[Sir Toast]

I have a Winchester 94 in 30-30 and it is one of my favorites to shoot. I also have a little 22LR lever action. Love that one too. Highly recommend both. they also make them in 357 magnum which would make it cheap to shoot. However, I love the 30-30 round. Really fun to shoot.

[CGT80]

The only lever gun I have is a Win 94 in 30-30. It has some kick with full power loads and was my grandfather's deer hunting rifle. I cast 180 grain boolits and load it with shotgun powder. It makes for some cheap, low recoil ammo that works great for plinking and silhouette shooting. Brass is easy to find, as well as bullets. The 94 is a little clunky and I am working on getting new sights setup on mine as the originals suck and I need to be able to hit a steel chicken at 110 yards.

The stainless Rossi levergun caught my eye. 357 seems like a great choice for a second gun. It is easier and cheaper to reload than 30-30 and cheaper to buy factory ammo. The 357's pack a punch when used on steel. 38spl or hand loads would make for cheap and light recoiling ammo and it is a very common caliber that can be used in a pistol. 45 colt shoots fine from my 460 mag revolver, so I could get a lever gun in 45 colt, but it takes bigger bullets and probably wouldn't hold as many rounds. Since I don't hunt, the extra power is not needed and the 30-30 would take care of anything that a full power pistol cartridge would. 22lr doesn't have the same appeal as a centerfire pistol round. 9mm would be great for fun use, but I am looking at building an AR for that caliber to use in 3gun.

It all depends on what you are looking for. I did shoot a 45/70 lever gun, once. It was loaded with trailboss powder (which I use for light 460 loads) and it was easy on the shoulder. That is a big chunk of lead to send down range for a plinker with light loads. I think the average is 405 grains where I use a 270 grain cast boolit in the 460 for a light load.

The Rossi looks good, has a low price, and is said to be easy to slicken up and that lead me to want one in 357 stainless.