.45lc lever?

[Sutcliffe]

[SoCal1911]

The 45 Colt is a good round. I reload so it very reasonable cost wise.

[cannon]

I enjoyed shooting my Marlin 45LC. I orig. got it and a pair of Italian 45 SAA's for cowboy shooting.

Stopped doing that and someone forced me to sell him the pistols by shoving too much money in my face.

So at that time I had just picked up a Marlin 357 and had a Unfired boxed Python that was doing me no good and managed to trade it for two pristine 2nd gen Colt 357s.

The 45 LC has been collecting dust ever since.

[Darto]

Normal 45 Long Colt lead bullet cartridges will never lead a barrel, they move way too slow. And is very cheap to reload lead compared to jacketed. Maybe 1/4 as much per bullet. Soft lead bullets, say the cheap Desparado cowboy bullets, will flatten on steel instead of zinging off sideways or back at you.

I would go .357 (shooting 38 special), or 45 LC, 44 or 41 magnum milds (44 special). The bigger calibers are easier to handle and look inside the case when reloading. But heavier to carry ammo around.
The contest guys like 44/40 because it's streamlined and more jam proof and one burp in a 100 cost points. That's their specialized need. But more of them shoot 38 special anyways because of soft recoil. Or 45 LC to match their revolvers.

[Cowboy T]

thinking of a Henry Big Boy Steel. That should be strong enough I think.

Here are a couple of threads dealing with the strength of this rifle, where someone actually got some feedback on this from Henry themselves. It appears that you should be OK.

https://www.go2gbo.com/threads/max-cup-rating-for-henry-big-boy-45lc.202646/

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?248562-Can-the-Henry-Big-Boy-handle-the-Ruger-only-45-colt-loads

Apparently they say that the rifle can handle Buffalo Bore "+P" loads, which are definitely, um, "warm". :-) The key to asking them that question seemed to be specifying "Buffalo Bore" factory loads and not reloads.

And speaking of Buffalo Bore, they specify that their loads are safe to use in not just the Henry Big Boy, but also the Winchester 92 and all post-1920 copies (Rossi, Puma, Marlin 1894, etc.).

https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=335

[thana357]

Henry Big boy is a great choice ,My friend has one in .357 and it is very reliable and accurate but I don't like the tube feed arrangement ,I prefer the loading gate . I , too , looking to get .45 LC lever gun I prefer a Marlin but I haven't been in to gun store since the shelter in place order. I like reload for .45 LC because it is huge and hard to miss and not as easy to fumble and drop on the floor like .357 Magnum. The only disadvantage about .45 LC is that the bullets and shipping cost twice as much compare to .357 Magnum

[pennstater]

OP, just going by experience and assuming your going to buy a new gun that's going to cost under $1000.00. I'd get a Henry (you choose the caliber) both are equally fun. I side a little more with the .38/.357..

We're going to see another round of side loaders from Henry soon.

If your going to spend more. I'd get a Winchester model 92.

I think Marlin and Rossi are too iffy to buy right now.

Mark, I certainly agree with all this^^^,especially the last sentence. As far as new lever guns go, my two Henry's have been trouble free. The Marlins may be improving, but, the jury is still out.

MLC

[Horsewright]

Got the Marlin 1894C in .45 Colt.









It is an excellent rifle, very easy to shoot well, stupid accurate, light and easy to carry and points very well. Ridden many a mile with this guy checking fence etc. .45Colt is expensive to shoot if you don't reload, although back when we had gun shows we stocked up from LAX and that helped a lot. Handy to have around when things go bump in the night too. 10 rounds of .45 Colt is kinda comforting at those times. It has become one of the nightime load outs at this rancho as the wife is more comfortable with a lever than an AR.

If the rifle's purpose is solely plinking, I'd probably still go with the .22, then the .357/.38 and finally the .45 just based on ammo cost. If reloading and cost isn't that big of a factor, things sure jump when ya smack em with that big ol slow moving .45!

[theLBC]

if i was going to get a pistol caliber lever, i'd get one in the caliber of handgun i like to shoot most.

[Oceanbob]

Mark, I certainly agree with all this^^^,especially the last sentence. As far as new lever guns go, my two Henry's have been trouble free. The Marlins may be improving, but, the jury is still out.

MLC

Marlins built by Remington might still suffer from quality issues.
When they moved the factory to another State many of the life long
Marlin craftsman were left behind.
Gritty action
Horrible flat mat bluing
Poor fit on the wood.
Etc.

Get an original Marlin built by the old company and has a JM barrel mark
on it.

.44 Magnum down loaded for plinking or cowboy shooting and the ability to
Run hot loads if desired.

JM Marlins are extremely high quality and even collectible.

Thru out history and up to about 2010 is what you should hunt for.

Be well
Bob

[jon94520]

45-70

This... if your going lever gun do it right

[MEGSDAD]

45-70

Thanks, but I'm almost 65. I like my shoulder where it is.

[Snapping Twig]

Leading with hard cast bullets is mostly caused by undersized projectiles.

Always go .001 oversize.

I do this in my Marlin 1894 44. They are well known for inaccuracy with lead, but this is caused by oversize bore for caliber. Larger projectiles benefit is accuracy and no leading.

[Epaphroditus]

I have Colt Anaconda 6" and Rossi R92 with 20" octagonal bbl. 45LC is a very versatile cartridge. Yes, I handload.

I went so far as to cut down 454 Casull brass for my extra spicy loads. Proceed with caution and realize some very hefty loadings.

Quite a bit of fun to be had shooting the venerable cartridge.

[gimebakmybulits]

Thanks, but I'm almost 65. I like my shoulder where it is.

Actually I think you'd really be surprised as to how mild a 300 gr 45-70 is when loaded with 8, 9 or 10 grains of Tite Group. Super fun to shoot and lots more noise when you shoot at steel. A Lee classic loader is all you need to start hand loading and it will keep costs to almost nothing.
A good site for pistol powder loads

http://www.gmdr.com/lever/lowveldata.htm