.357magnum
.357magnum
I'll go with the 30-30.
Pistol caliber rifles aren't what they're cracked up to be. I used to hunt with a 686 8 3/8" barrel, then decided to go to a 44mag in a lever action to up my hunting game. Unfortunately, there was almost twice the wind drift as the pistol! That was a downgrade.
So I want a rifle cartridge in my rifles... the other rifles cartridges would be okay too.
I would have to stay with 4570. Easy to load gallery loads for, will take 500gr monsters, can kill anything in North America, my go-to.
I have 454C, it shoots 454, 45Colt, + Scofeild in a pinch. The 45ACP Truncated cone Boolits w/GC or not will work just fine. There are 350g & over available commercially. One can shoot Cowboy to MAGnum. Any jacketed load will be impressive, no worries of cylinder gap obturation in a lever action. Had an 1895, got 2 scars in the right eyebrow, 3 pairs of cracked glasses [smilie=b:from the Marlin, traded for a Springfield 270. Built a Siamese Mauser in 4570, way better, more accurate too. It pushes instead of slam. :Fire:
The 454C lever is handy, holds more rounds than 1895, impressive terminal ballistics, plus you Can reload on the couch with a Lee hand press. (or from a backpack if needed) If you insist on 35 something get some of the old sabots for the 45 cal BP rifles & use those. They go fast & flat.:kidding:
If I really want something in 35 I'll grab a Remington model 81 or the 760. For the 308 cal I'll borrow Bro's BLR 300WM, I just don't like sighting it in. Too many eyebrow problems already.:groner:
My vote is for the .348 Winchester.
45-70
I think I will give everyone something else to think about. I know it is not a rifle. I would love to take my Marlin 1894 CSBL in .357 but I think that I would rather have a Henry Lever action .410. A lot more versatile I would think. But the .410 is not listed.
not on the list but my Winchester 1895 in 405 and my 1936 winchester model 71 348.john
Never owned one. Probably never will But always had a soft spot for the ‘71.
Marlin GBL 45/70
I will say 45-70 but in all reality 30-30 is the only true all around one on the list. This question will be answered very differently depending on where a person lives. 30-30 uses a lot less lead. 45-70 can hunt T-Rex.
Just thinking about all the different types of lever actions... I wonder with a mind like J M Browning and the modern machine and casting processes what kind of gun he could design today ?
Surely he could improve on the old designs and with his practice of making things strong enough then doubling that without the pressures to cut corners and costs of manufacturing he could size a action to nearly any cartridge we wanted a levergun in.
Jedman
What about 12 gauge?
If I had to pick one, it'd be my little Winchester 92 baby carbine with half magazine in 32-20. It's had a long hard life, but is so handy to keep around with you. It's got enough oomph to kill the little deer in the woods around here, where most shots are under 35 yards.
I can load it slow and quiet too, for knocking off the varmints around the house.
35 Remington, in one of those new Henry sidegate brass receiver models. Just a beautiful rifle, and a handy cartridge.
I chose the 357/38 own pistols in that caliber. With casting and reloading really cheap to shoot.
Had a Marlin 357 years ago, regret selling it. Have a Jap. Winchester 73 now really love this rifle.
Here we have big critters so my pick is the 45/70 followed by my 94 ae in 356 Win. using a 250 gr. flat point.
45-70 for the Bears we have in B.C. but currently very enamoured with the 7-30 Waters with 120gr pills......... Aim small, miss small.