If you had to pick one Lever Action Rifle, what caliber who you choose?

[Poohgyrr]

The 357Magnum will do fine for where I live, work, and play these days. And each family member gets to keep one for themselves too, right?

[Elkins45]

I think my 375 Win is my favorite of my lever guns, or maybe my 358 Win. Neither were options so I didn’t vote.

[AllanD]

A Marlin in 356Winchester, Harder hitting than my 30WCF '94 and not as punishing in recoil as my 1895.

Though an original 1886 in 45-90 is worth enough to make my retirement a lot more comfortable.

An original 1886 in 38-56 would be interesting...

I already have an 1895 Marlin and a Winchester in 30WCF and my 22itch is more or less satisfied by my BL22(some may consider this blasphemy) but I'm not going to pick something I've already got, that ain't no fun!

[wl620]

I voted 45-70 mainly because I have a JM stamped cowboy with 22" barrel that shoots really well.

[Kevins750]

I only have one lever gun. Savage 99 in 300 savage. So I am biased, and my pick isn't represented in your poll

[Bird]

307 winchester would be a good choice, but not on the list. I would have to go with the 30-30.

[Estacado]

Of the choices listed, 30-30. Can't go wrong. I do love my 38-55 tho.

[hornet112]

45-70 man up

[longbow]

While I am a believer in the "different strokes" philosophy I honestly can't imagine anyone saying anything but .45-70... unless you just want a plinker or something that is hard/expensive to get brass for.

[missionary5155]

Good morning
For most my lever flipping years I would have agreed with Longbow and all who stated 45-70. From round ball up through a 450 grainer we could have hunted any critter our side of this globe and never been concerned about being "under gunned or over gunned".
But that all changed for me when we sent a Japchester 86 to JES to be rebored and chambered to 50 Alaskan. From RB to a 525 grain "stomper" at 1850 fps this is the one lever action I have complete confidence in that will never be "under gunned" for any critter this world has to offer.
Maybe a caliber 50 RB is a bit much for tree rats but we can single load those into the chamber with 5 500 grain FNGC at 1850 fps to deal with any critter that will come crashing along trying to eat my stew meat. Loaded double two of those RB's would be dandy for corn crunchers out to 100 yards. Or a 350 grainer at 1850 - 2150 fps. That is the fine point of the caliber 50. It is so easy to load whatever combination and never have to stress the 86 frame. Long cast slides right through the cavernous frame that is as strong as they come. May just yet try some 550 or 600 grain FNGC just to have another "up close and deadly" stopper round. Never know when a toyoto needs to be deactivated.
Mike in Peru

[Shawlerbrook]

The 30 30 will do most anything asked and ammo is cheap and easy to find.

[stubshaft]

I have 25/35, 257 Roberts, 30/30, 308, 300 savage, 357, 44, 45 LC, 375 Win and 45/70 in levers Savage, Marlin and Winchester. If I could only have one caliber it would be the 45/70 hands down.

[Ramjet-SS]

I posted on this once but in thinking about it the 30-30 would be the best choice. Easy to load allot of available ammo and can take anything up to and including Moose. Even the big bears have succumb to the 30-30. Short hand carbine with muzzle brake or suppressor ready would make it versatile as well in fact the Mossberg Tacti cool 30-30 with an adjustable stock to fit any family member would just about be the perfect rifle in a lever gun....

[Snowbelt]

Toss up between the marlin 30-30 and 38-55. Love my Marlin 1893 in 38-55, but ammo is cheaper and more readily available in 30-30, so that would be my choice!

[quail4jake]

Well who could dispute the choice of PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT, the Winchester 1876 in .45-75? I wouldn't question the President!

[oscarflytyer]

38-55 is not there...

[avogunner]

While I wouldn't want to give up any of my levers (or any other rifle for that matter), if I "had" to choose.....I think it would be my Win 1895 in .30 Govt. 06. I do love this gun but my choice is a practical decision. It's a tough gun that can survive a lot of field use but more significant is the caliber ..... I can load that for any game in North America. Oh, and of course it scores high on the cool factor!

[Ramjet-SS]

One thing I noticed in this thread many folks do not consider the lever guns chambered in the higher pressure cartridges. I purchased my sone many years ago a Browning 300 WSM in the BLR it is heavy hitter that can be used for anything in North America and many African plains game as well. They sure are good options to consider. I thing nostalgia forces us to have less regard for those guns?

[Elkins45]

One thing I noticed in this thread many folks do not consider the lever guns chambered in the higher pressure cartridges. I purchased my sone many years ago a Browning 300 WSM in the BLR it is heavy hitter that can be used for anything in North America and many African plains game as well. They sure are good options to consider. I thing nostalgia forces us to have less regard for those guns?

I love my BLR in 358 Win.

[Cheeto303]

Just traded a beat up Ruger .44 carbine for an absolutely gorgeous Winchester 94 XTR Big Bore .375 Win. He was complaining about not being able to find ammo. I feel a little bit guilty but then again, not. Just made some brass out of .30 WCF cases. They are a tad short but work well for light loads. I have 5 vintage 70's boxes of .375 Win. but can't bring myself to shoot them. If only I could get Starline to produce .375 Win and .300 Savage cases. I liked your poll but you left off .375 Win,300 Sav,303 Sav and 250/3000 Sav. I would love to have a Marlin or Henry in .41 Mag. That's my vote.

Post Script: Does a 577/450 Martini Henry Count ?