Help choosing a lever action

[MountainEMT]

I'm trying to decide on my next rifle, I've been looking at the Marlin 1895 cb and cba, as well as an 1892 in either 45lc or 44mag from Taylor's & co.

I plan to use this for hog, deer, and blackbear. I hope to eventually go out west for a bison hunt, but that's not in the foreseeable future, so I'm not going to base this decision on that. I do plan to reload so I'm not concerned with the price of ammo. Which rifle do yall suggest.

Edit: I was able to shoot a 45-70 and it's out, my shoulders can't handle it (torn rotator and bursitis) so I'm looking at the 44 mag or 45 colt in either a marlin 94, or the Alaskan from Taylor's

[veeman]

Winchester 94, 30-30

[M-Tecs]

The Marlin 1895. 45/70 does it all. You can load from mild to wild.

[LawrenceA]

45/70 hands down

[Walks]

If your concern is Hunting only, I would choose a Marlin .30-30 or a .35Rem, lots of advantages in the Marlin. Easy to scope, at least 3+ different peep sight systems available.

If you want to shoot it A Lot, then a .44Mag, same sights as the Rifle Cartridges. I would get the 1894CB. Heavier bbl holds steadier and absorbs more recoil with Full-Power Hunting Loads.
Loaded down, they are just plain fun for plinking.

And if you do get to make that Buffalo Hunt. The cost of a New Rifle shouldn't break you.

The first centerfield Rifle I ever shot was a Winchester 94 in .30-30, I've never been without one since I got out of the Service in 1975.

Have had Marlins in most every caliber made in the last 40yrs.
A favorite is the 1895CB. Got one when they came out. Williams tang sight, fold down bbl sight. 1/16" brass bead front. Load down for plinking. It's a bit heavier then the 1895SS, but you can always add a sling.

[Shawlerbrook]

Kind of hard to beat a 30 30, but there are many right answers here.

[Wag]

+1 for the Winchester 94 in 30-30.

--Wag--

[dverna]

You should consider the effective ranges you will be shooting and sight options. Consider taking bison out of your criteria. Buying a rifle for a once in lifetime opportunity can lead to a less than satisfactory solution to the 98% of the shooting you will do. I have a rifle like that that I have not used in 15 years.

I am partial to Marlins.

[uscra112]

Dittos re: The Marlin 336 in .35 Remington. Just be aware that the Microgroove barrels need a boolit a couple of thou bigger than the usual .35 calibers, and they need a long bearing area to be accurate. 200 grains of gas-checked lead and 37 grains of 3031 will kill anything on your list out to 175-200 yards.

Not disparaging the .45-70, but they do kick, and they use up a lot more of your precious lead than the .35 Rem. Powder, too.

'Nother thing: You can load all manner of .35 caliber pistol bullets for plinking and yard varmints. A 158 grain SWC and 4.5 grains of Red Dot just goes "pop" when anchoring a garden-raiding 'coon or woodchuck. As cheap to load as .38 Special. Use pistol primers, and drill out the flash holes to .090 or you'll have a shoulder setback problem. (Don't use those cases for full loads.)

[Drm50]

I've had a 30/30 Marlin since kid in early 60s. I still have it and is one of my keepers. I've also got a JM 1895 that I got on trade in early 80s. The only reason I kept it was for grins and it's a shooter with CBs & jackets. I had 65 cf rifles when Ohio came out with rifle season and it was the only legal rifle I had. I've had several 44mg carbines over the years but only played with them. Now have #3 and JM 1894. If I wasn't under caliber and case restrictions in Ohio, I would be using the 30/30. A lot more versatile gun than 45/70 or 44mg.

I have only three 35R rifles now. A #8, #14 and 141. I sold another #14 & Marlin 336. They all had one thing in common. They all shot 200gr bullets better than lighter choices. I've shot a lot of deer with 35R and the 200gr puts a thump on them.

[Winger Ed.]

I'm a big time .45-70, Marlin CB guy, but wouldn't ever put a scope on it.
Same with my old top eject Winchester .30-30.

If you plan on using a scope, I'd get some flavor of the side eject Marlin.

[Kev18]

Winchester 1886 in a large caliber.

Im seeing alot of 30-30. Thats ok for deer, but everything else you mentioned is borderline, excluding bison.

[444ttd]

win m94 with williams fp peep sight in 35/30-30(made by JES Reboring).

[M-Tecs]

Top end loads in the 45/70 do kick. On the light side you can shoot 150 grain collar button bullets. On the more wild side the 250 and 300 grain bullets can be safely pushed to 30/30 150/170 grain bullet velocities.

Some factory offerings

https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/be...o-for-hunting/

I have three 30/30 that haven't been hunting in the last 25 years. On the other hand my Marlin 45/70 Guide Gun goes out on every rifle hunt I go on. Sometimes it's the primary rifle and sometimes it's the backup rifle but it normally always goes. My Browning 1886 keep company with the 30/30's in the safe mostly. I really like the 86's but they don't shot or carry as well as the 1895 Guide Gun.

If I want a 30 caliber in a levergun the Savage 99's in 308 gets the nod.

[MostlyLeverGuns]

I've got 2 Marlin 1895's in 45-70. An early straight grip 22" barrel (1979/1980?) and a recent 1895 CB. I've shot many elk, a moose and a few deer with the early model. I have used 300 grain bullets on
everything with extraordinary results. It is a reliable killer out beyond 300 yards. Recoil can be fierce if you go to the upper limits. Deer and hogs at under 200 yards would not require the same speeds. You can load down easily while lighter calibers are exactly that, LIGHTER. I use a 1.5-5 Leupold for hunting, I have a 4.5-14X42 Burris for fun with lighter loads. The weight of the heavier scope is a plus for practice. I have a bunch of rifles,Savage 99's, Marlin 336's in 30-30, 32 Spcl, 35 Rem, but that first Marlin 45-70 is my 'OLD RELIABLE' for rough country. I have a Savage 99 358 that I also hold in high esteem, I would recommend a Savage 99 in 358 if you can find one or have a Savage 99 308 rebored. My 1895 Cowboy is well made and very accurate, so 'I think' Marlin is OK again.

[Eddie Southgate]

A Marlin 1895 in 45-70 or a Marlin 30-30 bored to a 38-55 by Jess will do all you mentioned . If you don't mind going modern a BLR in .358 Winchester would do the same . I have the 1895 45-70 and the BLR in .358 but my 38-55 is the High Wall Winchester single shot . Really like the 38-55 cartridge and am gonna do a Lever in it before long .

[murf205]

Welcome to the site brother. Lots of knowledge and opinions here and they are well founded by some of the nicest people around and always willing to help. Your first post is a good one and I'm sure you will get lots of suggestions. Shoot safe and enjoy.
My advice...buy 2. A 30-30 and a 45/70.

[kycrawler]

Win 94 bb in 375 win shoot lyman 375449 sized to .378 out of mine over 25 grains of 4198

[RoyEllis]

My choice? Marlin .444, lil less recoil than 45/70 and you can tailor loads for anything from mice to moose.

[Walks]

I've scoped all my Marlins and Win 94's. Best way to test loads for accuracy.

The scopes are removed as soon one load for plinking/Cowboy is developed and another Full Power Load for if I should ever be able to hunt again or need a full-power load.

Marlin has made runs of the 336 Cowboy in both .30-30 & .38-55 in 24"bbl's.

And probably. 375Win in their std 336.
Look around for Used Guns.

The thing about folks like Us is that most of these older style Guns appeal most to Old Guys.
We pass on and Our Estates are broken up and the older style Guns are sold off.