favorite lever cartridge

[tenx]

recently i realized that the rifle i reach for more and more often is my favorite fun gun, a marlin 1894 cowboy in 44 magnum. with lyman 429421 swc's and 8.5 grains of unique i seem to shoot up 3-400 rounds everytime i go out. watching those big slugs busting rocks and the hillside is pure enjoyment and stress relief. talk about reliving some tension, just what i need...........whats your favorite go to fun gun?

[smokeywolf]

Can't limit myself to just one. Never met a Winchester lever gun I didn't like. Model '86 in 40-65 is a favorite.

smokeywolf

[StrawHat]

Easy, my one and only lever action is a Winchester Model 1895, built in 1900 as a 30-40. It is now rebarreled and chambered to accept yhe 405 WCF cartridge. More than enough cartridge for North America, it also can be soft loaded and that is how I primarily use it. 300 grains of lead at about 1700 fps is a useful load for anything that is not a charging lion.

[btroj]

Just one? Dang.

Hard to choose between 45-70, 32-20, and 45 Colt. Probably 45 Colt. Just so fun.

[WRideout]

When I was in college, I acquired a Savage 99 in 300 Sav, the old style with the safety on the lever . At that time, it was just an old gun I got in a trade. I loaded many different bullet and boolit types, including some light CB loads that were exceptionally accurate. I later traded it for a Buckmark .22 pistol, which I still have, but once in a while I wish that I had kept the Savage.

I always wanted a Sav 99 in 250/3000, but the price exceeded my limit about ten years ago.

Wayne

[Lonegun1894]

At one time I would have said .30-30, but then I got a .357 mag and a .45 Colt, and then a .22LR. I am starting to think I like just about anything in a levergun. The .357 and .45 Colt have been seeing more use these last few years as they tend to do almost anything I need to do in the areas that I hunt--especially the .357 mag. But I'm starting to think I can't go wrong with a levergun in almost any caliber as long as the caliber is suited to the game I'm after.

[LtFrankDrebbin]

Winchester 92 25/20. Just a giggle all the way, raises a few eyebrows out there too.

[sundog]

Yessir, not too many things much better than a Win 92 in 25-20.

[TCFAN]

tenx......I too like the Marlin 94CB 44 Mag. I use a lighter boolit than the 421 and also prefer a gas check now that I am making my own.I run mine with 9.5grs of Unique and it is a lot of fun.
But the 94C in 357 is also a lot of fun or the 30-30 in Marlin or Winchester with light loads can also be a real load of fun....I guess it is what ever I have at the time is my favorite................Terry

[fecmech]

My favorite is the .357. I have 3, 2 Rossi92's and a winnie 94.

[357Mag]

Tenx -

Howdy !



Right now, I'm having a ball w/ my Marlin M-336 XLR .35 Rem.

Made in Conn, it has an incredibly light/consistent trigger pull, bore cleans-up w/o having to use a brush; and groups certain "J"-words 5-shots into 5/8" @ 100.

Trying out "patched " swaged lead bullets in it, these days.

Its a hoot !!

Regards,
357Mag

[FISH4BUGS]

I have a very early Rossi (Interarms) 92 in 357. Great quality gun, well machined and finished, and I shoot 38's out of it all day long. H&G 51 over 4 gr 231 for the 38's.
Hot 357's can drop pretty much anything except polar bears and charging lions.
Plus it goes well with my 4 screw 28.

[EDK]

My favorite pistols are Original Size VAQUEROS in 44 magnum...got the 24 inch MARLIN Cowboy rifle to go with it.

Just in case I want to compete in Cowboy Action shooting, I got the same set up in 357.

The 30/30 and 45/70 Cowboy rifles....do you see a trend here...don't get as much range time. Reloading is a PITA compared to cranking out pistol rounds on the DILLON 550B models set up for 357 and 44.

There are an elderly MARLIN 39M and an 1897 TEXAN 22 rifles in the safe too.

:redneck::cbpour::guntootsmiley:

[Firebricker]

I'd have to say .38/.357 the .38s are just so inexpensive and pleasant to shoot. I like the big calibers too. I love em all. FB

[pdawg_shooter]

45-70 followed closely by a 30-30

[KirkD]

I like a lot of the old original levergun cartridges. For starters, there is the 38-72 ....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v497/3855Win/38-72-cartridge.jpg

Then there is the 45-90, 45-70 and 45-60 ....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v497/3855Win/cartridges-2.jpg

Also, there is the 32-20, 44-40, 30-30, 38-55 and once again, the 45-70 ....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v497/3855Win/fav-carts.jpg

And here's a few more repeated ....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v497/3855Win/Cartridges.jpg

Of course, the 38-40 is everyone's favourite, or ought to be ....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v497/3855Win/38-40-bullets.jpg

[OverMax]

KirkD said: I like a lot of the old original levergun cartridges. So do I but you forgot one that I enjoy occasionally for a change up from modern calibers. 32-40. John Wayne favorite. And mine. Complements on your pix's. Nicely done Sir.

[Wal']

First to grab when in a hurry, easiest to pack for a w/end away, Model 94 Winchester 44-40 :-) :grin:

[Wal']

@ KirkD,

Those 38-40's look so pretty, gotta get me some of those. ;) :-D :cbpour:





"Of course, the 38-40 is everyone's favourite, or ought to be ...."

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v497/3855Win/38-40-bullets.jpg[/QUOTE]

[9.3X62AL]

One favorite levergun cartridge? Sorry, no can do. "Whichever one I'm shooting" is the best answer I can come up with presently.

The choices include 22 LR, 25-20, 250 Savage, 30-30, 32-20, 44-40, and 44 Magnum.

[geargnasher]

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=28206&d=1294013412

One of my favorites, and also favorite pistol combo. But Al's comment pretty much says it all!

Gear

[smokeywolf]

StrawHat,

President Roosevelt said that was his "big medicine" for lions. Wish I had an original '95 in .405.
Wish Teddy was in the oval office right now.

Dr. D.,

Nice to see and read your offerings. Was thinking of you last night when I was dropping some 5744 into 45-70 cases.

smokeywolf

[rbuck351]

Mine is the M92 in 25/20 but I'm building a M92 in 256Win and it could easily tickle my fancy even more than the 25/20.

[6pt-sika]

The two I like the best are the 32-40 and the 38-56 . But I'm sorry to say I no longer own rifles for either !

However the circa 1906 Marlin Model 1893 I had in 32-40 with the 26" half raound half octagon barrel and full length mag tube was quite nice or atleast I thought so !

I also had a circa 1897 Marlin Model 1895 in 38-56 with a 26" octagon barrel and full mag that rated about 90% that was quite nice !

Killed deer with both of them a few years back shooting home cast bullets I might add !

[KirkD]

Geargnasher: Nice photo! .... and beautiful wood on your Henry.

[Ziptar]

.45 Colt. It's my favorite cartridge period!

[Freischütz]

35 WCF in a Win M95. Plenty of power, a common bullet diameter, and the M95 magazine allows me to use any bullet shape I wish.

[frank505]

450 Alaskan, collar buttons to 400's at 2200 fps. Best muskrat gun I've used...............

[izzyjoe]

hands down my 357mag. 94 marlin, it's too much fun in a small package! 30-30 is nice too, and the 35 rem.

[adrians]

right now it's the 32-20 :smile:

[Marvin S]

My favorite ones are all the original chamberings for the 92,s and 94,s I can't pick just one.

[imashooter2]

Love the .357 Magnum. Powerful enough to that you know you are shooting a center fire. Mild enough that you can shoot it all day. Economical enough that you can afford to shoot it all day. Straight wall so ammo falls out of my SDB at 400 an hour.

[Lonegun1894]

I know this is off topic, but I just thought I would post my least favorite. The .45-70! But in the interest of being honest, the only reason I dont like it is I dont have one yet. I have a H&R BC that shoots better than I can, and will have a .45-70 lever some day, and the sooner the better. Shot the Marlin 1895 before, and the .45-70 in that gun has been on my mind since. I dont see it replacing my current favorites, but I just know I need a lever .45-70 for elk, moose, grizzly, and polar bear, and cape buffalo. I know we dont have them here in Texas, but you never know when they will escape from the zoo, and I need to be ready for it.

[fecmech]

Love the .357 Magnum. Powerful enough to that you know you are shooting a center fire. Mild enough that you can shoot it all day. Economical enough that you can afford to shoot it all day. Straight wall so ammo falls out of my SDB at 400 an hour.

That is exactly why .357 lever guns sell like hotcakes!

[MT Gianni]

The 308 in a BLR, Yes I own and have owned Winchesters, Marlins and Rossi's.

[puddledog]

30-30 Winchester Mod 94

[Bullet Caster]

My one and only is a Winchester Mod. 94AE chambered in .45 Colt. It's just so much fun to shoot it ought to be illegal. And of course its side companion is a .45 Colt Uberti 4 3/4" bbl. Now to obtain a 12 guage coach gun and I'll be set to start my SASS career. Lol. Guess I'm gonna have to save up for that one. BC

[Horace]

For the last six months a 1905 99 Savage in Savage 303!

Horace

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

[Four Fingers of Death]

My most used lever rifles are my Uberti 1873 in 44/40 (prior to that it wasmy 1866 Uberti in 44/40) and secondly, my Rossi 38/357 (the rifle I am using in my avitar).

I have old92s in 25/20 and 32/20 (as well as a bolt gun in 32/20), just getting them sorted,they will probably be my faves for small game. I have 44Mags in a Rossi 92 and an 1894 Marlin, bu tthey have never really pressed my buttons.

[northmn]

If I were to pick one, right now it would be my Marlin 35 Remington. Can be laoded with 357 pictols bullets to close to same performance and works good at full power on deer. Mine is an older one with 24 inch barrel. 30-30 in that same barrel length isn't too far behind.

DP

[Combat Diver]

My favorite is my Marlin 1894S in .41 Mag. Been enjoying this one since I got her new in 88'. Behind that is any one of JMB's Winchester's 86/92/94 or 95s.


CD

[Four Fingers of Death]

If I were to pick one, right now it would be my Marlin 35 Remington. Can be laoded with 357 pictols bullets to close to same performance and works good at full power on deer. Mine is an older one with 24 inch barrel. 30-30 in that same barrel length isn't too far behind.

DP

I have always fancied one of those, but have never seen one for sale in Australia.

[Dan Cash]

I have several lever guns in different calibers from .30 to .45. My go to gun is a 1900 mfg 1895 in .30-40. It has reach and wallop for anything on this continent. A .45 Puma is a lot of fun too.

[WHITETAIL]

The 30-30 is the first lever I go too.
But if I feel the need for more ump
the 45-70 Cowboy is ready and able.:redneck:

[Four Fingers of Death]

The 30-30 is the first lever I go too.
But if I feel the need for more ump
the 45-70 Cowboy is ready and able.:redneck:

The 45/70 certainly has the whoompum but I use a Trapdoor. my big lever is a 444Marlin .

[FergusonTO35]

I would have to say its a tie between .22 LR in my Henry H001T or .357 Magnum in my Marlin 1894c. I also like .30 WCF and .45-70. Gotta love those lever guns!!

[Rafe Covington]

1873 in 38-40 WCF and the 1876 in 40-60 WCF, these work for me.

Rafe:drinks:

[zac0419]

What no one even mentions the 375 Winchester bigbore 94 or marlin in 375 Winchester ? Guess i got to go with the 94 BB in 375 win.

Seeing as how the .375 is my only lever action so far, I'll throw in my vote for it along with a picture. I need to take a couple of new pics, I'm guilty of posting the same one here a few times

http://i1190.photobucket.com/albums/z458/zac0419/Guns/P1010974.jpg

[Four Fingers of Death]

zac0419, that is a fine rifle, I don't know how I ever got talked out of mine??????

[bluesman423]

444 fan here............my Marlin 444S with microgroove shoots three 300 grain cast Ranch Dog boolits into a nice group barely over an inch when I scope it. About 2 1/2" with open sights and my old eyes. Gotta push it a little to get it to do that, though.

Next would have to be a 16" Rossi 92 in 357. Light, handy and just plain old fun to shoot.

[Homer Oz]

G'Day Fella's,

My current favorite Lever Rifle and Cartridge, is a newly manufactured Winchester/Miroku 1892, in the All Time Great .45Colt!
This rifle is one of the Davidson Limited Series, with a 20" Octagonal barrel and a nice stick of wood. I'm yet to purchase a bullet mould for it, but I intend to get a Lyman 325 grain FN asap and start casting!

I just tried to post a few images, without success!

Doh!
Homer

[Four Fingers of Death]

G'Day Fella's,

My current favorite Lever Rifle and Cartridge, is a newly manufactured Winchester/Miroku 1892, in the All Time Great .45Colt!
This rifle is one of the Davidson Limited Series, with a 20" Octagonal barrel and a nice stick of wood. I'm yet to purchase a bullet mould for it, but I intend to get a Lyman 325 grain FN asap and start casting!

I just tried to post a few images, without success!

Doh!
Homer

Those new Winchesters are one helluva rifle, I have been tempted to upgrade my Rossi 357 for one.

the best way to post photos here (the only way I know actually) is to open a photobucket account. When you have uploaded your pics there, you hover the mouse over the photo and a drop down box will appear. The bottom line is the IMG code and is labelled as such. Click on that line and it will fade out and the word 'copied' will appear. Go to the thread you want to paste the photo to, find the position in the text where you want the photo positioned, right click the mouse and click on paste. Sounds a lot, but pretty simple once you get used to it.

[Homer Oz]

G'Day Fella's,

Four Fingers of Death, Thank You, I reckon it's a great little rifle.
Been working up some High Pressure loads for this combo with jacketed bullets and achieved 1600+ fps with these 300grainers!
It shot pretty well at 50 meters but is Recoiled, Really Well!
Unfortunately!!!

I'm a bit of a Computer Luddite, as I don't know how to arrange a Photo Bucket account .......... I need to get a mate of customer to work this out for me, then I'll be right!

Doh!
Homer

[Salmoneye]

Another vote for .35 Remington...

I have recipes for a 72gr round ball 'cellar loads' at 800-900fps; any ".38" caliber handgun bullet from 800fps to 2000fps; every cast or jacketed 'hunting' bullet from 125-220 grains...

I am using powders as diverse as Red Dot and IMR4350...

[W.R.Buchanan]

Right now my favorite Levergun is my Marlin 1894 Cowboy in .44 Mag/Spec.

As soon as my 1894 Carbine project with new barrel and takedown is completed it will be my "new" favorite. It's a .44 also.

They just go so nice with the Ruger .44 revolvers.

Since the Carbine will be modified to feed and shoot 300+ gr boolits I will have the biggest cajones on the block!

It will also have a serious bumper pad on the back.

Randy

[Jack Stanley]

Favorite ?? ....... just one ??? ... well OK 32-20 WCF .

Jack

[Uncle Jimbo]

Yessir, not too many things much better than a Win 92 in 25-20.

Except my Marlin model 1894 25-20. ;)

[ammohead]

The underutilized and misunderstood 7-30 waters. I have taken more mule deer with mine than anything else in the safe. 139 hornady flat noses at 2550 fps from a model 94 is performance enough. I have yet to find a bullet that didn't exit. And not a bad cast shooter either.

[WilliamDahl]

I have a Marlin 1895GS in .45-70. I believe that is is for when you don't want to second guess yourself with respect to whether you brought enough gun with you for whatever you might be hunting. If I stumble across some 500 lb boar, I definitely want the 405 gr of .45-70 instead of 60 gr of .223. It doesn't mess up the meat too bad, but it does make a nice hole clean through.

Where I hunt, the brush is so thick that 50 yds would be a really long shot...

[windy]

most fun, and most frustration, are my 22 savage hi-power and my 1899 32-40. hoping to add my 303 savage, but not 'til i find somebody sellin' 190gr .309 gas checks. question: why do i seem to find the most fun in the "problem children" i've bought?
mind yer topknots!
windy


sonny, whar i growed up, "magnum" wuz jist another word fer "lousy hunter".

[onceabull]

Windy: everyone i know ,or have seen posting on cast bullet boards reports that their RCBS 30-180 FN weighs in @ 190 gr or more when ready to fire..Ours will size to .309 with our alloy..get back to me ,and I'll have partner contact you re: how many,how much ..He is using same fttt in his 303 Sav.,mine go in 30/30, 30/40 Krag mostly...oneabull

[Lawyerman]

For me, it's the .35 Remington. It is chambered in so many different guns by so many different companies and there are few cartridges better for cast bullet hunting of mid sized game.

[Artful]

Well, it will vary depending upon the day. In the rotation
Marlin 39 in 22LR
Rossi in 357 mag
Marlin in 30/30
Marlin in 44 mag
Marlin in 45/70
Winchester in 375
Winchester 88 in 308

but today's winner
Savage 99 in 358

[smokeywolf]

Went to the range today. Took a 03 Springfield (my 12 year old's favorite), an '86 45-70 carbine, and a '76 45-60 (early 1880s manufacture). The model '76 is my 11 year old's new favorite. This is the first time I've shot it too. Used IMR 4198 and KirkD's recipe for Accurate 5744. If my old eyes would cooperate, I'm sure I could have held 9 inch groups at 100 yards first time out with the old girl.

smokeywolf

[-D-]

The 308 in a BLR, Yes I own and have owned Winchesters, Marlins and Rossi's.



+1. What can't you do with the .308? Bought mine off a used gun rack when the prior owner traded it in as he needed a rifle for a moose hunt. Funny. Mine shoots inside an inch (five shots prone) using a nice peep sight.

[pmer]

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_175404eff367c12212.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=3213) http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_175404fad29329213d.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=5142)

My pre 64 32 Winchester Special and Accurate Molds 32-165 on the left and 32-170A on the right.

[hickstick_10]

Im going to say 30-30.

Only because winchester made that 1894 trapper for it. Nice balance of power, handling and cost. And you can buy the shells everywhere.

[TXGunNut]

45-70....45 Colt.....375 Win.....35 Rem......32 WS.....30-30.....I'm so confused![smilie=l: Honestly can't say, but my favorite rifles will always be leverguns.

[sharps4590]

In years past I was a lever action nut and owned and used nearly all of them except for an 1895 Win., 1876 Win. or an 1893 Marlin in 38-55,(something I still lust for). I eventually sold all but my two favorites. An 1886 in 40-82 and an 1892 in 32-20. Mostly though these days when I reach for something it's a drilling or double rifle.

[bearcove]

All the ones that fit a lever gun. Funny thing, I've never had a 30-30.

Favorite is probably 35 Rem. Had several, Always regret it if I sell one.

[gandydancer]

the one I purchased off of here a few months ago a old 95 or 336 glennfield line re-barreled with an original model 93 bbl in 38/55 bore bright and shiny. changed the sights to a set of Skinner peep and front filed down to fit me and my cast bullets.its working out just fine. but it will do better and I will get to it as soon as my back is fixed, GD

[veeman]

44-40 is my favorite caliber, in my Colts and Rossi 92 or Uberti 66. I'm quite fond of my Browning 1886 SRC in 45-70 as well. Also have Winchester 94's in 30-30, 45 Colt, and 38-55. Heck, I love em all!

[Four Fingers of Death]

44-40 is my favorite caliber, in my Colts and Rossi 92 or Uberti 66. I'm quite fond of my Browning 1886 SRC in 45-70 as well. Also have Winchester 94's in 30-30, 45 Colt, and 38-55. Heck, I love em all!

There is something about the old 44/40, feeds slicker' n frogsnot!

[RobS]

454Casull/45 Colt..... diverse

[358 Win]

My favorite lever gun/cartridge for me is the one in my hands when I'm out shooting. I have the most fun with any of my four .32 Win Specials. Also have a lot of fun with my Marlin 1894's
in .357 Magnum (ones a carbine and the other is the CBL with 24" octogon barrel. I shoot 98% of my loads using my own cast bullets.http://i824.photobucket.com/albums/zz169/bobddville/Gun%20Collection%20Photos/IMAG0024.jpghttp://i824.photobucket.com/albums/zz169/bobddville/Gun%20Collection%20Photos/IMAG0023.jpg Two targets I shot with my 1958 Marlin 336SC in .32 Win Special. First one is the RCBS
08-170 180gr Cast @ 2300fps. Second one is the RD 323-170 180gr at 1644fps.
358 Win

[rmcc]

Have to go with the 38/55 shooting a hard cast 255 gr. Low velocity, no leading and fun as hell to shoot!!

Rich

[avogunner]

Yep, me too - whatever one I'm shooting at the time is my "fun gun". However, I do particularly enjoy my Uberti 1860 Henry .45LC and take it out often. As a matter of fact, I spent some time this weekend, casting more Lee 452-255-RF...as usual, I was running low.

[Kestrel4k]

I definitely agree on the pistol cartridges / ease of reloading consideration.
For me, it's the .44 Mag - perhaps the most flexible pistol cartridge ever.

Preferably out of my Marlin 336T:

http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/pp33/Kestrel4000/RimfireCentral/Marlin%20336T/IMG_7478.jpg

C'mon folks, let's see more pics. :)

[MasS&W]

Nobody has ever shown me something as versatile or easy to reload for as my 336 in 35rem... powderpuffs at .38 energies or high speed hog busters on par with 308 performances, all with cast pistol slugs!

[marwin95]

All good choices folks but I certainly like the 444. Second choice is 38-55 in a 336CB which can ce loaded as much as 375 or as a little as pistol cartridges.