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

[huntersdog]

If you had to pick one Lever Action Rifle, what caliber who you choose? If not on the list please post it.

[GhostHawk]

That is a tough choice.

Do you go with the classic .30-30?
Bigger bore with .357 mag?

Bigger yet bore with .44 mag?

.45lc? or the real big ol man of the woods, the .45-70?

I don't think there is a wrong answer in there.
.30-30 is going to do the job with less powder, lead.
.357 could be a great plinking gun, low cost, 3-5 grains of fast powder and a smaller bullet.

.44 mag that one is pretty much self explanatory. Big, mean, fast enough. Yet can be loaded down for reasonably inexpensive plinking, target work.

Same is basically true of the .45lc.

Or do you go full house .45-70?

Did I forget the .35 rem?

If I won the lottery one of each would be tempting.

What do YOU want.

[labradigger1]

My votes for the 44 mag. Great revolver and rifle round. Hits with authority and will do it all w/o the 45/70 whipping.
I'll take a '92 carbine with brass dot front sight and ghost ring rear please.
You don't have 32/20 listed or that would be my first choice.

[mcdaniel.mac]

.357 hands down

[rking22]

Of your choices, I chose the 3030. In real life I am shooting and hunting more with my pretend 3855 ( it is a 375 Win but I treat it as a 3855). Still if only one it would be the pre64 Win 94 In 30WCF, light,handy,accurate, and very versatile. Seems to have a solid track record too. But then the same gun in 3530 would be ..... yep 30WCF Is it for me.

[Hickory]

For a woods rifle at distances of 75 yards or less the 44 magnum can't be beat for the right amount of power and performance.

[308Jeff]

There are three rifles I'll never get rid of: My M1 Carbine, my LR-308, and my Win 94 in 38/357. All three of them bring me a lot of joy to shoot.

[dragon813gt]

Out of the poll choices, 35 Remington. That would mean a Marlin 336. What I would really choose is a Marlin 336 converted to 356 Winchester. Or a Savage 99 in 358 Winchester or 300 Savage. There are a lot of cartridges missing from the poll.

[MyFlatline]

Is a toss up between the 357 and 44. If I lived in bear country, I would have chosen a 44 mag. Here in Florida a 357 will take care of everything.

This because of matching a side arm.

[huntersdog]

.357 hands downThat's what I picked. You can target shoot with it, for self-defense, small game, deer and bear with the right bullet.

[Edward]

The winner is 45/70 ,mouse fart to rockum sockum it does it all :bigsmyl2:

[gwpercle]

What ? 41 Remington magnum doesn't exist . I would get a lever gun, model 92 Winchester or Henry in 41 magnum to go with the model 58 41 mag. in my avatar !

In your poll I choose ...none of the above...Oh, wait...that's not even an option !

Yeah....us 41 magnum owners are treated like red headed step children....
As Rodney Dangerfield would say...We don't get no respect !
Gary

[buckshotshoey]

The winner is 45/70 ,mouse fart to rockum sockum it does it all :bigsmyl2:

My choice also. And here's why I believe that....
First, since a .22 lever wasn't included in the list, none of these calibers are going to be suitable for rabbits or squirrels.

Second, unless you get a Savage, Browning, or a Henry Long Ranger, that shoot magazine fed bottleneck cartridges, your ranges are limited to 150 yards or less (Even though the 45- 70 was a proven killer at much greater ranges).
All of these calibers are intended for larger game.

And when downloaded to trap door pressures, and lighter boolits of 325 grains, it is very comfortable to shoot. Mine are far less recoil then a .50 cal muzzleloader. I guess somewhere between a 20ga and a 12 ga. And the reduced load is more then enough for deer and wild hog. Step it up to a little higher pressure and even griz will learn to respect it. The hard way.

Ok, so it's not to be considered a plinking round, but I really wouldn't consider the others on the list in that category either. That, and small game, is what a .22 is for.

[Beerd]

call mine another vote for the 356 Win.
..




but the 444 isn't a bad choice either.
or the 35 Rem or .357 mag or 30-30 or ................
..

[Bazoo]

I voted 30-30. History, ammo availability, light and handy, its all there. It has been used to take all manner of game from deer to grizzly bear. Not the best, but my choice for the present.

Edit, I might add that I'd prefer it in the winchester 94.

[gundownunder]

If America ever gets to the point were you can only have one lever gun, I'd say something has gone seriously wrong. If that happened, I'd opt for a caliber that gives me three things, versatility, portability, and economy. I'd go the .357, and then also pick up whatever the opposition is carrying as soon as I could.

[izzyjoe]

It took me a few minutes to decide, but I went with the 30WCF. For the simple fact that brass is abundant, and I love my '58 model 94. my next choice was the 35 Rem, which I'm shocked it has no votes! But those two will do all I need for my lifetime. I think the 30-30 will be around for a long time, longer than I'm Gona be around!

[daloper]

My vote is for the .44 mag. I live in Michigan and below the rifle line. I am limited to shotgun or straight walled pistol rounds.

[Tracy]

If I could choose one lever action rifle cartridge, I would choose .357 Magnum. But the question was one lever action rifle, which cartridge. That rifle is a pre-'64 Winchester 1894, and I chose .30-30. In reality though, I might choose .32 Special over .30 WCF.
Now if Winchester had made the 1894 in .357 prior to '64, that would be my choice. Preferably a Trapper.

[Speedo66]

If I still lived in a state where I could hunt with it, it would be my Browning BLR in .308. But since I've moved to a state with straight walled cartridges only for deer, I'd have to go with my scoped Rossi 92 in .357.

[Speedo66]

double post

[MT Gianni]

308 Winchester.

[Harter66]

If one were built for a 460 that would manage S&W/Colts/454 that would be as good as a 444 that would take and make with 44 spcl/mag . In the meantime I went with the 454 because it comes in an eye pleasing 92' .

I have 2 92's and an 1895 G and have played with a few 94's in 30-30 and an 1894CB in 38/357 . By feel and eye the 92's have it hands down . The 1894 was by far the most accurate of the lot . The 1895 is a 45-70 and a Remlin . I'm told is best day so far is as good as it gets ........good enough for moose , buffalo , bear , deer and pigs inside a buck and half with my cast so far but it opens up past that , although paper patch is showing some promise .

[tdoyka]

38-55 win with a long barrel

[45-70 Chevroner]

As much as I like my 357 and 45 colt I would choose my 30-30 as in my opinion it is more versitle.

[45-70 Chevroner]

38-55 win with a long barrel

The 38-55 would be a close second.

[nvbirdman]

30-30
I have a Win. in 30-30, another in 44, and a Rossi in 357. Right now I'm shooting the 357 more than the others, but a 30-30 just seems to scream Win. 94.

[vikingson57]

my two go to Lever guns are my Winchester mod 71 in 348 and my Savage 99 in 300...the 348 will knock down an elk out to 150yds and my 300 will do the same out past 250 with no problem...shot placement is why it is all about.

[Grmps]

win 44 mag is a tack driver but I just love marlin in 32 ws

[marlin39a]

22 long rifle. As in the Marlin 39a. I love them!

[CIC]

I am torn between 44 mag and 357 mag. But my vote goes 357. I find it interesting that 357 is getting so many votes. If you read and believe many online forums and articles, the 357 is hardly adequate. Seems like the members of Cast Boolits know better.

[trapper9260]

I go with 357 mag because you can match the ammo with both the lever and handgun.It would take care of all I will deal with.Just use the bullet to match what I want to shoot.

[Der Gebirgsjager]

I've got several lever actions in several calibers, but to play the game by the rules stated I'll have to go with the .30-30 Win. I arrived at that choice by asking myself, "Which one would I get rid of first if I had to get rid of one?" Eventually the .30-30 won out for many of the reasons already stated by others. Brass is fairly inexpensive and plentiful. Shoots cast boolits well. Not the best for every job, but gets most jobs done well. Maybe not the choice for grizzly, but the .444 Marlin wouldn't leave much rabbit, etc. Harder to decide if I would keep a Win. 94 or Marlin 336 as the .30-30 of choice.

[Loudenboomer]

I've got so many levers and like them all for so many reasons. Common sense tells me it would be tough to beat a .308 in the 88 Winchester.

[Guesser]

That's easy......I'd just keep the ones I've got; no choosing necessary beyond that point. I got and kept them because I chose them at the beginning; that's why I have them!!!!

[Larry Gibson]

I also opted for the 30-30 and prefer it in a M64 style rifle.

Actually if I had but one lever action I would want a M94 AE BB in .356 Winchester with a 24" barrel in M64 configuration.

[Texas by God]

My 1954 Win 30-30 carbine. I can reload it for squirrels to elk. It was on the farm before me and will be here after me.
Best, Thomas,

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[Gtrubicon]

I like the 454, I can shoot 45 colt if I wish. I also have 30-30, 357 and 44 mag lever guns. Depending on what I'm hunting I like to match my side arm to the caliber rifle I'm carrying. Usually rules out the 30-30 for me. Any lever gun is a great choice in my opinion.

[45-70 Chevroner]

Can't get this out of my head. I still choose the 30-30 and mainly because of the selection of cast boolits. At the bottom for small game a Lyman 110 gr. RNPB. From there on up almost every weight you can think of for every thing else, well with in reason.

[TNsailorman]

In the pistol cartridge category I would pick the .41 magnum or .44-40, in the rifle category I would pick a .45-70 or maybe a .40-65. james

[Hickok]

.44 Magnum, but has to be loaded with a good cast boolit.

Under 100 yards I don't care if it is a deer, black bear, Bigfoot, a wookie, or the Hulk, the .44 mag. in a carbine will get the job done.

Lighter, less recoil, and more rounds than my 1895 45/70.

[Butler Ford]

Availability, versatility, capability, economy, it's hard to beat the old 30WCF.

BF

[slownsteady22]

Marlin 1895, 45-70 would be my choice, but I do love my 44 magnum too! Thank God I live in the U.S and can own them all.

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[JSH]

I voted 45-70, that is actually my second choice. First would be 38-55.

[MostlyLeverGuns]

Savage 99 .358 Win, second choice - Savage 99 .308 Win, third choice - Savage 99 .284 Win good for elk, moose and anything smaller, all long range capable, well over 300 yards plus

[Smoke4320]

45-70 mild to wild it will do it all.. Nothing alive in the US can't be killed with a 45-70

[DerekP Houston]

357/38 gets my vote, but I'm already a revolver fanatic.

[Ramjet-SS]

Very subjective but it's fun to think about. I went the 357/38 for the following reasons;

1.) Easy to reload.
2.) Very accurate follow up are fast. (low recoil)
3.) Ammo availability is good.
4.) Wide variety of bullet weights and loads.
5.) I shoot my Henry BB better than any lever action I own.
6.) Good for self defense and hunting up to and including Elk under the right conditions.

[Brad Cayton]

I'd hate to be stuck with just one but I voted 45 colt. I have levers in 22 RF, 30/30, 32 HR mag, 44 mag, 45 colt and 45/70. I just enjoy shooting the colt for some reason. It's accurate enough for headshots on small game and can take anything walking in WV where I live.

[OverMax]

No tinker bell straight wall cartridges in a identity crisis's not knowing just what group of cartridges those tinker bells belong too. {pistol use or rifle use?} Nope not for me.

My choice. A cartridge that starter off as a rifle cartridge and stayed that way. _the venerable 300 Savage. Can never go wrong owing a firearm called _SAVAGE.

[44deerslayer]

308 Winchester model 88

[bullseye67]

Good evening,
I find reading the reasons behind everyone's choices makes these polls very interesting.
I choose the 45/70 I have a really good shooter in a 1895 Marlin SS. Is is from before the RemLin revolution. I feed it a steady diet of NOE and LEE boolits, loaded to top trapdoor velocity. I almost went with 45LC, but I have my doubts about big black bears and moose.
Have an awesome week:drinks:

[osteodoc08]

Easy choice for me. 45/70.

I can load puny collar buttons for small game and plinking all the way up to 405 for everything else.

[rintinglen]

I felt cheated in that 300 Savage was not an option.

[Beagle333]

30-30 will handle anything we have in Alabama, and do it very economically too.

[brass410]

45-70 is the choice here pretty much will do anything i've had to do. yet easy to load, easy to find, intimidating as a rabid junkyard dog, fun to shoot (everybody notices when fired on range and want to try) yep that's my little 1895 girl shes HOT!!!!

[buckshotshoey]

45-70 is the choice here pretty much will do anything i've had to do. yet easy to load, easy to find, intimidating as a rabid junkyard dog, fun to shoot (everybody notices when fired on range and want to try) yep that's my little 1895 girl shes HOT!!!!

.......and can be loaded with black powder if necessary.

[w5pv]

You didn't list the 460 Remington Mag with it you could safely shoot any of the rimmed 45's Love my 45's

[huntersdog]

I felt cheated in that 300 Savage was not an option.
Don't feel bad! I didn't include the awesome 450 Alaskan either.

[bob208]

it is toss up between the .30-30 and the .32 spl. the .30-30 ammo can be found just about any where even the most far out country store has some on the shelf. but the .32 would be easy to load with a tong tool and cast bullets.

[Scorpion8]

If you had to pick one Lever Action Rifle, what caliber who you choose? If not on the list please post it.

My choice was 35 Remington, since I have two. But I do also have 4 Marlin 336 .30-30's, so that's not far behind. But the one that should see the most use this year is a Marlin 336 in 375 Winchester.

[OlDeuce]

call mine another vote for the 356 Win.
..




but the 444 isn't a bad choice either.
or the 35 Rem or .357 mag or 30-30 or ................
..

yup that 444 is so versatile, It will do everything the 45-70 will do and than some !!!!!!!

Ol Deuce

[buckshotshoey]

yup that 444 is so versatile, It will do everything the 45-70 will do and than some !!!!!!!

Ol Deuce
.444 is a good cartridge, but you would have to work hard to convince me of that one. :not listening:

[Drm50]

I have most of cals on list, and several that aren't. If I had to pick one off list it would be 30/30
Marlin Maurader. Actually my favorite is a Win 1895 in 30govt06 for woods hunting. Also very
fond of 25/20 & 32/20 for small game. I don't have a 357 at present, but don't miss it. To big for
small game to small for large game, it's a fun gun.

[sharps4590]

Of those listed I chose the venerable 45-70. Neither of my two favorites were listed but one is not all that commonly used today and the other is obscure but still around, if barely. The 32-20 and the 40-82. I have a 92 and an 86 so chambered.

Try as I might I can't find a 480gr. or 500 gr. bullet for the 444 Marlin....hmmm.

[Throckmorton]

38-55.
Love that it's a straight walled case, and man it rings the ram target at a hundred yards.

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

What ? 41 Remington magnum doesn't exist . I would get a lever gun, model 92 Winchester or Henry in 41 magnum to go with the model 58 41 mag. in my avatar !

In your poll I choose ...none of the above...Oh, wait...that's not even an option !

Yeah....us 41 magnum owners are treated like red headed step children....
As Rodney Dangerfield would say...We don't get no respect !
Gary

My 41 Mag Marlin 1894 is irreplaceable.
I recently sold my Marlin 44 Mag, no regrets.
(I never liked that 44 Mag had different SAAMI specs for pistol and Rifle, and of course some foreign manufacturers liked to mix and match as well :veryconfu )

[18Bravo]

I'd rather be over gunned than under. 45-70 will take down anything in North America out to 150 yards. If I find myself on the menu I really don't want to trust my life to a .38 special.

[richhodg66]

Savage 99 .308 or .358 Winchester.

[308Jeff]

The fact that 30-30 is winning here doesn't correspond with either the demand or the supply of rifles. I suspect it must be the latter though. You can't hardly touch a .357 Mag lever for under $700, but you can find a 30-30 for well under $400 if you're patient.

[buckshotshoey]

The fact that 30-30 is winning here doesn't correspond with either the demand or the supply of rifles. I suspect it must be the latter though. You can't hardly touch a .357 Mag lever for under $700, but you can find a 30-30 for well under $400 if you're patient.
I think it's less about the supply of current rifles, and more about ammunition demand. There are tons of 30- 30 rifles out there from many years of old. It's still one of the most popular deer cartridges.

The uprising of the .444 and 45- 70 and other straight wall cartridges that are now legal for deer in more states, and also where the 30- 30 cannot be used for deer, has made the rifle demand rise over the 30- 30. But 30- 30 ammo demand remains strong.

There are probably still more 30- 30 rifles out there then all the rest combined. That might be stretching it a little. I assume .223 is tops, but in a deer hunting rifle, it might be true.

[arlon]

I had to go with the 35 Remington just for versatility and the fact that I have one. The 38/357 was right there too. I can load the 35 Remington with essentially the same loads as a 38 special on up to full power 35 Remington.

[hornady308]

I have most of these choices, but my pick is the 44 mag because I can throw a 200 gr rn with a little Red Dot for targets, or a 340 gr SSK bullet with a bunch of Lil Gun for just about anything on the planet out to 100 yards. If the 38-55 (375 Win) had been on the list, it would have been my top choice because of large selection of molds and availability of 30-30 brass.

[kfd518]

Of my lever guns the 45 colt is what I have the most ammunition loaded for and wheel guns to match it. Even though it will likely obliterate small game I'm of the use what you brought and or have group, if it came down to keeping just one.

[bpatterson84]

While a Savage 99 in 358 would be the most interesting option, I think a JM '94 in 44 with the proper rifling would be a great choice.

[samari46]

I have both Winchester and Marlin lever action rifles in 30-30, 444 marlin and 375 win. But if I had to go with only one caliber it would be the 30-30. Mostly a paper puncher now so cast boolits only and have a pile of 30-30 brass. Frank

[smkummer]

Let see: marlin 1894 in 44 mag. that has killed deer but is used for cowboy action now. 1883 Uberti/burgess colt 45 that has replaced the marlin. Win 94 pre-64 in 30-30. 1895 marlin in 45-70 and Marlin 39A in 22. If it wasn't for cowboy action, I would say the 30-30 for plinking and hunting. Cowboy action means the pistol calibers lever guns get shot 10 times as much.

This is a silly question, only one? I don't want to live in a world that only allows 1 lever gun!

[kingstrider]

That would be hard to do but I voted 45-70 simply because it can be loaded so mild it is a joy to shoot, or hot enough to kill anything on the planet. I recently cut and threaded my 1895GS for a suppressor so am currently working up some subsonic loads so I can shoot without letting the neighbors know what I'm up to lol.

[BigIron6]

30-30....it simply works.

[texasnative46]

To All,

IF I could find one at a decent price (and I've looked for a while now), I'd want a SHOOTABLE (even "just restorable" is OK) Model 95 Winchester in .30-06, .30 US, .303 British or even 7.62 Russian.

ALL of the Model 95s that I've seen in recent years were $$$$$$$$$$$$ or 100% JUNK.

yours, tex

[jmort]

No surprise the .30-30 is the pick of the litter.

[buckshotshoey]

No surprise the .30-30 is the pick of the litter.
No surprise to me either. I would have one too If I could hunt deer with it, but not happening in Ohio.

[rbuck351]

A Rossi 92 in 454 Casull is my choice. Loaded light to heavy, it will do everything except long range in a compact, light, easy handling carbine.

[Hickok]

Just a lever gun I have always dreamed of/wanted, but can't afford it when I do find a good one, is the Winchester 1895 in 30/40 Krag.

Why would Winchester ever make some of new ones in .270 Winchester.........no I am not going to say it, I am going to nice.[smilie=b:

[texasnative46]

Hickok,

Yet another Model 1895 fan!!

yours, tex

[dverna]

Had to go with the.38/.357. I have three of them. Just plain fun to shoot and inexpensive as well. They compliment a pair of .357 Colt SAA revolvers.

I have two .30/30's, but do not hunt with them and have not fired them in years. One is a loaner gun.

[Hickok]

Hickok,

Yet another Model 1895 fan!!

yours, tex Tex, the 1895 and the 30/40, what a beautiful match!

My brother has a .405, but I would rather have the .30 U.S. Army.

[texasnative46]

Hickok,

I'd prefer a Model 95 in the following order: .30-06, .30-40 Krag, .303 British or 7.62mm Russian.
(I've shot a friend's .405 WCF & didn't enjoy the experience, with that curved steel buttplate.)

yours, tex

[Hickok]

Texas, I agree about the .405, nasty dog-gone rifle. It likes to bite!!!:)

[texasnative46]

Hickok,

YEP.

yours, tex

[mnewcomb59]

Many guys I see with 30-30s are using 30 grains of powder to send a 150 or 170 grain bullet 1800 fps. Many guys with 30-30 and softer alloys for hunting are shooting at 1700-1900 fps and that's all they get before accuracy goes south.

That ain't a 30-30 and you're kidding yourself if you think so. In fact, that is a lighter load than a 357 rifle load.

I am using 18.5 grains of powder to send a 160 grain bullet 2000 fps with 10 shot 3 MOA groups. Or using 17.5 grains of powder to send a 140 grain bullet 2100 fps, 2 MOA. If you aren't going to/can't exceed these velocities with accuracy, why are you wasting all that powder in the dutty thutty? Your powder savings will pay for the 357 over time and the gun is easier on the ears at the same velocity because half the powder is burning. All-out loads still get 300-420 loads per pound.

Now lets sit down and crank out 200 plinking and small game rounds that still shoot in an inch at 50 yards. 125 grain at 1000 fps. I'm done in 40 minutes. How long does it take you to pick dacron fluff and scoop cornmeal and lube cases, etc.? And when its all said and done, 38s will still have a better SD and ES

[texasnative46]

mnewcomb59,

"The Load" of 13 grains of Red Dot behind most any .30 caliber GCCB works well for WT & is downright CHEAP to load in the .30-30/.32 SPL/.300 Sav. = You cannot kill a deer deader than dead.
(As I've said elsewhere, my 1st cousin has taken numerous WT with a standard velocity 158 grain LRN .38SPL out of a Marlin .357 carbine.)

yours, tex

[smkummer]

I am shooting 10 grains unique and 170 cast for about 1500 FPS in 30-30. Very cheap and low recoil. Old 32-40 specs. that would drop a deer easily if needed.

[texasnative46]

smkummer,

The "old-school" .32-40 killed a HUGE number of deer over the decades. = DEEP penetration was its forte.

yours, tex

[wrench man]

For about the last 15 years my Marlin 336A 34 Remington has been my GO TO rifle for the west side of the state, although last year it stayed in the safe and my Marlin 1895M 450 Marlin went out for the hunt.

[Ramjet-SS]

For about the last 15 years my Marlin 336A 34 Remington has been my GO TO rifle for the west side of the state, although last year it stayed in the safe and my Marlin 1895M 450 Marlin went out for the hunt.

I just recently purchased a Winchester Take Down in 450 Marlin absolutely love the gun loading a 355 WFN GC to 1500 FPS.

[GhostHawk]

Lee 90 grain TC tl over 4.5 grains of Red Dot. Same aim point at 25 yards as full bore loads use at 100.

Sweet little small game woods walking rifle.
And I suspect if you put on in the right place it would likely take a deer down also.
Not that I would want to try.

Virtually every caliber I have tried has 2 or 3 nodes of accuracy with just about any bullet between 3 grains and 13 grains of Red Dot. Suit yourself, spend 30-40 grains of powder if that is what you want. Your powder, your time.

Me I love the dirty 30 in a little AE Mod 94, yeah late model, yeah safety. You know that safety doesn't screw you up if you just put it on fire and leave it alone.

YMMV.

[BigAl52]

Another vote for the 38-55 just a great old round.

[smokepolehall]

My choice is not listed, all i shoot here are tick toters on my place. So i will just list some 25-20, 25-35, 32-20 & 32-40 :)

[rking22]

I took the question to be chose my one and only lever gun, and then what caliber in that gun. For me, if I can only have one lever its going to be a pre 64 M94. That said, I like 3855 and 3240 but I have a 3030. I've also got a Browning 92 in44mag, but like the 94 better. Plus the 3030 is sorta like a pickup truck, does almost anything well, but not specialized. 100 gr boolit at 1000 to 190s at 1900 covers all my lever needs. Got pump guns for 3220 to 35rem and single shots in 357 to 4570. They don't count against my lever count :)

[Texas by God]

The only SD figure that matters in hunting is sectional density. The 30-30 150 grain cast has it all over the 357 150 grain cast. Same velocity more penetration for the 30-30.
Best, Thomas.

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[pmer]

The 35 Remington needs some help here! It has the right twist rate, tons of boolit choices and ammo if you have to buy it. No slouch for power and easy to scope.

[Wayne R. Scott]

The correct answer is a Savage 99 in 250-3000.

[Bill*B]

Let's get real. The .30 WCF is THE lever rifle caliber.

[smokeywolf]

It would be convenient to have a lever that shoots the same cartridge as your beltgun. However, the purpose of a rifle is to deliver a more powerful and positive terminal result at a greater range that is normally practicable with a pistol. To that end, I would have to stick with a lever chambered for a rifle cartridge.

Now I have a problem. 30-06, 348 or 45-70? 30-06 is a do everything cartridge. 348 is harder to find brass for, but I dearly love the cartridge and the rifle. 45-70 is a straight walled case, easy to load and can drop anything, but uses a lot of powder and lead.

Can't make up my mind.

[Tnfalconer]

Stated before, pre 64 Winchester 94 in 30wcf. Hands down.

[Good Cheer]

The correct answer is a Savage 99 in 250-3000.

From bunny bangers to over penetration on buffalo, 25 is hard to nay say.

[The_Doctor]

Hi, Folks!

I'm going to vote for the 38 - 55 because I have two Winchester rifles in that caliber and I love them!

One long, a "Klondike" model rifle, and the other a 16" Trapper. I reload for the cartridge, and find it

easy to load and very forgiving as to charge weights and bullets. (Within reason!!!) It is a fantastic round.

I have harvested small game (grouse) with cast boolits as well as deer!


The_Doctor

[Combat Diver]

My cartridge is not up on the poll. Right now I do only have one lever action rifle for all my needs and thats a Marlin 1894S in .41 Magnum. Have a Ranch Dog mold that throws a 270 gr WFN .411 at 1600 fps.


CD

[Eutectic]

Winchester Model 1892 in .38 W.C.F. 24" Octagon

Eutectic

[ammohead]

I am all in on the Savage 99, but I own one in 284 winchester and if I had to give all the others up. That is the one that would stay. Or maybe my takedown japchester in 405. Now if I had to go buy one and only one, giving availability as it is, I would probably have the best luck finding a Remlin or Henry in 45-70.

[aarolar]

Hands down .357 I would trade most every gun in my arsenal right now for a super clean pre safety Marlin in .357

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[.45Cole]

Because I can do everything with other rifles I say .22LR, but it's not here so my .45. I'm surprised that the .45 is behind the .44 and even the .35. I didn't think that the .45/.44 would be behind the .357.

[Beerd]

Hands down .357 I would trade most every gun in my arsenal right now for a super clean pre safety Marlin in .357

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must not have a very big safe:wink:
..

[aarolar]

must not have a very big safe:wink:
..10 or 12 Im just at a point where I want to simplfy and a 357 lever gun and a few 38/357 revolvers would make me happy.

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[emorris]

I had to go with 45-70 simply because it is my latest lever gun purchase. I'm really liking the lee 457-340 powder coated on top of a healthy dose of trailboss.

[Down South]

A Marlin 375 Win, but I have it already.

[Edward]

Mine is a Marlin 336rc (Jess rebore ) 38-55 but I would say anything that Jess rebores !

[buckshotshoey]

I'm a little surprised that 450 Marlin has 0 votes so far.

[Down South]

Mine is a Marlin 336rc (Jess rebore ) 38-55 but I would say anything that Jess rebores !
I have one of the originals, 375 Marlin, not a rebore. But, I've heard a lot of good stuff about Jess. If I had one that I wanted rebored, I would send it to him.
That 38-55 has become a popular caliber.

[Down South]

Actually, I'd love to have a JM Marlin pre cross bolt safety 357 Mag and a 44 Mag.

[three50seven]

After careful consideration, I went with .44 mag/.44 spl. I absolutely love leverguns, and have or have had rifles in most of the calibers listed. For me, and the style of hunting in this part of the country, the .44 makes the most sense. I have a Marlin 1894 with a Skinner sight. Specials are fun and as easy to shoot as a .22. Throw a magnum in the chamber and you have a serious hunting rifle for most anything in the lower 48 out to 100 yds or so. It's also a compact and fairly lightweight rifle.

[mart]

A few people got the answer half right with the1895 Winchester. The correct answer is the 1895 Winchester in either 35 Winchester or 38-72. :kidding:

In all seriousness though it would be a tough choice between any of the listed choices as well as many of the posted choices. I could be happy with most of them. I'm particularly fond of Winchester 64s, 71s and 1895s.

[iomskp]

I have a 92 Winchester rifle made in 1913 in 32/20 and a B92 in 44mag either one would do

[Huntsman]

30-30 hands down.
It just makes sense ;)

[Kosh75287]

If it's not cheating, I'd want a Savage M99 in .308 Winchester. For something a little more along traditional lines, I'd want a Browning BLR in .358 Winchester. For something totally traditional, either a Winchester M1894 in .30-30, or a Rossi M1892 in .45 Colt.

[northernlead]

Well, I have a .45c a 44mag and a .32spl and a 30/30.What I want is a 38-55,or a 32-20

[northernlead]

Only time I only had one lever gun,was my first,Buffalow Bill com.30-30,gave it to my brother for Christmas.

[jrmartin1964]

Honestly, none of the cartridges in the poll would be my first choice. If I could have only one lever action rifle, then it would have to be this one... a Winchester Model 1895, chambered for the .30 Gov't 1903 (aka ".30-03").
204137

[Eddie Southgate]

Browning BLR in .358 Winchester is my favorite , it was my Dads rifle . I also have the Marlin 45-70 octagon barreled rifle and one of the Cowboy Marlins in .45 Colt . I would love an 1886 in 45-70 and a 71 re bored and chambered in .450 Alaskan . Also have a High Wall in 38-55 , I know its a single shot but it still has a lever .

Eddie

[10 ga]

I have at times owned 4 different lever guns. Marlins in 32-20 and .44 magnum. A Daisy in .177 roundball and my favorite, a Browning 65 in 218 Bee. The 218 was my favorite in CF. Daisy would best be called a "springer" and was my favorite in it's time. The 218 was a heck of a rifle and I "harvested" a whole lot of stuff with it. It was my favorite turkey rifle and accounted for many a fall turkey. The 218 and 177 were not choices so I didn't vote. 10

[Huntsman]

Only time I only had one lever gun,was my first,Buffalow Bill com.30-30,gave it to my brother for Christmas.

I'd love to own an 1895 in 30/06. The only decent ones I've seen so far have been Miroku models

[huntersdog]

How is the recoil in a 44 mag rifle vs a 45 colt?

What would a comfortable shot for taking deer and hogs with both the 45 colt and 44 mag?

Thanks

[OlDeuce]

The 44 mag .....It mates up with my Ruger ! So the 94 in 44mag would be my choice:2_high5::2gunsfiring_v1::2gunsfiring_v1::2g unsfiring_v1::guntootsmiley:

Ol Deuce

[Pereira]

What ? 41 Remington magnum doesn't exist . I would get a lever gun, model 92 Winchester or Henry in 41 magnum to go with the model 58 41 mag. in my avatar !

In your poll I choose ...none of the above...Oh, wait...that's not even an option !

Yeah....us 41 magnum owners are treated like red headed step children....
As Rodney Dangerfield would say...We don't get no respect !
Gary

Amen Bro!!
Got one too.

RP

[Combat Diver]

Amen Bro!!
Got one too.

RP

All Hail the .41!

My battery of .41s

https://i71.servimg.com/u/f71/16/48/54/01/41_mag10.jpg (https://servimg.com/view/16485401/981)

CD

[Griff]

I voted 45 Colt... with 5 of them, I haven't gone wrong yet. I'm hoping the popularity of other cartridges will drive down the price of .30-30s. I'd like to add to the 29 Winchester mdl 94s in .30-30 I own.

[ARKLITE881South]

Henry Iron Frame 44/40, I've been looking at them for some time, and, I'm seriously thinking about ordering one. To me, they are really a neat looking functional rifle. They are a beast.

[fiberoptik]

What ? 41 Remington magnum doesn't exist . I would get a lever gun, model 92 Winchester or Henry in 41 magnum to go with the model 58 41 mag. in my avatar !

In your poll I choose ...none of the above...Oh, wait...that's not even an option !

Yeah....us 41 magnum owners are treated like red headed step children....
As Rodney Dangerfield would say...We don't get no respect !
Gary

+1


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[Moleman-]

Voted 444 Marlin. I've got a 22lr, 30-30 and a 444 in lever guns. Likely haven't shot the 30-30 in 12-14 years. I've got plenty of 22lr rifles that are more user friendly. I like the 444 so much I won't sell it even though I can't use it in the DNR zone I hunt in. I've only ever hunted with it out of state. If all goes well my project for this winter is changing the 30-30 over to either a 357Max or a 445SM so I can hunt with it in my area. Here's a pic of my 4 marlins. Model 60, 336, 39, and 444 on the bottom.

[Rayolamp]

44 wcf

[rockrat]

356 wcf

[HanaHH]

definitely 444 Marlin

[arlon]

38-55.. Seldom seen anymore.

[Greg S]

Oy, that is a tough one owning a 92 in 32-20 (my new 22lr), 357 and 45 Colt and 2 x 45-70s. I like the economy of the 32-20 and 357 but find the 45 cals more comforting here in the woods.

[762X51]

.357 in a model 92 stainless Rossi...check!

[David LaPell]

My choice isn't up there, it's a Model 71 Winchester in .348, behind that would be a Marlin 1894 in .357 Magnum.

[akrifleman]

Big Horn Armory in 475 Linebaugh ( match my sidearm )

[quail4jake]

.38-55, Marlin 1893 pistol grip, 28" half octagon, 2/3 magazine, rocky mountain sight, class "B" checking. The one I bought when I was 14 for $150 because "ya can't get no more bullets for it"!

[Traffer]

My dear ol' dad used to tell me that "there's been more deer killed with a 30-30 than any other caliber." That may no longer be true but it is a tried and proven round. "just right" for most of the shots that most people take on white tail deer in the US. Light gun. Quick action. Holds lots of bullets. Factory ammo is probably the least expensive of all deer shooting rounds. (not counting the 223 and 7.62x39) Just a sweet gun/round. The choice for my PRIMARY lever action deer gun would therefore be a 30-30. However with that said I would also love to have a .357 and a 45/70 to play with.

[JBinMN]

44 mag

[WILCO]

That is a tough choice.

It is. That's why I went with the 45-70. Big medicine in every shot.

[White Oak]

Marlin 336ER in 356win is my favorite lever gun. Shoots cast great, carrys well, and is effective.
It will probably be the only one I take hunting this year.

[john.k]

I would pick a Savage 99 in 300 Savage. Ser no.414988....made 1942,so who knows how it got here.

[johnny_xring]

Good poll--hard decision to make! I voted for the 30-30: can find it in most retail stores, got a great cast load that is a gc spitzer (one in chamber, one in the mag tube). The 170 factory flat points seem to be the best in a pre-safety Glenfield/Marlin for maximum terminal effect.

Best choice for LR (heresy--J-bullets) are the gummy tips. Almost a bottom end match grade 7.62X51 velocity wise.

JX

[whelenshooter]

Gotta go with the 35Rem in a Marlin 336 . Used to have one, now have a 35 Rem in a mauser 93 my wife had built for me. Like it even better.
David

[mortyg]

Model 71 348, Marlin 50 B&M Alaskan, Savage 99 358

[Randy C]

30-30

[44 flattop]

Double-tap:sad:

[44 flattop]

For a bit I thought this might be a tough decision. Mostly because I have one or more of every caliber listed, plus many that aren't. Just one, well, I can't let my first rifle given to me 45 years ago get away. A model 64 Winchester in .25-35.

But to make my final decision, I had only to consider which caliber I own the most of. Hands down, the .44 mag, mostly in Marlin Cowboys. Here in the PNW with our short shorts, the .44 caliber in both rifle and handgun form have taken over two-dozen elk for me, and so many deer I can't even venture a guess. Of all of them, it would be a 24" version with a Williams target receiver sight. Paired with one of a few dozen .44 handguns in my safes, I'm pretty well set. :happy dance:

[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? :D

[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:mad:

[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.:bigsmyl2:

[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!
210935:bigsmyl2:

[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 ?

[rking22]

You will like that BB94, mine is my favorite lever. I voted 30-30 cause I cant imagine not having on. I just use Starline 38-55 in mine, chamber measures plenty long and I have little need for full power 375s here in TN. I understand about the factory loads, at 4$ a trigger pull , too rich for my blood!!!!!! Got some of my own that I need to just sell

[singleshot]

I went with 44 mag but would be equally happy with 35 rem. 30-30 is good too!

[Cheeto303]

You will like that BB94, mine is my favorite lever. I voted 30-30 cause I cant imagine not having on. I just use Starline 38-55 in mine, chamber measures plenty long and I have little need for full power 375s here in TN. I understand about the factory loads, at 4$ a trigger pull , too rich for my blood!!!!!! Got some of my own that I need to just sell

I thought about using Starline 38-55 brass but I need to save my pennies up. Who knows someday I might come across a .38-55.All the ammo I have is worth more as collector ammo. The boxes are perfect.It is all 1970's production.I keep it in my vintage ammo display. I really like old ammo boxes. I would love to get some more .375 Winchester cases (this is a hint to Starline whom I keep messaging about this). I like to take my BB94 out to Stewart county, Tn. I have a friend out that way who has a feral hog problem. Those hogs are mean but that .375 is a whole lot meaner.

[PhantomRider64]

I am a bit late on this,,,

I would go with the 45 Colt,,,it's been getting the job done for 125+ years.

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[DirtyJack]

.357 magnum

[william l evans]

browning 1886 src in 45/70. very accurate.

[Hootmix]

I would choose the 1876 chaparral in 40/60 w/ 26 " barrel ,,throw the rear sight a-way,,replace with a NWMP flip up good to 500 yds. load w/210gr.or 245gr. CB, powder up with 4198 or TB,,replace the bolt & lifter with original win. "76 " parts...... then shoot the heck out of it. O' YEA!!!!

coffees ready,,,,Hootmix.

[tdoor4570]

Got the levers that I need Savage99 in 300savage marlin 336 in 45-70 and 444marlin and two 22 1 browning and a mossberg

[500Linebaughbuck]

a Winchester M1895 in 405 win with a redfield peep sight

[boommer]

45-70 86 brownie pop 'em or p0und 'em then if you run out of ammo and that Griz is about to eat you!!you use the cresent but plate like a potato masher !!

[Grapeshot]

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

That depends on what you want it for. .45 Colt will do for both plinking and hunting. Load it hot for hunting medium sized game, light for plinking and small game. If you are thinking about going out into the hinterlands and not worrying about people a .45/70 or the .444 Marlin for defense against Bears. both can be loaded with shot for small game.

[RAK2018]

I voted for the 45-70 because i just bought one in September. Its a Henry H010CC

[Toolmaker TN]

Either my Marlin 375 or 47/70.

[Crash_Corrigan]

My Marlin 336 CB in 38-55 Winchester. Has enuf punch to take a large deer with a big slug or varmints with lighter fodder. Beautiful weapon with excellent handling charactistics. I have three different tang sights for the rear end that can be changed out in less than 30 seconds.

I love punching steel gongs at 250 yds with it for the great sounding clangs it makes. Easy to reload for and the brass seems to be long lasting as I have cases with over 15 reloads on them and the primer pockets are still tight but I cheat by annealing about every 4 shootings.

[Chill Wills]

I have a Winchester 1886. It came to me as a basket case that got put back together as a rebored 45-70 from 38-56. The full diameter round rifle barrel was cut to 22 inches. It has a button mag and original forearm; however the missing butt was replaced with straight grain walnut and some stray metal shotgun buttplate. I drilled and taped the receiver and found an old Lyman sight to go on it. All this happened in the early 1980's. It is an ugly duckling if ever there was one!

The SN tells us that it was made in the assemble of leftover parts into rifles in 1936 - this rifle is just 45 numbers from the last rifle Maddis lists in his book, so its assembly is very near the end of all 1886 production.
This might be the very last center-fire rifle I would part with - really it would be a tossup between it and the Remington 700 classic 35 Whelen - scoped. In a pinch, a 45-70 it can be made to shoot effectively with any casting metal that acts like lead and with any powder, even homemade black powder. It is still the darned primers that are keystone when things set scarce.

[Bubba w/a 45/70]

Years back, I would have picked a 45/70 without hesitation. This is completely due to the fact that that was my best hunting round/rifle that I could take out the door. My Marlin 1895ss.......

Now I will take a .357, and that will be fired out of my Henry Golden Boy. This rifle has never been blooded by me, but I don't hunt much anymore, and the cartridge will do much of what I need now days.

[Flailguy]

I would have to go with 44mag

[Muskrat Mike]

It would be my .307 winchester BB

[Cosmic_Charlie]

Always figured you could scrounge around a junk yard and come up with a mit full of 30-30 rounds from glove boxes or under seats of pick up trucks. It is the ubiquitous rifle round.

[indian joe]

it be 45/75 or 38/40 - ya left most of the good calibres off the list!

[curioushooter]

Hands down 30-30. Better effective range. Doesn't kill shoulder. Can be downloaded for varmints. Most versatile, works well with cast or jacketed, and most broadly used, best market support.

[PHyrbird]

I chose 454 Casull, cause I already got it. Wish they made one in 460 S&W. My brother likes the 308 Savage cause he found one engraved & grape vine pattern carved, a beaut!!
for a 35 Rem I prefer my Rem 8-81s & contender. Gotta go Daughter is calling for supper helppp
Had a 45-70 Marlin, traded it off after 2 eyebrow scars, 3 broken glasses, & for a Browning.

[nightowl]

IN the last great ammo shortage I went to wal-mart. For the first time in my life I saw you could not get 30-30,22,38 spec. The only thing they had was 12 gauge. Realizing of course, this is not a valid representation of current times It does make one wonder. For those of us here on this forum we are only limited by availability of source materials,primers,lead, time etc. I guess I would have to say 30-30. (which I here was available even during ww2)

[tarbe]

IN the last great ammo shortage I went to wal-mart. For the first time in my life I saw you could not get 30-30,22,38 spec. The only thing they had was 12 gauge. Realizing of course, this is not a valid representation of current times It does make one wonder. For those of us here on this forum we are only limited by availability of source materials,primers,lead, time etc. I guess I would have to say 30-30. (which I here was available even during ww2)

The above is why I have lots of brass (thanks Starline) and about 1,200 lbs of ingots and 10,000 bullets ready to go and 120,000 primers and 300 pounds of powder...

Hmmm...I think I need some more lead!

[LAH]

My choice is the one I love, the 30-30.

[blindeye]

I voted for 38/357 even though I don't currently own one. ...Never should have sold the Marlin carbine.
But if I could've, I'd vote for the 22LR which I do own.

[veeman]

44-40 wcf.

[PhantomRider64]

I chose the .45 Colt for two reasons,,,I already have a handgun in that caliber and I just seem to like it. Knowing that the .45 Colt was not chambered in the early lever guns is a mere technicality.:bigsmyl2:

However, the 12ga was at one time available in a lever action,,,that would be my real choice.

[Nit Wit]

Marlin 30-30 is tried and true, ammo is available everywhere. Reliable firearm that can be scope mounted without hassles!
Nit Wit

[ReloaderFred]

I chose the .45 Colt for two reasons,,,I already have a handgun in that caliber and I just seem to like it. Knowing that the .45 Colt was not chambered in the early lever guns is a mere technicality.:bigsmyl2:

However, the 12ga was at one time available in a lever action,,,that would be my real choice.

The Winchester Model 87 Shotgun is available in a reproduction. I shoot with several people who own them, and once you get the loading down, it's a very fast shotgun.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winchester_Model_1887/1901

Hope this helps.

Fred

[murf205]

358 Win gets my vote. I had an early 358 BLR and sold it to fund a project. One of Henry's new Long Ranger would be really cool, but "short" ranger probably wouldn't be the best name![smilie=s:

[J.M.Browning]

22 long rifle. As in the Marlin 39a. I love them!

So do my wife and I. We own 5 of them, from a 1952 pre microgroove to a 1975 Golden,
but the Mountie is my go to smallbore cowboy silhouette gun!

[EDG]

I have a BLR in .358 and Marlins in 35 Rem, .375 Win and .30-30. I have little use for most of the list but a 1894 Marlin in .25-20 or a 336 in .25-35 would be nice.

[Knightflyer]

Welp, being rather poor, I did have to choose just one. I'd been saving for about a year and a half to buy a lever gun. I love the .357 for various reasons, but it just couldn't muster 1000 lbs of energy @100 yrds required for deer hunting in this state. The 45lc could do it, but still seemed short-ranged compared to the 30-30, and basic ammo is hard to come by around here.

But, I can buy 30-30 ammo any time, day or night. It's good to 200+ yrds depending on the bullet, which probably exceeds this shooter's ability. But hunting antelope on the plains, I might get a long shot now and then.

That's how I ended up with my Mossy 464 back in February. :) (I would give my gun a name, but my wife already gets jealous when I take it out to fon... err, hold.
-KF

PS... Mossy... I think I just gave the gun its name! Subtle, to fool the wife... "No Dear, I was just referring to the Brand - you know, Mossberg. :D

[Knightflyer]

The above is why I have lots of brass (thanks Starline) and about 1,200 lbs of ingots and 10,000 bullets ready to go and 120,000 primers and 300 pounds of powder...

Hmmm...I think I need some more lead!

:shock: That's... enough to outfit close to 600 soldiers with a standard combat load (210 bullets). I obviously am way behind and better start buying more! ;-)

[HawkCreek]

If I was stuck with only one lever I'd pick an 1895 Winchester in .30 caliber (.30-40 Krag would be my first choice followed by the .30-06).




I chose 454 Casull, cause I already got it. Wish they made one in 460 S&W. My brother likes the 308 Savage cause he found one engraved & grape vine pattern carved, a beaut!!
for a 35 Rem I prefer my Rem 8-81s & contender. Gotta go Daughter is calling for supper helppp
Had a 45-70 Marlin, traded it off after 2 eyebrow scars, 3 broken glasses, & for a Browning.

Big Horn Armory mades .460 as well as a .500 S&W lever guns, they aren't cheap though.

[sass2924]

I voted for 30-30. Easy to find ammo.

[Catpop]

32-40 hands down! Then 38-40! Then 35 Rem! All Marlins!

[odette]

I would also favor the .41 mag, but out of the choices, I would have to go with the .44. Good bullet selection, you can also run .44 special through it. It is just a more versatile cartridge than most of the others. If you are looking for a true 1 rifle, you also need to look at total capacity that the rifle can hold. So to me a 10 rd. .44 mag rifle is the best choice from the list. You can plink with it, you can load it with junkyard loads for home defense or you can run heavy hunting loads and you can carry more rounds easier than all but the .357. Now I have several 45-70's in lever action, rolling block, falling block and even a bolt action. It is my favorite cartridge. I have no .44mag rifles, or .41 mag rifles. I would like a .41 and maybe a .44 to go along with my revolvers, but not at the present day prices and the unsure quality of to many of the manufactures.

[Walks]

.30WCF in a REAL WINCHESTER 94

[Good Cheer]

Which cartridge...
Either a 25-35 or a pre-micro .35.
While each has its strengths and weaknesses either one is a bunny-squirrel-deer rifle if you develop the loads.
And for the same reasons and more the 30-30 is the standard.
If the world suddenly went goofy with supply problems then who knows.

[jdb3]

After looking at all the responses I'm really surprised that no one has picked my favorite the 338 ME. It will easily take any animal on North America and is an honest 300 yard rifle. Love my Marlin 22, 44 and 45-70 but for hunting Alaska the 338 works the best. Jim

[LAH]

Jim that is one cartridge that never crossed my mind. Guess my mind is closing up with age.

[lazs]

Ok... not a huge lever gun guy here so excuse my rambling but... first.. this forum seems to be for guys who roll their own.. saying the trinty trinty is cheap and available is not germain.. The 30-30 is expensive.. and if you use jacketed bullets it is expensive to hand roll too.

Sooo.. the lever gun with open sights.. I am thinking 150 yards useful no matter what caliber. the pistol caliber chambered guns hold more ammo. The appeal of a handgun and a short carbine in the same caliber is... well.. appealing. with the .357... 44 mag... 45 Colt..you are gonna pick up a couple hundred feet per second over and above your handgun and.. for most.. it will be easier to shoot accurately at say 150 yards.

Soo.. .357? yep.. I have a lot of .357 handguns.. like it fine. The rifle adds accuracy and energy.. for deer or smaller it is probly a great round and... it is cheap to reload for and the recoil is... minimal.

Sooo.. the 45 Colt? well. if you load em hot.. they will do whatever a 44 mag will do and more than a .357 they are not much more if any. expensive to load for than a .357 or 44.. Problem is.. unless you have a stout handgun or ALL your 45 Colt handguns are stout.. you got to be careful putting those hot loads in the handguns.

Sooo... 44 mag? There are no weak 44 mag handguns. what works in one works in all and in a lever gun. 44 mag will give you some comfort zone so far as hammer of thor on dangerous game compared to the .357 44mag is cheap and easy to load for. 44 mag will thump your shoulder tho.

The .357 is almost perfect for plinking and killing coyotes and small deer and raccoons that show up.. it is fun to shoot.. it is cheap to load for and mostly will hit really hard at 150 yards.

My vote is for the 44 mag tho.... It gives you an edge without prohibitive recoil. Out plinking it is easier to see where those big 44 bullets hit than the .357 ones do.

I live the 30-30 and the old 88 in .308 but with open sights and for all around plinking to cheap to handload to just plain fun to the range lever guns are intended for?? the 44mag is hard to beat

lazs

[Walter Laich]

at 71 all my rifle work is in cowboy action

.45 Colt Marlin matches my .45 Colt Vaqueros and I'm a happy camper

[Tatume]

Many of the better cartridges are omitted from the list.

[RJM52]

What ? 41 Remington magnum doesn't exist . I would get a lever gun, model 92 Winchester or Henry in 41 magnum to go with the model 58 41 mag. in my avatar !

In your poll I choose ...none of the above...Oh, wait...that's not even an option !

Yeah....us 41 magnum owners are treated like red headed step children....
As Rodney Dangerfield would say...We don't get no respect !
Gary


...my feelings exactly....


Since my favorite revolver round is the .41 Magnum and can take care of most of my hunting, plinking and self-defense needs a Marlin 1894 would be my choice. I've got an "S", CCL and LTD and it would be a hard choice getting rid of two of them...

Loads can be anything from a 160 cast HP to a 300 grain stomper.

Also have a 1895 Winchester in .405 that with full loads and a steel butt plate kills on both ends... But put a thin Pachmayer Decellerator pad on with cast bullet loads makes it pleasant to shoot...

Practically speaking, it is hard to beat a stainless Marlin Guide Gun in .45-70...

Bob

[ammohead]

There was a time back in the mid 80's when I did not own a lever action rifle. About 10 years earlier I hunted with friends and a couple of the older gents had 94 winchester rifles, not carbines. In 1984 winchester produced a 24" barreled model 94 chambered in Ken Waters 7-30 Waters. I had to have one and still do. I ordered it sight unseen and it came with a very select figured buttstock, luck of the draw. It is an excellent performing cartridge for a lever action rifle. Shortly after Winchester in all their wisdom dropped the 24" barrel version and went with a 20" carbine and the cartridge languished into obscurity. My copy will push 139 gr hornadt flatnose 7mms 2550 fps, making it a fine 250 yard mule deer rifle. I also have a 130 gr lfn lbt mould that has taken a mule deer doe. That's my vote. Second is a model 99 Savage in 284 win. Next would be a Browning blr 81 in 257 Roberts, but I haven't found one yet.

[surfanarchist]

This is a tough one. Browning 1886 in 45-70 is my favorite big bore lever and got my vote. I love the action, accuracy, look and feel of that rifle. And it can be loaded up or down for almost anything out to 100 yards (the limiting factor is my eyesight). But then again my B92 in .44 mag is a great piece of gear, small, compact, solid performance against most anything out to 75 yards and shares brass (but not bullets) with my wheel guns.
I was surprised at all the love for the 30-30 but then I don't ever buy ammo for my lever guns. Cast and load all my rounds. If you are buying commercial ammo then 30-30 makes a lot of sense. It's a solid performer and ammo is widely available commercially. It's been enlightening to read all the reply's on this one.

[6pt-sika]

I only own three at the moment that I don’t plan to resell and all three are for the same cartridge the 444 Marlin .

[pricedo]

I already picked it.
A browning blr ‘81 stainless takedown in 308 Win.
Good shtf rifle ... light, strong action, accurate, compact, weather resistant, common caliber, 300 yds or more effective range on most game, strong action can handle high pressure military rounds.

[pricedo]

I guess my answer to the survey would be ‘none of the above’.
Each of the choices represents a caliber/rifle combination inferior to a blr ‘81 stainless takedown in 308 Win.
A combo which will do just about anything just about anywhere.

[Texas by God]

I guess my answer to the survey would be ‘none of the above’.
Each of the choices represents a caliber/rifle combination inferior to a blr ‘81 stainless takedown in 308 Win.
A combo which will do just about anything just about anywhere.Oh please. The BLR can be had in a longer uglier action chambered in rounds that leave the .308 in the dust. A 7-08, .284, or a .358 aren't inferior to a .308, either. I like the .308 but not the BLR so much. I prefer the lines of a Savage 99, Winchester 88, or Sako Finnwolf in a "modern" lever action.
But this old farmer will keep his pre 64 Win. with receiver sight in the oh so boring 30-30 Winchester. Inferior or not.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G930A using Tapatalk

[Ramjet-SS]

TBG there is allot of wisdom in that post. I posted up me of the tacti-cool mossberg a in 30-30 for a truck gun a few years back that darn gun is uglier than all of worse looking things on this earth. But it shoots fantastic loves cast boolits over a goodly dose of Leverevelution is very easy to carry and tough as nails. With the reciever sight it is rugged and easy to shoot it adjusts for my wife's length of pulls in seconds and serves me well.

[lazs]

I think the trinty trinty is a great round. energy wise it is superior (slightly) to a 44 mag and has a LOT less drop at 200 yards. the new polymer tip 44 bullets get em close again tho. But.... and it is a big but... the 44 mag punches above it's (energy) weight class.. it hits really hard. And.. it is really cheap to load and there are dozens of different handguns chambered in it.

With the Henry big boy you get a tube magazine that like it or not.. you can dump all the rounds easily or load (in my opinion) much faster than a gate. it also has a transfer bar. if you own a lot of firearms it is nice to have a passive safety that you don't have to know a thing about.. it is just.........safe.

Again tho.. it all depends on what you want the lever gun for.. For me it is plinking mostly. varmints on occasion.. maybe a hog. I shoot 44 mag handguns all the time so this makes the most sense. If I were hunting with open sights I think the old 30-30 would be a great choice.

lazs

[RedDust]

One lever action Rifle (for cast) - A 30-30 with a 24" barrel.
- Low velocity 124 grainers for plinking.
- 32-20 equivalent loads with a 124 grainer for small game. (non-destructive).
- 180 grainers at 1900fps plus for larger game.

Now if you're talking about a lever action carbine then you might think about a pistol cartridge, maybe.....

[nhithaca]

Hard to pick just one, I think there should be at least a choice of three:

Pistol caliber carbine: 357/38 Special w/ 16" barrel. Bullet weights of 90 to 200 grain.
"Regular" rifle: 30-30 with 20 to 24" barrel. 110 to 200 grain bullets.
"Heavy" rifle: 45-70 w/ 22 to 26" barrel. 300 to 500 grain bullets.

With this trio, you can shoot anything on the planet.

[nhithaca]

And need to add, the 45-70 will shoot 410 2.5" shells no problem. So you could even wing shoot close birds if need be. May not cycle shells well but in a bind you get a shotgun too.

[ironhead7544]

My only lever is a 24" Marlin 1894 Cowboy in 44 Magnum. I have a 5.5" Super Blackhawk as a companion piece.

I have owned numerous lever rifles over the years and regret selling any of them. This combo will stay with me. I have been loading the 44 Magnum cartridge since 1972 when I first started loading with a Lee Loader. For my purposes, I cant think of a better lever gun cartridge.

[stef76]

357, my lever is my low profile bugout gun, matches the handgun. its light, the ammo is light, only slightly more than 223, and no one complains about seeing a lever action.

[hatt]

Tough one. I picked .357 since it goes so well with a revolver and can do an awful lot of what needs to be done in FL. It'd be hard to give up my .35 or .30-30. Good cases could be made for those too.

[Milltown353]

It would be nice to see some love for a classic like 33WCF. But out of those options you can't go wrong with a 45-70.

[Dvedw]

N. Florida here. 38/357 for me. Very versatile for anything around here. Squirrel to deer to hog.

[BrentD]

.38-55, followed by 38-40

[cwtebay]

1895 Winnie in 35WCF!!
I own lever guns in more than a dozen calibers and truly enjoy the pistol caliber '76 and '92, the '86 in 45-90 and 50-110, '71 in 348, '99 in 250, '95's in everything!!! but I have a soft spot for the forgotten 35 caliber. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180628/e8cd77e42396ad6611e7356c8f20233f.jpg

Sent from my HTC6545LVW using Tapatalk

[jeffs4wheeler]

44 mag

[Blazenet]

7-30 Waters

[Spooksar]

Not on the list but 348 Winchester would be my choice

[hpdrifter]

Didn't vote for any of the above.

If I had to pick a phantom caliber it'd be a variable 30-45 caliber.

[allsy]

Always liked the 44-40 cartridge though I don't own anything chambered in it. But I did have a lot of fun in the woods with a buddies old 300 Savage from his grandpa, that lever gun went bang every time unlike my Winchester Semi Auto 243...click...