to be far think all options need to be listed and what they will be used for. Well mine are win 94 in 32 special, blr in 358, 1860 henry in 44-40, next will be a henry long ranger in 6.5 cred.
to be far think all options need to be listed and what they will be used for. Well mine are win 94 in 32 special, blr in 358, 1860 henry in 44-40, next will be a henry long ranger in 6.5 cred.
My go-to levergun is one of my 30-30's, Winchester or Marlin. However, I have two Marlins in 35 Remington caliber and I wouldn't part with either one of them except to hand them down to the next generation of my family. Even then, they will have to have the undertaker pry them out of my hands before they lower me away.
I’m going to have to say 44-40 in a model 92 action although I really do like my 1895 winchester as it can shoot pointed bullitt and there sexy
For just plain plinking - hunting, 357 mag, hunting bigger game 30-30 - 45-70. I own 32 wcf, 357, 45 Colt and 45-70. 32 and 357 get most of the range time for cheap shooting, 45 Colt and 45-70 woods walking rifle. 45 Colt in a 92 action is no sloutch, nipping at the heals of a 45-70.
Since my #77 post, I have acquired a marlin 357 1894C micro groove. Wow, it does it all. It can be loaded close to 30-30, it can be a reduced 35 Remington with a 200 grain bullet, it can be small game with a 105 grain bullet and 3 grains bullseye, cowboy action with 38 special and everything in between using so much less powder. Shooting steel 100 yards and beyond I have found Lyman’s 358430 195 grain so pleasing at about 1100 FPS in a 38 special case. The heavier bullet moves the steel plate with more “ting”.
30-30 does it all too but with more labored (slower) reloading and using more powder.
i believe one of the best looking , strongest, and powerful winchester's lever is the model 71 in 348 win. i'll also vote for the marlin 45/70 cowboy
No accuracy testing yet at 200, I don’t know yet if I tried 200 yards yet. In fact, I yet to put it on paper at 100 but I simply can’t miss the 12-16” metal plate standing. The front brass bead fits inside the orange metal steel. At 1100 FPS, enough pause between the “bang” and “ting” to be so satisfying.
i had a win m94 in 30-30, but instead of a 30-30, JES gots me a win m94 in 35/30!!! i installed a williams' fp peep sight and loaded up some 200gr rcbs fn with 20gr of 2400/dacron that goes 1726fps. it is my round for deer/black bear. while i have only shot one doe, 30+/- yards and behind the shoulder and she ran(trotted) about 20+/- yards before she died.
Never was I one for trying to figure out which I would really have if I ever really had to choose. As biased as I am towards the 44-40, so for other than survival, I would like one or two of each caliber.
With that said, for survival......
1. I would have to choose the 30-30 for over all survival. Good enough for up close and personal to 200 yards with a flatter trajectory than some others to provide enough food and security.
2. The 35 Remington is right behind the 30-30 for the same reason.
3. The 44-40 was replaced by the 30-30 so I make it third on my list. If lack of availability of hand-loading components exists, it would not be wanted due to the piss poor factory loads.
4. The 45-70 would be second but would need two rifles thus not efficient for my needs as a choice survival caliber. One guide gun for lighter weight and up close personal protection and one rifle (heavy) for distance shooting big game. Not on my list, the 444 replaced the 45-70 so I would also place the 454 and 450 in the same group as the 444.
5. The 44Mag/Special, probably good enough for 150 yards for game but better served as protection in close somewhat like the 45-70 guide gun.
6. 45 Colt much the same as the 44 Mag in strong action rifles, load it for 100/150 yards and up close and personal...lack of handloading supplies would remove it from the list at all like the 44-40.
7. 357 for food and could be enough for up close but would certainly rather have no less that hot 45's or 44 mags for protection. Even bottom end 44Mag performance from the 44-40 can be achieved in strong action rifles.
8. 38's only for the 357 rifles....no use for them in this category.
I have a 32 WS 94 and I inherited a BLR in 22-250 that I have never shot, but I have been craving a 44. I do think that will be one of my next purchases.
My Rossi 92 in 357 gets used more than the one in 44. But, if I could only have one, it would be the 44. Of course, I would never live somewhere where I could only have one.
I second KC's post! In keeping with the theme of which "one" caliber, because I reload, it would be the .44 Mag in a 92 or 94.
38-55 Winchester and Ballard.
I am torn between 357 mag and 35 Rem. I choose 357 mag. Wallacem
Now i'd like a Marlin 450,my second choice.:drinks:
My Dads hand me down 30-30
Dad gave me his 1954 Winchester 94 30-30 a few years back. I hunted with it a few times successfully - then I fell in with this bunch at CB, and soon it went to Jes and was reborn as a 38-55. So, for what I use a lever action for- the one I’d have if limited to one- is THIS ONE.
As it turns out, it IS the only one I have anyway- for now.
Here are my two go to lever lever guns both 45/70 Attachment 257534