357 trapper
357 trapper
I picked the grand ol' .30-30 but, only because .32-20 and .25-35 weren't listed. .30-30 is the flattest shooting of the ones listed and will dispatch anything I'm likely to run into. Love the .45-70 but even downloaded it's a little much for small game. Like the pistol calibers to but not much range for big game.
CS
One of each
I have 2 lever action Win. & Marlin , Win. 1885 . in 38-55
I pick the " Government" that will get the job done.;)
Only ONE lever action rifle??? Absurd! :mrgreen:
I have .45-70, .44mag, .30WCF, and .35Rem leverguns, and don't plan on parting with any of them. As I interpret this thread and poll, this is a discussion of what one levergun we'd choose if forced to have only one.........but not necessarily what one rifle/firearm (that is a levergun) we would choose to cover all rifle/firearms needs. I have several other firearms to cover small game/pest shooting, predator control, long range shooting, etc. I'm choosing the one levergun that best covers the types of hunting/shooting that I prefer a levergun (over all others) for.
For purposes of this academic exercise, I chose the Mighty 45-70. Here in northwestern Wyoming, grizzlies, black bears, bison, moose, elk, and mule deer are all possible prey (and in some cases, opponents). The 45-70 is very popular here for good reason. With proper handloads or appropriate factory ammo (which is relatively common at local shops), the 45-70 can handle anything on the menu out to 150-200 yards.
One lever action would be my Canadian Centennial with the 26" long barrel in 30-30. Why? over 1800 once fired Winchester cases, easy on powder,make my own bullets and don't hunt anymore. Plus the longer barrel just hangs out there and with the extra 6" of barrel little extra velocity. Frank
I'd have to say my 73' in .44wcf. There are many reasons for this, and all the settlers that went West knew them well. I would love to say my 95' in .30-40, but it's 'too much gun' to be as versatile as I can be with the .44wcf.
44 magnum!! Is choice!
I prefer to shoot the 44-40. But if it was a case of sticking one rifle in the saddle scabbard and leaving home in a hurry, I'd take the tried and true, pre 64 30-30 along with a Colt 45.
I have my choice: a 20" Rossi El Jefe in 45 Colt. It goes with my Old Model 4⅝" Vaquero. Lately I've been ringing my steel bad guy silhouette with it at 200 yards. Factory sights.
While I chose the 45-70 (since I have a Marlin GG)....I am partial to the .41 Mag also. Had a blackhawk that was pretty damn accurate...in fact hit 3 of those rams at 200 yds....with factory ammo....my first time out. Didn’t know there were levers for them at the time. Its a great combination. No longer have the Blackhawk.....but if had my choice now and could find one....would get Ruger Bisley in a .41 mag and Henry’s new side loading gate. Though with Ruger purchasing the Marlin firearms...may have to re-thiink. Though cant go wrong with a Henry.
Have to say, those side loading 38-55 sure look good. A friend killed an elk last year, one shot dropped him dead in his tracks. My friend let me shoot his with 255gr. bullets and the kick was no more than a 30-30 even less....more unto a .243. dont know what it load was, but darn was fun to shoot, accurate and hard hitting.
Which is best depends on what you want to do with it. Out of the currently easily available rifles the .35 Rem is the "best" hunting cartridge and that means a 336 Marlin. It's a bit more flexible for bigger game size than the next best round, .30-30.
I wonder, "What's the point of carrying a long barreled handgun in the woods instead of a real rifle cartridge?" I'm sure a lot of people just enjoy playing with the ballistic midgets of handgun cartridges and I love that for them. BUT, my guns aren't just toys and no pistol cartridge has anywhere near the long range trajectory or terminal effect that rifle velocity provides.
Most lever guns aren't strong enough for high pressure cartridges and none of them provide the accuracy or trajectory needed for really long range hunting but the ol' .35 will kill most anything the shooter can hit at any range.
I love my .357 and .44 magnum hand guns but rifle cartridges they ain't.
Picking just one is really tough . I have three JM Marlins and I shoot the 1894 44 mag the most but if hard pressed I suppose the old 45-70 would be the keeper.
My first impression of the list the 30WCF is the one . Longer range than the others and will kill Elk or larger game. But if I'm down to one lever gun things must be bad and the ability to be loaded with anything I can find or make makes the 45-70 the hands down best to me. I think in this case the 44WCF would also be a good one if in the east and have a supply of brass.
This poll has been running a while, I wonder if opinions have changed any in the last 6 months.