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01-01-2020, 09:39 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: The best place on earth.
Posts: 1,665
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What caliber for a lever action rifle?
Well as I get more into the firearm passion, I never did like lever actions all that much. Shooting a lot of iron sights, I always went for Remington pump actions, it’s nice having a detachable mag for ease of loading and unloading.
But now I’m looking at getting my first lever action rifle and I don’t know what caliber(s) to get. I have shot 30/30’s, 45/70’s, 44 mag, and .22 lever action rifles. I’m not a big fan of the 30/30 caliber (just never was fond of it) I think that’s why I didn’t like levers so much. Plus the cowboy hype they bring along with them.
But my main question is what caliber of lever would you like to have in your possession for anything, plinking, taking a deer if I chose to, I won’t want to scope the rifle. There a few options and makes out there. Should I get a plain ol 30-30 to start my lever collection or get a 44-40, 45/70. I reload so ammo isn’t a problem really. Thanks for any input and happy new year fellow AO members.
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01-01-2020, 10:13 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Ft. McMurray
Posts: 38,865
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You could always look for a nice Winchester 1895 in .303 British or 30'06 or even one of the big 40 cal's!
Cat
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Anytime I figure I've got this long range thing figured out, I just strap into the sling and irons and remind myself that I don't!
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01-01-2020, 10:19 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: East Kootenays, BC
Posts: 1,188
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I too had little use for lever guns until a sweet JM Marlin guide gun fell into my lap. I absolutely love shooting the 45-70. You can handload them to be a mild plinker or you can go full out and rock your world...plus effectiveness on game is amazing.
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01-01-2020, 10:30 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 310
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Quote:
Originally Posted by brewster29
I too had little use for lever guns until a sweet JM Marlin guide gun fell into my lap. I absolutely love shooting the 45-70. You can handload them to be a mild plinker or you can go full out and rock your world...plus effectiveness on game is amazing.
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Couldn't agree more......
45-70 became my favorite lever caliber.
I cast all my bullets for it.
Use unique powder for plinking rounds sub 1100 fps and reloader 7 for fire breathing 2250 fps hot loads.
My 2 cents
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A man is only as good as his word.
Tight lines.......straight shooting
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01-01-2020, 10:16 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: In the woods
Posts: 9,079
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Can’t go wrong with the 30/30 but if you don’t like it why not a .35 Remington? Kinda limits you to marlin 336 but same recoil as a 30/30 IMO and you get an increase in velocity, energy and a 200 gr bullet??
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01-01-2020, 11:40 PM
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Banned
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Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 1,447
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fordtruckin
Can’t go wrong with the 30/30 but if you don’t like it why not a .35 Remington? Kinda limits you to marlin 336 but same recoil as a 30/30 IMO and you get an increase in velocity, energy and a 200 gr bullet??
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.35 Remington would fit the bill nicely. Since you reload, 45/70 could do the job too. You can load from mild to nasty depending on your needs.
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01-02-2020, 12:09 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,998
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I just picked up a browning take down 30 06 ,comes with pouch I can fold up nice in my pack sack. I double wrapped it all.Spare clip.3 boxes of 165 accubonds.
I put some quick release rings and a nice light scope and shot it a few times then removed it and did this 4 times and held it's zero right on,so I really like it.
So irons or scope I'm good to go,always loved the iron sights,but my eyes don't agree as much so 200 yrds ok after that the scope.
Will load some light loads just to see how it shots,but from now on it goes where I go.
I like it more then some high end rigs I use to own.I do have a few 3030's but seen this deal and had to have it,let you know in 3 months if the love affair has died off,always has so I can't see it lasting,so never know.
JD
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01-02-2020, 06:03 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Brooks
Posts: 2,253
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30-30
Never was a huge fan of the 30-30, but mostly due to watching certain people trying to use it on antelope and mule deer well past their shooting capabilities.
I have used a lot of the big bores for elk hunting. My first three bulls were taken with a .348 win model 71, and my last bull was with a .405 win in a model 95
If you prefer a clip in your rifle, there is always the browning blr and the winchester 88. A friend has successfully taken many moose with his old hand-me-down 88 in .308
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"a gun without hammers is like a spaniel without ears!"
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01-02-2020, 06:05 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: At the end of the Thirsty Beaver Trail, Pinsky lake, Alberta.
Posts: 25,269
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JM stamped 35rem.....cuz
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Be careful when you follow the masses, sometimes the "M" is silent...
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01-01-2020, 11:35 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Oz
Posts: 2,190
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My favourite lever for small game, plinking and maybe the odd deer or pig would be a JM stamped 1894 in 44 mag. They’re such a sweet handling rifle.
If you want to get something a little chunkier and get into the 336 I like the .35 over the 30-30.
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01-02-2020, 06:46 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: GRAND PRAIRIE
Posts: 5,720
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444 Marlin tough to find but I've killed lots of game with mine
Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk
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01-02-2020, 07:17 AM
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Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 1,874
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If you are ever planning to mount a scope ,guns with a side eject are easier to deal with ,such as Savage 99 or Marlin .
I have a winchester 94 38-55 Alberta Commerative that I use . If you look around often you can find some of the commeratives in a little different calibers for less or the same as standard lever action. Mine has beautiful wood on it
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01-02-2020, 07:41 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,869
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Marlin 30 30. You can put a pretty decent trigger happy trigger in it, shoots 30 cal flat for about a far as you should probably shoot it with open sights, popular cheaper ammo.i have 38 55 , 44 40, 32 40, only my 300 savage is a superior cartridge but with open sights maybe not so much and I don't hunt with it anyway. The 30 30 is the most practical tube fed cartridge
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01-02-2020, 07:54 AM
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Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Wheatland county
Posts: 1,017
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I exclusively use my Marlin 30/30 for bears in the Peace river spring hunt. It’s a 1971 jm stamped beauty. Iron sights and it it happy out to 150yards with my peepers. Every now and again I take into the foods for deer and it shines there too.
I’ll have that one till I die. I am looking at a Henry 45/70 though. We’ll see.
Tullfan
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01-02-2020, 08:32 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Calgary
Posts: 940
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A Browning 308 BLR is my chose
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01-02-2020, 09:03 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 1,941
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There isn't really a wrong choice here. I've had all of the guns listed above except the 405 and the 348 and when he mentioned them I got excited and now I want em.
Myself right now I'm kind of looking for a 250/3000 for my daughter. It would make a nice little saddle gun.
My advice to you would be to buy what you like. What seems cool to you. Not what you think is the best or most efficient or what you think is going to give you some kind of edge.
If you buy what you like you won't go wrong.
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01-02-2020, 09:13 AM
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Banned
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Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 3,939
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I'm a fan of the 30-30 just because it's so gentle to shoot. Got a Henry and their is so little kick you can shoot it all day.
Also have a Sharps in 45-70...after a dozen shots my shoulder is done for the day.
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01-02-2020, 09:20 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: The best place on earth.
Posts: 1,665
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Thanks everyone for the replies. I think I’ll buy a 35 Remington when I come across one for sale used. I’m looking at a 44 magnum from prophet river at the moment. See what happens with the next couple weeks with work and then I’ll order one. I also have 100 44 magnum brass stashed away. I think those two calibres will cover me for plinking, small game and the odd deer.
I’ll get back with everyone with what I buy. Thanks again.
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Life’s a garden, Dig it! - Joe Dirt
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01-02-2020, 10:01 AM
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Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: East of the big smoke
Posts: 1,497
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I would look at a 38-55. That would be my first pick.
Brad
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01-02-2020, 10:29 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Calgary-Red Deer area
Posts: 3,438
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303 savage of course
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I'm not really a licensed bodyman or heavy duty mechanic. I just play one at work.
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01-02-2020, 11:52 AM
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Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 91
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Love my 45/70! As guys have said you can shoot light loads and plink or you can put in some HSM 430 grain bear loads for those mountain adventures.
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01-02-2020, 12:14 PM
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Join Date: May 2007
Location: Edmonton
Posts: 1,734
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I have had many. Like some have said you can’t go wrong with any. I really like the coment to buy the one you like best and gives you that cool factor. I always liked to be different than others so I choose not so common calibers. My favorites are the 35 rem and the 444 Marlin. I now shoot a 444 and I love it.
Good luck with your search
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01-02-2020, 12:29 PM
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Join Date: May 2007
Location: Dreadful Valley
Posts: 14,776
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.358 Win.
Browning BLR
Get the pre ‘81 model if you can, otherwise get one that has a steel receiver.
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There are no absolutes
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01-02-2020, 12:37 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 811
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personally I would go with a Browning model 71 chambered in 348 Winchester
if I could get one
my second choice would be a BLR chambered in 257 Roberts
3rd choice would be a Marlin 36 chambered in 308 mx
I don't like the regular caliber guns I like something that's no one else has
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If you consider an unsuccessful hunt to be a waste of time,
then the true meaning of the chase Eludes you all together
you only get a second
shoot where their
going not where they been,
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01-02-2020, 12:55 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Beaver Mines AB.
Posts: 883
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I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the 32 special.
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01-02-2020, 01:17 PM
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Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 91
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Checkout skinner sights if you don’t put a scope on it.
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01-19-2020, 10:59 PM
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Join Date: May 2009
Location: Morinville
Posts: 1,316
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pgavey
I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the 32 special.
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Too close to the 30-30. The Op don’t like 30/30
I’ve had good luck with the 38-55. Cast boolits work well and cheap if you have a source of wheel weights.
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