Lever action gun questions

[bonecollector10]

Just had a few questions regarding a good lever action gun. Hoping someone could point me in the right direction.

Only reason I want a lever action rifle is to have in the bush lets say either bear hunting or pushing bush and having to shoot quickly.

Ive always heard a 30-30 would be ideal but was also looking at the 45-70 but really dont no much about either. So what are your opinions and info on these guns and any other lever

[jsak021]

The Marlin guide gun is a good option, it's got a shorter barrel. They are chambered in 45-70 Gov't.

[bonecollector10]

Originally Posted by jsak021

The Marlin guide gun is a good option, it's got a shorter barrel. They are chambered in 45-70 Gov't.

Is the 45-70 a bigger calibre? I like the marlins

[bang_on_sk]

The 45-70 should be (nominally) 50% bigger than the 30-30.

[jsak021]

Originally Posted by bonecollector10

Is the 45-70 a bigger calibre? I like the marlins

the 45-70 has a .458" bullet diameter vs the .308 for the 30-30. It moves a lot slower but the bullets weight twice as much, (325 gr. - 500 gr. for the 45-70)

[gitrdun]

I'm very fond of old school Marlins (pre Remington). Mine is a. 444 Marlin. There is a world of difference between a 30-30 and a 45-70. Simply put, I'd have some concerns facing an angry big bruin with a 30-30, a 45-70 or. 444 Marlin instills confidence. But, recoil is substantially more. Nothing wrong with a good old 30-30, it's put a lot of moose and deer meat in the freezer in years past. But the big bores have far greater knock down power. The choice of caliber will depend on what your intentions are.

I harvested a bull elk with my 444 Marlin insided of 100 yards. I have to say, this was the most dramatic "bang flop" I've ever witnessed in a hunting career that span several decades. The bull reacted like it had been hit by a Freighliner.

On the choice of lever gun make, my attachment to Marlin is primarily due to the simplicity of the action which if needed, I could field strip with nothing more than the screw driver in my ToolMan.

[colin455]

There is a large selection of calibers available in lever actions today. From the .22 to what is commonly called 'Guide Gun' calibers.
Those are usually short barrels with a large caliber in the event what the client shoots doesn't immediately die and tries to kill you. The guide protects the paying client - hence 'guide gun'.
A goodly portion of killing is shot placement. An expert can take game with small calibers due to shot placement. Add lower skill level and the shakes - a larger caliber starts looking good. Just don't go so large that you are hesitant to practice, practice, practice.
Even a howitzer won't work if you miss.
Watch an old movie called 'The Rifleman' to see how fast a lever action can be operated too! May be on youtube.

[farmerpk]

I agree on the larger calibers when your talking dangerous game, but for a bush pushing deer rifle, tough to beat the venerable Winchester model 94 in 30-30.

[Jamie Black R/T]

Originally Posted by farmerpk

I agree on the larger calibers when your talking dangerous game, but for a bush pushing deer rifle, tough to beat the venerable Winchester model 94 in 30-30.

This is true until you pick up a JM made Marlin 336

I have a Marlin GBL 45-70 and its quite capable to about 150 yards with a low power leupold. Probably further too but i have other rifles for open country hunting.

I shot an elk and a few random coyotes with mine. Love the large finger loop as well for cold days with gloves on.

[fordtruckin]

If you want a bit more thump than the 30-30 but not get up to the big boys, try a .35 rem. They are quite pronounced in New England for woods hunting. Its a .358" bullet vs the .308". 200gr vs 170gr. They run a couple hundred fps faster than the 30-30 and a couple hundred ft pounds more in energy. If you want you can get Buffalo Bore ammo in a 220gr I believe. Either way I have an old Marlin Glenfield made in 67 in .35 rem. Dumped my buck at about 70yards this year and you woulda thought he was hit by thors hammer how fast he dropped. Suprised me actually as the one I shot with a 30.06 ran on me.

[thirty-30]

One of the nice things about .45-70 is that you have an extremely wide variance of ammo available for it. I love mine, and it is my main go-to rifle as I hunt and spend a lot of time in very heavy bush. (Marlin 1895GS)

250 grain hornady is a very fine deer round.

325 grains are a fine moose/elk round, can be used for deer but I've seen it do nasty things (lol, ask Dale about that one, he's seen it)

405 will blow the **** out of any bear or big moose