Which lever?

[Stuart C.]

Hey folks,


I don't own a levergun - yet, but I've got a line on a couple - both at fair prices. I can only spring for one.


All things being equal, which would you choose to have some fun with some cast bullets, a tang sight, a shooting mat, and some cross sticks?


Win 94 Classic 26" Octagon barrel, post '64 painted receiver in 30-30
Marlin 1895 SS (blued) 22" in 45-70


Both are kinda rough but it would probably be a hoot to work up a load for either of them.


Keep in mind, these are bargains compared to what a Marlin 1895 Cowboy is going for nowadays? Have you seen what those cost lately?

[longwinters]

Depending on your loads the 45-70 might not be much fun shooting from prone.  With shooting stix it would probably be a lot of fun.  Both calibers have about the same range and if you are shooting cast bullets both have a plethora of possible bullet weights they can shoot.  I have both calibers in Marlins and am really just getting back into them since my 25 year hiatus with bolt rifles.  I think maybe componants would be easier to come by for the 30-30.


All that being said....you know I really don't know.

Long

[Savage .250]

  More of a personal choice...............   

[Mikey]

Stuart:  I would agree with Longwinters in that the 45-70 is no fun to shoot from a mat or a bench, esp if you want your slugs to reach on out there.  The 30-30 is easier on your shoulder and the range is about the same. 
 
If you were going to purchase one of them with the intention to hunt with it then as Savage .250 sez:  'it's more of a personal choice' although the 45-70 is a major 'whopper' when it comes to dropping Whitetail and most anything else.  The 30-30 from a 4" longer barrel (than the normal 20" bbl) would probably pickup enough additional velocity for the slug to zip on through a Whitetail out to a couple of hundred yards.  With the 45-70 it doesn't really matter how far away they are. 
 
I'll tellya though that for pure fun, either a 357 or 44 magnum in a 20" standard length carbine/rifle or longer can't be beat and if you add on a tang sight you could probably skip cans much further out than you think.  imo
 
As for cast, I don't know which caliber has the greatest selection of cast bullets but there is a mess of them available for both calibers.  With either caliber though, if you want any accuracy, you should read what Veral Smith has to say about using cast bullets and you may wish to purchase his book about getting cast bullet accuracy and velocity from cast slugs.  Another fella, Marshall Stanton of Beartooth Bullets has a similar book out on the same topic, and both advocate slugging the bore to determine the correct diameter of the cast slugs youwould want to use for accuracy.  Both Veral Smith and Marshall Stonton would probably recommend you fire lap your barrel for better accuracy. 

[SHOOTALL]

I have owned a couple post 64 Winchesters with 26 inch oct. barrels but with out tang sight. I have limited experience with lead bullets in one (about 200 rounds). The 30-30 would be my pick. I also had a 20 inch bbl oct. barrel . It was a lot of fun and maybe the most accurate. I don't own a 45-70 (yet) so can't say how much it hurts  . But it would seem you could load it down .

[spruce]

Both rounds are excellent for use with cast bullets.
 
If I were shooting for fun I'd take the .30/30.  Less recoil and cheaper to shoot - less lead, less powder, and cases are cheaper!

[Stuart C.]

Thanks for the great replies.
The Marlin has microgroove barrels and, ONLY from what i've read, don't shoot cast all that well.
The Winchester has the longer barrel but it is from 1967    . I don't care about collector value so the barrel and price make it really tempting.
 

[SHOOTALL]

I had 3 from 19 67 , one with a short bbl and one with the long barrel . Canadian cent. great guns go for it.

[Greg B.]

If I could only afford one I would take the one in the best condition. Check to see if you can put a scope on the Winchester if you need one. On my old 30/30 model 64 carbine I put on a Williams Fool Proof sight before I could hit anything (old eyes). The Marlin has a scope on it for the same reason. If you want to shoot cast in a microgrove barrel just size the bullets a little larger and use a slightly harder alloy. One of the other fellows suggested asking Veral Smith and I am sure he would give you good information. Stick to trapdoor loads in the 45/70 and the recoil won't be bad. Also remember that you have to buy or cast bullets that can be seated to the correct overall length for the Marlin 1895.

[Swampman]

I've never had the least problem shooting the .45-70 from the bench or prone.