Author Topic: Suggestions for Lever Action Rifle (Read 3714 times)

GeneRector · « **on:** June 16, 2011, 03:23:47 PM »

Howdy! I've been thinking about getting a lever action rifle to hunt deer and hogs mainly. Most shots would be within 75 yards or so. I don't want a hard recoil, but something carbine like that is still a good hunting rifle with a punch. I've thought about the 30-30 caliber, 44 mag, 444 Marlin, 35 Remington, and the 45-70. I'm thinking the 45-70 may have more recoil than I would want, but I know it is a solid hard hitting caliber. Any suggestions on brand of rifle and caliber would be appreciated. Thanks! Gene

Slufoot · « **Reply #1 on:** June 16, 2011, 03:44:14 PM »

Hey Gene, all the cartridges you mentioned are all excellent choices for hunting, but for the range you mentioned I would choose a Marlin 1894 in 44 Magnum.
This gun will be a little more compact and a real joy to carry.

GOOD SHOOTING!
Slufoot

bkraft · « **Reply #2 on:** June 16, 2011, 05:43:43 PM »

+1 on the 1894 Marlin, but live on the edge and hunt around for one in .41 Mag. I love mine and it has put several white tails and a hog or two in the freezer. Hits hard, carries easy and points like it has a mind of its own.

woods · « **Reply #3 on:** June 16, 2011, 06:19:16 PM »

I'm a fan of the 45-70 marlin 1895, the carbine is getting a little recoil heavy but mine is the standard length barrel cut to 20". I had a ruger 44 carbine but traded it off, the 44 didn't have the power to punch through a big deer all the time like the 45-70 does. I like a blood trail incase I have to track the deer. Also if you ever hunt black bear, moose or elk, the 45-70 just plain outshines the others. Don't get me wrong I like the 44 and the 41 but prefer them in a handgun for backup. As long as you handload you can taylor your loads to what you want for practice or hunting.

woods

Rick Teal · « **Reply #4 on:** June 16, 2011, 06:43:00 PM »

I have a BLR in .358 Win. I'd love to try on hogs (if I ever got the opportunity to hunt them), it does a great job on deer.

Another option might be a used Win. 94AE or big bore in .356 or .375, or a used Marlin in .356 (if you can find one).

I have a Marlin in 45/70 and it wallops you pretty hard with handloads - I've never used factory ammo in it, and I understand factories arec pretty anemic, but would still hit harder than a .44 magnum. A .444 is pretty close to my 45/70 in recoil.

sidewinder319 · « **Reply #5 on:** June 16, 2011, 07:34:16 PM »

I like the Winchester 1886 Carbine in 45-70. The modern 86s not the old ones they are too pricey.

454Puma · « **Reply #6 on:** June 16, 2011, 08:00:06 PM »

Of all the calibers use listed I'd get the 30-30, ammo can be found just about anywhere and cheaper then all the others! It will give you all the power needed for either pigs or deer all the way out to 200 yards or so! If you wish to scope your rifle go with the Marlin 336!

Duke0313 · « **Reply #7 on:** June 16, 2011, 08:14:18 PM »

Have to agree. 30-30 is more than enough to meet your needs, ammo is plentiful and a brand new Marlin 336W can be had for $400 or less.

243dave · « **Reply #8 on:** June 17, 2011, 07:19:15 AM »

I'd go with the 44 or 30-30 especially if you don't handload, all the ones listed are fine cartridges though. Myself I'd probably favor the 44, a well constructed 300gr bullet will travel end to end on white-tail and maybe even a hog. I doubt you'd ever get that kind of penetration out of a 30-30 and you may never need it but it is cool, of course I absolutely love pistol cartridges out of a short lever so I'm a bit biased.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #9 on:** June 17, 2011, 08:21:53 AM »

Quote from: GeneRector on June 16, 2011, 03:23:47 PM

Howdy! I've been thinking about getting a lever action rifle to hunt deer and hogs mainly. Most shots would be within 75 yards or so. I don't want a hard recoil, but something carbine like that is still a good hunting rifle with a punch. I've thought about the 30-30 caliber, 44 mag, 444 Marlin, 35 Remington, and the 45-70. I'm thinking the 45-70 may have more recoil than I would want, but I know it is a solid hard hitting caliber. Any suggestions on brand of rifle and caliber would be appreciated. Thanks! Gene

There are millions of 30-30's out there for a good reason , they work

454Puma · « **Reply #10 on:** June 17, 2011, 10:55:47 AM »

Duke0313
I've not heard good things about the New Marlingtons! I'd get a used 336 over a new one , though I heard the prices of the Real Marlins are going up!

I bought my used 336W a couple of years ago and your right they are a great gun!

rbuck · « **Reply #11 on:** June 17, 2011, 07:54:08 PM »

I have a LSI Puma in 454 that to me fits that type of hunting perfectly. Recoil can be stiff with heavy loads but as bullet weight drops off so does recoil. A 320gr bullet can be pushed to 2000 fps which will drive through a deer or hog from end to end. A lighter bullet around 260gr will drop recoil quite a bit to the point my wife likes to shoot it and still has enough to easily take hogs or deer. You can shoot 45 Colts in it for very light recoil and cheaper plinking or practice. More punch than factory 45/70 in a light handy woods carbine and it holds 10 rounds in case you want to take out the whole herd of hogs.

Doug B. · « **Reply #12 on:** June 18, 2011, 01:22:22 AM »

I myself think that everyone should own at least one 30-30. I agree with both Duke0313 and Shootall. Ammo is everywhere and affordable. Both Marlin and Winchester levers carry like a dream, (I own one of each, both with receiver sights and chambered in 30-30) and yes, they do have great track records. Of the two I own, I'll probably reach for the Marlin first.

I would more than likely look for an older shootin' stick rather than buy new.

Good luck with your quest!

Ethan · « **Reply #13 on:** June 19, 2011, 04:33:58 AM »

You could go with a BLR and you could get it in most rifle calibers.

yukondog · « **Reply #14 on:** June 22, 2011, 03:35:09 AM »

I'm a 44 fan but the 30-30 will do all you ask of it and more,the 35 is another good one. But unless you reload the 30-30 ammo you can get anywere they sell ammo.

bkraft · « **Reply #15 on:** June 22, 2011, 04:22:04 AM »

As much as it feels like I'm cheatin on my wife, cause I dearly love the .41. The 30-30 guys are absolutely right, solid platforms, ammo in every Wally World, Big Box store to the most out of the way Mom and Pop bait stand. It has put more meat on the table that just about any other commercial caliber going. I'm in the process of building a SHTF gun and it's a 30-30 for all of the above reasons.

45-70.gov · « **Reply #16 on:** June 22, 2011, 05:45:00 AM »

if you have to ask........30-30
its been THE go to deer/levergun round for some reason

its the flattest shooting of the ones you mentioned

44....only if you have a 44 revolver
35 is better without much more recoil.....but has more of a cult following

you have to really want a 45-70 and won't be asking if thats the gun for you

BRL · « **Reply #17 on:** June 26, 2011, 12:06:20 PM »

I'd have to agree with the 2 previous posts for a BLR. I've never felt a lever gun just carry, shoot and feel so good. It must be stock design or something but I think the BLR has less recoil than a different model of the same caliber. My BLR is in 7mm-08 and it's felt recoil is the same (if not less than) as my .243's. Mine still wears iron sights although that caliber can reach out much farther than I can see. I just like the way it handles too much to put a scope on it right now.

I certainly understand those who opt for the classic Marlin or 94. I like those guns too, especially in handgun calibers. But, that little Browning is just a really nice rifle. I'd be willing to bet that a lot of those who recommend the Marlin or Winchester have never owned or spent a lot of time behind a BLR.

But, then again...that's just another opinion.

Freezer · « **Reply #18 on:** June 28, 2011, 04:10:57 PM »

How much do you want to spend? How good are your eyes? do you need a scope?

Iron sites? Win, Marlin, Savage, BLR

Scope? Drop the Win and saddle stock BLR

Calibre, 30-30 for iron sites but there are better calibers 35 Rem is one. Heavier hitter with about the same recoil.

Scoped, now you have some options. 308 would be my choice. It's as available as 30-30, more powerful, more accurate and available in both BLR and Savage. That said if your on a budget I wouldn't pass on a Savage in 300 Save.

IMHO, a decent Savage 99, or BLR will give you the power, weight and recoil you want plus versatility of a long shot (200+ yards) if you need it.

It's my opinion that I'd leave pistol cartridges to plinking and cowboy action. A rifle cartridge will serve you better. By the way I believe a saddle stock has more felt recoil than a pistol grip stock.

Empty Quiver · « **Reply #19 on:** June 28, 2011, 07:21:34 PM »

I have made a point to post without reading any previous comment.

My suggestion is as follows. Walk into the first gunstore you encounter and purchase the first Marlin levergun you see with the proviso it not be of rimfire chambering. Use that gun for awhile and repeate the process till you have one of each model and chambering offered...ever. As you mature and get used to these fine leveractions you will understand. There is a rabid fan of every one of these guns, with plenty of good reason.

Or you could skip right to an 1895 in 45-70 govt and be done. That's what I did.

StrawHat · « **Reply #20 on:** June 29, 2011, 02:16:57 AM »

Quote from: GeneRector on June 16, 2011, 03:23:47 PM

Howdy! I've been thinking about getting a lever action rifle to hunt deer and hogs mainly. Most shots would be within 75 yards or so. I don't want a hard recoil, but something carbine like that is still a good hunting rifle with a punch. I've thought about the 30-30 caliber, 44 mag, 444 Marlin, 35 Remington, and the 45-70. I'm thinking the 45-70 may have more recoil than I would want, but I know it is a solid hard hitting caliber. Any suggestions on brand of rifle and caliber would be appreciated. Thanks! Gene

Gene,

For deer and hogs, I don't think any of the ones you mention would be a bad choice. I hunt them both with a revolver chambered for the 45 long Colt and use blackpowder and lead bullets. You could find a rifle chambered for the 45 Colt and do as well as the other cartridges. Nice thing about the 45 long Colt is the lack of recoil when fired from a rifle or carbine. And it can throw a good sized slug of lead to the target.

45-70.gov · « **Reply #21 on:** June 29, 2011, 03:23:29 AM »

Quote from: 45-70.gov on June 22, 2011, 05:45:00 AM

if you have to ask........30-30
its been THE go to deer/levergun round for some reason

its the flattest shooting of the ones you mentioned

44....only if you have a 44 revolver
35 is better without much more recoil.....but has more of a cult following

you have to really want a 45-70 and won't be asking if thats the gun for you

and i forgot to mention

make it a marlin 336

jackruff · « **Reply #22 on:** June 29, 2011, 03:49:51 AM »

A buddy of mine and I were hog hunting last fall when he shot a large hog that I couldn't see because of some brush. After the hog dropped on the spot he commented that he'd shot hogs with several different rifle calibers, but every one he'd shot with a 30-30 just died!

mcwoodduck · « **Reply #23 on:** June 29, 2011, 04:36:59 AM »

Since this is the Henry forum....
If recoil is a concern 44 mag is easier on the shoulder especally with specials and light mags.
I have a small 44 carbine and shooting 180 grain jsp or jhp out of it is easy on the shoulder.
The rifle is a semi auto and light mags like the Winchester 210 grain silver tips do not cycle the action. The first time shooting it I brought out my 30 carbine and had loaded both mags. I shot the 44 first and was suprised when I was out of ammo after the 4th round. i thought I was shooting the carbine (sights and feel are vary similar).
44 specials are more than up to the task of your standard white tail deer. You do nto need a cannon to kill deer and hogs.
the specials are on par with a great old west deer round the 44-40. The Light mags are of course more power but if accuracy suffers due to the added recoil, you are better off using a special and sticking a bullet in the boiler room than some where not as vital. A 240 or 246 grain hunk of lead, loaded into a spacial, comming out of a rifle at 1,000 Fps is going to put venison or pork in your freezer.
30-30 out of the compact trapper models can be pretty hard.

Swampman · « **Reply #24 on:** July 02, 2011, 01:48:46 PM »

IMO there are 2 good choices a Marlin 336 in .30-30 or a Marlin 1895G. If you get the .45-70 shoot the Remington 405 factory load or it's equalivent.

Rolandedwinjohnson · « **Reply #25 on:** July 11, 2011, 09:23:27 AM »

Don't sweat the small stuff, get either a Marlin, Winchester, or even a Mossberg in 30-30. Even a Henry will work. But, Marlins and Winchesters are the classics.

The thutty thutty has been killing hogs, bears, and deer for well over a hundred years. No fuss no muss.

olafhardtB · « **Reply #26 on:** July 15, 2011, 04:56:13 AM »

I got a marlin30/30 and did not like it I got a Win 94 30/30 and it is my goto gun. I just like it more than my other rifles. Not only is 30/30 ammo cheaper but so are reloading components.

RB Rooson · « **Reply #27 on:** July 15, 2011, 07:05:31 AM »

Simply said......a Marlin!!

mannyrock · « **Reply #28 on:** July 16, 2011, 08:30:08 AM »

Hmm, it seems as if this is a first for you, a starting point.

That having been said, the very best starting point is a Marlin 336, in .30-30. It has been the first rifle for millions of new hunters, for excellent reasons, and it has become the end rifle for millions of old hunters, for excellent reasons.

The recoil is not very much, but if you are concerned about it, then just install a hiqh quality recoil pad (Limbsaver or equivalent).

The great thing about the .30-30 is that not only is it available everywhere, but if you go to big box stores in the fall, it is really really cheap compared to other rifle calibers.

The factory ammo in 170 grain bullet is a dynamo, and will stop any pig in its tracks.

The factory ammo in 150 grain bullet is a true 200 yard deer round.

Best yet, there is no reason to reload. The factory ammo is about as close to perfection as you can ask.

Just my thoughts.

Mannyrock

T.R. · « **Reply #29 on:** July 21, 2011, 01:32:14 AM »

30-30 is a great cartridge and has proven its value across North America. But for shooting big holes into deer at 75 yards, the mighty 44 MAG is tough to beat!

Hornady XTP ammo is TOPS!!

TR