Lever action rifle choice

[outofbounds]

Although not a pistol cartridge, I have always prefered my Model '71 Winchester 348 when reaching for a lever for bear, moose and elk. If I hunted deer, it would also get the nod.
Fit, feel and balance for me is all there. Action locks up tight and is smooth.
Hits where I am aiming via peep and puts meat in the freezer.

[1899b]

For an all out compact lever gun I like my 12.5” Rossi in .44 magnum. I pack it while stream fishing in coal branch country.

With that said, my hunting grounds are 2.5 hours away and I can never bring myself to carry it for hunting as my hunting time is at a premium and anything I ever see is always farther than 100 yards so I find myself always bringing a rifle chambered in a faster cartridge…

[88thunderbird]

As for easy to put on your pack , i have a Marlin 336y 30-30 with a 16.25 barrel.
I had a Marlin 44mag up until recently, got greedy and sold for way more $$ .
If your not reloading 44 mag . a box of 50 at the store now is like $60-$69 !

[silver]

Years ago I got into a deal for a couple of rifles, I carried the rifles for a while and traded off the browning because the Savages were more comfortable.

[Albertajeff]

Originally Posted by koothunter

Savage model 99 in .300 sav. Strong, reliable, accurate, and "cool".

Agreed.

[crazy_davey]

Originally Posted by outofbounds

Although not a pistol cartridge, I have always prefered my Model '71 Winchester 348 when reaching for a lever for bear, moose and elk. If I hunted deer, it would also get the nod.
Fit, feel and balance for me is all there. Action locks up tight and is smooth.
Hits where I am aiming via peep and puts meat in the freezer.

Love my 348 Win. But to be honest, it’s a tank. Still love it but a nice slim Winchester 30-30 or a Winchester or Marlin in a pistol cartridge is much nicer to carry for long periods of time. All depends on what the plans are I guess…

[crazy_davey]

I screwed up a few years ago and sold my Winchester trapper in 30-30 to a buddy. I have bought and sold between 2-300 firearms over the years. That is one of the only ones I really miss. And it wasn’t even broken in yet

[Flight01]

I do like pistol cartridge carbines.

I have TWO Rossi 92s in 357 mag and one Rossi 92 stainless in 454 Casull.
The Casull is a very powerful round out of a rifle. Comparable to factory standard pressure 45-70.
My Aunt got her moose a couple years ago with the 454. She wanted to borrow my 30-30 but I sold it. She put 3 quick shots on her bull moose and all hit the vitals, only one was recovered

If your only deer hunting a 44 mag or 45 colt handload is plenty out to 150
If you think you might step up to elk or moose a 454 would be minimum in the pistol cartridges

[fordtruckin]

Originally Posted by Flight01

I do like pistol cartridge carbines.

I have TWO Rossi 92s in 357 mag and one Rossi 92 stainless in 454 Casull.
The Casull is a very powerful round out of a rifle. Comparable to factory standard pressure 45-70.
My Aunt got her moose a couple years ago with the 454. She wanted to borrow my 30-30 but I sold it. She put 3 quick shots on her bull moose and all hit the vitals, only one was recovered

If your only deer hunting a 44 mag or 45 colt handload is plenty out to 150
If you think you might step up to elk or moose a 454 would be minimum in the pistol cartridges

A 454 in a lever gun would be cool!

[Flight01]

Originally Posted by fordtruckin

A 454 in a lever gun would be cool!

Yep. And It shoots 45 colts as well.
I shoot jacketed and plated bullets , I don’t cast my own yet. But the 45 standard loads are great fun
That’s a big selling point for me.
It’s like shooting 22 short and LR
38 special/ 357 mag
44 special/ 44 mag
45 colt/ 454 Casull

[REMINGTON JIM]

Originally Posted by koothunter

Savage model 99 in .300 sav. Strong, reliable, accurate, and "cool".

OP ASKed. :

Looking at adding one more rifle to my collection and want some opinions . It will be used mostly as a bush deer gun but also a throw it on the pack when out camping. lever action, iron sights. What caliber would you choose and why. Currently looking into a 45 colt, 357 mag, or 44 rem mag. Want to be a little different then all my buddies with 30-30’s so that’s why I am venturing into more of a pistol cartridge out of a rifle. Let me know your thoughts!

Well it’s not a 30-30 lol. RJ

[fordtruckin]

Originally Posted by Flight01

Yep. And It shoots 45 colts as well.
I shoot jacketed and plated bullets , I don’t cast my own yet. But the 45 standard loads are great fun
That’s a big selling point for me.
It’s like shooting 22 short and LR
38 special/ 357 mag
44 special/ 44 mag
45 colt/ 454 Casull

They should make one on a 460s&w, then you could shoot 454 or 45colt. Fil has a 460s&w revolver and does not practice with the full power loads. 45 colt out of that gun isn’t half bad though!

[3blade]

Originally Posted by fordtruckin

They should make one on a 460s&w, then you could shoot 454 or 45colt. Fil has a 460s&w revolver and does not practice with the full power loads. 45 colt out of that gun isn’t half bad though!

They do:

https://www.bighornarmory.com/produc...gory/model-90/

If I lived in alaska, I’d have a revolver and lever in 500 S&W.

[fordtruckin]

Originally Posted by 3blade

They do:

https://www.bighornarmory.com/produc...gory/model-90/

If I lived in alaska, I’d have a revolver and lever in 500 S&W.

Only $5000…. sounds like a deal…. And I thought my new 1895sbl at 1150$ was bad!

[outofbounds]

Originally Posted by fordtruckin

Only $5000…. sounds like a deal…. And I thought my new 1895sbl at 1150$ was bad!

Stole that SBL at that price even in US bills., North of the border here most in the $3k range some moving at $4K.
Nuts!!

[fps plus]

I had the opportunity to disassemble and inspect a Uberti 1873 357 mag and was quite impressed at the workmanship .

[fordtruckin]

Originally Posted by outofbounds

Stole that SBL at that price even in US bills., North of the border here most in the $3k range some moving at $4K.
Nuts!!

Was msrp at the gun shop. Gunbroker rates are 2000 and up down here.

[Flight01]

I think they may have been some Rossi 460 out there too. Not sure if it was a factory option or if it was a mod. But I can tell you now, a stout 454 is about all I want to shoot from a 6 pound rifle.
I’ve seen it drop a moose and I’ve shot a dozen from the bench and they make you grin.

[Coiloil37]

Originally Posted by outofbounds

Stole that SBL at that price even in US bills., North of the border here most in the $3k range some moving at $4K.
Nuts!!

Supply issue driving the price? Down here they’re expensive but not 3k.
















I’ve seen JM stamped SBL’s selling for around $2k here. When I wanted an “SBL” I just put some new furniture on my 4570 trapper

[Shermanator]

Originally Posted by REMINGTON JIM

OP ASKed. :

Looking at adding one more rifle to my collection and want some opinions . It will be used mostly as a bush deer gun but also a throw it on the pack when out camping. lever action, iron sights. What caliber would you choose and why. Currently looking into a 45 colt, 357 mag, or 44 rem mag. Want to be a little different then all my buddies with 30-30’s so that’s why I am venturing into more of a pistol cartridge out of a rifle. Let me know your thoughts!

Well it’s not a 30-30 lol. RJ

You do get around RJ!! My vote of course for the Marlin in 45-70, load big or small and it'll knock down most critters. Been the 30.30 Winchester route but just didn't have the appeal the Marlin did. Now get back to BC RJ!! Sherm

[3blade]

Originally Posted by fordtruckin

Only $5000…. sounds like a deal…. And I thought my new 1895sbl at 1150$ was bad!

How bad do you want it

I passed on a new python at 2k, before stupid and his donkey show in parliament…..by the end of that week it was over 3k for the last ones in Canada. Now I won’t ever own one.

Up in this communist crap hole country, you pay and are thankful for the opportunity to have a gun you want.

If anyone wants one (Bighorn Armory, not Marlin) Prophet river has a few.

[Mr.Rigpig]

454 is pretty impressive out of a lever gun.
If you ever hunt on on the Sask side of the border, 45 Colt is a no go, but 44 mag is ok, dumb restrictions. Just something to consider.

[Smoky buck]

I hate this place sometimes

All because of this thread I now kinda want to add another lever to what I have and have been googling them too much now

If I end up buying a new lever it’s all AO’s fault

[fordtruckin]

Originally Posted by Mr.Rigpig

454 is pretty impressive out of a lever gun.
If you ever hunt on on the Sask side of the border, 45 Colt is a no go, but 44 mag is ok, dumb restrictions. Just something to consider.

How does that make sense? Cartridge length restriction?

[3blade]

Originally Posted by fordtruckin

How does that make sense? Cartridge length restriction?

It doesn’t, none of it does. Their length restriction is 32 mm. The 357 magnum is 33mm…but banned in a separate spot in the wildlife act. That, however, is not explained in the online hunting regulation synopsis. I had to go looking through the 88 page official wildlife act trying to figure out what the hell is legal to hunt with. No reason there either. It is just banned.

But you can use a 22 centerfire for big game, and there is no caliber restriction on a muzzleloader.

Don’t go to Saskatchewan and expect any sense, just enjoy the good fishing and horny farm girls some of whom even shoot lever guns.

[Flight01]

Originally Posted by Flight01

I think they may have been some Rossi 460 out there too. Not sure if it was a factory option or if it was a mod. But I can tell you now, a stout 454 is about all I want to shoot from a 6 pound rifle.
I’ve seen it drop a moose and I’ve shot a dozen from the bench and they make you grin.

Correction, there were 100 Rossi chambered in 480 Ruger
But I’m sure someone, somewhere does a chamber ream and lift guide mod that can turn a 454 into a 460 s&w

[fordtruckin]

Originally Posted by 3blade

It doesn’t, none of it does. Their length restriction is 32 mm. The 357 magnum is 33mm…but banned in a separate spot in the wildlife act. That, however, is not explained in the online hunting regulation synopsis. I had to go looking through the 88 page official wildlife act trying to figure out what the hell is legal to hunt with. No reason there either. It is just banned.

But you can use a 22 centerfire for big game, and there is no caliber restriction on a muzzleloader.

Don’t go to Saskatchewan and expect any sense, just enjoy the good fishing and horny farm girls some of whom even shoot lever guns.

Ha well I can only enjoy one of those these days!

[Tactical Lever]

Originally Posted by Flight01

I do like pistol cartridge carbines.

I have TWO Rossi 92s in 357 mag and one Rossi 92 stainless in 454 Casull.
The Casull is a very powerful round out of a rifle. Comparable to factory standard pressure 45-70.
My Aunt got her moose a couple years ago with the 454. She wanted to borrow my 30-30 but I sold it. She put 3 quick shots on her bull moose and all hit the vitals, only one was recovered

If your only deer hunting a 44 mag or 45 colt handload is plenty out to 150
If you think you might step up to elk or moose a 454 would be minimum in the pistol cartridges

Elmer Keith would probably disagree a bit on your minimum. He killed a crap ton of big animals with the .44 Magnum, .44 Special, and .45 Colt, which can be loaded even, or slightly above .44 Magnum levels out of a large frame Blackhawk, or Redhawk. And out of strong rifles, you can get close to .454 levels. But he killed most of them with a pistol. Including a horse that was dragging him with his .45.

I refer to my . 45 Blackhawk as a 3/4 45-70, as it'll shoot a 300 gr. bullet as fast as a 400 gr. 45-70 factory load. Maybe a bit faster in the real world. And I'll likely step it down a bit. Wouldn't be too nervous to take something at that power level. Just not across a canyon.

[Flight01]

Originally Posted by Tactical Lever

Elmer Keith would probably disagree a bit on your minimum. He killed a crap ton of big animals with the .44 Magnum, .44 Special, and .45 Colt, which can be loaded even, or slightly above .44 Magnum levels out of a large frame Blackhawk, or Redhawk. And out of strong rifles, you can get close to .454 levels. But he killed most of them with a pistol. Including a horse that was dragging him with his .45.

I refer to my . 45 Blackhawk as a 3/4 45-70, as it'll shoot a 300 gr. bullet as fast as a 400 gr. 45-70 factory load. Maybe a bit faster in the real world. And I'll likely step it down a bit. Wouldn't be too nervous to take something at that power level. Just not across a canyon.

Ha no doubt. But I don’t have the luxury of extravagant travel to test firearms and bullet combinations.
I’ll err on the side of caution.
But yes, it can been done with less gun.
No volunteers to stand in front of 357 mag at 200 yards. Lol

[spiderweb]

My uncle has an 1893(?) Marlin 30-30 lever I would love to get my hands on. That rifle has fed his family for 70 years+. He's in his 80's and still goes hunting with it.