phonejack
Member
You might ought to consider the cost and availability of factory ammo or reloading components
Lever-Action Cartidge w/ Lots of Load Possibilities
- Thread starter Airgead
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Salmoneye
Member
I agree...
I lean towards the .35 Rem due to the myriad of 'pistol' bullets available, but one must take into account that brass has been difficult to find of late...
I lucked into 34 once-fired cases at the local range this week...
Added to my stash, I should be set for the rest of my life, but I will keep adding when I find them in hopes of keeping the next owner of the rifle stocked for life also...
WestKentucky
Member
7-30 waters would be my first pick with the 35 rem close behind. 7-30 is an all around improved 30-30, but the guns are few and far between so if I could find a winchester chambered for it I would buy it, otherwise a marlin in 35rem.
Salmoneye
Member
.35 Rem has been a 'seasonal' run for the last couple of decades...
After 2012 the supplies just disappeared from the shelves, and only recently (since end of summer) has factory ammo become available in any quantity...
That said, as far as I can tell, new brass is still scarce as hens teeth...
After 2012 the supplies just disappeared from the shelves, and only recently (since end of summer) has factory ammo become available in any quantity...
That said, as far as I can tell, new brass is still scarce as hens teeth...
Great information, thanks. Do you have any idea when new supplies might vanish from stores (physical or online) if this is seasonal. I wouldn't be purchasing until after Christmas.
I think I'm largely narrowed down to .30-30, .35 Rem, or .45-70 Govt based mostly on cost of the gun itself, handload dynamics, and ammo availability.
I think I'm largely narrowed down to .30-30, .35 Rem, or .45-70 Govt based mostly on cost of the gun itself, handload dynamics, and ammo availability.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
If you're worried about 35 Rem supplies you should buy them just prior to hunting season since most ammo companies will do their special runs in time for hunting season. My local gun shop stocks up on a lot of different ammo he doesn't normally carry year-round. (including 35 Rem)
Don McDowell
Member
Not sure how the 35 Remington brass is going to be to find with the current shortage thing going on. But if that was to be your choice in chambering, I'ld be tempted to buy about 5 boxes of factory loads, and just use the once fired brass, properly sized and not fed a steady diet of max loads that brass should last a very long time.
ArchAngelCD
Member.
I agree, that's how I got my initial supply of 303 British brass.
Well, the checking on availability of factory ammo was a good idea because there is none - at least not at any local place and nowhere I've looked online at any of my go-to places have it either. My primary local shop said they've never had any in this season and "everyone" is asking for it.
db_tanker
Member
a 45-70 with a load of trail boss and a 300 grain cast bullet would be a real easy load for an up and coming shooter...then a good dose of 2400 and a 400gr WFNGC would lay down any hog in the country I think.
Shanghai McCoy
Member
The 45/70 can be loaded up or down very easily and that Trailboss load mentioned above is very gentle and, at 50 yards, would likely drop a deer as well. I have a 95 Cowboy model and it is fun to shoot.
That said, a 30/30 has the advantage of being very easy and economical to find ammo and components for. It too can be loaded up or down these days as well.
That said, a 30/30 has the advantage of being very easy and economical to find ammo and components for. It too can be loaded up or down these days as well.
Doc.Holliday
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I will chime in with a Winchester 94 in 32 special has favored me from shooting paper here to moose in Northern Ontario; with a few whitetail and black bear in-between.
My cast bullet loads are both accurate and economical.
My iron sighted carbine allows me to consistently hit a 8" x 16" target at 283 laser measured yards in the back 40. Never felt under-gunned with that old girl.
Doc
My cast bullet loads are both accurate and economical.
My iron sighted carbine allows me to consistently hit a 8" x 16" target at 283 laser measured yards in the back 40. Never felt under-gunned with that old girl.
Doc
blarby
Member
Just a thought,you could also go with a browning X-Bolt in .308, and shoot pretty much everything you wanted.
All good information and I appreciate it. Sorry to be silent on this thread, but it is hunting season after all. 
The story takes an interesting turn in that I found out that my uncle has a 1958 Marlin 336C in .35rem that was my grandfathers. I've since had the opportunity to shoot it and really like it. The only downside is the inability to find any ammo for it as I mentioned. I think I finally located the only box on the shelf in the tri-state area of Hornady Leverevolution. No problem on the reloading side obviously, if I could find brass for it. Need to figure out how strong my appetite is for something that might be becoming a very hard to find supply.
The story takes an interesting turn in that I found out that my uncle has a 1958 Marlin 336C in .35rem that was my grandfathers. I've since had the opportunity to shoot it and really like it. The only downside is the inability to find any ammo for it as I mentioned. I think I finally located the only box on the shelf in the tri-state area of Hornady Leverevolution. No problem on the reloading side obviously, if I could find brass for it. Need to figure out how strong my appetite is for something that might be becoming a very hard to find supply.
scchokedaddy
Member
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- Jul 26, 2006
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- 216
Take a look around for a Savage 99 in 308 or Browning BLR. It can go from mild to fairly wild with ease of finding components, as well as ease of finding factory loads. Due to shoulder problems I have switched to 125 grain reduced recoil Remington corloct and am very happy with loads performance on white tail. By the way I am shooting aSavage pp my wife heard me talking about and gave me for Christmas 2 years ago.
While I agree with Don McDowell's choice of the 405 WCF, I would suggest you consider something a bit smaller, perhaps the 45 long Colt. It will easily take any of the game you have mentioned. It is also a good plinking cartridge and not a tough one to find components. The is a plethora of data for reloads. I suggest using steel reloading dies as the carbide dies overwork the brass.
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Speedo66
Member
This^^^^
Browning BLR's came in anything from a .243 to a .358. Good, tight shooting gun with the ability to reach out and touch something at ranges traditional lever cartridges cannot.
sayak
Member
More than that
BLRs come in far more offerings in both long and short actions. For instance, I have one in .300 WM.
BLRs come in far more offerings in both long and short actions. For instance, I have one in .300 WM.
Wanted to follow up to the thread and thank everyone for the advice and thoughts. Today I purchased a Marlin 336 in .30-30 at a local gun show. Got it for a great deal. Based on the serial number, it's a 1979 manufacture. Needs a good detail cleaning and the stock needs a little TLC, but the action is nice and tight.
I also happened across a 1lb can of Hodgdon Leverevolution powder that I picked up too. Not sure I'll start out using that but it'll be great to have on the shelf.
I also happened across a 1lb can of Hodgdon Leverevolution powder that I picked up too. Not sure I'll start out using that but it'll be great to have on the shelf.
savanahsdad
Member
glad to hear you found something, I was in the 35 rem club , well..still am but I see there is still no 35rem ammo to be found , I think I'm set for life on 35rem , I have a buddy that loves shooting out of his 30-30 with pistol powders shooting 160gr cast at 1100fps , great plinking load ,
but I see there is still no 35rem ammo to be found , I think I'm set for life on 35rem , I have a buddy that loves shooting out of his 30-30 with pistol powders shooting 160gr cast at 1100fps , great plinking load ,Vern Humphrey
Member
Try to find a Model 99 Savage in .300 Savage. The .250-3000 Savage, my dad's favorite cartridge, would also be a good choice.
And, with luck, you might find a Model 99 in .243 Winchester, .308 Winchester, or .358 Winchester.
And, with luck, you might find a Model 99 in .243 Winchester, .308 Winchester, or .358 Winchester.
I really wanted to like the .35rem and hold out for one, but with little factory ammo availability and the brass being hard to find I wanted something I could have ammo for reliably. Plus now that I found out there's one in the family, I can still enjoy the cartridge every once in awhile.
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