30-30 or 44mag

[Cosmose]

hi, i was wondering what would have the most penetration and knock-down power on medium size game 30-30- or 44mag? i've been wanting a lever action and can't decide on caliber. also does anybody make a lever action 454 casull??
thanks for any info

 

[ojibweindian]

I believe Rossi makes a lever in 454 Casul.

 

[treeprof]

Puma/Rossi makes a .454.

http://www.legacysports.com/

Out to 100 yds or so, both are pretty good. You can get close to .30-30 energy in a .44, w/a heavier, larger bullet. Sectional density of the .44 means penetration is likely to be less than a .30-30, esp. w/expanding ammo and most esp. with HP's compared to .30-30 softpoints. But, hardcast lead bullet .44 ammo can be had from Federal that'll still cycle in a levergun (at least my Marlins), the Speer 270 gr round is good (a HP that acts like a SP), and CorBon makes good hotter loads, I think one in 260 gr SP. If you handload you have lots more bullet options in a .44. Past 10yds or so, and the .30-30's "flat(ter)" trajectory and retained energy gives it the nod.

 

[Cosmose]

thanks for the replies i did not know that puma and rossi was the same.
i think i heard you could shoot 45 long colts out of a 454 casull is that true??

 

[P95Carry]

i heard you could shoot 45 long colts out of a 454 casull is that true??

Yep!

 

[ojibweindian]

In revolvers, yep. Pretty sure the same holds for rifles, too.

You do, of course, realize that feeding a 454 is not cheap. I'd prolly go with a .30-30 lever because the ammo is easy to come by.

 

[Cosmose]

hmm.... since you can shoot 45 or454 maybe that would be the thing to get

 

[7.62FullMetalJacket]

Or, you can feed the 44 mag cheap 44 mags or 44 specials? I understand that a 44 lever will thump you good enough.

 

[SteelyDan]

I don't own a rifle in either caliber, but I've researched it and come close a few times. My perception is that the .30-30 is probably the better choice for all-around use. Plus, it's a .30-30, and therefore just one of those rifles that one should own.

 

[roscoe]

My guess is that, at any decent distance, the 30-30 wins out over the .44 because of its higher sectional density. The 30-30 still has around 1000 fpe at 200 yards. I think the .44 has petered out a bit by then.

Then again, if you want to hurl a big chunk of lead, Marlin makes lever guns in 450, 45-70, and 444. They sound like no fun to shoot, at least more than a couple of shots. I can shoot my Winchester 30-30 all day and not feel it too much later.

I guess it depends whether you are trying to take out wolly mammoth or just deer.

 

[7.62FullMetalJacket]

The 45/70 is a beautiful thing for chucking large hunks of lead. You can use cowboy loads at 1400 fps with a 405 gr hunk, or med velocity Win/Rem at 1880 fps 300 gr HP, or garretts sizzling with 450 to 540 gr. The cowboy and commercial loads are OK for shooting all day assuming you have a stout gun (and composition). The super-sized rounds are real thumpers. 10 and I quit. If you relaod, you can choose the recipe. Plus that old intangible of history.