.308 or .45-70 in lever?

[Panzercat]

Need opinions. I don't have an arm and a leg to spend so this will probably be in a marlin flavor, mainly for long range plinking (300+ yrds), occasionally hunting. I know .45-70 has trickier ballistics, but will put down nearly anything on both continents (yeah, occasional hunting, but I like my value even if I'll never meet a rhino face to face ) The .308 is a bit friendlier in the ballistics department and will take anything in the continental United States to my knowledge.

You've fired both and I only have the money for one... Well, at least until I can float the other past my wife Any advice would be appricated and if you have other manufactures that won't break the bank, by all means suggest. I know you've provbably already answered this one before, so thanks in advance.

Oh, thought I would leave this here. I hope to do my own tube extention.
Takes the express from 'meh' to 'hawt' IMO

 

[Sheepdog1968]

I've shot 308's, 30-06's, 45-70's, and 30-30's. If the primary goal is target shooting and the minor role is hunting, I'd choose a bolt action in .308. As for me, I'd look at the Rem 700s or Winchester 70s as both are good solid rifles that will last you a lifetime.

Based on my personal preferences, I'd choose neither of your two choices (308, 45-70). My first choice would be a Marlin 30-30 lever action. I just love lever actions and the 30-30 is a good round with the new LeverEvolution ammo (I zero'd mine at 200 yards and I shoot that reasonably often). The 45-70 has more recoil than I'd like for routine shooting. It's good for hunting as well.

 

[Panzercat]

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[TexasPatriot.308]

completely different animals

 

[Baba Louie]

...mainly for long range plinking (300+ yrds), occasionally hunting.

.308 unless you can figure out your trajectory drop for the .45-70 way out there 3+ football fields... some can, would and have using the old .45 bore, others (like moi) would stick to the .30 cal or smaller for the longer ranges.

But a .30-30 at those ranges? Well, some might try... some might succeed.

Winchester 88, Savage 99 or Browning BLR in .308 I still consider all short range in the brush or lodgepole pine kinda carbines (I could be wrong, it wouldn't be the first time). Bolt action w/ glass for long meadow and pasture shots (again, for moi).

But would love to have a .45-70 Marlin, just not for looong range shootin. Maybe 200 yds.

 

[Badlander]

There are A couple guys here shooting 1000yds with 30-30. and others that do it with the 45-70. maybe not for everyone but can be done!!!

 

[TexasPatriot.308]

OK, but what kindof punch does that have after all that distance?

 

[Uncle Mike]

Seriously....if you think you might be doing the 300y thing more often than not, and as you say, it's mainly for target shooting, well then the 308 shins. However....there is a certain satisfaction to drifting those 45 caliber cinder blocks down range. lol

 

[Badlander]

OK, but what kindof punch does that have after all that distance?




Jeeezzzzz!!!

 

[PT1911]

I gravitate toward the 45-70 as i want a couple of them myself.. I have been flirting with the idea of getting a Buffalo Classic and a Stainless Marlin Guide Gun.

 

[BlackSky]

I'd go with 30-06. You can take any North American game with it and most African game. Better availability of different ammunition types than .308. Long range capable.

 

[nipprdog]

Who makes levers in .308????????? As in 7.62x51. Not that Marlin thing.

Slim pickens.

 

[Panzercat]

Yeah, ammunition availibility in the 308 marlin is another concern... As in all you'll be firing is leverevolution rounds through it. It's probably my only concern to buying in on it.

 

[Action_Can_Do]

If it has to be a Marlin lever action, I would, and did, go with the 45-70. Lever actions aren't exactly the gun of choice for 300yd shooting but they can do it.

 

[ms6852]

I've shot both and my idiot brother who was dropped on his head also had a 45-70 in a contender. If you are going to do plinking at 300 yards and don't have a leg to stand on I don't recommend either in a lever action. You can get an inexpensive rifle like a Savage or a Stevens in 30-06. Ammo for this can be found in 125 grain all the way to 220 grains. And if you reload you can reload lower than 110 grain. This way you have a rifle for prairie dogs to coyotes to deer, elk, moose, and bear. The rifles mention are very accurate out of the box and the ammos is cheap and found anywhere. If you truly want to get great value for your money I would go this route.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

The 308 Winchester and the 45-70 are my two favorite rounds...but I think the OP is overlooking the lever action caliber that would best suit him.

338 Marlin Express...I know its limited in which bullets that can be used, but if I was looking for a medium range lever gun with plenty of punch and a good usable trajectory I would get a 338 MX.

 

[DoctorOfLight]

45/70 for the wow factor

 

[eastbank]

i go to the black powder matches here some times and the eviel black boys got it down out to 800 yds with target sharps and rem rolling blocks with big target peep sights,the targets are steel plates and big bullets at 500-535 grs at 1300-1400fps knock the big plates down. and i,sure these big slugs would kill at 800 yds. eastbank.

 

[redbullitt]

Depends what you need/have/want. If this were your only rifle, Id go 308 bolt. If you have that department covered and are just wanting a lever gun, Id opt 45 70.

I am not a fan of proprietary cartridges or whatever. 45 70 has been and will be around forever, as will the 762x51. Components are easy to get and fairly cheap AND give you great many options in loading.

For plinking, I hit ipsc torso steel all the time out to 450 yards with my regular old marlin 30 30. There is no reason it cannot be done with the marlin chambering 308, or the 45 70. jbmballistics.com is your friend : )

45 70 if you are needing a lever! lol