Emergency NM lever gun, .45LC or .30-30?
- Thread starter TexAg
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Bula
Member
I'd say either will do what you'll need. A hardcast heavy .45 colt load from a carbine is no slouch. But, If I were in your shoes, AND given the prices on used Marlin or Win 30-30's, I'd take both. I'd prefer to have all angles covered. Especially ones related to my survival.
Given the options the OP has presented, I'd take the .30-30 Win. However, given no limits on caliber choice, I would take the .444 Marlin. It shoots flat, and it hits very hard. The last Russian boar I shot with a .444 Marlin, dropped far more quickly than the boar I shot with a .375 H&H Mag, and that was through a 15" Encore barrel...imagine the energy generated through 22" barrel.
Geno
Geno
doubleh
Member
I vote for the 30-30. I wouldn't get caught in NM with a light on my gun. It might be OK for two legged varmints but the game boys are going to be unhappy in any other case. 
If I needed a light I would hold it in my hand.
If I needed a light I would hold it in my hand.Thanks guys, I appreciate the responses. However, those of you saying if the .45 was a .44 magnum they'd take that, I'd suggest you look at some of the Ruger only loads in the reloading manuals or the ammo offered from Grizzley, Buffalo Bore or Cor-Bon (which are all fine in a Marlin). I've also never even seen a baloon head case, modern .45 Colt brass has no such issue and I've never had an issue with ejection or split cases.
For lights, I have seen clamps you could put on the magazine tube, so you could light it all up pretty well. Not a bad idea, and I've got a TLR-1 I can slip on it before the trip. (This would look a lot better on the 336SS than the octagonal barreled 1894!)
As far as capacity goes, I'm not too concerned. If it can't be done with 7 shots of .30-30 and 6 rounds of .357 or .45 Colt, then I did something wrong. 4 more shots in the mag of the 1894 won't help me too much more. I do usually carry a box of ammo with me if it's a long trip.
For lights, I have seen clamps you could put on the magazine tube, so you could light it all up pretty well. Not a bad idea, and I've got a TLR-1 I can slip on it before the trip. (This would look a lot better on the 336SS than the octagonal barreled 1894!)
As far as capacity goes, I'm not too concerned. If it can't be done with 7 shots of .30-30 and 6 rounds of .357 or .45 Colt, then I did something wrong. 4 more shots in the mag of the 1894 won't help me too much more. I do usually carry a box of ammo with me if it's a long trip.
NWCP
Member
A model 94 in 30-30. It is capable of doing what you're asking it to providing you do your part.
I never said which has more rim, and fogive me if I was not clear, but modern .45 Colt brass has a larger rim than older "historic" .45 brass, so extraction from a lever gun is not an issue. Do you have other experience? Just trying to clarify.
Badlander
Member
Not haveing A 45-70 is reason enough to buy one. (for emergencys)
Irish Bird Dog
Member
I'd vote for the .45 Colt cuz I really like it & you already have a short gun for it and contrary to some opinions the 45 Colt will do anything the .44 Mag will do only better! This will require handloads in most cases while the .
.44 Mag can be had most anywhere ammo is sold. The .45 Colt starts out with a bigger entrance hole cuz it's .023" larger to begin with B4 any expansion that might occur, the .44 Mag is really a .429 dia.
The .45 Colt brass today is plenty strong and the rims are more than adequate for rifle use, the weaker brass argument don't hold water anymore. I have shot many thousands of rounds of .45 Colt in my cowboy guns, both rifle (1873 & 1866 clones) and SAA revolvers both Colt clones and Ruger Blackhawks. Not a real wimpy load either but a good dose of Unique and a 255gr cast bullet that is about 850fps.
Now for the longgun I would offer that you might upgrade to a M92 rifle 24" bbl or the carbine 20" bbl style only because it was designed for handgun cartridges & for the very strong action, same as the M94 action but the M94 was designed for rifle cartridges, not made for pistol cartridges but adapted to them, hence a long stroke to cycle. Or a M94 Marlin.
All that said, there is absolutely nothing wrong with using your current 30-30 Marlin & your .45 Colt Ruger for your needs at the cabin. You can load shot cartridges for the .45 Colt for small game/birds/snake loads also...tho it don't make the .45 a shotgun exactly.
.44 Mag can be had most anywhere ammo is sold. The .45 Colt starts out with a bigger entrance hole cuz it's .023" larger to begin with B4 any expansion that might occur, the .44 Mag is really a .429 dia.
The .45 Colt brass today is plenty strong and the rims are more than adequate for rifle use, the weaker brass argument don't hold water anymore. I have shot many thousands of rounds of .45 Colt in my cowboy guns, both rifle (1873 & 1866 clones) and SAA revolvers both Colt clones and Ruger Blackhawks. Not a real wimpy load either but a good dose of Unique and a 255gr cast bullet that is about 850fps.
Now for the longgun I would offer that you might upgrade to a M92 rifle 24" bbl or the carbine 20" bbl style only because it was designed for handgun cartridges & for the very strong action, same as the M94 action but the M94 was designed for rifle cartridges, not made for pistol cartridges but adapted to them, hence a long stroke to cycle. Or a M94 Marlin.
All that said, there is absolutely nothing wrong with using your current 30-30 Marlin & your .45 Colt Ruger for your needs at the cabin. You can load shot cartridges for the .45 Colt for small game/birds/snake loads also...tho it don't make the .45 a shotgun exactly.
doubleh
Member
TexAg, they get real huffy with anyone that looks like they are rigged up for hunting at night.
I believe a larger rim is a positive attribute for extraction in a leveraction.
I do recommend you shoot one of these things with 300 grain bullets.
I found 240 gr lead bullets, at 44 Magnum velocities, provided a stout recoil in one of these light lever actions.
Because of that recoil I removed the original hard plastic buttplate and installed a rubber buttplate.
Hurts less.
Oh, I've got both of the guns I mentioned in my original post, a Marlin 336ss .30-30 and a Marlin 1894 Cowboy Limited in .45 Colt. I've shot a fair amount of the 300 and 325 grain bullets out of the Marlin, and it's got a plastic butt plate and it's a thumper, but I guess I've never found it to be a very hard recoiler after shooting those same loads out of a 5.5" (old) Vaquero. Never once had a problem with extraction either.
It would depend on the individual rifle's reliability. I had a .45 Colt '92 Mirokuchester that did not inspire confidence. Had; past tense. I have yet to meet a Winchester '94 chambered in .30-30 that was problematic in ammo feeding.
I think I would go with .30-30, if I had to start from scratch, even though I have several .45 Colt sixguns. We have a .30-30 in the safe, so that would be my choice. I won't likely gamble on another .45 Colt lever rifle anytime soon.
I think I would go with .30-30, if I had to start from scratch, even though I have several .45 Colt sixguns. We have a .30-30 in the safe, so that would be my choice. I won't likely gamble on another .45 Colt lever rifle anytime soon.
FiremanJim
Member
I got a Winchester 1873 Short Rifle clone and an Uberti Model "P" in 45 Colt and a Winchester 1866 clone Trapper carbine in 44-40. All Uberti made.
I use this for Texas Ranger living history work.
A .30-.30 is an excellent rifle. But my guns are no slouch either,in the modern era , nor were the originals used back in the 1800's used against two and four legged critters pea shooters either.
Buy a .30-.30 if you can, but a .45 Colt will do a good job.
The history of dropping dangerous critters with either round or either weapon is good.
Although the .45 Colt guns I got sure are better looking. ^_^
I use this for Texas Ranger living history work.
A .30-.30 is an excellent rifle. But my guns are no slouch either,in the modern era , nor were the originals used back in the 1800's used against two and four legged critters pea shooters either.
Buy a .30-.30 if you can, but a .45 Colt will do a good job.
The history of dropping dangerous critters with either round or either weapon is good.
Although the .45 Colt guns I got sure are better looking. ^_^
BrocLuno
Member
TA - you said something about "upgrades"? Does that mean you are planning to scope the rifle? If so, I guess I'd be in the 30-30 camp with Leverevo store bought, or reloaded. 160 grains out of a rifle barrel will reach out a fair bit, so you don't have the problem standing on the front porch. Even good old SilverTips will get it done. I suspect replcement store bought ammo is more efficient in 30-30 that 45LC?
Maverick223
Member
Amongst the choices listed, I would choose the .30-30WCF hands down...but if you were deciding on a new gun i'd probably lean towards the .454Casull in a M-92' or better yet a .45-70Govt. in a 1895.
sansone
Member
given the choices in the OP.. 30-30 mostly because flatter shooting
Sniper X
Member
30-30 for sure, I live in NM too and have used a 30-30 for years for exactly what you describe. Great round still.
Marlin 45 carbine
Member
since the OP states he will have his GP100 regardless I'd opt for the 30-30.
the new Hornady Leverevolution cartridges boost it up in performance.
if all he had was the .45 pistol then I'd go with that and load some 'good stuff' useing the leverevolution slugs to boost the effective range another 50 yds.
the new Hornady Leverevolution cartridges boost it up in performance.
if all he had was the .45 pistol then I'd go with that and load some 'good stuff' useing the leverevolution slugs to boost the effective range another 50 yds.
lloveless
Member
I'd also not mount the light til I got to the cabin(try it at home to make sure it works), that way if you get stopped the game guys will be satisfied.
ll
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