Let's buy a CF Lever Gun...

[Mr. Chitlin]

I have about $500 in Wally Wolrd gift cards that I have been given over the last few months, and what better to spend it on than a new gun. I have the bolt guns, semi-auto s (AR's), rimfire bolt and semi auto's, but don't have a lever gun. I am not much interested in a rimfire lever gun as I have several 22 lr's, 22 mags and a couple of 17HMR's that I small game hunt with.

What I am thinking about is maybe a big bore lever gun, but have never shot one. I'm a big ole boy, so recoil isn't that much of a problem. Right now, I have 223, 243, 25/06, 308, 30/06 and 300 Win Mag guns, so that gives you an idea of what voids I need to fill. I will also reload for whatever I get. I don't really think a 30/30 would give me anything I really don't already have covered. Will a 35 Rem be any better?? Or the 444 Marlin, 45/70 or 450 Marlin?? I'm just kind of window shopping right now, but with hunting seasons not too far in the future, I will be seriously looking within the next month or so. I hunt the Ozarks of North Arkansas, mostly wooded, but open fields at times, too. When I know I will be hunting the fields, I'll carry the bolt gun. Just more or less looking to add something to the safe that is different.

Throw some ideas at me.

 

[Preacherman]

.35 Rem is an excellent round for deer or black bear - its performance is way better than the ballistics would appear to indicate. It's one of those rounds that just seems to do the job, no matter what. Marlin's 336 is available in this caliber, and Wal-Mart should be able to order it for you.

You could also look at a .44 Magnum lever-action carbine. From the longer barrel, the .44 Magnum approaches the ballistics of the .30-30, and inside 100-125 yards I've found virtually no difference in their effectiveness on deer - in fact, the larger .44 round seems to smack the deer harder than the smaller .30 caliber round. Of course, this has the advantage of (relatively) cheap ammo too, as well as ammo interchangeability with your revolver. The Marlin 1894C is under $400 from Wal-Mart, IIRC.

I love the .45-70 round, but I wouldn't recommend it for your uses, as its typical factory loads are not that much better than the .44 Magnum or .30-30 for deer, and the magazine capacity of the carbines is limited. Of course, if you want to have the option of shooting the heavier loads, go for it - in which case, I'd recommend the Marlin 1895 Cowboy model, with its 26" barrel and full-length magazine tube. Wal-Mart can special-order this one for you.

 

[Mr. Chitlin]

I had been thinking the 35 Rem might just make a good deer and hog caliber. I have a friend that has hogs on his property in South Arkansas and has been wanting me to come down and shoot some. I had not really thought about the 44 Mag, though. I own a 44 Mag revolver, so that might be an option that I think about also. Hmmmm.....

 

[gezzer]

45/70 does everything the 450 marlin will with cheaper an easier to find brass. Handloading in an 1895 Marin the 45/70 becomes a whole new cartridge just NEVER get those handloads mixed up with any for the weaker guns such as trapdoors and rolling blocks.

 

[ducktapehero]

Hey, another "Ozarks" boy here. My Dad has a Marlin in 35Rem and that is powerful medicine on deer. Simply an awesome gun. It seems to anchor them a lot better than a 30-30. But my Dad is a pretty good shot too.

I can also recommend the 44mag too. I had one and it was a blast to shoot. I also had a 44 Mag wheelgun at the time.

 

[rockstar.esq]

Another vote for the .44mag.

 

[Dave R]

Another vote for .45-70. Since you ARE going to be handloading, you can load it down below .44mag levels, if you ever wish to, and you can load it up to a real hog-stompin' load.

You wanted a BIG bore, right?

 

[MechAg94]

Marlin makes a 45/70 version that holds 9 cartridges in the tube (model 1895G? for a little over $500). It is fun to shoot, but can't say it would be a deer gun. I think they make the same thing in .44 Mag. I have a similar Winchester in .44 Mag (12 rounds in tube), but I like the Marlin better.

Damn, you are reminding me that those are guns I haven't shot much at all. Need to do something with them. One thing at a time I guess.

 

[George Hill]

.35 might be just excellent for deer. Sure. But so is good old .30-30, which was at once the hottest thing going and is now the Rodney Dangerfield of centerfire cartridges.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I've killed many a deer with a .30-30. And let me say I've found literally thousands of .30-30 cases by checking ranges and sighting is spots prior to hunting season over the years. I've never found a .35 Remington case.

 

[Mr. Chitlin]

Yeah, I know what you mean, Vern. I pick up almost every piece of brass I find, even if I don't own a gun in that caliber. I have literally given away thousands of 30/30's to friends that have them, since I don't have one. I don't remember ever finding a 35 Rem case. But at the same time, I'd probably order a couple of hundred and that would last me a lifetime. Don't figure I'd shoot this one like I do the AR's and rimfires. I ordered 100 300 Win Mag brass when I bought it about 10 years ago, and still have all of them.

Guess I'll sit on this one and think about it for a few weeks. That 44 Mag option sure sounds good, but I have an old Ruger 44 carbine semi auto so the 44 Mag rifle could be spoken for. Then the 444 and 45/70 are something different. The 35 Rem is also something different. Decisions, decisions...

 

[Pointman]

Don't figure I'd shoot this one like I do the AR's and rimfires

If you're counting on that to help contain ammo costs you might not reconsider... lever guns are terribly addictive

.44 Mag would nicely accompany your pistol but I have to admit I'd go for the 1895 .45-70 in a second. But I have 2 levers in .45 Colt and I don't hunt deer so the .45-70 is the obvious choice!