jdmb03
Member
If you had to choose one of these calibers for an overall home defense, backwoods and target gun which would you pick?
Lever action 30-30 or .44 mag?
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wheelgunslinger
Member
357 
Rampant_Colt
Member
.44 Mag - Winchester 16" carbine
R.W.Dale
Member
30-30 would be my choice, having owned leverguns in both chamberings
ammo price is about the same
recoil is about the same
but the 30-30 offers close to twice the effective range vs 44
plus 30-30 rifles themselves are typically a great deal cheaper than their .44 counterparts
ammo price is about the same
recoil is about the same
but the 30-30 offers close to twice the effective range vs 44
plus 30-30 rifles themselves are typically a great deal cheaper than their .44 counterparts
Shawnee
member
+1 for the 30/30.
SwampWolf
Member
I debated the question in my head until I read krochus' reasoning. 30-30 it is!
"If you had to choose one of these calibers for an overall home defense, backwoods and target gun which would you pick?"
I choose a Marlin .30-30 because I don't see the point of a rifle chambered for a revolver round. I had a .357 lever gun for a while, but it wouldn't do much My Mod. 27 wouldn't do. Maybe someone can enlighten me.
I choose a Marlin .30-30 because I don't see the point of a rifle chambered for a revolver round. I had a .357 lever gun for a while, but it wouldn't do much My Mod. 27 wouldn't do. Maybe someone can enlighten me.
tubeshooter
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Well... I don't want to trot out the old .30-30 vs. .357 argument, but on it's own merits it sounds like a fun gun to shoot. Particularly from 50 yards on in. The ability to use .38 Special would be a real draw for me. I've always kind of wanted a .357 lever.
That being said, I have only seen one used. It has been there awhile, so I'm scared there's something wrong with it and/or it won't feed well. I think the asking price was $450.
I don't think I want to pay what they cost new. I could just get two more SKS - or one and a whole case of rounds.
[EDIT: I love krochus' argument. The reloader would have more reason to lean .44 mag.]
That being said, I have only seen one used. It has been there awhile, so I'm scared there's something wrong with it and/or it won't feed well. I think the asking price was $450.
I don't think I want to pay what they cost new. I could just get two more SKS - or one and a whole case of rounds.
[EDIT: I love krochus' argument. The reloader would have more reason to lean .44 mag.]
planetmobius
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30-30
I've been looking for a 92 in 45lc for a reasonable price and ended up buying a 92 44mag because the price was right.
That being said, I was tripping over 94's in 30/30 all day long, some as nice as my gun for almost 1/2 the price.
Home defense, 44mag. Target, either. Backwoods, 30/30.
That being said, I was tripping over 94's in 30/30 all day long, some as nice as my gun for almost 1/2 the price.
Home defense, 44mag. Target, either. Backwoods, 30/30.
Appsy
Member
30-30
i own both and i believe the 44 is slightly better suited to home defense and hogs
but the 30-30 is a much better "All Round" solution
i own both and i believe the 44 is slightly better suited to home defense and hogs
but the 30-30 is a much better "All Round" solution
black_powder_Rob
Member
I would also have to go with the 30-30 too.
Koos Custodiet
Member
Unless the system fails you totally, you're going to be hunting and target shooting a whole lot more than you're going to be home defence-ing.
So... what are you planning to hunt? Because if the answer is "squirrels" the 30-30 might not be the best choice
jdmb03
Member
I live in Washtenaw county now. It's a more rural area. I personally saw a fox and a buck run through the neighborhood. There has also been reports of feral hogs running loose.
If for some reason they come on my property and I can't get them to leave or they are attacking my dogs I would need a decent rifle. I currently carry a .45 but I don't think that's the best choice for taking out a buck or hog.
If for some reason they come on my property and I can't get them to leave or they are attacking my dogs I would need a decent rifle. I currently carry a .45 but I don't think that's the best choice for taking out a buck or hog.
Mannlicher
Member
I'll go with the .30-30 for the longer range potential, if nothing else. Thats even taking into consideration that the .44 Mag has a larger magazine capacity.
I own, and hunt with both. Either will kill a hog or Whitetail just as dead as the other.
I own, and hunt with both. Either will kill a hog or Whitetail just as dead as the other.
Seafarer12
Member
I own a .357 lever mainly because that is what all my revolvers are in and that is what I reload. I think it is the best all around lever especially if you reload. You can load 110 grain solids for small stuff and 180 grain xtp's for deer and hogs. That being said My next one would probably be a 30-30. Since I reload I have the flexability to load really light or really heavy loads. I am also sitting on a whole bunch of 30-30 brass I bought for my 7-30 Waters Contender.
outerlimit
Member
.30-30 for all the reasons stated above.
The only reason I would go for a .44 mag levergun would be if I had a .44mag revolver that I wanted to have ammo commonality with.
The only reason I would go for a .44 mag levergun would be if I had a .44mag revolver that I wanted to have ammo commonality with.
I'll second. 357
Anyway, the .44 has one distinct advantage. It fits in the Winchester 1892 and Marlin 1894 actions, which make for great-handling carbines.
Also, the .44 should work fine as far as iron sights will aim.
Depends what you want to do with the thing. For your stated purpose, I can't think of much better than a stainless .44 lever gun (or a .357, which is what I have).
Anyway, the .44 has one distinct advantage. It fits in the Winchester 1892 and Marlin 1894 actions, which make for great-handling carbines.
Also, the .44 should work fine as far as iron sights will aim.
Depends what you want to do with the thing. For your stated purpose, I can't think of much better than a stainless .44 lever gun (or a .357, which is what I have).
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alde
Member
I have both and would pick the 44 as my favorite. It's pretty hard to beat 10 rounds of 44 mag in a Marlin 1894. It's small, light and fast handling. It's also plenty accurate for hunting out to 100 yards or so.
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