Lever action caliber for fun time

[Bushpilot]

Ah 44-40, very nice. 38-40 is also pretty high on my "want" list too. My original 1873 (circa 1883) is in 32/20. I like it but I really like the rifle more than the cartridge that it's chambered for if you get what I mean. I really would like to get another 1873 one of these days in 44-40. But, with the price of old Winchesters being what they are I'll probably just get an Uberti in 44-40 or 44 mag.

 

[Picher]

I don't like shooting lever-action rifles from the bench for several reasons. One of the biggest is that the rifle has to be either removed from the rest, or angled. Another is that most have blind magazines and if shooting at a public range with a rangemaster, ammo must be removed and actions opened prior to stepping away. I usually single-load bolt guns at the range. Although most lever-actions can be fed singly, it's harder to grab empties before they hit the ground than with a bolt action.

Depending on the rifle, many have forends attached to barrels. Resting the forend on a front rest can throw shots off-center. I prefer my rifles to have free-floating barrels to prevent POI changes due to either rest-rebound or sling pressure. Bolt rifles usually shoot more accurately than lever-actions, or can be more easily made to shoot accurately.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I just picked up a Henry in 357. Fun gun to shoot.

 

[Bushpilot]

Yeah 357 is definitely one of the "fun" chamberings IMO.

 

[Bushpilot]

ooops

 

[Alaskan Ironworker]

If you can find one, i highly recommend a rossi 92 in .454. You can have all or atleast most the power of factory 45-70 loads, with twice the capacity! or you can just shoot 45 colt, which seems to cycle fine through mine. The fit and finish is rough on mine, but i beat mine up anyway. This is probably my favorite rifle because its so light, short, powerful, and im not afraid to beat it up. I did replace that ugly stupid safety with a plug from steves gunz for about $20 i think, and i Had to drill and tap the front barrel retainer ring for a sling.
P.s. 300 grain xtp mags at 1900 fps Have a sharp recoil.

 

[NWPilgrim]

The two lever actions I have for fun are a Henry H001 .22LR (tons of fun!!) and a Marlin 1894 in .44spc/mag. The .357 would have been cheaper to reload for but I don't load that cartridge anymore. I enjoy the .44 so that is what I shoot. I grew up with a Winchester 1894 in .30WCF (made in 1916) so that hooked me on lever actions. The .30-30 is a pretty useful round, too. And much easier to load through the gate than the stubby revolver cartridges. The whole family from 8 yrs on up can't get enough of the henry .22LR though!