Which caliber for a lever-action?

[Drjones]

Hi all. Still thinking about gettin a lever-action.

I'm leaning towards 30-30, but am considering .44. Here are my reasons:

-Why 30-30? Just because

-Someone said it has better ballistics than the .44


Why .44?

-Pretty decent power

-Increased capacity over 30-30

-Less kick(?) than 30-30


What do you all think?

 

[DillHarris]

I don't think you could go wrong either way. Take what I say with a grain of salt, but my only rifle is a top ejection Model 94 30-30 and I love it. Close in I don't think there's a lot of difference between the 30-30 and 44 mag powerwise. 30-30 should be able to reach just a little further. Besides that, there's just some sort of "tradition" in a lever action 30-30. 30-30 recoil isn't too bad for me (and I'm not exactly tough), you're results may vary. Depending on what you intend to use the rifle for, capacity shouldn't make too much difference. Six rounds of 30-30 is plenty for hunting and plinking.

 

[bedlamite]

What do you plan on using it for?

For hunting, inside a hundred yards it won't make any difference. Out past 100, the 30-30 has a definite advantage with the lighter weight, higher velocity loads. Capacity shouldn't be an issue for hunting, If you need more than the 5 rounds it holds, you need more time at the range. Kick with full power 44 loads is very close to 30-30.

If you've got a SASS badge, the 20" 44 is much more useful.

 

[AK103K]

I've had both, still have one in 30-30 and 45Colt. The 44 with factory or hot loads will whack you pretty good, but is a lot of fun with 44 special lead loads. I wouldnt personally hunt with it past 50 yards or so. If your planning on hunting with it, the 30-30 would be better, I think. With the 44 you might need a course in indirect artillery fire past 100 yards.

 

[cheygriz]

For a general purpose plinker, I like the .44 magnum, loaded with cast lead bullet .44 Spec. loads.

For hunting, it's the .30-30 hands down!

I have both in model 94 Winchesters. If I could only keep one, it would be the .30-30. No question about it.

Another plus for the .30-30: You can find .30-30 ammo way back in places where they've never heard of the .44 magnum.

 

[sm]

30-30

Agree with above. Downrange a bit more useful, and ammo is so readily available...once bought extra ammo at a gas station, 'nuther time at a Mom & Pop Grocery store. Fills hunting, HD and "Urban Needs"...

 

[Tom B]

No contest 30WC all the way unless you are into cowboy action shooting or must have a pistol cal for some special reason. My rule of thumb is don't buy rifles in pistol cals and don't buy pistols in rifle cals!

 

[goon]

I had a chance to buy a Browning '95 in 30'06 once for $495. It was new, but reduced because it had a small scratch on the stock. Other than that, it was beautiful. I could kick myself for not getting it.
A lever gun in '06.
Other than that, If you want range and smack when it gets there, a Savage M-99 in 308 or 300 Savage. The old 300 is forgotten by some, but it still rocks. It doesn't shoot quite as flat as the newer cartridges, but it was way ahead of its time.
Maybe a Browning BLR in one of the real rifle cartridges.
A Win 94/22 or a Marlin lever action 22 LR is great for perforating cans.
Marlin guide gun. Makes a really big hole.
Old 30-30 Winchester. Has worked well for the last 100+ years and still puts a handgun to shame. I prefer the M-94 over the Marlin 336 because the action is a little smoother.
And then you got your pistol caliber carbines. Good for plinking and short range personal conflicts, and won't alarm the neighbors like an AK would.
Basically, they all have their place.
If you want one to cover as many as possible, I would say Win 94 or the Marlin 336.
But if you like having excuses to buy guns, then you could get one for each niche.

 

[Psssniper]

For some reason I really want to get a Marlin 45-70 either the guide gun or the CB. Just for kicks







just for kicks................

if you have to explain a joke, oh nevermind

 

[TallPine]

The pistol caliber (44 or 45) might be handy if you were "woodlot hunting" - less "overpenetration" into nearby occupied areas.

The 30-30 is a heck of a caliber and highly under-rated.

 

[H&Hhunter]

Hmmmm........That's a tough choice... Only one solution, get both of them. I've got a .44 1895 marlin and a 336 in 30-30 they are both great guns and great calibers. The 30-30 has more reach. the .44 has more bullets.

 

[jar]

The old 30-30 has still put more food on the table than just about any cartridge other than the 22.

Actaully, I can't really think of a downside to the 30-30. It works up close and at long range, is cheap, you can find it anywhere, it feed reliably and is available in a variety of bullet weights and charges.

IMHO, the 30WCF lever action rifle is one of the most underrated long guns out there.

 

[dude]

.............the only problem with getting one in .44Mag is that you would soon be saving up for a revolver.

 

[Citadel99]

.45-70 .45-70 .45-70 .45-70 .45-70 .45-70 .45-70 .45-70 .45-70 .45-70 .45-70 .45-70 .45-70 .45-70 .45-70 .45-70 .45-70 .45-70 .45-70 .45-70 .45-70

Mark

 

[Mannlicher]

Buy a used Marlin 336. Have it rechambered in .30/30 Ackley Improved. 150 grain Speer soft nose at 2700fps. Works great for me. I have a lyman Mod. 66 Receiver sight on mine.

Yeah, you have to hand load for it, but you can shoot factory shells if you like, in fact thats how you get the fireformed cases to reload.

 

[Kamicosmos]

I have a Marlin 1894S in .44 Mag. Bought it for dense woods deer hunting in Wisconsin. Took a small buck at about 75 yards with it. It's true what Mr. Keith said: "Lets a lot of air in, and a lot of blood out."

I believe the 30-30 has a small advantage on range. I personally love the .44 cartridge though. The Marlin hangs out with the Contender and Redhawk on the couch watching Dirty Harry films.

(Wierd, eh? I told them to keep the blinds closed when they do that so the neighbors don't see.)