Lever action caliber choices?

I have owned levers in the following calibers:
25-20
.357
.44 mag
.45 Colt
30-30
.300 Savage
.356
45-70

My go to for coyotes & racoons everytime was the .357 mag. I loaded a 158 gr sp behind H110 at about 2400 fps, perfect for 150 max. I also took 3 deer with it at 80 yds. You can also down load and shoot wadcutters at around 1200 for very easy shooting.
 
I love my 357 but when I tried the leverevolution rounds in it I was VERY pleased. When I can find some to reload this will be my goto round for most everything.
 
i'll second that. i picked this one up about a month ago. have ran maybe 60 rounds through it, playing with different loads and ended up with this 5 shot group

250vargetjpg.jpg


model 99 in .250-3000 weaver 2.5 x 7 scope. slightly less kick that a 22-250 /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif

P3180006.jpg
 
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Grizz here.
I've got a Browning reproduction of the Winchester Model 65
in 218 bee, sweet! It's a farvorite with the old school California predator callers.
 
While the 30/30 is a good 'first choice' as an all around lever action, I have an older 1894 Marlin .44 magnum that is a favorite of mine for 100yds and under with open sights.

That's because I already have the reloading set up for it, I have a S&W .44 magnum to match it and it will bust through brush much more reliably than a 30/30, from my experience...

I would have to admit that if I were planning to shoot moving targets, the 30/30 offers a little more velocity and shorter lead factor than the .44 mag it 300 fps is important..that's with similar weight bullets....
 
Quote:
357 has my vote, I have a friend that uses one for your same criteria and
loves it.



bigwheeler,
As much as I'd like to have a 45-70, I can't ignore the common sense that it makes to own a .357 Mag.

I have this topic on 5 other forums and the .357 Mag. has the largest following with the 30/30 in a close second. I already have all the necessary reloading components for this caliber, so I might as well order the rifle and get busy killing some varmints. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif

Thank you, to all that have replied! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowingsmilie.gif
Good hunting, Bowhunter57
 
I just ordered an 1894 Marlin in 44mag last week for the same reasons as you. Let me know if you like your 357 mag lever gun, I may see one of them in my future someday as well.....I'm getting bored with my bolts, semi-autos......
 
Quote:
You can also down load and shoot wadcutters at around 1200 for very easy shooting.


5spd,
How well do the wadcutters and semi-wadcutters cycle through the lever action?

Thank you, Bowhunter57
 
Until last year, I had a Winnie '94 in .44 Mag. It was so much fun to shoot. If I wanted to go after smaller game or varmints, I had a load that ran me $0.09 each; big game for some serious punch was still only $0.24 each.

Always wanted to try the .357 Mag though. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
 
You mentioned the 24" - 26".
That puts you in the Marlin CB area and they are not making that rifle any more, except in 45/70. If you could pick up a used one in .357, that would be the cats meow!
I have one that is deadly at 100yds with a tang sight. Put a scope on it and it would be a great rifle for what you are describing. I kind of have that in mind if I ever give up CAS, as it is my back up rifle now.
I also have the Marlin CB in the 45/70, and the 30/30. The 30/30 is what I used to win the SASS Winter Range National Championship Big bore leveraction side match, last March. The distances were 200+ yds at alternating targets with ten rounds. Two rounds had to be loaded on the clock. I hit 10/10 in 31 seconds. Those Marlins can be slicked up so that they are really fast cycling. This was off x sticks, by the way.
 
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