Lever guns for predators?

bowhunter57

bowhunter57

Well-known member
Does anyone use 45 Long Colt, 44 mag. or .357 mag., etc. for predators?

I'm considering the purchase of a Marlin Legacy in 45 Long Colt for groundhogs and was wondering if anyone uses one for predators.

Your opinions and experience is appreciated. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Good hunting, Bowhunter57
 
Wellll, for most folks the 45lc would not be what is considered much of a calling gun, nor a groundhog gun, and I would say not a good choice.

You though I see are a bowhunter, that to me makes all the difference, bowhunting as you know gives a person a whole nuther perspective on distance.

With that in mind and if you realize that shooting past 100 yards you are going to be lobbing them in kinda like mortar rounds, I don't know what else to say.
If you hit one in the right spot it is going to kill him for sure. You are going to have to track a few however since that round kills in a different manner than a 22-250.

The little fast fragile bullet kills by velocity and massive internal destruction of vital organs from bone fragments and bullet pieces inside .The 45lc kills by simply blowing a hole through something kinda like bowhunting.
So you are going to have almost the same kind of trailing job as with a bow.

Kill em? yep. Aint' no one going to tell me that a broadhead is not just as deadly as any rifle ever made.
Drop em on the spot? well maybe ,sometimes.
 
Craig Hamilton,
Thank you for the reply! Perhaps I should've mentioned that I intend to use this rifle well within 100 yards. In my area, most of the groundhogs that I shoot are within 40 yards and the majority of those are inside 25 yards. I'm a bowhunter first, in everything that I do with hunting. Therefore, I enjoy the stalking aspect of hunting. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I enjoy the long range hunting too, with my Savage .22-250, but I have to test my stalking skills every once in a while. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Good hunting, Bowhunter57
 
bowhunter57
I have been using lever guns latley in my yote hunting since the majority of my shots are in the 25yrd range. Im using a marlin 336SS in 30-30 and marlin 1894 in 44mag. They perform excellent if kept within their range. I have been using 125gr HYSHOK and 150gr moly coated winchester rounds for the 30-30. For the 1894 Im still experimenting with different rounds but since I have a concealed carry S&W 696 in 44spl I have been using the spl loads in this rifle. Im not using this rifle to its full potential using these rounds but at 50yrds it puts them down with authority. Im sure it will perform even better with magnum rounds but it will do alot of damage to the fur if your planning on keeping it. Last week I hit a yote at 25yrds with my 30-30 and almost ripped the dog in half, there was nothing left to skin. I also use a 22-250 but the sage here is so thick and tall that long shots are not the norm. Lever guns and shotguns perform well in this role. These big rounds are also less affected by being deflected going through the sage brush.
 
I use a 90 year old Model '94 Winchester in .38-55 once in awhile. Grab it for situations where probably most guys would reach for a shotgun. But since I can't hit my ass with both hands using a shotgun, and to be honest just flat don't like shotguns, I use the old lever gun instead. Works good!

- DAA
 
Bowhunter57,
I'm a traditional bow hunter myself so I know how you feel.
I use a Winchester model 9422 in 22WMR.
It's a great gun,cheap to shoot,and is perfect for close range shooting.
My 224 weatherby is like bow hunting with a compound.
good luck and get close
it's more fun that way
 
Bowhunter,

I have used a Winchester 45 LC for shooting coyotes around my house. All the ranges are less than 100 yards, most within 30 yards. As for runners, only had one. He ran about 25 yards. All the other were stopped in their tracks. The exit wounds were considerable, however I have had larger exit wounds from the 22-250 shooting 40 gr Winchester Silvertips. It is a fun gun to shoot and very light compared to the 22-250.
 
I use a .44 mag raging bull sometime for coyotes but it leaves a wicked exit hole most of the time, and the accuracy is not too great comparded to a rifle. I personally hate lever guns but they can get the job done if your weapon selection is limited. For lever actions I have a .308 savage lever, not a caliber u described but the actions are slowere because you have to re-aim beteen follow up shots.
 
Craig that was a good one like a mortar round hehe.
45LC it will work fine, I would say a motar round if it was in 45acp...
I have used my 45LC cowboy shooter a few time on yotes, never hit one to see what it would do.
Just don't buy the carbine get a little longer barre like 24 inch.

good luck
 
I load for the 45 LC. pistol only. but using 296 win. powder i can push any bullet pretty fast. Hit a rabbit with a 230 gr. starfire i doaded at about 1300 fps. blew that sucker in half. If you load a light bullet 185-230 gr. with a rappid expanding hollow point like a hydy shock, starfire, or anything with a really deep cavity should work wounders.You'll have to check loading data for rifles.
 
I'll swim against the tide here. I've used lever action guns for years on predators. Always had success. Obviously you're range is limited because of the freight train coming out of the barrel, but if you hit what you're aiming at, it'll go down. It's a great carrying rifle too, light. I have a BLR .308 that I just love, old but reliable. Kicks like a mule, but I aint out there shooting at crows.

I can't imagine all the deer, coyotes, wolves, bears and elk that have been killed by those old reliable lever actioned smoke poles.
 
I took a coyote at about 75 yards with a lever action saddle ring carbine in .357. I can't remember exactly why I selected that gun that particular day, maybe I just wanted a little practice. Anyway, the first shot put it down, and a couple more put it out. It is not my choice for most coyote killing, but if you are close enough it is a fun gun to shoot. A little more of a challenge, maybe, but you can get the job done.
 
I have a Marlin cahmbered in 25-20,I really like it a lot,sorta like 22mag thats been pumping iron.
But there is 2 draw backs to this caliber 1)shells are round 30/35 dollars abox of 50.(I'm saving up for reloader stuff)2)I can only get a factory load with 89 grain bullet stuffed in the case(trust me I looked for lighter)

Other than that it works great
 


Write your reply...
Back
Top