Lever action rifle and ammo for big game

[mesrg3]

Hi there!
I'm a new hunter in search for a "do all" lever action rifle. I'd like to know what to use for deer, caribou, elk and maybe buffalo and moose! I know there are specific rifles for each species, but is there one particular rifle that I can use to hunt all the species that I mentioned? If so what about ammunition? which caliber and brands? Again I don't know anything about hunting with guns. I'm planing on hunting for deer, mule deer, caribou and maybe buffalo or moose, that's why I'm looking for one riffle only if possible!

Any suggestions?
Thank you all!

[James B]

For closer range, out to 150 yards the Marlin 45-70 would do the job on all species. Browning make its lever in several calibers that would work well. 270, 30-06. 358Win, 7mm Mag and 300 Mag. I don't know if they chamber the short Mags or not. Someone here who knows more about the Browning Levers should know. You can also check thier webb site. Good Hunting.

[feddoc]

I use a .450 Marlin (Guide Gun) for my close work when the elk and deer are in tight quarters. Very easy to draw a bead on them when they are up close and plenty of stopping power.

[Colorado Bob]

You said a "do all" rifle. IMO that leaves out all the Marlins 45/70---444---450--30/30--35 Rem. IMO you should look at the Browning in a 30/06 or you could go the used route & find a Savage 99---in 308 caliber. Then get yourself a 3x9 Leupold Vax II scope. Then you'll set for anything from moose to antelope.

[corey006]

45-70, 450 Marlin or 444 Marlin(with handloads) any of which will do the job under 200 yards on anything, except I would exclude the 444 from Grizzly.

I shoot a 444 with 300 gr bullets and it will drop a Moose or Elk every bit as fast as 45-70 or 450 marlin. The only drawback is BETTER bullet selection for the 45 calibers.

Any of these 3 calibers is an EXCELLENT hunting round...

BUT as Colorado BoB stated a 30-06 in a BLR would be a LITTLE better...it would give you another 75-100 yards if you were using 30-06. This would give you about 300 yards (MAX) range.

[Bloodnativ]

There was a magazine article out several months ago about a guy who took all of Africa's Big 5 with a 45-70. If that's not a do all I don't know what is. However if you may be taking long shots (150+ yards) I too would get the Browning BLR in 300 Win Mag. That should take care of just about everything except maybe the big bears and Africa's Big 5

[Colorado Bob]

[KonaBoy]

I was gonna say .450

[mesrg3]

Thank you all for your help! I think I'll get the Marlin 1895GS (its a 45-70) and I like the stainles steel receiver!!! Now where can I get one with a good price??

[Duffy]

"new hunter" The 45/70, .450 guns will probably give you a good case of flinchitis.

A Savage 99, Winchester 88 or Browning BLR in .308 would be the easiest to find and find ammo for. They could be found in good used condition for a resonable price. Put a good low power variable scope (2 to 7 power) and you will be set.

I bought a Savage 99 in .300 savage that I have been carrying this year with my moose, elk, mule deer and white-tail tags in my pocket.

Robin

P.S. since I wrote the above I have shot a moose and two wolves with my Savage 99 in .300 savage.