Which levergun caliber?
 

So I really want to get a marlin levergun this summer. Problem is I keep flip-flopping between a .44 or 45-70 or even a 30-30. I can't hunt deer in illinois with rifles, but I'm going to school in western kentucky and it may see some action there. Basically I'm getting one for fun and just shooting around. The 30-30 is on the bottom of the list...but the only real reason I can seem to come up with is "because everyone has one". I will handload for the .44 or 45-70. And I love the idea of using Blackpowder loads in the 45. The 45-70 is overkill, but its an 'amusement' gun. I fear the .44 will leave me thinking, "Gee, I wish I'd went up to the 45". What says you?

RE: Which levergun caliber?
 

If you are shooting 100 yards -125 yards, the 44 Mag will work fine and will be a lot more fun to shoot that the 45-70. You can load some reduced loads for the 45-70 that can be pretty pleasant. 44 Specials will also fire in the 44 Mag rifle. I have both the 44 Mag rifle and several 45-70 rifles. The 44 mag is the most enjoyable to shoot. Its really good for out to 150-180 yards with a little practice. Nothing wrong with the 30-30 either. I love the pistol cartridges in the carbines though.

RE: Which levergun caliber?
 

Another plus for the .44 is ammo price, and another knock against the 30-30 is that I'd rather have a straight grip then the pistol grip on the 336s. Oh, well...thanks for the personal insight. I'm still up in the air on this so anyone else with experience between these calibers feel free to chime in.

RE: Which levergun caliber?
 

I agree with James the 45/70 is a great calibur. You can load them to be very tolerable and fun to shoot then you can wack just about anything with full power loads. I do like the .44 but if was going to pick one 45/70.James wasnt this just on the firearms review?

RE: Which levergun caliber?
 

Look up Wild West Guns in Anchorage and check out the .450 and .50 Alaskans. That'll turn some heads at the firing line!

RE: Which levergun caliber?
 

I want a 45-70 as a brush gun in Missouri. Everyone who hunts herehas a Winchester 94 in 30-30, I want something a bit different, those Marlins look good.

RE: Which levergun caliber?
 

There might be a reason for that.

Find a good used one.....it'll be traded off when you discover boltactions later.....

RE: Which levergun caliber?
 

I hear ya. I bought a winchester .44 magnum lever just cause I wanted something different, and boy do I love it. It is both fun and accurate. Plus it holds like 11 rounds. I only wished they had the Marlin Stainless steel .44 out when I was looking. I would have bought that instead, most likely. I may still pick one up just cause I like the .44 caliber so much. Anyhow, I've had a lot of novice shooters try out the .44 lever at 50 yards on bowling pins and no-one has missed yet :D. I have a .44 encore pistol which accurately shoots the same ammo as the levergun, so I only have to worry about 1 kind of cartridge when hunting. For a "fun" gun, the .44 is very hard to beat. I too hunt in a shotgun only zone, so I've only shot paper and bowling pins thus far, but the knowledgeable members of this site have assured me the .44 is plenty of gun for deer.

KEJ

RE: Which levergun caliber?
 

Vapo...I'm a lefty, and I've already "discovered" bolts. Don't need that precision from anything but my .22, which my 10/22 has plenty of (for me at least) Since deer are the only 'big' game in Illinois, besides cougar...but that's a big can of worms, and rifles are illegal I don't have much use for bolts.

RE: Which levergun caliber?
 

i just got (x-mas) a 1894 in 41 mag andlove it, big fun, i agree with all above and would even throw a 444 marlin in the mix, i think i may try one down the road, as far as practical i'd say the 44 would be the most practical or a 30-30 or the 35 rem, i got the 41 cause i like different stuff[&:];):D:D:D:D, anyway about it another gun will always be fun;)