what caliber levergun do i want?
03-21-2010, 01:05 PM
#11
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Orange county, NY
Posts: 2,949
The 44 mag makes a nice lever gun caliber too, I had one and it did a real good job dumping a couple hogs and deer. pistol ammo is less expensive than rifle ammo, low recoil, short bolt throw, high capacity. its probably most effective at 100yds or less though, but you could stretch it to maybe even 200 w/ the 44 mad lever revolution ammo. the handload I used was a 240xtp doing about 1750fps in a 20" tube.
03-21-2010, 01:06 PM
#12
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location:
Posts: 2,186
Of the 3 cartridges mentioned in your post, the 30-30 Win. will do just fine. Hornady Leverlution ammo would be my suggestion too. However, my preference for a lever action gun for deer hunting that is in production now ... the Browning in 308 Win. or 7mm/08 Rem. You find a good used Savage 99 or Winchester 88 in 308 win., that'll work too!
03-21-2010, 01:22 PM
#13
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: IL
Posts: 6,575
what are the most popular lever actions? 45-70 and .30-30 would be my guess but I really am not sure, is the .444 popular compared to the .45-70?
a .30-30 now with that 160gr ammo can take a deer out to 300yds, certainly at 150yds...
browning and I would guess others make levers in standard cartridges like the .25-06 etc...which is something to consider too.
how about a .405 win?
a .30-30 now with that 160gr ammo can take a deer out to 300yds, certainly at 150yds...
browning and I would guess others make levers in standard cartridges like the .25-06 etc...which is something to consider too.
how about a .405 win?
03-21-2010, 04:57 PM
#14
Spike
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 5
I think the question pertained to the Marlin XLR rifle, but I could be wrong.
The 30-30 is the standard by which all lever guns are compared and it is still one of the best all around cartridges.
The 444 is a new comer to the scene, and is based on the bullets we would normally see in a 44 mag handgun. There are heavier and better constructed ones in more recent years, which keep this heavy middleweight in the running.
The 45-70 is without peer, if you want heavy bullets at deer hunting velocities. You do not need heavier with this caliber unless the game get's mean and nasty. At that point it will still hold it's own.
As far as recoil, only when you get into the heavy loads, will it become much of a problem. But that opinion comes from someone who shot 80 rounds of 300 Win mag today.
Best of luck on the Marlin. They are a great gun.
larry
The 30-30 is the standard by which all lever guns are compared and it is still one of the best all around cartridges.
The 444 is a new comer to the scene, and is based on the bullets we would normally see in a 44 mag handgun. There are heavier and better constructed ones in more recent years, which keep this heavy middleweight in the running.
The 45-70 is without peer, if you want heavy bullets at deer hunting velocities. You do not need heavier with this caliber unless the game get's mean and nasty. At that point it will still hold it's own.
As far as recoil, only when you get into the heavy loads, will it become much of a problem. But that opinion comes from someone who shot 80 rounds of 300 Win mag today.
Best of luck on the Marlin. They are a great gun.
larry
03-21-2010, 05:03 PM
#15
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 5
Thanks for all the replies. I really like my brothers 30-30, I was just curious how the handgun loads compared. I think a levergun in 30-30 will be perfect for my needs as I probably won't need to shoot beyond 200 yards where I will be hunting in northern Michigan. It is heavily wooded with some clearings but not like out west. I have a bolt action 30-06 for long distance shots but that would be overkill.
Last edited by weldit; 03-21-2010 at 05:26 PM.
03-21-2010, 05:40 PM
#16
Spike
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 5
Weldit,
I am in southern Michigan, where a 50 yard shot is a long one and most of that is done with a 44 handgun or shotgun.
After 40 years of active shooting, I have come to learn that with each new cartridge debut, there is still little new under the sun.
I traverse the northern parts of this state, often on foot, with everything from a 32-20 to a 45-90. Most always in a levergun or some kind of single shot.
In fact, there are few times in my life, when there is not a levergun - often in 30-30 - within reach. Even as we speak, one in 44 mag, stands it's post in the recesses of my office.
Larry
I am in southern Michigan, where a 50 yard shot is a long one and most of that is done with a 44 handgun or shotgun.
After 40 years of active shooting, I have come to learn that with each new cartridge debut, there is still little new under the sun.
I traverse the northern parts of this state, often on foot, with everything from a 32-20 to a 45-90. Most always in a levergun or some kind of single shot.
In fact, there are few times in my life, when there is not a levergun - often in 30-30 - within reach. Even as we speak, one in 44 mag, stands it's post in the recesses of my office.
Larry
03-21-2010, 05:51 PM
#17
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Rivesville, WV
Posts: 3,192
If you do not reload then the 30-30 or even the 44 magnum would be the best choice. Probably the 44 magnum is the best choice-you can shoot a bunch for less money with the 44 magnum.
If you are going to reload then I would go with the 45-70. That is one tough cookie to beat for ranges under 200 yards. The 45-70 will "get er done". I am not saying the 45-70 is limited to 200 yards. I am just saying that hunting in a woods situation the 45-70 has no real limitations.
Recoil is not really an issue with a 45-70 if you reload. Reload a 405 grain bullet and do not look back. You can push that 405 hard--and if you do then the recoil can get nasty. But there is no real need to push that 405 hard. 1400-1600 fps is a deadly combination on big game in the woods. And recoil at that velocity is not bad. Lordy Remington makes a load that putts out at around 1200 fps, and that is more than enough. Remember you are pushing one big chunk of lead. Tom.
If you are going to reload then I would go with the 45-70. That is one tough cookie to beat for ranges under 200 yards. The 45-70 will "get er done". I am not saying the 45-70 is limited to 200 yards. I am just saying that hunting in a woods situation the 45-70 has no real limitations.
Recoil is not really an issue with a 45-70 if you reload. Reload a 405 grain bullet and do not look back. You can push that 405 hard--and if you do then the recoil can get nasty. But there is no real need to push that 405 hard. 1400-1600 fps is a deadly combination on big game in the woods. And recoil at that velocity is not bad. Lordy Remington makes a load that putts out at around 1200 fps, and that is more than enough. Remember you are pushing one big chunk of lead. Tom.
03-21-2010, 06:02 PM
#18
Fork Horn
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location:
Posts: 282
By far, the most popular lever action caliber is the 30-30. It's pleasant to shoot, and you can get factory ammo from 125 grain HP through 170 FP. And the LeverEvolution ammo extends the range. But understand this: Lever actions like the Marlin 336 tend to like one load over another, seemingly more so than bolt actions. Mine happens to like the cheap blue box Federal 150's and the 125 HP Federals. And some shoot well with the 160 LE's and some don't.
I have a 308 and a 270, but I like the nostalgia thing about a 30-30, and that's what I hunt with in the big woods of northcentral PA. And lever actions are cool. At my camp we have Brownings, Remington's, Savages, and others. But everyone always want to check out my Marlin 336C.
I have a 308 and a 270, but I like the nostalgia thing about a 30-30, and that's what I hunt with in the big woods of northcentral PA. And lever actions are cool. At my camp we have Brownings, Remington's, Savages, and others. But everyone always want to check out my Marlin 336C.
04-27-2010, 10:50 AM
#19
Spike
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 14
I have the Marlin in 35 Remington, and shoot the leverevolution ammo. I would love to take it on my elk trip to CO this year, just because I love the rifle, but I don't think it would quite do the job on Elk?
The range wouldn't be an issue normally, where we hunt, cause it's pretty wooded. There's a couple spots that I may hunt that could present longer shots.....
Hmmm...maybe I could take my 7 mag AND my 35 Rem...
The range wouldn't be an issue normally, where we hunt, cause it's pretty wooded. There's a couple spots that I may hunt that could present longer shots.....
Hmmm...maybe I could take my 7 mag AND my 35 Rem...
04-27-2010, 12:33 PM
#20
Typical Buck
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Northern Indiana
Posts: 579
You can't go wrong 30/30 AND LeverEvolution as the guys said. IF you are serious about shooting a little over 100 yards, then go with that. IF you think you'll be under 100, I'd go with the 44 mag hands down! And let me tell you, a 44 mag lever gun is a freakin blast to shoot and play with! I own the 444 as well and it is mean at 150+ yards with LeverEvolutions, but they cost twice as much for literally the same job on a deer. As the one guy said, a dead deer is a dead deer!
You won't go wrong with either, but as you said, you have a 30/06, so grab that for 100 plus and get you a 44 mag lever gun and load it with LeverEvolutions for under 100!
Good luck!
You won't go wrong with either, but as you said, you have a 30/06, so grab that for 100 plus and get you a 44 mag lever gun and load it with LeverEvolutions for under 100!
Good luck!