Jack of all trades lever gun.

[roOism]

Been looking at getting a Marlin levergun, for hunting/camping, shtf stuff, and because they’re cool. I know there’s no one round to rule them all, but I’m looking for a gun that won’t blow deer in half, but is also stout enough for larger game, elk and potentially moose. I’ve also had a bear encounter or two in my area (SE Idaho, lots of hilly areas and thick brush areas).

I know the 45-70 is probably a bit much for deer, but I have seen that people do hunt deer with it.

30-30 is of course the go-to round for deer, but not sure if it could handle bigger game.

.357 would be cool as it shares ammo with my revolver, and my wife could plink .38’s with it, but I have other plinking guns.

.44 mag I haven’t really considered, but if I did go this route I’d have to buy a matching pistol, naturally.

Of the above I’m leaning 45-70 first and .357 secondZ

Thoughts?

[boskone]

Maybe .30-30? It's got a long history of taking black bear and various deer, it's fairly common and reasonably mild-shooting. With round-nosed loads (which I expect are the norm, but I'm not sure) it bulls through brush pretty well.

I think it's kinda borderline for moose, but people have been doing it for a century or so.

[Dooms]

Honestly if you’re talking larger game (elk/moose/big bear) from a lever gun, you’re looking at at least .35 Remington. Even that is probably likely marginal. Better off with .45-70 heavy loads, .444 Marlin, or maybe .450 marlin.

That being said, if bigger game at more than spitting distance was on the menu, I’d probably go with a Browning BLR in .30-06, .300 win mag, or maybe 7mm rem mag.

Now, that in mind, I’ve had lever guns in .30-30 and .35 remington and if I was to buy another one I’d probably go .357 magnum or maybe .44 magnum. You get more rounds in the tube and a quicker throw to the lever making for a better SHTF gun and .38 special is relatively cheap so you can get plenty of practice. Both .357 and .44 mag are fine for deer/black bear at reasonable distances, though I don’t know about Moose unless you’re Elmer Keith.

[The Twizzler]

If you want to be a bit different. I know it's not a lever gun but maybe 30-40 Krag? It was at one time considered a good Elk cartridge and the feeding mechanism is way different. I always like to pick something a little out of the box.

[flybynight]

Just throwing this out there. What about the Winchester 71 ?

[RickOShea]

Since we're spending other people's money....


https://www.taylorsfirearms.com/long-gu ... askan.html












https://www.wildwestguns.com/wwg-co-pilot-44-mag/

[JeeperCreeper]

.30-30 is my answer to a "jack-of-all-trades" round in a lever gun.

-cheap... As cheap as $7-12 per box of 20 at times
-great on deer and hogs to 100-150 yards pretty easily
-have been used on moose and elk, although not ideal
-can be found everywhere

I have the Marlin 336Y, weighs like 5 pounds, 16" barrel, short LOP, and cheap.

I would highly recommend the 336Y for many reasons.

[roOism]

Thanks for the input folks. I think 30-30 is the route I’ll go. Wasn’t sure if it was stout enough for bigger game, but it sounds like it can handle anything I’d hunt in my area.

[raptor]

I have a Rossi 92 in .357 that I use as a woods gun. It is more than capable of dealing with the feral hogs I encounter. I have no doubt it can handle deer and similar size game. I use buffalo bore 180 grain ammo and it is quite effective. Any .357 round in the 16 inch barrel will be a very effective self defense round out to 200 yards.

However, I really think this combo is 100 to 150 firearm.
I believe the good old 30-30 is an excellent all around load for a lever action. Especially when coupled with ready leverrevolution rounds that are ballistically more efficient. Then get some buffalo bore 180 grain heavy rounds and I believe you will have a very versatile rifle.

[minengr]

I know this isn't much help, but as the owner of all three, I vote for one of each. When I lived in NV my 357 trapper was my "truck" gun. Looking back, it probably wasn't the best of choices for the wide open spaces of NV, but man that thing is handy. Even the hottest of 357 loads were fun to shoot, but with a limited range.

If I was looking for a bit more distance, the 30-30 with a xs scout scope mount is a pretty sweet setup. Coupled with the Hornady leveroution(sp) rounds it's a nice combo.

That being said, my favorite lever is my stainless guide gun. I've swapped out a few things with WWG parts.

I've also got a 1892 in 45 Colt I'm still fitting a stock to.

[brothaman]

I didn't get to this post in time to be of any real help, but i like the 30-30 a lot. I've shot and loaded a lot of 30-30 I have the 16 inch youth gun. A single shot. I've had Contender barrels. A 16" - 20" lever rifle is a SOLID 200 yard gun. 250 if you're a shooter. If I could only have 1 lever gun I'd have a stainless 30-30 in a 20" or 24" gun over a 45-70 any day. Not a knock on the 45-70, but the 30-30 meets my needs more completely.

[Mad Mike]

I'd avoid oddball rounds such as the .348 - ammo is not readily available - and very expensive at that.....

[roOism]

Checked the local shops and one place had a stainless model in stock about $50 cheaper than the local big box stores ($619 vs $670, and way better customer service I might add). Went ahead and put it on layaway so I can pick it up after Christmas.

My buddy of course got jealous, and found someone locally selling a used gun blued one for $375, so now we just need some Stetsons and cowboy revolvers, lol.

[parabarbarian]

I would say a stainless 1894C is a very good choice for a "walkabout" rifle.

[JF89]

Since we're spending other people's money....


https://www.taylorsfirearms.com/long-gu ... askan.html












https://www.wildwestguns.com/wwg-co-pilot-44-mag/

That is blasphemous. No rails on leverguns, you heathen.

[boskone]

Since we're spending other people's money....

https://www.taylorsfirearms.com/long-gu ... askan.html





https://www.wildwestguns.com/wwg-co-pilot-44-mag/

That is blasphemous. No rails on leverguns, you heathen.

No rails? But, I see two right there...?

[JF89]

Since we're spending other people's money....

https://www.taylorsfirearms.com/long-gu ... askan.html





https://www.wildwestguns.com/wwg-co-pilot-44-mag/

That is blasphemous. No rails on leverguns, you heathen.

No rails? But, I see two right there...?

That has to be a sick joke.

[RickOShea]

That is blasphemous. No rails on leverguns, you heathen.

I have a "rail" on one of mine, and it works just fine. To each his own, fuck you very much.

[JF89]

That is blasphemous. No rails on leverguns, you heathen.

I have a "rail" on one of mine, and it works just fine. To each his own, fuck you very much.

[91Eunozs]

That is blasphemous. No rails on leverguns, you heathen.

I have a "rail" on one of mine, and it works just fine. To each his own, fuck you very much.

“Like”

[flybynight]

That is blasphemous. No rails on leverguns, you heathen.

I have a "rail" on one of mine, and it works just fine. To each his own, fuck you very much.

The pump gun. Is that a IMI timber wolf ?