KYwhitetail606
FNG
- Joined
- Apr 3, 2024
- Messages
- 52
Hello, I post quite a bit here, but that has a lot to do with the wealth of knowledge on here. In the world of tikkas and trijicons there are also lever guns.
I was wanting to get a lever gun to chase whitetails and black bears in the mountains next to my house in Kentucky. Shots are 100-125 (imagine Appalachian mountains) and in, maybe even less depending on where I’m hunting, but I cannot decide on caliber. I have a Winchester model 94ae 30-30 I bought at a pawn shop years back, but I’m wanting something new.
I’ve decided on Marlin Sbl series due to the weather resistant stainless, laminate, tritium sights and threaded barrel for a suppresser. Now I just need to decide on a caliber.
357
30-30
44 mag
45-70 Gov
I understand they all have their advantages. The 357 and 44 mag is lighter, shorter, and holds more rounds, but can be limited by range. I know a lot of people are not fans of pistol cartridges in rifles. I could also pair it with a revolver at some point because why not? The 30-30 shoots flatter, but that’s not a huge deal. A 30 caliber bullet has a higher chance of deflecting if it hits a twig. The gun is also heavier and longer as it’s built off the same action as the 45-70. Holds less rounds also. If I'm some where I think a long shot may be present I’ll grab the tikka or model 70. The 45-70 is a thumper, has the cool factor, shoots a little flatter than the pistol calibers, but the gun weights 30% more and ammo costs roughly 30% more as well. Also kicks like a son of a gun, and I’m just curious if that’s necessary if moose, elk, and no big bears are a concern.
What’s everyone’s opinion?
I was wanting to get a lever gun to chase whitetails and black bears in the mountains next to my house in Kentucky. Shots are 100-125 (imagine Appalachian mountains) and in, maybe even less depending on where I’m hunting, but I cannot decide on caliber. I have a Winchester model 94ae 30-30 I bought at a pawn shop years back, but I’m wanting something new.
I’ve decided on Marlin Sbl series due to the weather resistant stainless, laminate, tritium sights and threaded barrel for a suppresser. Now I just need to decide on a caliber.
357
30-30
44 mag
45-70 Gov
I understand they all have their advantages. The 357 and 44 mag is lighter, shorter, and holds more rounds, but can be limited by range. I know a lot of people are not fans of pistol cartridges in rifles. I could also pair it with a revolver at some point because why not? The 30-30 shoots flatter, but that’s not a huge deal. A 30 caliber bullet has a higher chance of deflecting if it hits a twig. The gun is also heavier and longer as it’s built off the same action as the 45-70. Holds less rounds also. If I'm some where I think a long shot may be present I’ll grab the tikka or model 70. The 45-70 is a thumper, has the cool factor, shoots a little flatter than the pistol calibers, but the gun weights 30% more and ammo costs roughly 30% more as well. Also kicks like a son of a gun, and I’m just curious if that’s necessary if moose, elk, and no big bears are a concern.
What’s everyone’s opinion?
