Suggestions for a lever action?

[xsn10s]

Honestly I've been lusting after a .357 mag lever gun for decades. My first big game was taken with a Marlin Century Limited III in Alaska. Since you have a 30-30 already I'd lean towards either a .357 mag or 45-70. If you have a good revolver or pistol in 357 mag, or 44 mag for that matter, I'd get those cartridges. But if you expect to go after bears often I'd probably lean more towards the 45-70.

 

[Wyobohunter]

Honestly I've been lusting after a .357 mag lever gun for decades.

Same here. Or a .45 Colt, or a .454 Casull… One that shares ammo with one of my single action revolvers.

 

[77TMK]

The Rossi guns are fine.

 

[Hunter270Win]

For anyone wondering, Buffalo Bore .357 loads out of a lever action will take most all game in NA. The 180gr hard casts will penetrate through just about everything

 

[xsn10s]

Same here. Or a .45 Colt, or a .454 Casull… One that shares ammo with one of my single action revolvers.

I'd go either 45 colt or 45-70 in the Marlin then. Color me all green with envy lol.

 

[xsn10s]

The Rossi guns are fine.

I'd avoid Rossi lever rifles. I have experience with one that bulged brass. Google it. I'd stick with either a Marlin or Winchester. It's a shame too since I recall cowboy action shooters raved about them.

 

[Wyobohunter]

I'd go either 45 colt or 45-70 in the Marlin then. Color me all green with envy lol.

My 1895 Guide Gun is deadly. I’ve taken a couple of mule deer and an elk with it. A buddy borrowed it for a Kodiak bear hunt. Broke the front shoulder, passed through the body and broke the offside hip before stopping under the skin. My favorite load is a Cast Performance 405 gr. WLNGC over 48 gr. if H4198. Velocity is 1,920 fps and the darn thing shoots < 1 1/2” at 100 yds. I mounted a 4x scope just to test accuracy, it reliably hit me in the face though… The rifle normally wears an XS ghost ring.

 

[BackCountryMulies]

a 44 mag will do fine at those distances. I've killed a few deer, elk, and bears with mine, all shots have been less than 150 yards im running the 300 gr HSM pro hunters and they have passed through everything I have shot. I did recover 1 bullet from the bull in the picture my follow up shot was 85 yards quartering away hard it entered at the flank and I recovered it under the hide in front of the offside shoulder.
Not to throw another option at you but I acquired a 94Ae in 444 Marlin a few years back and it shoots great. no issues shooting to 300 yards with it.

 

[LeftyWilbury]

personally i'd opt for the 357 so i could also feed a 357 revolver. i loved my 45-70, it made big holes in things, but it wasn't tthhaattt much fun to shoot. well, it was fun, for the first five shots at the range. a threaded 357 lever gun would make for stupid fun w 38 spl ammo and a suppressor! and there's plenty of stout 357 loads out there from buffalo bore and underwood, plus black hill's honeybadger for hunting.

or a 45 colt because i want a 45 colt revolver.

 

[StupidLightweight]

Inside 125 or so yards, pistol calibers from a rifle-length barrel makes the most sense. Not only will a Marlin 1894 or Rossi/Winchester/Browning 1892 weigh less and be more fun to pack, it'll kick less as well.

1. 357 is hard to beat
2. If you want to be different, find a .327 Federal lever gun
3. .44 Mag or .45 Colt are tied in my mind

One of my favorite fun guns is a Browning B-92 in .44 Mag. I inherited from an uncle. That dinky action is delightful. I chopped the barrel at 16 inches to make it handier, but if you want to go all out, SBR an 1892 and rock a 12 or 14 inch barrel. A modern "trapper" would be as cool as it gets.

 

[xsn10s]

a 44 mag will do fine at those distances. I've killed a few deer, elk, and bears with mine, all shots have been less than 150 yards im running the 300 gr HSM pro hunters and they have passed through everything I have shot. I did recover 1 bullet from the bull in the picture my follow up shot was 85 yards quartering away hard it entered at the flank and I recovered it under the hide in front of the offside shoulder.
Not to throw another option at you but I acquired a 94Ae in 444 Marlin a few years back and it shoots great. no issues shooting to 300 yards with it.

Yeah a .444 Marlin would be another great option. A Ken Waters favorite.

 

[Scoutfan]

Your 30-30 will do everything you need,but I understand wanting something new and different.
My first thought would be buy a reloading setup with the money for when you get out.
Second thought a good 22 lever for plinking and small game.
I love my 45-70 and recoil is very easy with 405 grain factory loads that are low pressure for older trapdoors.
Whatever I got it would be 16 inch and threaded for suppressor use.
Don't forget about the savage 99 and Browning blr.
My 16inch 99 in 308 is a joy to carry and gives me more range than traditional lever calibers.
Bottom line is there is no wrong choice just pick what makes you happy.

 

[77TMK]

Wild idea: Winchester 1895 in .30-06

It is a lever gun, and it’s in a very versatile caliber with lots of whallop factor.

 

[Scoutfan]

Another great choice, but does it have more wallop than a 400+ grain 45/70? It must since some folks think speed is the only thing that kills

 

[SDHNTR]

You need a Savage 99 in .300 or .250 savage!

Other cool candidates would be a Browning BLR or Winchester 88 in .243.

 

[StupidLightweight]

You need a Savage 99 in .300 or .250 savage!

Other cool candidates would be a Browning BLR or Winchester 88 in .243.

Great guns, but again, his shots are inside 125 yards, a distance where pistol-caliber carbines shine.

This thread has me on the lookout for a Marlin 1894 project gun. Dang you, OP!

 

[Hoopleheader]

This is sage wisdom, but again the correct advice is to double down and get both.



And replace that sissy 30-06 with a .405 Win. Every red blooded American has to go through a Teddy Roosevelt phase. 405 win on the right compared to the useless and anemic 45-70.

 

[keystone112]

Just to be different, I’ll recommend a 444 Marlin. Especially if you can find one in the Outfitter 444P model.

With Superformance ammo, I am getting 2325 fps with a 265 grain bullet. Mine is a 444S model with a 22” barrel.

 

[CasNed]

Winchester 1885 in 350 legend or 45-70 maybe

 

[Athens]

Check out a Marlin M94. It will probably be used if you find one, but I know they're available in .357 mag. I have a M94 in .41 Rem Mag, and really love the thing. Very easy to clean from the breech, as you just un-screw the lever screw, drop the lever out and the bolt comes right out of the receiver with just a little thumb pressure back on the hammer as you slide it out. Next, you just pick the extractor out from the little stud hole that holds it in place. Then, just put it back together in reverse when the cleaning's done. Easy as pie. The Marlin M94 "cowboy" is a really cool looking little rifle, too, but they'll be a bit more spendy if you can find one of those. Good luck on your lever-gun hunt!