Any of the common lever calibers would make a fine do all gun depending on your location.  If you're not looking for handgun interchangeability that takes a little wind out of the sails of the handgun rounds. My choice would be my Marlin 357 because I'd pair it with a revolver.  No revolver I'd take my .30-30.  Light loaded cast all the up to full power gummy bullets fills a lot of roles.  .35 would be pretty similar but that's something you really need to reload for.

I had no problem deciding.  I use the 45-70 (lower left) and .45LC take down (upper right) more then any other.  And to break you heart, the camo one is a pre-64 (bought it that way from a pawn shop).

I've got a Browning 308 Lever .It is one that was made in Belgium.They made in Belgium for only 1 year.It is very accurate.

410 bore shotgun.  I picked up one of the Winchester 9410 back when they first came out.  Most fun lever gun I own.  Killed everything from Thumper to Bambi with it.  It's a lot of fun on the skeet field and freaks out the old timers.

just

I purchased a 1895GBL today in 45/70 to use as my do all for now. I still have my 336 in 30-30 so it now gives me the option to use either 30-30 or 45/70 depending on where I am going.

Good choice!

I hope you were able to get the Marlin rebate too.

I filled the info out but have to go back and get a reciept from the store. They didnt give me one when I was there and I forgot to get it. Should be $100

Agree.  This cartridge is a do all.  I own a Marlin JM stamped Guide Gun in 45-70

Here she is!

My 30/30 does it all.

If I seriously had to have one, to fit anything in my area plus anywhere else-- .45-70.  Plenty of reloading components, you can cast your own leads-- you can go from mild to wild. Everything from a .459 lead ball downloaded for small game, 405 leads at 1300 fps for deer- 300 grain at 2400 fps , 400 jsp at 2000, or 540 grain hardcast at 1500 fps  for ANYTHING alive on earth.

Looks beautiful!  I actually the way it looks better with the semi-buckhorn sights but my eyes shoot better with ghost ring sights so I added the XS Sight Rail to mine.  It's the black version of the 1895 SBL...

Nice! I plan to run these for a while and see how they are. I may end up swapping to the XS sights as well in the future though.

Looks like the big brother of my 336BL.

Nice gun OP! I have my Win 94 in 30-30 and was thinking of getting a carbine in 45LC. Already have some higher power rifles so I'd like a plinker.

If I had to keep One of my Lever guns as the Do All, it would be my Light Weight Stainless Takedown BLR in .308. It is head and shoulders more versatile than any of my other 6 lever rifles.

I would also vote the 30-30 unless there are bears around then it would be the 45-70. In the marlin guide gun.

This is what I have! Definitely a good "do all" cartridge plus its about as affordable and available as you can get in a rifle cartridge.

BLR in .308, or something in .44 Magnum


Currently in the hunt for a BLR myself for ammo compatibility

A real SHTF gun would be a 38/357 rifle with matching handgun you can take most game with one shoot and most hostile too.

I own a Rossi in 45lc and it's my favorite gun.

Very nice choice.


I love my 38/357 lever.  I have never deer hunted with it but figure with the right bullet that shouldn't be a problem.  Coyotes drop quick when hit with a 357 hollow point.

They are pretty rare, and to my knowledge Henry is the only one who makes one currently, but a 41 magnum lever action is a pretty good "all-around" caliber from where I'm sitting if you are a reloader.

I was fortunate to pick up a Marlin 1894s in 41 mag several months ago.

I had a Rossi 38/357 that I recently sold that took a nice little 6 point whitetail. Ran maybe 20 yards (out of sight and thought he ran a lot further than he did) but was not impressed with the lack of blood using a hollow point hunting bullet. Cast bullets would have fixed that though.

Yadda Yadda Blah Blah Bladdybla.

Best and most versatile, keep it simple. Keep Grandpa's 336 in the safe. Go down to Walmart and get you a Remlin 336W 30-30. Love mine.
No fancy finish to worry about. Metal is Matte instead of Glossy Blued. Wood is very functional and can be spiffed up if you want. But leave it
alone and it is very throw in the truckable. The Remlin 336W is a very economical beater that you just don't have to worry about.
The 30-30 round is powerful enough to take down just about anything on the North American continent close enough for a must survive situation.
It don't cost as much as the others, and don't cost as much to shoot as many of the others. Ammo is very available everywhere. Or you can reload if you want to.

45/70 is GREAT, but not cheep to shoot. I have a Remlin 1895 and love it,. but. Must reload.
444 is pretty good too, but can you find one, and can you find the ammo. Must reload.
35 Rem nice but very low ammo availability. Must reload
44 Magnum very nice. I love my Remlin 1894, but close range and ammo kind of pricey. Better to reload.
38/357 Magnum. Rossi is ok if you can find one, and don't have to pay a gunsmith to rework it to make it half way decent, but not made in the USA.
Henry Big Boy, love mine, and Big Boy Steal (the lighter one) are made with great quality, in the USA, and are smooth as butter. But people are hung up on the no loading gate. Costs more than a Rossi.
Marlin 1894 JM's are nice from what I hear, but just not worth the $900 to $1400 that JM fanatics have price gouged them to. I am waiting for Remlin to start producing them again.
All other 38/357 lever guns are just priced way the hell out of the ball park.
And, or Not Made In The United States Of America.