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Posted: 9/12/2003 1:28:53 PM EDT
What caliber is the best all around in terms of usefulness for a lever gun? 30-30, 45-70, 357, or 44? For self defense and hunting.
Link Posted: 9/12/2003 1:48:40 PM EDT
[#1]
I like 30-30, has about the same ballistics as 7.62. Easy to find and reload. I do want a Marlin guide in 45-70 though.
Link Posted: 9/12/2003 2:04:57 PM EDT
[#2]
My dad has the stainless Marlin 45-70. Awesome rifle! That's why I'm leaning toward a Marlin lever gun as my next purchase.
Link Posted: 9/12/2003 2:43:43 PM EDT
[#3]
I like the Old Marlins in .35 Rem.

The ones without that darn push button safety!

MM419
Link Posted: 9/12/2003 2:51:13 PM EDT
[#4]
The 30WCF has probably harvested more game than anything except the 22 and buckshot. It's relatively inexpensive, available in a large variety of charges and bullet weights, you can find them anywhere and is pretty accurate. Hard to beat. I guess that's why it's been around as long as it has.
Link Posted: 9/12/2003 6:22:14 PM EDT
[#5]
I think the 30/30 is a great cal. rifle.  I have a lever action .22 my grandpa gave me years ago and it's a fun gun to shoot.
Link Posted: 9/12/2003 6:29:51 PM EDT
[#6]

Quoted:
The 30WCF has probably harvested more game than anything except the 22 and buckshot. It's relatively inexpensive, available in a large variety of charges and bullet weights, you can find them anywhere and is pretty accurate. Hard to beat. I guess that's why it's been around as long as it has.



Sorry but what does the WCF stand for in 30WCF?
Link Posted: 9/12/2003 6:53:28 PM EDT
[#7]
"W"inchester "C"enter"F"ire if I am not mistaken...
Link Posted: 9/13/2003 2:31:10 AM EDT
[#8]
I like my model 94 in 30/30,but kind of lean toward my lever action savage in .308 Win!

  Either one will do the job(both are .308)!
 Bob
Link Posted: 9/13/2003 2:37:30 AM EDT
[#9]
.45 mo-funkin-70.

2 leggers, 4 leggers, and guaranteed on zombies and space aliens.
Link Posted: 9/13/2003 6:58:30 AM EDT
[#10]

Quoted:

Quoted:
The 30WCF has probably harvested more game than anything except the 22 and buckshot. It's relatively inexpensive, available in a large variety of charges and bullet weights, you can find them anywhere and is pretty accurate. Hard to beat. I guess that's why it's been around as long as it has.



Sorry but what does the WCF stand for in 30WCF?



As Hero said. The original name for the 30-30. Got dropped because other makers didn't want a competitors name on their guns. Kinda like Colt calling the 38S&W 38 Colt New Police or Glock dropping the SiG from 357SiG.

Still a great all around cartridge.
Link Posted: 9/13/2003 8:34:54 AM EDT
[#11]
The 30/30 has most likely killed (legally) more game than any other catridge out there. Easy to find, hardly any recoil, various bullet weights are available, etc.

I'd still like a Marlin 336 in .35 Rem though as it offers more "thump" with 200grn pills, and a little longer range too.
Link Posted: 9/14/2003 2:39:56 AM EDT
[#12]
The .44Mag is the most "usefull" lever gun caliber. It holds 10 rounds, making it suitable for plinking or self defense. With 300 Grain ammo it will take any animal on the planet.

The .45-70 would be my choise if the guide had a higher capcity.
Link Posted: 9/14/2003 3:41:31 AM EDT
[#13]
Link Posted: 9/14/2003 12:04:14 PM EDT
[#14]
The venerable 30-30.
Link Posted: 9/14/2003 12:11:55 PM EDT
[#15]
I like the .44mag.
very versatile  

You can load 'em up with a 240 grain bullet and a fast pistol powder like Win 231, it sounds like a pop gun, but at 1000-1100 fps, it's still has a thump !
Link Posted: 9/14/2003 12:19:06 PM EDT
[#16]
Marlin 444P, 18.5" ported barrel....in 444 Marlin.

I use Hornady 265gr Light Magnum loads.....haven't hunted with it yet, but my friend has and assures me they drop like a stone when hit CNS/Vital.

Link Posted: 9/14/2003 1:53:50 PM EDT
[#17]
I have the .44 mag stainless that is my camp gun.  It' will take any animal (2 or 4 legged) likely to explore my campsite, holds 10 + 1, is compact and handy and it is stainless so I don't need to worry about moisture right away.
Link Posted: 9/14/2003 6:27:13 PM EDT
[#18]
I'm a .357 man, and always will be!
Link Posted: 9/14/2003 6:37:34 PM EDT
[#19]
I voted 30-30, but I love my .35 Rem.
Link Posted: 9/15/2003 6:48:09 AM EDT
[#20]
I want to get a carbine in .357 myself.  Get a supressor on it and load some heavy slow bullets, with a good dot sight mounted.  

Tactical Levergun.  Good for neighborhood pest control.  Maddog50 here has a levergun in .30-30 that he had threaded and can put his .30 can on.  Subsonic loads sound like a pellet gun going off!

Link Posted: 9/15/2003 8:34:54 AM EDT
[#21]
Do you own a handgun in .357 or .44? That would help in your decision.  I have a .357 mag revolver that's my truck gun, and I bought a .357 mag lever action to be it's companion.  I always envisioned doing up a belt rig with the bullet loops & having a more modern holster to hold the relolver.
Link Posted: 9/15/2003 5:37:26 PM EDT
[#22]

Quoted:
Do you own a handgun in .357 or .44? That would help in your decision.  I have a .357 mag revolver that's my truck gun, and I bought a .357 mag lever action to be it's companion.  I always envisioned doing up a belt rig with the bullet loops & having a more modern holster to hold the relolver.



No, I only own a 1911. Cool thought though I don't think I could pull that look off.
Link Posted: 9/15/2003 5:56:11 PM EDT
[#23]

Quoted:
.45 mo-funkin-70.

2 leggers, 4 leggers, and guaranteed on zombies and space aliens.



Lumpy, stop it you're scaring me.  It seems your tinfoil hat has come loose...

Semi-seriously, just picked up a used 1895G.  You know when you shoot it, and so does the target.  I am tempted to either have the mag tube extended or cut 2" off the barrel so it looks "right".
Link Posted: 9/17/2003 10:46:58 AM EDT
[#24]
I like the 30/30 myself, although I wouldn't mind having one in .44, and one in .357, and one in .45-70.
Link Posted: 9/19/2003 12:30:34 AM EDT
[#25]
my .444

i'd use it on anything in the world..with the proper bullet design.
Link Posted: 9/19/2003 3:50:49 AM EDT
[#26]
I have a Marlin 336 in 30-30 and one in .35 Remington.  For some reason I always go with the 30-30 over the 35.

Oh yea, I agree with Minuteman419 about those damn push button safeties.  Neither of my Marlins have those gosh-awful safeties.
Link Posted: 9/19/2003 5:22:41 AM EDT
[#27]
Win 94 in 45 Colt.  Wanted 357 but couldn't find one.  Price was right on this one so I bit.  Fun gun, tho the Ruger only loads do kick just a bit.........

Link Posted: 9/20/2003 5:57:04 PM EDT
[#28]
Navy Arms .45 Colt Mod66 Yellowboy Carbine.

A great gun for Cowboy Action Shooting. Nice shooter and a real beauty to look at.
Link Posted: 9/20/2003 6:57:53 PM EDT
[#29]
I love my Winchester 94 Trapper in .45LC.  A lot of fun to shoot and would work great as a home defense gun.
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