RedHouse

That depends on the distance of the group....

Kerbouchard

I have a Winchester lever-action 30-30 and I love it. While I wouldn't consider it the 'ideal' home defense gun, I don't think a BG would like it much.

30-30 has indeed stood the test of time...plus they are great little rifles to shoot. So, out of your choices, I would go with the 30-30.

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buckeyeLCPL

I'll throw another vote out for a .30-30, just something nice about them.

As far as rifles for HD, I don't see the problem with using an AR for home defense, it actually won't overpenetrate as much as people believe in modern buildings.

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TX-JB

I'll rock the boat alittle and chose the 44mag lever gun, since it's the only one of the three I own. My mdl. 94 Trapper is a sweet shooting little rifle. Loaded with 44 specials it has minimal recoil, and could easily serve for home defense. Even though it has a 16" barrel, it is fairly hefty for such a compact rifle. I have taken deer and javalina with it using full power loads.

2nd choice would be the 30-30, but I am partial to lever guns....OMO

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palmgopher

finally a 44 mag voter....lol. I am kinda leaning more towards the lever action gun than a bolt action. to be honest I am wondering the pro's and con's of both the 3030 and the 44. I know that the 3030 has more power but is it really that much more and that much better? I currently have a 32 winchester special. love it but the ammo is getting harder and harder to find and is only a matter of time before it is a specialty ammo and way expensive. for this reason looking for another more popular and available round.

MR D

I have the Marlin 44 mag lever gun and it is great...

(and if I walk out the back door the neighbors don't get all jittery like they might with the AR)

I mounted a Williams receiver sight on it - and it takes the same fodder as a certain 629 I've been eye-balling

Dad took an Elk with his - in heavy brush

13 in the tube, fast action, only other I would consider is the Taurus 44 Mag pump action - but they are too long in comparison

raevan

I have had a 30-30 Winchester as my general purpose rifle for 45 years.
Dont let anyone kid you, it is good to hunt from Rabbits to Bear and possibly Elk if close enough with well placed shot. If you reload you can load 100gr,110gr, 150gr, 170 gr Spear bullets. I am sure that other manufactures may have other weight bullets that can be used as well. My go to rifle has always been my 30-30. I have others that serve other purposes.

To me the 30-30 is the most versitle of the three rifles you listed. I have killed animals from cotton tail rabbit to 250 lb Mule Deer. Just use the right bullet for whatever animal you are hunting.

enigmaone

I couldn't say it any better, 30-30, Ammo Anyware you go.

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snowdoctor

the 30-30 lever action is a great all purpose rifle. easy to find ammo, and can be used in numerous applications...defense, hunting, survival...
very hard to beat...

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Ram Rod

Interesting you'd throw a bolt action into the mix. I think your "general purpose" clause leaves quite a bit to be desired by one rifle alone, but with that in mind----I'd say the Ruger Mini-30 ranch rifle is what would fit all of your criteria, and in case you don't reload, the 7.62x39 ammo is readily available, and more economical than some others and I might add, almost identical to the 30-30 ballistics-wise.

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