Preferred Rifle and Caliber for Lever Action?

13502 Views 75 Replies 55 Participants Last post by Buckeye63, Aug 26, 2013

65108

Discussion Starter · Apr 3, 2013

Hey everybody!

I've been wantin a Lever Action for quite some time now, and I've been drooling over 'em all over the web for a bit now. One thing that I'm not sure about is what caliber I should get it in. I see a lot of people come to the range with 30/30s, and not many of anything else. I've seen 45/70s, even .22s, and I've heard of .357s, but 30/30 seems to be more prominent, at least in respect to what I see at the range.

What do you all prefer in your lever action? Is there a specific cartridge that out performs the others in a lever gun? Do you have one that you like more "just because"?

Also, is there a specific brand and model you all like? One I've been lookin at a lot lately is the Marlin 336C. A guy brought one like it to the range last week and I loved it.

Thanks for the input!

1 - 20 of 76 Posts

GetSmith

· #2 · Apr 3, 2013

What's its purpose? Home defense or hunting??? For home defense I favor the .357/.38. More capacity in the tube, little recoil with quicker follow up shots. Plus it's a great sidekick to my revolver. They are rarer/more expensive than the 30-30.

If huntings the game then go with the 30-30, bigger is better.

Reactions: 5

PEF

· #3 · Apr 3, 2013

I have the Marlin 1894 in both .357 and .44. Both the JM proofed true Marlins. I much prefer the .357/38. I'm not a hunter, so this is a "just because." It's a great plinker, and shooting .38's out of it is like shooting a pop gun. A very lethal pop gun, mind you.

For Rimfire I prefer the Henry H001. I have Marlin 39A's, Henry H001, a Henry Goldenboy, a Browning BL-22, and a Winchester 9422. For some reason the H001 makes me feel most like a kid again. Added bonus - it's the least expensive of all of them

Reactions: 1

65108

Discussion Starter · #4 · Apr 3, 2013

Its immediate purpose is, well, FUN!

Really it could serve as both HD and hunting if I wanted, but I have both HD and hunting covered with other guns.

Reactions: 2

OD*

· #5 · Apr 3, 2013

For just pure fun, it's hard to beat a levergun in .22 S, L, and LR.

Reactions: 5

Nebraska12

· #6 · Apr 4, 2013

30-30...pricy, but fun to shoot!

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

TailRunner

· #7 · Apr 4, 2013

Same as PEF, Henry Lever Action .22S/L/LR, shoots all three and inexpensive for a lever gun. I live on a small acerage and bought some 22 shorts to test behind the house in the woods, not much louder than a pump pellet gun. Loads of fun and affordable. Spent rounds eject out the side leaving room to mount a scope if you desire.

Reactions: 3

G-man*

· #8 · Apr 4, 2013

Like mentioned a 22 is hard to beat. But if you handload, a handgun cartridge is almost as hard to beat.

Reactions: 3

65108

Discussion Starter · #9 · Apr 4, 2013

Well, for .22LR action I have a 10/22 that is loads of fun. I guess I should've mentioned that I specifically do NOT want a lever in .22. But I do love plinkin with my 10/22!

Alex_C

· #10 · Apr 4, 2013

I have a Henry H001 in .22 s/l/lr and it is amazingly fun to plink with. Hadn't shot my semi-auto .22lr since buying the Henry, and actually just sold it a week or two back.

If not .22, I think it would be a hard choice between a .357 or a 30-30.

jbum

· #11 · Apr 4, 2013

Just for fun .22 for a good all around caliber thudy-thudy. YMMV

Reactions: 1

65108

Discussion Starter · #12 · Apr 4, 2013

So far it's lookin like 30-30 or .357. Since those were the two I was mainly considering, I'd say I just need to make a decision now.

Any other ideas about model?

jbum

· #13 · Apr 4, 2013

pittypat21 said:
So far it's lookin like 30-30 or .357. Since those were the two I was mainly considering, I'd say I just need to make a decision now.

Any other ideas about model?

Find an older 336 and you will be in love.

Reactions: 3

Taurahe

· #14 · Apr 4, 2013

I would go with one in 30-30 and a second in .357. My first choice would be .357, as you cant hunt deer with a high power rifle in Indiana, but you can use a rifle chambered for certain handgun cartridges

Reactions: 1

Snub44

· #15 · Apr 4, 2013

...I found a clean, little used 1976 336...made the old way...love it...wouldn't have one with the crossbolt safety...nor the new ones...

Reactions: 5

Kilowatt3

· #16 · Apr 4, 2013

Mine's a 336W in .30-30. It's scoped with a Nikon Pro Staff 3-9x50mm for hunting pigs. For hunting, 160 gr. LeveRevolution is unbeatable!

high pockets

· #17 · Apr 4, 2013

Go with a pistol caliber if you have any desire to try Cowboy Action Shooting. I have a Marlin 1894C in .45LC, and it's reeal fun to shoot. It goes well with my 1873 pinch frame Colt replicas, as well.

RETSUPT99

· #18 · Apr 4, 2013

I'll take, "Marlin 30-30" for $400...

Reactions: 2

10thmtn

· #19 · Apr 4, 2013

If I'm grabbing my rifle, I want it in a true rifle caliber. .30-30 for me as well. I don't find recoil with 170 gr JSPs to be all that bad at all. 6+1, plus another 10 rounds in the butt cuff. Works for me. :yup:

Reactions: 4

Snub44

· #20 · Apr 4, 2013

...THEN ya gotta get: Galati International: Rifle Bandoleer - Holds 80 Rounds - Galati Gear

...or not...I've got a couple...not too heavy full (two for shotgun, too...1 in 20, 1 in 12)

Reactions: 1

1 - 20 of 76 Posts

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