What is your favorite Cartridge - lever gun

Boreman · Post by **Boreman** » Sun Aug 30, 2009 7:11 pm

I have to go with the best levergun ever made

The awesome M-71/348 Win combo. I have 4 of them. There is something about them makes my heart beat a little faster whin I pick one up and sholder it. Ahhaaaaaaaaaaaa !!!!!!

2ndovc · Post by **2ndovc** » Sun Aug 30, 2009 7:19 pm

.22lr
.32-20
.45-70

jb

FWiedner · Post by **FWiedner** » Sun Aug 30, 2009 7:32 pm

.357
.356
.45/70

moosemike · Post by **moosemike** » Sun Aug 30, 2009 7:50 pm

.32 Winchester Special.

Gary · Post by **Gary** » Sun Aug 30, 2009 7:54 pm

Anyone want to volunteer to tally up the scores?

L_Kilkenny · Post by **L_Kilkenny** » Sun Aug 30, 2009 7:59 pm

Man this topic just begs for trouble.....

I have a hard time in my mind seperating "favorite" from "if I could only have one". The answer could very well likely be different. Also, givin equal availability of cheap ammo my choice would be different. All I have had is 30/30's and .22lrs. Arm twist time......my favorite would have to be the 22LR. But thats just for the cheap, loaded ammo. Tell me I can have a lifetime supply of ammo for any lever gun I wanted and I'd go nuts trying to figure out what I wanted.

My want list includes a .22Mag, .357, .218 Bee (or .25-20) and a .32 mag.

LK

Post by **Chuck 100 yd** » Sun Aug 30, 2009 8:14 pm

I am gaining on Griff. I have a dozen or so .30-30`s ,so I will say the .30-30.

the telegraphist · Post by **the telegraphist** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 4:07 am

I,m with you driftwood, purely nostalgia not for hunting, the
44WCF is totally pure fun and pleasure. Joy to reload and accuracey to spare outa a good 73 or clone.

Leverluver · Post by **Leverluver** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 4:44 am

little varmints

32WCF
30-40
44 mag

Big varmints

348 (regular and AI)
405
45-70

Borregos · Post by **Borregos** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 5:05 am

45-70

mad mucus · Post by **mad mucus** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 5:17 am

.45 Colt

Jayhawker · Post by **Jayhawker** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 9:53 am

Not much doubt about this one. My favorite is the 444 Marlin.

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 10:40 am

Gary wrote:Anyone want to volunteer to tally up the scores?

Here goes: (some listed more'n one as favs, they counted, some just mentioned, they didn't)
.22lr - 13
.25-20 - 1
.256W - 1
.30-30 - 14
.30-40 - 1
.308 - 1
.308ME - 1
.30-06 - 1
.32-20 - 5
.32WS - 0 (one negative vote here...)

.33WCF - 1
.348W - 4
.38/.357M - 10
.35Rem - 2
.356W - 5
.358W - 3
.38-55 - 3
.375W - 1
.38WCF - 1
.405W - 2
.40-82 - 2
.44WCF - 4
.44M - 4
.444M -1 (1 negative vote here...)

.45Colt - 4
.454Ca - 1
.45-60 - 1
.45-70 - 16
.50AK - 1
I think I got 'em all.

rjohns94 · Post by **rjohns94** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 11:34 am

How about that, I mentioned three of the four vote gitters: .22lr, .357, 45-70 and I just bought the other 30-30. Finally doing something right.

slimster · Post by **slimster** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 1:31 pm

Put me down as another vote for the 30-30. Been a fan forever. But I also have to throw a boost in along with Tutt for the 454. You can have a light, compact, quick handling carbine that can be loaded from milktoast to monster.

Hillbilly · Post by **Hillbilly** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 2:09 pm

I wont count the 22 LR (39 Marlin) as it's a given.

At least 8 30WCF Winchesters Marlins and even an odd Savage inhabit my safe right now...

But.. I rather shoot my 25-35 1894 Winchester SRC or the 94 Marlin 357 Carbine more that any of them

Mutt · Post by **Mutt** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 4:23 pm

Rifle = 30.30 lever 150 gr

Handgun = .45 long Colt 255 gr.

.................Mutt............

44magHunter · Post by **44magHunter** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 5:47 pm

My favorite cartridge has to be 44Rem Mag. 44 is so great for deer hunting that I don't use any other rifle. I really like the results I have gotten with it on whitetails. I would say that my favorite lever-gun is MY 1894 Marlin 44Mag. It is really great and I love to deer hunt with it.

jorgy · Post by **jorgy** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 6:40 pm

How come nobody has mentioned 40/70? My favorite followed by
44/40

tman · Post by **tman** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 7:19 pm

C. Cash wrote:Same old boring me, but I love my Big Bore 94 in 356 Win. Recoil is not punishing, it's scary accurate, totes like any 94 Win.(like a dream) yet is a little different with the 356 Win. cartridge and beefed up reciever walls. I like something a little different, though can't get away from the 94 Win. as it was my first love.

YOU STOLED MY BRAIN

my favorite also.

Sixgun · Post by **Sixgun** » Mon Aug 31, 2009 9:00 pm

Griff wrote:
Gary wrote:Anyone want to volunteer to tally up the scores?
Here goes: (some listed more'n one as favs, they counted, some just mentioned, they didn't)
.22lr - 13
.25-20 - 1
.256W - 1
.30-30 - 14
.30-40 - 1
.308 - 1
.308ME - 1
.30-06 - 1
.32-20 - 5
.32WS - 0 (one negative vote here...)
.33WCF - 1
.348W - 4
.38/.357M - 10
.35Rem - 2
.356W - 5
.358W - 3
.38-55 - 3
.375W - 1
.38WCF - 1
.405W - 2
.40-82 - 2
.44WCF - 4
.44M - 4
.444M -1 (1 negative vote here...)
.45Colt - 4
.454Ca - 1
.45-60 - 1
.45-70 - 16
.50AK - 1
I think I got 'em all.

Griff,
How did you know those guns were in my safe?

Oh! my vote goes to the 32-20, followed by the 30-30, 44-40, 38-55, and the grand ole' 45-70.-----------------------Sixgun

papabear · Post by **papabear** » Tue Sep 01, 2009 8:30 am

first is my 35 marlin then the 375 marlin and finally my 30/30 marlin that i just picked up got it for the wife and daughters to shoot pictures to follow soon

71fan · Post by **71fan** » Tue Sep 01, 2009 7:06 pm

jorgy wrote:How come nobody has mentioned 40/70?

Because rifles start at $2k and dies are about $150, then there's the brass...

Sort of takes the joy out of it for most common folk like me

I like it too, but I can't say it's my favorite.

I'm going with 30-30. It's just so darn utilitarian how could you not love it? If you asked me to pick my second favorite I'd have a problem.

Pathfinder09 · Post by **Pathfinder09** » Tue Sep 01, 2009 11:28 pm

HEY!!!!!!!!!!

.348 Winchester, if I have to name one.

Ray Newman · Post by **Ray Newman** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 1:40 am

.35 Rem, .45-2.1" (AKA .45-70), & .45 Colt.

Bullard4075 · Post by **Bullard4075** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 7:53 am

40-65 Win wasn't even mentioned !!

TNBigBore · Post by **TNBigBore** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 10:10 am

357
35 Rem
45-70

TuPapito · Post by **TuPapito** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 10:28 am

My 45/70 is great fun, but the one that gives folks the biggest smile and most satisfaction is the 1894 AE chambered for .44 Magnum. Hoots and hollers all around.

wm · Post by wm » Wed Sep 02, 2009 10:34 am

30 WCF......just because it is the exotic, sexy choice.

Wm

Travis Morgan · Post by **Travis Morgan** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 1:21 pm

.357 is starting to get the nod more and more. I'd like it more in a handgun if it weren't so dang loud. Out of a levergun, a .357 will do about anything a .30-30 will. Too bad it's harder to find good pointy bullets for it without going into heavyweight range.

That said, I own ONE .357 and more .45 Colts than I could comfortably carry. Since I cast my own bullets and load my own ammo the ammo cost difference is somewhat negligeable, making the .45 Colt much more affordable for me to shoot, but for a long day's shooting afield, I'd definitely think hard on the .357 for the huge weight savings. Also, whenever I'm teaching someone new to shoot, the .357 comes out. The .45 Colt, not so much. Same with the .45 auto. In fact, with all the new shooters I've introduced lately, I'm finally considering buying a lowly 9mm or at least a .40. (YUCK! Double YUCK!) But for a levergun that'll make a little noise in a centerfire, the .357 is a pretty good beginner gun that you could actually hunt deer, hogs, or whatever with, at beginner distances.

SJPrice · Post by **SJPrice** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 2:27 pm

The 50-110 is also missing and would be on my list, but my top would be the 45-70. The 1886 Winchester is, in my opinion, the finest lever action ever and the 45-70 is the most versatile caliber for it.

Brian in FL · Post by **Brian in FL** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 6:02 pm

This is an easy one for me. My favorite is the .35 Remington without a doubt. It was my first centerfire Marlin, and I recently added a second to my battery. Second choice is kind of a tie between the .30-30 (I've got four) and my Marlin 1894C in .357 magnum.

marlin shooter · Post by **marlin shooter** » Wed Sep 02, 2009 6:25 pm

I shoot my marlin 1894c .357 the most but I pick the 30-30 in either a marlin 336 or Winchester 94 as my favorite. They did it right when they came up with this one.

a357lever · Post by **a357lever** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 9:30 pm

30-30 win

RKrodle · Post by **RKrodle** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 10:40 pm

I shoot my trapper in 45 colt the most but, my favorite is the 348 WCF. What a great round and rifle.

Mike Rintoul · Post by **Mike Rintoul** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 11:15 pm

50 Alaskan

86er · Post by **86er** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 11:16 pm

I've shot 3 of the Big 5 using an 1886 Win in 45-90. The ability to load it heavy and nearly equal the old N.E. cartridges makes it attractive and useful to me. A 450 gr solid at 2100 fps is nothing to snicker at. In the next stroke of the lever I could have a 300 gr travelling 2500 fps for smaller stuff. Heavy and faster than the 45-70 when needed but can/will fire 45-70's though it readily.

Old Time Hunter · Post by **Old Time Hunter** » Sat Sep 05, 2009 9:03 am

Probably .44 as in either .44 Mag or .444, they seem to be the ones I pull from the shed when hitting the field. Use the .45-70 quite often, but not my first choice due to the rifles being a bit unwieldly. Got a .405, .348, and .450M, but all of them have a bit too much snot for everyday field use. My .375Win is actually pretty good, so's the .356 and .307. The .44WCF is a bit too timid, great for paper or 'yotes though. Then again, the .30-30's will do everything I need 'em to do too. Decisions, decisions

Larry O · Post by **Larry O** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 11:50 am

I have three 40-82 rifles and love them all. I have killed more game tho with my old 45-90 Model '86. I guess that would be my mostest favorite rifle but right now am sort of falling in love with a M-'76 in 45-75 caliber.

greyowl · Post by **greyowl** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 12:07 pm

The 30-30 cartridge. I have become a big fan of the LE ammo in 30-30. It shoots very well from my 336 Marlin. The most accurate cartridge/ rifle combo I have had in a lever gun.

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 12:22 pm

Updated numbers:

Griff wrote:
Gary wrote:Anyone want to volunteer to tally up the scores?
Here goes: (some listed more'n one as favs, they counted, some just mentioned, they didn't)
.22lr - 13
.25-20 - 1
.25-35 - 1
.256W - 1
.30-30 - 22
.30-40 - 1
.308 - 1
.308ME - 1
.30-06 - 1
.32-20 - 6
.32WS - 0 (one negative vote here...)
.33WCF - 1
.348W - 6
.38/.357M - 13
.35Marlin - 1
.35Rem - 5
.356W - 6
.358W - 3
.38-55 - 4
.375W - 1
.38WCF - 1
.405W - 2
.40-65 - 1
.40-70 - 1
.40-82 - 2
.44WCF - 6
.44M - 7
.444M -2 (1 negative vote here...)
.45Colt - 6
.454Ca - 2
.45-60 - 1
.45-70 - 20
.45-75 - 0
.45-90 - 2
.50AK - 2
.50-110 - 0
I think I got 'em all.

(changes in red)

HATCHETTJACK · Post by **HATCHETTJACK** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 1:10 pm

45-70 without a doubt the finest caliber ever invented

win92 · Post by **win92** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 1:34 pm

No one mentioned the 7X30 Waters unless I missed it??
Its pretty close to the top of my list!
only lever rifle I ever killed a whitetail with (2 of em)

Gary · Post by **Gary** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 2:12 pm

Thanks Griff! Based on the census, it looks like I need to add the 45-75 to my humble collection of levers.

rjohns94 · Post by **rjohns94** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 7:39 pm

Gary, You wont be disappointed. I took a 1200 pound Yak with one and a near 200 pound porker with it too. A great cartridge. I used a Cimmaron 1876 and if I hadn't come by an original 1886, I would have certainly regretted letting that one go. Good luck with that.

Travis Morgan · Post by **Travis Morgan** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 9:48 pm

We've killed plenty of 200 lb. hogs. Stick a .22 in their ear and pull the trigger.

rjohns94 · Post by **rjohns94** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 9:50 pm

i am sure that will do it. just relaying my experience with the cartridge

Travis Morgan · Post by **Travis Morgan** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 10:06 pm

Just poking you a little; people hear "hog hunting", and decide they need a field cannon.

arjunky · Post by **arjunky** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 10:26 pm

30 WCF

38/55 a very close second.

Byron

rjohns94 · Post by **rjohns94** » Sun Sep 06, 2009 10:56 pm

I understand.