one levergun?

azmark · Post by **azmark** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 7:52 pm

If you could only have one levergun, what caliber would you want, and why? It could be a long time before I might be able to get another one. It may even postpone getting a handgun indefinitely.

gon2shoot · Post by **gon2shoot** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 8:10 pm

I'd have to say 45colt, easy to find componets for, you can load from mild to wild, and I like em.

WCF3030 · Post by **WCF3030** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 8:12 pm

30-30.

cplater · Post by **cplater** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 8:31 pm

Hard to beat a .30-30 for versatility. Ammo is plentiful and relatively inexpensive. Handles cast bullets like a dream. With practice and quality loads you can reach out a far piece with it or load in down for bushy tails. Nothing wrong with other calibers and if pistol calibers is your thing, then a .357 has a lot going for it. You can't reach out as far but then you may not need to.

Jeff Pitts · Post by **Jeff Pitts** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 8:42 pm

Well, if you aren't planning on getting a revolver as a companion, AND you live in Arizona, it'd be tough to beat a 30-30!

Jeff

guido4198 · Post by **guido4198** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 8:46 pm

If I was starting out...with no "history" to consider about leverguns owned by my Dad, etc...
I'd want a Marlin 45/70 to be my first. My preference would be a Guide Gun...your's may differ...but definitely the 45/70 cartridge.

Scott64A · Post by **Scott64A** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 8:56 pm

I'd want the very same gun I have: a Win model 64A in .30-30.

It serves almost every need I could conjure up, and carries well in the field.

Lastmohecken · Post by **Lastmohecken** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 8:59 pm

I recond my first choice would be an older Steel Framed Browning BLR in .308 Win. Because I can do more with it. With a scope I make 300yds shots easy. It's got enough power for about anything I will probably be hunting and accuracy to take advantage of the ranging qualities of the .308 Winchester, and it really is no heavier or longer then many traditional leverguns. And I have confidence in it, based on fifteen years of using it.

However, I would surly miss my Pre-64 model 94 Winchester 30/30, not to mention the many others I own. And for an all around tradition leveraction, If I had to go that way, would probably be a Marlin 45/70 with a 22 inch barrel, because I could load it up or down for anything in North America and still purchase factory ammo fairly eaisly, and I could scope it, which is a big factor with me, if I have to rely on it for all of my hunting. And I could get by with a Marlin 30/30 with a scope. I like to use ironsights, but not to the total exclusion of a scope, my eyes are not that good when it has to count, espacally in low light, long range etc.

Longfin · Post by **Longfin** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 9:05 pm

The old time proven 30-30 would be my first choice. Nothing in Georgia that the 30-30 could not take care of in fine fashion.

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 9:06 pm

If mostly small game, plinking, home defense, and ammo cost a concern - I'd opt for a .357 Magnum. Marlin if you like scopes, Puma if you don't.

Although .357 is fine for deer (many folks I know have taken them with 180 grainers using handguns), if my main purpose was deer, I'd go for the .44 Magnum. Marlin or Puma.

Both combine with handguns with ammunition compatibility. The .45 Colt or .454 Casull can do the same or more (respectively) as a .44 Magnum, but you'd want to be a reloader due to ammunition cost and to maximize flexibility.

Nothing wrong with the 'rifle' rounds .30-30, .35 Rem, .45-70, .444 and so on, but pricier to shoot the bigger powder/bullet combos, and not many .30-30 handguns around except the breakopens.

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 9:09 pm

30WCF, .30-30 or thurty-thurty, anyway you cut it, it'll cut it!

JerryB · Post by **JerryB** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 9:20 pm

Well sir I reckon as well as I like my old 92 32-20 and my new Rossi 92 .357 I will have to concur and go on record with Griff and the others and say 30-30 WCF,though there are only four in the safe.

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 9:23 pm

I would choose a Marlin 336 of some type in 30-30. It is ready for a peep sight, conventional scope, or scout rig. The 30-30 round is versatile and effective. It is very hard to wear a Marlin out and I have seen some very abused ones that still worked and shot well.
They are short, light, and affordable. I still see good used ones going for around $200. You can shoot them out to 200 yards without being an advanced rifleman and that will cover a lot of situations.

GANJIRO · Post by **GANJIRO** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 9:30 pm

The first levergun I ever lusted after as a young teen was a Marlin 1894 in 44 magnum, and it was my first levergun and is still my favorite levergun and I wouldn't change a thing if I had to start all over again.

BenT · Post by **BenT** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 9:36 pm

I don't understand the question. I understand the levergun part ,but not the one.

redeux · Post by **redeux** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 9:36 pm

i thought about this for quite some time having had 30wcf , 45-70 , 348 win , 308 , etc....
i finally ordered a marlin 1894cb in 45 colt because it will take almost anything i would want to hunt in america out to about 250 yards with a good quality handload and the proper bullet...
i'm seeing some shooters safely moving the 300 gr fp slug at over 1600 fps ...
that should do it for any softskined game...

Mike S. · Post by **Mike S.** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 9:46 pm

I've grown pretty attached to my .45 colt.

JReed · Post by **JReed** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 10:00 pm

In all honesty I only have one lever and it just happens to be a 94 trapper in .45colt.

Now its my only lever but I have other rifles for longer shots and small critters.

Swampman · Post by **Swampman** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 10:10 pm

Probably my Glenfield 30 in .30-30....or a Marlin 336 in .30-30. As to the why? It's all anyone really needs.

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 10:11 pm

Only one? A Marlin 39 Mountie. You can shoot .22's all day long for what you could shoot a hour's worth of anything else (and some 10 minutes worth!).

But it really depends on what you plan to do with "the one". Hunting, probably a .30-30. Plinking and small game, the .22. Larger game, a .45-70. In between, a .44 Magnum, .45 Colt, or .357 Magnum.

That is the beauty of the lever-action - so flexible!!!

jazman · Post by **jazman** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 10:19 pm

I really like the .357 Rossi. Fun to shoot, .38 works too. I don't reload and ammo is easy to find and pretty cheap.

rjohns94 · Post by **rjohns94** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 10:25 pm

Hmmmmm. Favorite calibers are .22lr (got a marlin 39tds), .44mag (got a marlin 1894P), and .45-70 (marlin 1895). But I can't argue with the 30-30 crowd. Problem is I can't use a centerfire for small game in this state. I have a Stevens single shot so I could forego the 39TDS, and I have two sharps, so I could forego the .44 and 45-70, but for me, I guess I would choose the .44 mag to go with the .44 sp Colt saa.

danthegunman · Post by **danthegunman** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 10:32 pm

It has to be a Winchester 1894 30-30 Trapper.

It's short enough for deep woods hunting, and w/ Hornadys new ballistic tip I can reach out and tough something.

CEMENTHEAD · Post by **CEMENTHEAD** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 10:41 pm

Definately a 45-70, Preferably a Marlin Guide Gun, like Paco says, "from Elves to Elephants"!

Thanks, Tom

SoupOrMan · Post by **SoupOrMan** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 11:51 pm

I've got my one and only already, the Puma 92 in .357. Now all I need to do is get it outfitted the way I'd like it and I'll be good to go.

(Though a Wild West Arms Bushwhacker in .457WW or .50 Alaskan would be a hoot and a half to own as well.)

71fan · Post by **71fan** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 11:52 pm

348 wcf.

Because of my name

And I can wack an elk out to 250 yards with confidence and authority.

And the M71 is the best levergun ever.

And it's a traditional cartridge.

And I can load it down to 357 mag cast levels for cheap fun.

(If my name wasn't 71fan, I would've probably gone with the 30-30 like most everyone else did.)

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Mon Dec 17, 2007 11:56 pm

71fan wrote:(If my name wasn't 71fan, I would've probably gone with the 30-30 like most everyone else did.)

Now, that was FUNNY!!!!

SmokeEater2 · Post by **SmokeEater2** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 12:19 am

Winchester 94 in .30-30.

Modoc ED · Post by **Modoc ED** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 12:29 am

Winchester Model 94, .30-30

Great all around rifle that will handle anything in the lower 48 for sure and probably even the upper 49th too and the Mid-Ocean 50th.

engravertom · Post by **engravertom** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 12:34 am

If it has to be a repeater, I would make it an 1886, 45-70, 28" half octagon,
shotgun butt, half mag, two position front sight, semi buckhorn rear sight, with tang mounted long range vernier sight. nice wood, a touch of engraving, and I'm all set.

I'll never own one, though I've handled a few very similar to that description!

All that said, I'll keep my #1 in 45-70, and call it very good!

Take care,

Tom

Post by **Old Savage** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 12:58 am

I suppose it would have to be the first one. 30-30 from 1990, 600 rds + through it.

Post by **Old Savage** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 1:02 am

But for greater all around potential. This 375 might be the ticket. Or a .308 model 88.

Grizzly Adams · Post by **Grizzly Adams** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 1:09 am

Winchester 94 in 30-30, without a doubt.

Last Spike · Post by **Last Spike** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 1:10 am

Just one levergun? Probably my 1957 model 94 in 30-30.

I suppose it would only last for a while before the buying frenzy got the better of me.

Ultimately, I'd have to say no thanks to just one levergun - I'm having way too much fun to give up any that I have now.

leverhunter · Post by **leverhunter** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 1:28 am

I'm torn between the Win 94 in 44 mag I have and the Marlin in 444 I want. Of course, my son who shoots would have the Win 94 30/30 and would let me borrow it now and again.
Likely the 44 mag would win out as it is arguably more versatile than the 444 for my use.

LeverBar · Post by **LeverBar** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 2:28 am

.38 WCF 1873, 26" octagon barrel, crescent butt plate, loaded with 13 cartridges.

Because it has such good karma! Family rifle from several generations back.

Because it shoots the same round as my Ruger Blackhawk Buckeye Convertible .38-40/10mm.

When I'm in the woods or in the desert carrying both of those, I'm in Heaven.

FWiedner · Post by **FWiedner** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 4:49 am

If you've got a good rifle, you don't need a pistol.

.30-30, no question about it.

Old Shatterhand · Post by **Old Shatterhand** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 5:50 am

I got only one real levergun: my Win 94 BB .375W, and it's good enough. I'd go with that.

Old Sh.

RIHMFIRE · Post by **RIHMFIRE** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 6:56 am

Model 94 AE 44 mag, case colered, checkered

which goes with the S&W 629 6"

Borregos · Post by **Borregos** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 7:43 am

A 30-30, it will do everything I want it to

KirkD · Post by **KirkD** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 8:42 am

Just one .... probably a vintage Winchester Model 1894 38-55 carbine. If I was allowed one for small game and one for large game, they would be a vintage Winchester 1892 32-20 with octagon barrel for small game, and an original Winchester 1886 45-70 extra light for larger game.

Blackhawk · Post by **Blackhawk** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 9:31 am

Guess I'm the odd man out again.

307 Winchester, followed closely by a BLR in 308, though I've never had one. But the 307/308 cartridge is my cup of tea.

If we we're picking just one rifle I'd choose a Springfield Scout in 308.

Johnny

Old Ironsights · Post by **Old Ironsights** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 9:51 am

Just one...

Lower 48 only: .357 1892

World: .45-70 Marlin or 1886.

Sixgun · Post by **Sixgun** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 9:59 am

30-30 Can loaded down to sparrows or up to bear. (little bears, of course!)

rock-steady · Post by **rock-steady** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 10:00 am

The one I could not do without is the Marlin 39A. I've killed everything from Bumble Bees to Boar Hogs with mine.

LeverBar · Post by **LeverBar** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 10:42 am

But I want my pistol!

Birdman · Post by **Birdman** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 4:20 pm

I will choose one and one only. I'll leave my 22 Henry along with my 22 revolver. I'll leave my 94AE along with my 44 revolvers. I gotta keep my 357 Trapper and 686.

jengel · Post by **jengel** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 4:31 pm

45-70. I can load from light 45 Colt performance to taking the Big 5 in Africa.

Dirty Dan · Post by **Dirty Dan** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 5:23 pm

Realistically, I concur with Blackhawk, 307 or 308. I don't own one, but a stainless BLR in 308 would do.

cjm135 · Post by **cjm135** » Tue Dec 18, 2007 7:17 pm

Well I have two, a 336 30-30 and a 1894 44 mag. The 44 mag would be the one I would have to go with since I have a NMSB Ruger in 44 mag.

Now if I didn't have either Marlin I would go with the Winchester 1895 in 7.62X54R. That would go nicely with my Mosin Nagant M44

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one levergun?

one levergun?

Just one!

One levergun

One lever?