What are the "classic" levergun cartridges/calibers?

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 6:56 am

Or rather, what do YOU consider the "classic" levergun calibers?

Just noodling while lying here in bed recovering. When someone says "levergun" to me, my mind's eye immediately pictures a Winchester 94 in .30-30. Just the first thing that pops into mind.

Of course, after hanging out here for a few years, the first mental image is followed by a flood of others!

So, if someone says to you, ".45-70", do you first think of the 1886 Winchester, or the trapdoor Springfield?

For me, if someone says .45-70, .45-60, .45-75, .30-30, .44 Henry rimfire, .32-40, .32-20, .25-20, all of these instantly conjur up "levergun". Though I have several leverguns in .45 Colt, when someone says that round, I instantly think of the classic Colt SAA. Same with some other rounds like the .44 Magnum or .357 Magnum - yes, both are fine (excellent even) levergun cartridges, but I will first thing of the S&W double actions for them.

So, what caliber just says "levergun" to you? I bet I know which one comes up first for mod71alaska!!!

86er · Post by **86er** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 7:16 am

To me, levergun CARTRIDGES that come to mind first are always those that aren't or are rarely offered in any other kind of rifle. 444 Marlin, 348 Win, 356 Win, 307 Win, 25-35. 32 Win Special. Some of these are not classic based on age or longevity but to me they were always meant to be for leverguns by design and intent.

RIHMFIRE · Post by **RIHMFIRE** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 7:34 am

44-40.....is the classic cartridge.....to me anyways....
I guess because I watch alot of westerns.....
winchester 73....
anything John Wayne....
The Rifleman Chuck Conners...

and if your hunting....its the model 94 30-30

45-70....trapdoor Springfield ....George Armstrong Custard last stand...
got soundly whooped buy a bunch of Injuns shooting 44-40s
This happened on my birthday......thats why it sticks in my mind....

All the other rounds you mentioned
.45-60, .45-75, .32-40, .32-20, .25-20 Definately levergunner rounds
Dont see these rounds much around here in any other type of rifle...

.44 Henry rimfire,..I think of a gun show I went to in Lakeland Florida....
and there were about 8 henry rifles there.....all owned by by a couple
of old timers.....

.45 Colt ....Colt and cowboys.....
.44 Magnum Dirty Harry of course! .357 Magnum......... Smith and Wesson

Thunder50 · Post by **Thunder50** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 8:12 am

A 92 Win was my first levergun, so I would have to say 25-20,32-20, 38-40 and 44-40, along with the 45-70 and 30-30. After coming here, I know there are alot more, but those six come to mind first.

Old No7 · Post by **Old No7** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 8:18 am

Don't forget "my favorite", the...

.38-55

336CB in 38-55.jpg

Tight groups!

Old No7

[ Pix added to support my vote! ]

madman4570 · Post by **madman4570** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 8:24 am

Winchester 94, ( 30-30, 32 Win special) Marlin 336 (.35 Remington)

C. Cash · Post by **C. Cash** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 8:30 am

For me, it looks like this:

44/40 Win.
44 Mag.
30/30 Win. of course
35 Rem.
348 Win. and also 356 Win. as it can do about the same thing in a sleeker, more trim fashion.
45-70

That's it for me...those I consider to be the quintessential lever rounds, though I'm sure I've missed a few.

C. Cash · Post by **C. Cash** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 8:30 am

For me, it looks like this:

44/40 Win.
44 Mag.
30/30 Win. of course
35 Rem.
348 Win. and also 356 Win. as it can do about the same thing in a sleeker, more trim fashion.
45-70

That's it for me...those I consider to be the quintessential lever rounds, though I'm sure I've missed a few.

KirkD · Post by **KirkD** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 8:53 am

My own personal opinion is that a classic levergun cartridge is any cartridge that satisfies the following two criteria:

1. originally a black powder cartridge
2. chambered for in the Models 1873, 1876, 1886, or 1894.

The only exception to this would be the 30-30. It fails the first criterion, but it has earned the distinction of a classic levergun cartridge. I would also put the 348 and the 218 Bee in this category as well.

76/444 · Post by **76/444** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 9:19 am

The 44/40 screams classic lever to me, the most. But this is just the result of ads, talk, articles and reenactment types. Many more smaller calibers were probably more popular a hundred years ago. I just don't read much about them.

2X22 · Post by **2X22** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 9:22 am

Though I am a .44 guy, what screams 'classic calibers' to me is the 25-35, the 30 WCF and 38-55.

2x22

rangerider7 · Post by **rangerider7** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 10:17 am

Henry-44 rimfire
66-same
73-44-40
76-45-70
86-38-56 (cause I have one)
92-44-40
53-32-20
55-30-30
74-30-30
71-348
94-30-30

JB · Post by JB » Tue Oct 27, 2009 10:20 am

You've got to add the 250-3000 and 300 Savage. I first think of a Savage 99 when I hear either caliber mentioned.

GoatGuy · Post by **GoatGuy** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 10:32 am

Well, considering my age, interest and experience with these calibers, .30-30, 32 Winchester Special and 35 Remington. However, I still haul around my favorite late 70's .45-70 Marlin, "Ol' Never Fail", on most of my deer hunts.

Modoc ED · Post by **Modoc ED** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 10:40 am

.38-55; .30-30; along with many others.

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 11:55 am

44/40 closely followed by 30/30 is what springs to mind first BUT I'll take any lever in any caliber.

Most of my fellow shooters in the UK have to have "Lever Gun" explained, let alone the calibers they come in.

Post by **Old Savage** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 2:46 pm

32 Winchester and 30-30 from the scope of my personal history - with the 94.

geobru · Post by **geobru** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 2:59 pm

For me, the calibers that conjure up images of leverguns are the 30-30, 300 Savage, and 40-82. Those were the calibers that I saw as a kid that were in lever action guns.

JerryB · Post by **JerryB** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 3:08 pm

For me the "Classic Caliber" is my first lever gun, my 1917 1892 Winchester 32wcf that I bought when I was fifteen, way over 50 years ago. My next was is a Classic also, 30wcf 1894.

longhair1957 · Post by **longhair1957** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 3:37 pm

My first real classic cartridge was a marlin 1893 in .25-36.

Many since...
But right now its gotta be the .405

Don McDowell · Post by **Don McDowell** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 3:54 pm

I suppose the first one to pop up would be 30-30, but then there's a flood of others immediately follows, 44,38and 32 wcf, 25-35 and 32 special. 38-55 can go with either lever or single for me.
45-70 the first image up is either a Sharps or trapdoor.

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 4:05 pm

When I think of the "classic" lever gun cartridges I think of the 44 WCF and the 30 WCF in their respective rifles.

Joe

Bullard4075 · Post by **Bullard4075** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 4:15 pm

Again nobody mentioned the 40-65 Winchester. JEEEEEEEZZZZZ

Ben_Rumson · Post by **Ben_Rumson** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 4:17 pm

If 300 Savage don't conjure up levergun, I don't know whatever will
30-30 = 1894 Winchester Carbine
45-70 = Trapdoor Springfield

L_Kilkenny · Post by **L_Kilkenny** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 4:27 pm

Being experienced in the gun world but new to the historical side of lever guns I think I can offer unique perspective into this:

Lever guns = .30-30 and .35 Remington. Toss in the 44/40 from movie and book lore. Heck, as far as I knew the Guide gun was the first lever action available in the 45/70. It and it's kin were always a springfield or sharps caliber. .38-55, 32/40 and .40-65? Heck, those were just made up like cow tippin and snipe hunting. Sometimes you'd hear of a .25-20 or .32-20 but that was just an obscure round used by the occasional "million year old" lion hunter. Guns? There was the '66 Henry, the '73 Winchester, the '94 Winchester and the 336 Marlin. Anything else was just some lame butt experimental gun that never saw any real use in history!

while my education is on going you'd be surprised how many outside of the lever gun community still think this way.

LK

Bogie35 · Post by **Bogie35** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 4:32 pm

To me, "Classic" must refer to something that was popular before I came of age. The cartridges that immediately come to my mind are:

30-30
44-40
38-55
35 Remington
45-70
22 Long Rifle

P.S. Get well soon YK!

bogie

kimwcook · Post by **kimwcook** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 4:37 pm

I first think '94 in 30-30 when I think "Classic Levergun", but like many others my mind goes into recall and there are a lot that qualify.

Big Bore 94 · Post by **Big Bore 94** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 5:07 pm

303 Savage was only chamberd in a levergun.

tman · Post by **tman** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 5:26 pm

.44 henry rimfire flat. .44wcf. 45-70@45-90. 38-55-30wcf. 33wcf .348wcf, and .356wcf cause i'm obsessed with it

greyowl · Post by **greyowl** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 5:33 pm

The 30-30 as would be expected. And while there are many that are not, I think of straight walled, rimmed cases with flat and round nosed bullets. How old or new is less of an issue to me. The likes of the 444 Marlin and 44 mag to me are "classic" style rounds, and close kin to the 45-70 and 38-55.

buckeyeshooter · Post by **buckeyeshooter** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 6:22 pm

lets see
30-30 winchester 94
32 special winchester 94
35 remington 336 marlin
38-55 marlin cowboy
444 marlin marlin 444
45/70 winchester 1886
50-110 winchester 1886
348 winchester 71
303 savage savage 99
300 savage savage 99
30-06 winchester 1895
30-03 winchester 1895
30-40 winchester 1895

how did I do?

Gobblerforge · Post by **Gobblerforge** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 5:20 am

Model of 1873[44WCF], 38WCF, 303 Savage.
Gobbler

txpete · Post by **txpete** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 5:52 am

375 winchester just because its a odd ball and I love it

76/444 · Post by **76/444** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 9:32 am

txpete wrote:375 winchester just because its a odd ball and I love it

Nice "odd ball" !

schauckis · Post by **schauckis** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 2:08 pm

86er wrote:To me, levergun CARTRIDGES that come to mind first are always those that aren't or are rarely offered in any other kind of rifle.

Hard to argue that one.

I'll nominate the 7,62x53R, however; being a model 1895 man as I am.

- Lars
A.k.a. Bwana One-Shot

Leverdude · Post by **Leverdude** » Wed Oct 28, 2009 5:45 pm

Ysabel Kid wrote:Or rather, what do YOU consider the "classic" levergun calibers?

Just noodling while lying here in bed recovering. When someone says "levergun" to me, my mind's eye immediately pictures a Winchester 94 in .30-30. Just the first thing that pops into mind.

Of course, after hanging out here for a few years, the first mental image is followed by a flood of others!

So, if someone says to you, ".45-70", do you first think of the 1886 Winchester, or the trapdoor Springfield?

For me, if someone says .45-70, .45-60, .45-75, .30-30, .44 Henry rimfire, .32-40, .32-20, .25-20, all of these instantly conjur up "levergun". Though I have several leverguns in .45 Colt, when someone says that round, I instantly think of the classic Colt SAA. Same with some other rounds like the .44 Magnum or .357 Magnum - yes, both are fine (excellent even) levergun cartridges, but I will first thing of the S&W double actions for them.

So, what caliber just says "levergun" to you? I bet I know which one comes up first for mod71alaska!!!

45/70 says Springfield or 1881 Marlin to me, since they were the first to chamber it in a lever action repeater. 30/30 definately as do most of the two digit dash two digit calibers from 25/20 on up, its what they are.
45 Colt rightly reminds you of a Colt SAA, nobody chambered it in a levergun until the modern era, it is a revolver cartrige, just like the 44 & 357.

lthardman · Post by **lthardman** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 4:10 pm

This may seem a bit simple, but so am I. To me, any caliber that was at one time described as 'XX WCF' qualifies as a classic levergun cartridge. Like 38 WCF, or 32 WCF.

rusty gunns · Post by **rusty gunns** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 5:51 pm

RIHMFIRE wrote:44-40.....is the classic cartridge.....to me anyways....

45-70....trapdoor Springfield ....George Armstrong Custard last stand...
got soundly whooped buy a bunch of Injuns shooting 44-40s
This happened on my birthday......thats why it sticks in my mind....

Wow! You're old!

Bogie35 · Post by **Bogie35** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 6:27 pm

rusty gunns wrote:
RIHMFIRE wrote:44-40.....is the classic cartridge.....to me anyways....

45-70....trapdoor Springfield ....George Armstrong Custard last stand...
got soundly whooped buy a bunch of Injuns shooting 44-40s
This happened on my birthday......thats why it sticks in my mind....

Wow! You're old!

Nice observation rusty gunns!

bogie

Old Time Hunter · Post by **Old Time Hunter** » Fri Oct 30, 2009 10:58 pm

.44-40 I picture a '73, even though my first levergun was a '92 chambered for .44-40.

.30-30 '94 Winchester....no hesitation there.

.32 Win '94 Winchester...again, no hesitation.

.45-70...Only the Trapdoor, all the rest are me too guns.

.405 '95 Winchester...because it is written

.348 M71 Winchester....where else would you use that cartridge except to make short 43 Mauser's.

Any of the 38, 40, 45, and 50 caliber hyphenated calibers and I see in my minds eye the '86 or '76.

missionary5155 · Post by **missionary5155** » Sat Oct 31, 2009 3:16 am

Good morning
38-40... that fine smaller cousin to the 44-40. No two better cartriges roamed the west or east in the short action lever guns. I have both in Marlins & Winnys. They are just pure fun!

txpete · Post by **txpete** » Sat Oct 31, 2009 6:48 am

schauckis wrote:
86er wrote:To me, levergun CARTRIDGES that come to mind first are always those that aren't or are rarely offered in any other kind of rifle.
Hard to argue that one.

I'll nominate the 7,62x53R, however; being a model 1895 man as I am.

- Lars
A.k.a. Bwana One-Shot

I found one about 10 years ago.it looked like the russian army dragged it behind a truck for a few years and the barrel was shot out...price 1200.00 I passed.I am a big fan of the 7.62x54R.
didn't they also make it in 30/40 krag and 303 brit??.
pete

stretch · Post by **stretch** » Sat Oct 31, 2009 8:13 am

30-30
35 Remington
44-40

-Stretch