Home Forums Lever Action Central Big Bore Levers Which lever action rifle and caliber would be the deadliest?

It would depend on what you wanted to stop, I would say any of the large bores 45-70 450 444 loaded properly they have at least the potential stopping power of a 12 Ga 1 Oz Slug and possibly more.

Out of real life answer:

http://www.z-hat.com/Stevenson.htm

Synopsis:
44 (now 48) years of continous bush life and active (read professional) hunting in AK, Ed regards .45-70 with 400 gr, Flatnose bullets in either Browning 1895 or Marlin 1895 as top pick for said life.

This includes the applications named.

Science answer:

Sectional density is only one (old) way of looking into this.
Terminal stability is key. Long enough bullet of stout weight with wide meplat at a velocity where it is not deformed and stays stable works - properties of 400 gr. FN in .45.70

Wow this thread was quite a read, predictable with a title like that. I came away from it reconfirmed that I made the right choice getting a 45-70 Guide Gun. I want to add a Ruger No. 1 someday for those really hot 45-70 loads but the +P gas checked hard cast loads I'm using for now should do just fine.
Personally I've actually had more problems with wolves than bears.
If I wanted the max in a levergun I'd probably go for a 50 Alaskan conversion but that doesn't seem too practical. Here in AK even Walmert sells +P 45-70 hcgc flat nose ammo. If I had lots of money to spend on my 45-70 I'd send it to Wild West Guns, have them slick the action and convert it to a take down.

I have what is called a 50 B&M Alaskan! Take a 50 AK case and squeeze it down to .500 caliber. The 500 gr Hornady can be run to 2000 fps in an 18 inch barrel. I have worked extensively with this bullet and I promise it will turn a big bear inside out!

A 50 B&M Alaskan can be built on either a M71 or Marlin Guide gun, I have several of both! I love 45/70 and have nearly a dozen of them, but they are not even in the same ballpark with the 50! I have shot many different critters with both.

If anyone wants more info email me at michael458earthlink.net

Michael

Didn't have a chance to read all the posts but for me I prefer the 45-70 with 430 grain lead bullets for anything. They work for me and that is as far as my interest goes.
Next down would be my .375 winchester that many don't like but it is a much better cartridge then was ever written about.

I have not followed the whole thread but to me the deadliest lever is the one that hits where you intent it to.

ctw
One thing you didn't mention is that a 25-20, 32-20 or a 25-35 might not be the best levers to have when you encounter a large animal. If you have a 30-30 or larger you have a better chance of living through the ordeal.
What is the point of this thread is which large caliber lever will be the one that you can handle the best and yes as you said put the bullet where you aim.

I fell in love with the 45-70 Marlin 1895 model. It is also available in a 16 1/2" barrel. I personally like the longer barrel because of long range shooting.
The caliber is awesome and should be able to stop anything.

BCbrain.....I gotta go along with Jackfish and Ranch-13 on this thread concerning the ability to take out a grizzly at close range (hope you never have to experience that one!) in the dark timber or anywhere else.

I do own several lever guns and the Marlin 1895 45/70 is one of them, along with a Winchester 94 in the 405 caliber. Now both these rifles will fill the tag. I think the 45/70 is just a little more versatile. There is plenty of various factory ammo that will make either one of these rifles the Hammer Of Thor on any bear in the woods up close.

Hi Brian,

i don't know what is the deadliest because when it's dead it's dead. All the heavy loaded 45-70, 444Marlin, 450Marlin even the 348 with 250grains are real killers. But as i am a french rifle loony and had an original Winch 71 in stock that was sleeping in my safe, so (horror, shame on me)i send it to my gunsmith friend to be converted in 50Alaskan. He has already made some Marlin but the Winchester can use cartridges a bit longer (4mm)without problem, so can get more speed or less pressure. I expect to use 450Hawk for european game and 500 to 525grs hard cast for my trip to Africa...May be will get some good pictures to show next year. Think it will be a stopper. To be honnest i don't need such rifle but when you love....

H4198 and a 300 grain Sierra is good for 2400fps at 40,000 according to the Hodgdon levergun data in the manual I have.
A 400 gr Speer bullet with the same powder gets you 2000fps.
I have substituted the 300 gr Hornady for the Sierra and its my go to deer load.

Marseille.....Over on the Beartooth Shooting Forum, there is some excellent information on the 45/70 and the 444-Marlin 1895 models. Those hardcast bullets that Beartooth offers are a grand bullet in their "PILEDRIVER BULLETS" lots of actual accounts of big game hunters using them on the biggest of game.