Home Forums Lever Action Central Big Bore Levers Need suggestions on a new lever gun

I want a new lever gun, that I can get full potential out of, or more power then my marlin guide gun .45-70.

If someone makes a different more powerful caliber from the factory ill look into it. This gun will be for pure large game hunting to 400 yards, maybe less if more appropriate.

Looking at mounting a low power scope or open sites.

Thank you,

FMP

Browning BLR..............If you like the looks!!!

well..not so much, but I on shoot down a suggestion.

Thank you.

How about the cowboy 1895, can I squeeze more out of it?

Let's see, levergun, more power than a 45/70 - how about a M1895 in .405 WIN?

Appealing.. Where can I get my mit on that?

Won't is what I meant in my last post!

I guess my real question is, and more (might) chime in, is- can I get more power from a longer barrel .45-70?

It isn't that I need it- it's a want thing. And how far is the .45-70 an effective (practical) cartridge?

thank you,
FMP

If'n ya want more power outta that guide gun just shoot them Buffalo Bore loads.....

Marlin 1895XLR in .45-70 or MXLR in .450 Marlin for a big bore, both have 24" barrels. Or get a Cowboy model with a 26" barrel. That extra 6 to 8 inches of barrel over the Guide Gun should get you a bit more velocity, but given the expansion ratio of big bore straight wall cartridges it might not be all that much more. But that's theory, I honestly don't know how much more velocity you might get.

At least you'd get the full potential out of either chambering.

If you want to scope it effectively then other than the Marlin there really is only the BLR or maybe you could find or rebarrel a used Winchester 88 to .358.

The Marlin 336 .338 ME is another option for throwing a decent sized bullet out a ways.

This is all just off the top of my head, others could probably suggest some more esoteric possibilities.

The 405 Winchester is still really just a 200 yard rifle. A very GOOD 200 yard rifle, but still . . . and I have one. You might stretch it to 250 yards. Why do you feel the need to go to 400 yards and with a levergun?

well, I just have a thing for the levers!

I guess ill just have to get closer!

Just put one of these on my 1886 45/90

Red River Ladder Sight

Ya have great discrimination in sights

One lever gun fits these requirements, the 338 Marlin Express. Others may have more punch at short ranges but at 200+ yards the 338ME wins out. At 100 yards, only the Marlin .450 has more punch. At 200 yards, everything else falls behind in both trajectory and energy.
Current lever gun cartridge ballistics

Marlin also changed the way the magazine attaches to the barrel and has set tighter tolerances for the Marlin Express series than any other lever they've EVER made.

They've improved the barrel and receiver mating too. They are DESIGNED to be a 400 yard lever gun.

Hunting reports have been excellent on everything from coyotes to Bison. This includes shots over 300 yards. many shoot MOA or even subMOA right out of the box.

You might want to give the gun a serious look.

If you want links, PM me.

Thank you, everyone

The correct answer would be 1895 Winchester in .30-'06 or .270 for 400 yard game shooting.

A 338 Marlin Express in a XLR rifle seems to be the ticket

I must certainly agree with "Cold Case" the 1895 Winchester in the 30-06 caliber or 270 cal. will get the job done at 400 yards!

I have an 1895 Win in .270win, but it's so pretty I won't even try to scope it. A 400yd shot on game is a long one, especially with a lever.

FWIW, the Sav 99 or Win 88 in .308 or .284 would work. They shoot and scope more like bolts. Good luck.

I reckon he will find out all about 400 yard shooting once he goes to the range and shoots a few rounds out of that lever gun at 200 yards.

The concept of the 45-70 or .405 Winchester shooting big game animals down range at 300 or 400 yards is simply ludicrous with those calibers but on the other hand the 30-06 will surely get the job done if one can shoot like an expert marksman would.

400 yards means bottlenecked cases. Forget the .45-70, .405, .450 Marlin, etc etc etc.

I'm not sure the .338 Marlin has enough muzzle velocity to expand a bullet after its had 400 yards to slow down.

The only one I can think of that might possibly work reliably is the BLR. I shot a borrowed BLR in 7mm mag that gave me a .75 MOA 100 yard group at 100 yards. If that holds up, there's a candidate. I think it's available in .300 win mag and maybe some of the WSMs. Like it or don't like it, I think it's the only game in town.