Home Forums Lever Action Central Lever Actions - General .357, .44 or 30/30

Looking to start hunting with a lever gun and I wanted peoples thoughts on which caliber of the three listed they may choose and why. I would imagine most shots would be 75 to 150 yards without a scope.

What load would be best in the caliber you choose?

thanks for the input

Best all rounder? Would have to go with the 30/30. Good for just about anything.

30/30.

if 150 yards is your outside range, I'd stay away from the pistol cartridges.
Not that the 44 won't do it, which it has, but you should always play the numbers....

30/30.

Of those three cartridges, the 30-30 is the most practical choice.

30/30 will be the one I choose. Thank you for your feedback.


Which 30/30 would you recommend buying?

What game animal are you going to hunt? 357 mag would be a fine choice for coyotes. If black bear or wild pig were in the equation, I'd go with a 30-30. Any will work for deer. The most important factor is the the skill of the hunter pulling the trigger.

The 30-30 has more UMPH than the 44 or .357 by far.Check the ballistic tables.
I'd go with a Marlin 94 since it is drilled and tapped and has side ejection, per chance you might some day want to put a scope on it.

Modern go with the Marlin. The angle eject Winchesters are good to, just not made anymore. Mossberg has their's now, but I don't know anything about them. IMO if you go used and find one made in the mid to late 60's look in the action for stamped parts. I had one for a week and it would often jam or lift the bullet straight up.

If I could only have one of the three, it would be a .30-30, but wouldn't feel undergunned if hunting deer where, as someone else mentioned, ranges were kept to 100 yards or so.

Both the .44 and .357 are quite capable as "woods" deer rounds, not that the .30-30 is a real flat shooter, but it does allow a potentially longer shot. 200 yards is a possibility with a .30-30 and the proper sights/familiarity with the trajectory. Speaking for myself only, I wouldn't be comfortable with a .44 or .357 at those ranges.

Now, having said that, where and how I hunt rarely allows shots beyond 70 or so yards.

I would also like to recommend, if not planning on scoping the rifle, entertain the idea of a receiver sight system. They really help.

As far as which one to buy, Winchesters are no longer available new, but there are tons of good used ones available. I prefer the look and feel of the Winchester 94. The Marlin 336 offers some advantages that can't be ignored, such as ease of cleaning from the breech, the ability to mount a scope, and in my experience, have been slightly more accurate than the Winchesters, though not necessarily 100% true. Two features I don't care for on the Marlin are the trunion where the lever mounts, and that huge porpoise-belly forearm. The forearm thingy can be fixed, and I have gotten used to the trunion (Yes, I own rifles by both manufacturers).

I don't care for the Marlin 336,but the 94 is a lot better looking and handling.I restocked mine to get rid of the fat forearm and excpet for the side eject,you can't tell it form a Winchester.
Here is mine as it is now in 44 mag.

I don't care for the Winchester 94,but the marlin 336 is a lot better looking and has a smoother action....

Saddlesore, fine lookin' rifle. I restocked mine (a GG) with Brockman's laminates, and they really improved the looks and handling of the rifle. The forearm is much slimmer, and the rear stock has a higher comb and LimbSaver pad, which significantly reduced the felt recoil. A 300 grain bullet at 2226 fps lets you know it just went on it's way....

The only thing I've done to my Winchester is receiver sights.

Hawken, I respect your opinion on the looks, and acknowledge the fact on the smoothness of the action. They are smooth.

Thank you all fo rthe feed back I appreciate it

Based on ammo availability, cost, ballistics, recoil would the 35 Remington be a better choice? Again, I would imagine most shots would be 75 to 150 yards without a scope.

Thanks for your help

Marlin 336 -30-30 has took all types of game good and bad

.30-30 can found damn near anywhere.

If you're gonna keep adding calibers I'm gonna change my vote to a Marlin 45-70 guide gun.

Id go with the 30-30. I love the 35, but you are asking for which ONE. You could always do the right thing and buy them all.

Joseph

Thank you all I appreciate the feedback:)