Been eyeing lever guns of various makes, the less costly models. I like the idea of 44 mag, the ballistics aren't quite as good as 30/30 but capacity for 20inch rifles is 10 vs 6. I've never had a lever action before and am curious about opinions. Might be a deer or hog gun sometime, but mostly just for fun. I do like shooting irons.

45-70

TheEyeGuy said:

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45-70

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.450 Marlin

I have a Rossi 92 with a 24" octogonal barrel in 44 mag, in short I love that gun. I have taken many hogs and several deer with it. With a little practice and learning the gun ringing steel at 150 is easy. I suggest a marbles tang site for it if your gunna be shooting much over 100. I have seen guys hold a paper plate size groups at 300 with one.

Love my Marlin 336. Solid, works flawlessly and is accurate. Especially love the see-through scope mount and the fixed 2 3/4 glass on mine. Throw it up on your shoulder and take your pick of sighting. Mine is in .35 Rem, which I like for its uniqueness but curse when I'm looking for ammo and it's hard to find. In that respect, wish I also has one in .30-30...

I have an Marlin 1893 44mag. Shoots great. I've taken deer and hog with it. Just like the 1895 45-70 I have, you can reload to where it is very pleasant to shoot with little recoil or you can load up rounds that beat you up. The 30-30 maybe a little more powerful than the 44mag. But I would take the 44 if given the choice. 45-70 even more.

Of the two choices you listed, the 30-30. It'll be more versatile for the scenarios you described IMHO.

Get the 44 fo sho. More lethal at the ranges you would use it. For plinking, you can get 44 special ammo for half the price of 30-30 and no recoil.

Below is what 225gr Barnes vortex do to a doe at 100 yards, out of a 24" 44 mag.

.307?

TheEyeGuy said:

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45-70

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Henry

You can keep the Henry, I'll take the 1895 every time.

Tree fiddy seven

My old man ergo I have both in a Henry. The 30-30 is more practical but the 44 is a lot more fun and very accurate out to 100+ yards. I would not buy the 30-30 in the Henry. At least the one my dad has is very heavy and gets left at home over others. It is the same gun and barrel as the 44 but a smaller hole.

Thats really tough. I would probably go 30-30 over 44 mag. But its real close. I have both and both are stone killers. But the 30-30, especially now with the Leverevolution ammo, stretches out further. But a .44 mag from the right range is absolutely devastating on whatever you are hunting.


Just curious, when would the difference of 6 in the mag or 10 in the mag really matter?

Probably not a hell of a lot, but if you are pinking it is nice to be able to go longer through a full tube.

True. In the field I would think it is meaningless. But on a range I guess it makes a difference.

I have a Winchester 94 and a Marlin 336 in 30-30. I also have a Deerfield Carbine in 44 mag. If I had to keep one and sell the other two I would keep the 336. If I was you I would go Pawn Shopping and find a good used 30-30 instead of a new Rossi or something.

In response as to when you would use 10 instead of 6, I have used up all 13 rounds outta my 24". Now then I was riding in a truck and happened upon a sounder of hogs. That was one of the greatest experiences of my life, working that lever as fast as I could acquire the next hog. Made me feel like John Wayne in one of his old westerns.

No love for .32 WCF? What about .25-20?

Nevermind, go with .405 Winchester or you're underpowered.

I killed a doe about 10 years ago with a buddy's .32-20.

That would be totally freaking awesome

It was awesome, the best part was you knew every time that 44 connected as it was a solid thud followed normally by a pig falling.

How well do the 44mag lever guns cycle 44special?

LoudestWHOOP! said:

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How well do the 44mag lever guns cycle 44special?

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Great if you load them to magnum length.