Best lever gun caliber

[scoutsniper]

So been wanting a lever gun for along time and finally ready to pull the trigger but not sure what caliber. This is a fun gun.

.357
.44mag
30-30
45-70

Which one if you had to choose one?

I do own a ruger in .357 so that’s slightly tempting to stay same caliber.

 

[Hop]

I like 45 Colt but I have a matching 6 shooter in 45 Colt.
I think I'd rather have both guns in 44 Mag but didn't see a matching Uberti when I got my set.

 

[yetti462]

Fun gun, get a 357, it matches and shooting 38's will be cheaper.

 

[ghitch75]

45 Long Colt

 

[ISP 5353]

.44 Mag first

 

[Goodcat]

All are great cartridges, all have their purposes. 45/70 is an easy pick for me. It comes down to what you want to do with it and recoil sensitivity and intended distance. .357 will be much more capable at longe ranges than say 45/70, while 45/70 is a thropper within 100 yards. Being sensitive to ungodly kick like a 45/70 doesn’t make you less of a man. Being less lethal at distance because you wanted the biggest kicking round doesn’t smart you smarter. Pick your cartridge based on your intended uses.

 

[CWMC]

I changed my opinion. Go with the .357. I have to agree with PRasko, makes more sense.

 

[PRasko]

Went with 357 cause of multiple other 357 firearms I own. So commonality of ammos I suppose.

You can take deer with it and its fun to plink with 38.

 

[Creedmoor]

All are great cartridges, all have their purposes. 45/70 is an easy pick for me. It comes down to what you want to do with it and recoil sensitivity and intended distance. .357 will be much more capable at longe ranges than say 45/70, while 45/70 is a thropper within 100 yards. Being sensitive to ungodly kick like a 45/70 doesn’t make you less of a man. Being less lethal at distance because you wanted the biggest kicking round doesn’t smart you smarter. Pick your cartridge based on your intended uses.

Never seen 1,000 yard shooting with a 357, but ive seen loads of it with a 45-70.
I vote 45-70 or 90

 

[Basher]

If by “fun” gun you mean something that can fulfill multiple practical roles easily without making you cry at the expense or from recoil, then a .357 is what you seek.

If by “fun” gun you mean something that will likely prove wildly impractical for 95%+ of the people out there but will fill a tiny niche of actual uses and will be a literal blast to shoot and watch people get the snot beat out of them with some hot Buffalo Bore loads, then the .45/70 is the tool for the job.

 

[daddyusmaximus]

Best... well that's a tricky word...
Best for what?
Hunting?
OK... hunting what?
Squirrels... (22LR) deer... (30-30, .44 mag) bear (45-70)?

For me, I just want something that's good within close ranges. Say 150 yds or so. Most likely, 100 yds.
Something I could go hunting with around here (Indiana) or use for self defense. I'm good with a .44 or .357 mag.
That's best... "for me".

I'm kinda big on defensive use in weaponry, and the magnum handgun rounds perform pretty well out of carbine barrels, yet are still short enough to give decent magazine capacity. Good in a slow feeding tube mag weapon.
Got me one of each. Both are set up the same way, for defensive use.
They both have red dot sights, a light, and carry extra ammo.
The Rossi (top) is in .357 mag, the Chiappa takedown in .44 mag.

They're also fun as hell to shoot. You know, the whole cowboy thing, and all.

 

[fullmetaljesus]

Best... well that's a tricky word...
Best for what?
Hunting?
OK... hunting what?
Squirrels... (22LR) deer... (30-30, .44 mag) bear (45-70)?

For me, I just want something that's good within close ranges. Say 150 yds or so. Most likely, 100 yds.
Something I could go hunting with around here (Indiana) or use for self defense. I'm good with a .44 or .357 mag.
That's best... "for me".

I'm kinda big on defensive use in weaponry, and the magnum handgun rounds perform pretty well out of carbine barrels, yet are still short enough to give decent magazine capacity. Good in a slow feeding tube mag weapon.
Got me one of each. Both are set up the same way, for defensive use.
They both have red dot sights, a light, and carry extra ammo.
The Rossi (top) is in .357 mag, the Chiappa takedown in .44 mag.

They're also fun as hell to shoot. You know, the whole cowboy thing, and all.



View attachment 216441

This comment should end the thread. Crushed it.

Like he said, 44mag for deer works like a charm.

45-70 is just a honey of a round to shoot.
I have one on order, been like 8months still waiting.

 

[TrueSeanamus]

If you have a .357 pistol I’d go for that in the rifle as well. Plus you can reload .38 special fairly cheaply compared to what you have to buy .38 or .357 from the store for. Plus being in a shorter cartridge like that your capacity will be a little better than something like .45 LC and especially better than .45/70 and .357 out of a rifle is going to be ZOOMING.

 

[daddyusmaximus]

If you have a .357 pistol I’d go for that in the rifle as well.

I do...

 

[Cavman]

.357 for all same reasons. Plus itll put a deer down

 

[snapping turtle]

I am going to throw this one out here as best deer round. 35 rem.

30/30 on steroids. A true rifle round in 357. Has the ability to take big bear. Terminal performance high above what the ballistics chart would make one think. Does not rattle filling loose when you touch one off. Is available in the smaller 336 package instead of the larger 1895.

I use one in contender rifle at times hunting and in a 336 if the single shot is not an option. Now I still use the 44 mag as my still hunting gun but mainly because of the old PCR rules and some areas I hunt I like the 44 as it has the ballistic properties of a football.

 

[Magyars]

I'm Abigail fan of the 45 Colt. However based on your situation I'd go with the 357

 

[STopaz1982]

Sorry, I must disagree with these suggestions. 30wcf (30-30) is the only choice here. The classic and most popular of lever rounds. Available in just about any center fire lever gun. Will take care of all the fun you can handle. Second choice would be 32 Winchester if you reload. Of course, this is just MHO. Your mileage may vary.

 

[Jont22]

I have 2 Henry’s. Neither on your list but both very fun. .22lr Frontier and .410 Henry X.

 

[Expat]

I would agree that the 30-30 is sort of the iconic lever gun caliber. Having said that, I have three lever guns (I think), .22LR, .45 Colt (have a couple pistols int he caliber), and 45-70. The 45-70 is the most funnest to shoot. After that buffalo got loose, I felt I had to have one, just in case the opportunity arose.