Thread: What's the pick of the lever action calibers?

Get a BLR in .308

What Josh said. Pistol cartridges and .30/30s to a lesser extent get found to be lacking even at shorter ranges on medium game.

Quick follow ups don’t cover for it. Easier to load a 308 back a bit than load a pistol cartridge up too.


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A 170 flat nose 3030 tends to have quite a bit of authority, and doesnt seem to be lacking in the bang flop department out to 150 in my experience.
Biggest thing Ive shot with mine was a scrub bull not that I was looking for one. I know at the time i wished i had something bigger like a 45/70 but it stalled the bugger allright, and I spent the next quarter hour shaking like a leaf and wondering what to do next.

Marlin 30-30
Hornady 160gr FTX
Go next....

I have a Winchester in 30/30 seems the business

I might be a bit cautious buying anything that takes pistol rounds since who knows where the new laws will end up regarding ammunition availability in the future. Not something you guys with 44s and 357s want to think about for sure
But if you are buying new maybe something to consider

Originally Posted by Sideshow

https://www.nzhuntingandshooting.co....-action-32077/
Try here

And down the rabbit hole I go.

Originally Posted by tanqueray

As a bit of a lever gun purist, I'd say a Winchester 1894 in 30-30. Dependable, balanced, and 30-30 has knockdown power out to as far as the open sights will work for you. Suppressors and scopes don't belong on lever guns, learn to use open sights. They don't fog up, survive knocks and falls easy, and make you cooler. The older ones prior to the 1990's don't have a safety, just use the hammer half cock, and would be my pick. A Rossi 1892 in 44 magnum would also be a good pick if you don't reload, and is a bit shorter/handier if you get a carbine. If you ever get into reloading, 44-40 is another fine and historically correct option.
I know you say 'only bush', but it's not unheard of to see deer on slips on the bush, or across gullies etc, so bear that in mind too.

I don't want to use a rifle that doesn't have a suppressor. Especially in the Bush. On the top site fine as have time to put ear Pro on.

Originally Posted by JoshC

Get a BLR in .308

Seems to be a good option. Especially considering that I might come across a longer shot and be stuck with a pistol caliber.

Originally Posted by rugerman

I have a Winchester in 30/30 seems the business

I might be a bit cautious buying anything that takes pistol rounds since who knows where the new laws will end up regarding ammunition availability in the future. Not something you guys with 44s and 357s want to think about for sure
But if you are buying new maybe something to consider

That's a good point. There's ammo restrictions coming.

I run a BLR in 308 with a can to shot over my GSP and it is a fast well balanced unit - thoroughly recommend 150 gr Federal blue box ammo in this set up.

jit has something special just for you......

There's a Win Model 88 in 284Win and a suppressor on trademe at the moment.

Originally Posted by Moa Hunter

compared to the slick 99.

@Moa Hunter, you should stop spouting about those ugly Savages. They look weird.

I'm trying very hard to talk myself out of one, but, to be honest, that is never going to happen. One of these days.

they definatley aren't your traditional looking lever action

Originally Posted by northdude

they definatley aren't your traditional looking lever action

I'm a bit scared how the Mrs would be with me walking in the house with those curves in my arms.

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

jit has something special just for you......

No he doesn't...

45-70 marlin mate, cant recommend them enough.

another savage 99 fan here. they come up on TM for $5-700 in say 308 commonly enough.
nice to shoot plenty accurate enough for most shooters.

lot of choice in common calibers. 30-30, 22-250, 250-3000, 300 sav, all the 308 family (most are 243 or 308 but 6.5mm, 7mm & 358 where made)
get the barrel cut back and threaded for your 30 cal silencer.
fit a 1-4x20 #4 scope or red dot.
mine has a boyds laminated stock with a couple of extra holes for weight reduction. about 25mm lopped of the butt and a limbsaver fitted.
not a fan of the metal butt plate while shooting heavy bullets.

down side is it will be heavier than modern ultra lights bolt action or single shoots.
Z
ps missed a couple of more pistol type calibers but probably not going to find them in NZ, 25-35, 32-40, 38-55, 375 win, 410 shotgun