Thinking of a new lever action lately. I own a model 94 in 30-30, and a Henry in 22 WMR so I have some familiarity with a lever action. I'll admit though I rarely shoot either.
The new rifle would be used for deer in the straight walled cartridge area of MI. I currently hunt northern MI which allows bottlenecked cartridges. That could change, and If I liked the rifle it could be used in northern MI. Range would generally be 100 yards or less.
I have a Blackhawk in 45 Colt and reload for it. Fairly familiar with the cartridge, and have dies, and powders on hand. Any reason not to look at 45 Colt in a lever rifle ? My other choice would be .44 Magnum. Is the 45 Colt viable out to 100 yards without getting to crazy with the loads ?
I'm thinking Henry in All-Weather trim, but I'm willing to listen to other arguments. Looks like one could be had for around $1000 +/- $100. I've shot a friends Henry in .357 and really liked it. I'm sure Rossi might be cheaper, but I'm not sure they are as nice. Maybe I'm wrong I've only looked at a few Rossi's and they did not seem on the same level.
The Winchesters are out of my range price wise. If there anything else I should be looking at ? I'm not sure when/if Ruger will produce a Marlin in 45 Colt or 44 Mag anytime soon. If they do it looks like they'll be a few hundred more than the Henry just looking at the new 1895.
My biggest issue of all would probably be finding one, but I'm not in a hurry so I can wait and shop I have other firearms to fill the void.
-Jeff
The new rifle would be used for deer in the straight walled cartridge area of MI. I currently hunt northern MI which allows bottlenecked cartridges. That could change, and If I liked the rifle it could be used in northern MI. Range would generally be 100 yards or less.
I have a Blackhawk in 45 Colt and reload for it. Fairly familiar with the cartridge, and have dies, and powders on hand. Any reason not to look at 45 Colt in a lever rifle ? My other choice would be .44 Magnum. Is the 45 Colt viable out to 100 yards without getting to crazy with the loads ?
I'm thinking Henry in All-Weather trim, but I'm willing to listen to other arguments. Looks like one could be had for around $1000 +/- $100. I've shot a friends Henry in .357 and really liked it. I'm sure Rossi might be cheaper, but I'm not sure they are as nice. Maybe I'm wrong I've only looked at a few Rossi's and they did not seem on the same level.
The Winchesters are out of my range price wise. If there anything else I should be looking at ? I'm not sure when/if Ruger will produce a Marlin in 45 Colt or 44 Mag anytime soon. If they do it looks like they'll be a few hundred more than the Henry just looking at the new 1895.
My biggest issue of all would probably be finding one, but I'm not in a hurry so I can wait and shop I have other firearms to fill the void.
-Jeff