Lever action conundrum

I really like 45 Colt in a lever gun. But then again I really like .357 mag as well. I'm really not helping much, am I?

One of the best shooting/most fun rifles I have ever owned was a Marlin 1895CB in 45-70. I only shot normal factory loads so the recoil wasn't even a consideration. It killed cans, trees, cactus, deer and hogs. Of course I traded it off because I'm really not a very bright individual.

357 magnum lever action seems like the obvious choice. You can hunt with the hot 357 loads or shoot low recoil 38 special rounds for fun. Look at the Rossi built 1892 copies, Marlin 1894, and the Henrys.

Rossi M92 in .357 gets my vote.

At 150 yards and closer on deer a 30-30 is plenty so you have literally no need for a 45-70 from a hunting standpoint. I'd vote for a 357 as a fun lever, and it would be great for home defense too if you wanted to use it for that.

It sounds like you really want the 45-70. I say if you can afford factory ammo or if you are fine with reloading for another caliber then go with that. 357 mag is fun from a lever but I understand the desire to launch massive pieces of lead at fun targets. For me the recoil is part of the experience with anything I shoot, which is why I don't shoot 22LR very much...

Plus, then you go from being a guy without a 45-70 to a guy with a 45-70. Surely that's worth something.

I really like my Marlin 1894 in 44 Mag. Scope ready, side ejection port, overall a good rifle.
I've been hearing good things about the 1894 C, in 357.

I do not have a 30-30. I do have a Henry .45-70 steel with the recoil pad. I have never been sorry that I purchased it. I also reload most of my ammo. If you reload, there are many loads that are accurate without abusive recoil. I also have a Henry .357 steel lever action rifle and I would consider it a good all-around rifle with almost no recoil, even with magnum loads.

I would save my money, and take my time. It may take months or years, but I'd spend time in pawnshops or older gun shops that have a good selection of older used rifles as well as gun shows and try to find an older Marlin or Winchester. Nothing newer than about 1979. An older Marlin 39 Mountie or Winchester 9422 would be high on MY list. I actually have 2 of the Marlins, one from the 1950's, the other from the 1960's. My 9422 is a 1970's rifle. All of them bought this way.

It doesn't have to be a 22. But once you start using these older guns you won't want to go back to the newer ones. If something unique comes up buy it regardless of the cartridge it is in. It takes time and you don't usually just find one. They tend to pop up unexpectedly so having a few hundred $$$ sitting in an envelop for the occasion helps.

My 22's, all bought from pawnshops. The Marlins cost me a bit, but I got the Winchester so cheap that I felt a little guilty. The guy didn't know what he had. It was LITERALLY in a "Bargain Barrel" with a bunch of junk single shot shotguns and rifles.



The Winchester is pretty common, but a Marlin in this configuration is not. Both are 1958 production, (the year of my birth) which makes the pair unique for me. I got both of these at gun shows several years apart.



Another rare rifle that I picked up at a gun show. A 30-30 with a 16" barrel and straight grip. Only about 2000 were made.

Well, my first lever gun was a Marlin 1984C in .357. I too reload for everything I shoot and shooting a .357, especially with .38 Spcl's is just a hoot! Almost no recoil and really accurate with irons. Marlin or Henry make super nice .357's.

My second lever gun was the Marlin 1895 in 45-70. As others have suggested, with factory hunting ammo the recoil is "brisk" to say the least. I reload for this too using some RCBS Cowboy dies and shoot 300 gr. RNFP lead bullets at around 1,100 fps (using TrailBoss powder), and with those it can be shot all day long. Mine is just a range toy, so unlike hunting where you may only shoot a handful of rounds, I might shoot 20-30 rds with no ill effect. It is also surprisingly cheap to shoot with lead bullets.

Lastly, last year I bought a Henry color case hardened 30/30, because everyone needs a 30/30 and the color case hardening is purdy.

Again, if you reload, none of these is crazy expensive for ammo, and if you really want to shoot fist sized chunks of lead downrange with the trajectory of a mortar round that make a manly clang on a piece of steel, get the 45/70. I shoot it on steel out to 200 yds. at my range. It's also quite the conversation starter at the range when you pull out those rounds. Let us know what you decide.

p.s. the 1895 (45/70) is scoped, and the other two are steel sighted.

I truly enjoy my Marlin 1894 in 44 Magnum. I bought it to match my SA 44's for CAS. However if I were to buy it to match a handgun for SD I think I would go to the 357 Magnum. Never shot one but it must be very pleasant even with hot loads.

45-70 only kicks if you choose to make it so. I load a 350gr cast bullet over trailboss to 1250 FPS and its a pussycat to shoot. My 10 year old nephew loves it as does everyone that shoots it.

I am a .357 mag fan. I have three revolvers and a Rossi 92 that gets shot a lot. There have been times I wished for the power and size of the .44 mag or .45 LC. I live in bear country and the locals dont think a .357 is enough for big bears. But you have that covered with a .44 carbine.

What I love is shooting .38s, mostly 125 lead, for targets small game and snakes. I can make .38 specials for maybe .12 to .15 cents a round. That makes for a good shootable platform that I don't mind burning up some ammo. The 45-70 would definitely be more versatile, but a lot more expensive to feed.

Have fun. Get what you want.

I’d get a Marlin chambered in the cartridge you want - as long as it’s a 30-30.

357 only because its the one I haven't had yet. Shot a few though. Its super cheap to shoot and 357 screams from a rifle barrel. 44 mag is all business, 45-70 will have you grinning like you're crazy while constantly having a bruised shoulder, but the 357 is Juuussst right.

.444?

I had an original Trapdoor Carbine in .45-70, probably not much difference in weight from a lever action. Sold because I didn't want to finish even one box at a time because of recoil. These were factory loads, designed for the weakest antique actions, not Ruger only loads, etc..

Call me a wimp, but I see no need to get beat up, takes the enjoyment out of it for me.

I would vote for a .357, very much enjoy my Rossi 92 in that caliber.

45-70 is not bad at all in recoil. It’s flexible enough to shoot the original government load which is more like a big push than a sharp jolt, or if you want you can shoot 430 grain hammers.

Also you can reload about as cheap and easily as 44 mag with the original load and cast bullets. The brass lasts longer than 44 too

What conundrum? Get the 45 Colt. You can always get the 357 later... or the 45-70

Keep an eye on the local classifieds and gun broker for a gently used 45-70 that piques your interest at a good price.

Worst case scenario you don't fall in love with it and get all your money back. Best case you have a new favorite shooter, somewhere in between, you either have another neat toy, or make a few bucks.

I have a marlin 45/70 full length rifle, in stainless and its my favorite looking gun. If you reload it is super versatile in what kind of recoil you want to deal with. This was my dads favorite rifle to shoot metallic silhouette out to 200 yards with a trail boss load and the 325 cast bullet.

I have a henry big boy in 45 colt. Its a nice gun and a decent shooter but really its kind of blaw... It does have a nice heavy octagon barrel which i really like but of all my lever actions its my least favorite.

I have two marlin 357 lever guns both with heavy octagon barrels. I like the longer barrel better as it gives me a better sight radius to shoot the steel at 200. If your in this game the heavier bullets are better. I have rung more than a few rams and that never happens with the 45/70.
Depending on what your looking to do they all have a place. The most expensive to operate will be the 45/70 just due to the volume of lead and powder it eats in comparison. If your doing matches often that can matter. Again if your doing any match shooting or plan to, the 45 and the 357 shoot pistol caliber and the 45/70 is considered rifle caliber. If i was just punching paper 357 hands down is the best choice. If hunting hog then the 45/70 wins every time because im not into getting chewed up by a pissed off injured pig.

45/70. You already reload, buy a set of dies, load up or down, big boom, little boom, it's still a boom. Got three 45/70 levers, a Henry big boy, an older guide gun and a new GBL marlin. GBL is my favorite.

45-70 factory ammo isn't something you want to sit there and shoot box after box of, but it's not a bad kicker either. The bullet weight and velocity is almost identical to a 1 ounce 12 gauge slug, and that's exactly how the recoil feels. It's a big push rather than a sharp kick. Personally, the shoulder soreness overcomes the fun for me after 2 or 3 tubes through a Guide Gun (~10 rounds), but it never hurts in the same way as being punched by a 300 Win Mag. IME, it's a lot easier to avoid flinching and keep a 45-70 on target.

But that's with factory ammo. If you reload, you can make it whatever you want to be. From creampuffs, 45 Colt clones, government loads or the +P screw-you Buffalo Bore stuff that throws an ounce of lead at 2000 FPS. It can be anything.

If you don't go with the 45-70, I would avoid the 45 LC and just go straight to the 357. The Rossi 92s are just a heck of a lot of fun. The 16" models are advertised at weighing 4.8 pounds unloaded, and that feels accurate to me. Feed it with 38 specials and it's like a centerfire Red Ryder.

For sheer handiness and fun get yourself a Rossi M92 in .45 Colt. Love mine with the short 16" barrel and slick action. The gun comes up on target very fast and the sights are easy to acquire. Goes great with all of my .45 Colt revolvers.

Another vote for a Rossi 92 in 357 mag. Had mine for years and love it.