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ogre Member
Joined: Jan 15, 2006 Posts: 79 Location: Melbourne
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Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 10:15 pm Post subject: Big bore lever actions calibre choices what would you choose |
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Hi
In a multi shot lever actioned rifle which big bore cartridge would you choose??
And why
At a mates place last night and he had and old Guns and Game on the coffee table. July-septi 2001
Had an article about "hog fishing" and a write up of the Win 94 "444 timber carbine"
He said he was thinking of getting a 444 win 94.
I countered that the marlin in 45/70 would be better
And the discussion went from there.
I'm interested to hear your guys’ thoughts on which cartridge rifle combination is better for Australian conditions and Australian game and ferals.
(Don't know if Sambar needs to be included for the discussion because the guy has a 7mm Rem mag he uses for Sambar.)
Thanks guys
Later
P
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Coyote_Hunter_ Member
Joined: Mar 05, 2005 Posts: 208 Location: Franktown, CO
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Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 10:58 pm Post subject: Re: Big bore lever actions calibre choices what would you choose |
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ogre –
All of the Big Bores (.444, .45-70 and 450 Marlin) have their advantages. And with the right bullets any of them are suitable for anything that walks this earth.
The .444 has a good selection of factory ammo available while factory ammo for the 450 is extremely limited. The .45-70 has the broadest selection of factory ammo available.
Bullet selections for the .444 run from about 180g to 300g or over, while for the .45’s the selection is from 250g to 540g.
My own choice was the .45-70. My loads run from 300g hardcast plinking loads at 1100fps and very mild recoil to 350g bonded bullets at 2183fps for elk hunting to 460g hardcast at 1812fps for backyard rhinos to 500g Speer African Grand Slam Tungsten Solids at 1512fps for stopping runaway freight trains. There are many loads in-between.
Having been a lever gun fan all my life, I think its hard to go wrong – except by not having one.
_________________ Coyote Hunter
NRA, GOA, DAD
Last edited by Coyote_Hunter_ on Fri Mar 24, 2006 8:35 am; edited 1 time in total |
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1895ss Super Member
Joined: Jul 21, 2005 Posts: 2612 Location: Not Here...!!
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Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 11:02 pm Post subject: Re: Big bore lever actions calibre choices what would you ch |
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I agree Coyote_Hunter_,
I would say pick one but remember, it won't be long before you will want another one. They are all great calibers, like C_H_ said.
By the way I also have the 45-70.
_________________ A cruel truth is much more desirable than a really nice lie.
'Tis far better to walk alone than to follow a crowd or an a**hole going the wrong way.
Last edited by 1895ss on Sat Mar 18, 2006 2:43 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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roklok Super Member
Joined: Aug 11, 2005 Posts: 608 Location: Fairbanks, Alaska
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Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 11:07 pm Post subject: Re: Big bore lever actions calibre choices what would you choose |
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I would (and did) go with the 45-70 Marlin.I dont know much about Australian hunting but this rifle has taken all the African big game handily using Garretts ammunition.Elephant,rhino,hippo,cape buffalo.An important question,does he handload?If not he may be better off with .444 as factory 45-70 ammo is rather anemic(except for custom loads like Garretts or Buffalo Bore)to avoid destroying old rifles and their owners.The 45-70 has the advantage of being able to use heavier bullets.
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Vince Site Admin
Joined: May 25, 2005 Posts: 15725 Location: Brisbane AUSTRALIA
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Posted: Sat Mar 18, 2006 2:27 am Post subject: Re: Big bore lever actions calibre choices what would you choose |
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Coyote_Hunter_ wrote: |
ogre –
All of the Big Bores (.444, .45-70 and 450 Marlin) have their advantages. And with the right bullets any of them are suitable for anything that walks this earth.
The .444 has a good selection of factory ammo available while factory ammo for the 450 is extremely limited. The .45-70 has the broadest selection of factory ammo available.
Bullet selections for the .444 run from about 180g to 300g or over, while for the .45’s the selection is from 250g to 540g.
My own choice was the .45-70. My loads run from 300g hardcast plinking loads at 11100fps and very mild recoil to 350g bonded bullets at 2183fps for elk hunting to 460g hardcast at 1812fps for backyard rhinos to 500g Speer African Grand Slam Tungsten Solids at 1512fps for stopping runaway freight trains. There are many loads in-between.
Having been a lever gun fan all my life, I think its hard to go wrong – except by not having one. |
Gidday Coyote_Hunter. Have to agree with you on your selection. I think the 45.70 is a far more versatile round than the .444. Just one question:
How do you get this sort of velocity out of the 45.70 "11100fps"???
That is awesome power. I would not be happy with the recoil thats for sure.
But seriously, in my opinion, FWIW, the 45.70 is pretty much overkill on Australian game unless you are hunting buffalo in NT on a regular basis. Any of the .30 calibre rounds, the .308 or 30.06, are really all you need. Pigs, roos, deer, goats....they will all fall easily to this calibre.
Cheers, Vince
_________________ Cheers, Vince
Illegitimi non carborundum
(Never let the bastards grind you down)
Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.
"Nulla Si Fa Senza Volonta."
(Without Commitment, Nothing Gets Done) |
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ogre Member
Joined: Jan 15, 2006 Posts: 79 Location: Melbourne
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Posted: Sat Mar 18, 2006 3:18 am Post subject: Re: Big bore lever actions calibre choices what would you ch |
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Vince wrote: |
But seriously, in my opinion, FWIW, the 45.70 is pretty much overkill on Australian game unless you are hunting buffalo in NT on a regular basis. Any of the .30 calibre rounds, the .308 or 30.06, are really all you need. Pigs, roos, deer, goats....they will all fall easily to this calibre.
Cheers, Vince |
Agrred but where do you find them in a handy lever action??
later
P
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Gil Martin Super Member
Joined: Jan 28, 2005 Posts: 1839 Location: Schnecksville, PA
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Posted: Sat Mar 18, 2006 6:23 am Post subject: It depends |
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I have a Marlin .444 and a .45/70 and like both of them. They are very accurate and I usually end up shooting cast bullets. Either one should work out just fine. My all time favorite big bore lever is a Winchester Model 71 in .348. Original rifles are getting hard to find, but some years back Browning did a run of these rifles. All the best...
Gil
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Vince Site Admin
Joined: May 25, 2005 Posts: 15725 Location: Brisbane AUSTRALIA
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Posted: Sat Mar 18, 2006 8:01 am Post subject: Re: Big bore lever actions calibre choices what would you ch |
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ogre wrote: |
Agrred but where do you find them in a handy lever action??
later
P |
Gidday Ogre. Browning offer a number of lever action options. Check out this link: BROWNING LEVER GUNS
Apart from that I can't really offer any suggestions.
I have a Winchester Model 94 in 30.30 and reckon it is a great rifle, although there are those that say the Marlin is a better option in that calibre because they are supposedly more accurate.
What do you actually want to hunt with the lever gun, or are you just interested in what others think about them?
Cheers, Vince
_________________ Cheers, Vince
Illegitimi non carborundum
(Never let the bastards grind you down)
Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.
"Nulla Si Fa Senza Volonta."
(Without Commitment, Nothing Gets Done) |
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george20042007 Super Member
Joined: Jan 27, 2006 Posts: 568 Location: Arizona
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Posted: Mon Mar 20, 2006 9:20 pm Post subject: Re: Big bore lever actions calibre choices what would you choose |
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thought I'd add my 2 cents. I have a Marlin 1894CB in .45 LC and a Marlin 1895 in .45-70. Between the two I have the animal spectrum covered. I do all of my own reloading, so, being that I use Marlins I can push both to the extreme. I'm sure by now you have heard or read articles on the Hornady LEVEREVOLUTION ammunition. This brings on new performance levels to the factory ammo line. I'm sure my reloads are better yet, but, my interest is with the bullet itself. Can't wait to hand load using it. And who said a lever gun has no range? When I can't hit it at long distance I just pull out my S&W 460 XVR, But, I sure do like my lever guns.
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Coyote_Hunter_ Member
Joined: Mar 05, 2005 Posts: 208 Location: Franktown, CO
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Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2006 8:36 am Post subject: Re: Big bore lever actions calibre choices what would you choose |
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_________________ Coyote Hunter
NRA, GOA, DAD |
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Handloader Super Member
Joined: Aug 22, 2005 Posts: 1032 Location: Phoenix, Arizona
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Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2006 9:41 pm Post subject: Re: It depends |
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GilMartin wrote: |
. . . My all time favorite big bore lever is a Winchester Model 71 in .348. Original rifles are getting hard to find, but some years back Browning did a run of these rifles. All the best...
Gil |
GilMartin: now that's class! I waited two decades to find my M71 Deluxe and it is my all time favorite lever action. I liked it so much I traded some lesser stuff for a Browning 71 Carbine. They are superb rifles, the epitome of lever action development from Winchester and a reasonable replica from Browning.
Last year I won a Marlin Guide Gun in 45-70. I was impressed with this rifle for its accuracy and soft recoil, even with stepped up loads, especially after installing a LimbSaver. I'm headed to Alaska and this stainless version will come along for the hunt. This rifle is available at reasonable prices as is the ammo.
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Crackshot Super Member
Joined: Oct 23, 2005 Posts: 1693 Location: Mich
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Posted: Fri Mar 24, 2006 9:53 pm Post subject: Re: Big bore lever actions calibre choices what would you choose |
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I had a Marlin 1895 45/70 until wife bought me a Winchester Timber Carbine in 444, I like 444 alot better!
_________________ The human mind is the weapon, the gun is just one of its tools. |
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Flint54 Member
Joined: Apr 09, 2005 Posts: 389 Location: North Carolina
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george20042007 Super Member
Joined: Jan 27, 2006 Posts: 568 Location: Arizona
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Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2006 1:35 am Post subject: Re: Big bore lever actions calibre choices what would you choose |
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I'm glad to see so many commenting on lever actions. There seems to be a quite a few using 45-70 loads, so, I have one question. What is your favorite hand load in 45-70?
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Vince Site Admin
Joined: May 25, 2005 Posts: 15725 Location: Brisbane AUSTRALIA
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