Lever action deer rifle?

[Jmac00]

Henry or Marlin in 44mag will kill anything in North America...has more energy than a 30-30 (within 200 yards) plus you'll have a matching Revolver backup...

where did you get your information????

ok, you got my interest in this conundrum and did some research and was actually shocked to find you are correct, to a degree

"A better comparison indicator for me, of where a handloaded round is in the scale of killing ability...is to compare it’s standing against other rounds without the over rated muzzle energy figures. If you multiply the velocity times the bullet weight, and then divide by 7000 (number of grains in a lb, it’s the old Keith method) you get a better picture of actual power/killing levels compared to other rounds. 2000 X 275 div 7000 = KS(Killing Scale) of 79 for this 45 long Colt load from the Rossi 1892. A 44 magnum Ruger revolver with a 275 grain (same nose shape) cast WFN bullet at 1400 FPS velocity reaches a level of KS 55, and that’s a heavy handgun load that’s harvests larger medium game very well.

A 30-30 with a 170 gr bullet at 2200 FPS gives a level of power ranking at KS 53.4... ahh yes dear reader, the 44 mag from a long gun really does have more power at 100 yards than a 30-30/170 commercial load. Of course the 44 mag/275 gr. load above from a rifle, at basically the same velocity as the 275 gr./45 long Colt from a rifle has the same killing level potential as the 45 long Colt. There are difficulties with all measuring methods of bullet energy and killing ability since so much more is involved than just velocity and weight...but this works for me when we are comparing the same bullet shape/content and construct with changes in weight or velocity.

The neat thing about this method is you can take the down range velocities all the way out to your longest range and compare them with the down range velocities of other rounds, calibers and see the changes compared to each other. The 45 long Colt at 100 yards has slowed to 1600 FPS and the killing level has dropped to almost KS of 63 from 79. Where the 30-30 load has dropped to 1930FPS to a KS 46 from 53.4.....that should make a few yell ‘foul...can’t be’, but it is! And from my use of these 45 loads in the field for years on large game....I can tell you it is.....! As many gunwriters have stated over the years, a 44 mag or heavy loaded 45 long Colt fired from a rifle is more powerful than a 30-30 at 100 yards....actually they are more powerful than the great 30-30, at a lot further than 100 yards.....

So the next time someone states the 44 mag and 45 long Colt from rifles only has an advantage over the 30-30 under 100 yards...show him the error of his reality. But remember bullet drop with the larger calibers, is more than the 308 calibers ....But that never bothered me....mainly because I started rifle shooting without scopes and learned how to compensate....scopes were far from being seen, much less using them, when we were boys."

 

[cgrutt]

I've got a tube fed Win Model 94 in 307 Win. Close but no cigar, LOL...

 

[ECU Pirates]

The Henry long ranger would be ideal for the op. It can be had with iron sights. It's made in American (not like the browning blr). It's new but initial reviews are promising.


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[Jmac00]

I've got a tube fed Win Model 94 in 307 Win. Close but no cigar, LOL...

I got a friend with one of those, its a sweet shooting gun.

 

[phatfarmerbob]

I'm gonna delv into this Henry and do some more research. In the meantime perhaps another through cleaning of the BLR... also just found out he has been shooting moly cote hand loads could that be a factor ?

 

[whauburger]

Marlin 336 in 35 Rem

And hand loads could be a factor. Some primers are harder then others. Could be a firing pin issue, could be the primers. And the gun and twist might not like the bullets he is putting through. Try factory ammo.

 

[Snappo]

And hand loads could be a factor. Some primers are harder then others. Could be a firing pin issue, could be the primers. And the gun and twist might not like the bullets he is putting through. Try factory ammo.

Bad advice. I have a 336CS and now 35 Remington is basically a dead round. Not sure why, but it died a slow death a decade or two ago.

 

[whauburger]

35 Rem is an excellent choice for deer. Hornady makes levereveloution in 35 and it's pretty available. Plus he obviously reloads so if desired could reload his own.

 

[S&W Fan]

I've owned my Marlin 336 in .35 Rem. for more than 25 years and I've killed plenty of deer with it. It's an excellent round. Not sure why some say it's a dead round. I don't have any problems finding it when I need some.

 

[meketrefe]

With modern actions there is no need to limit yourself to:
- Old case designs.
- Tubular magazines / rimmed ammo and restricted bullet choices.

I don't see a good reason not to pursue a BLR in a popular cartrige and use premium bullets like the 308 winchester.
Or even the 358 winchester that is a powerhouse w/o the need to get into long actions or magnums.

With all that said if one has a 357 magnum revolver there might be a case to consider a carbine in that caliber keeping in mind the
limitations of that round. Same thing with a 30-30, etc...

 

[Dantheman]

Browning BLR in 308 will do everything you want and a lot more.
By far the best and smoother lever action ever design that feeds from a detachable
magazine vs. the tubular magazine design.

The 308 can also shoot flatter than the 243 with 110gr-120gr bullets.
At the same time the 308 can shoot 180gr solids that can take down a grizly.

So I don't see the reason for the 243.

In a compact rifle for a 'brush' kind of gun the 358 winchester is the most powerful cartrige from a 308 case
derivate. At the average ranges delivers close to magnum blows with 200-225gr bullets and will stay
put through brush, bone and what not. Possibly the most overlooked cartrige in America but stupid easy
to reload and super powerful. can also use 357 pistol TMJs for practice and even take down a white tail.

308 is the most popular roudn in the world and in service so that is why everything should be compared
against it.

I second this. I have a BLR in 358 Win and love it. It's light weight and very fast cycling. With select handloads it can rival the accuracy of some bolt actions.

Dan