best all around levergun caliber

"I can say from experience that .30-06 in an 1895 is, shall we say, not pleasant..."

Gyvel, what was not pleasant about it?

I own one and I have shot a LOT of rounds through it. I love the rifle. Did you have one that was troublesome?
 
Gyvel, what was not pleasant about it?
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I have an older Browning, and while it is a very beautiful and handsome gun, I found the recoil to be a bit harsh.* I probably should have specified that in the post. Don't get me wrong; It's not unbearable, just "unpleasant." Of course, I am getting older, and I have had a couple of bad shoulder injuries that don't help.:D

Even the .300 Savage is getting shot less and less these days.

As always, YMMV.

(*I'm comparing it to an '06 Remington 700 I have.)

As an after thought, I have also fired a friend's Browning 95 in .30-40 and found it to be a little more tolerable.
 
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"Best all-round levergun caliber"

Hmm... I take "all round" as the ability to effectively take any game you can hunt on this continent.. I don't really feel that ammo availability should be a plus or minus in the quest for all-round, but that's just my opinion as a reloader...

So IMHO something that should be at or near the top of the heap for best all round would be 45-70. I'll take mine in an 1886 Short Rifle please. :D

450 and 444 Marlin would have to be right on the heels of the 45-70. I would take the 45-70 over the 450 for 2 reasons:

(1)A bit simpler to reload for. (I recently stepped into reloading belted cases and while I have been getting good results, it does take a little more fussing with if you want more case life)

(2) the rifles offered in 45-70 tend to be a bit heftier and will translate to rifles that are a bit easier on the shoulder.. Example being 1886 in 45-70 vs 1894 Timber Carbine in 450 Marlin.

Really like the 375 Win but I own one and therefore am a bit biased in that choice! ;)

No wrong answers here though... Personal preference is a great variable and therefore "best all round" can be pretty elusive.
 
There is a correct answer, and that would be the caliber that the most leverguns have been chambered for. It's tried and true, stood the test of time and you all know which one it is. There are other good calibers that might be better for specific applications but for all-around uses, there is one that has been getting the job done, and well done, for more levergun users than any other. The numbers don't lie. "But for the sake of argument, ...." Some folks can't resist a good argument. I knew a man that would ask you what your views were on any particular subject so that he could take the opposite view....for the sake of argument. Discuss and argue the relative merits all you like, but the facts are the same. We happen to live in a place and time when many of us don't have to limit ourselves to one rifle out of the sheer necessity of austere times. I don't even have to name the caliber; you all know.
 
Sorry,but not quite sure of what your asking here:confused:

If it,s the best all around caliber,then I would go with the .308.
That covers the 30-30,308 win and 30-06.

But,if you mean the best all around cartridge chambered for a lever gun,then I would say the 30-30.
 
I don't get the question because of the answers. "All around" used to mean one rifle for everything. I guess the .243 or 22 Savage would be my choice. I have hunted deer and groundhogs with both, and turkey with the 22 Savage. I guess the smaller Winchester cartridges would be good too.
 
I don't get the question because of the answers. "All around" used to mean one rifle for everything. I guess the .243 or 22 Savage in lever guns would be my choice. I have hunted deer and groundhogs with both, and turkey with the 22 Savage. I guess the smaller Winchester cartridges would be good too.
 
There is a correct answer, and that would be the caliber that the most leverguns have been chambered for. It's tried and true, stood the test of time and you all know which one it is.
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I'd say the 44-40 would give it a run for it's money. :D
 
Howdy

For me it's 44-40. Last count, let's see, 2 Winchester 1892s, 1 Uberti replica 1873, 1 old Marlin 1894, One Uberti replica 1860 Henry, all chambered for 44-40.

I do have a '94 chambered for 30-30, but I'm not a hunter so I don't shoot it much. Bought it because it was pre-1964 and I couldn't resist the price.
 
For me it's 44-40. Last count, let's see, 2 Winchester 1892s, 1 Uberti replica 1873, 1 old Marlin 1894, One Uberti replica 1860 Henry, all chambered for 44-40.
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I'm jealous. Only have a Rossi 92 in 44-40. Have a Henry Golden Boy .22, the Rossi,a Winchester 94 in 30-30 and an original 1887 Winchester 12 gauge for lever actions.
 
When the 44WCF was first introduced in 1873, magazine capacity was a lot more important consideration on an untamed frontier. By the turn of the century, the Indians were no longer an issue, but game was a bit more scarce and a lot more wary so a flatter shooting rifle made longer shots easier and having 10 - 14 rounds in the magazine was no longer needed.
 
My first reaction is .30-30, but for the sake of argument, assume that "best all around..." doesn't simply mean medium/big game hunting as many people seem to be thinking of.

What if it includes defense, small game hunting, cowboy action shooting, ect.?

And what if "all around" implied suitable for the greatest number of people? I mean some of the most versatile cartridges aren't necessarily friendly to small or new shooters.

If these factors are taken into account, I might contend that a handgun caliber (.357, .44, 45 Colt) would be better for more people and more purposes than the .30-30 or other typical rifle cartridges even if they are less capable as longer range big game weapons.
 
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I like plinking with lever guns. Most people think 22 long rifle for that, nothing wrong with that. I prefer 357 and 44 magnum. Unless you have a pallet for which some disassembly is required in which case it's hard to beat a 45/70 though I haven't had a 30-30 until recently, maybe it's just as good. And my newest is an 1876 in 50/95I have yet to fire but should also be good for major demolition work. Any of these should be somewhat adequate for hunting for as good as I can do with irons.
 
I like plinking with lever guns. Most people think 22 long rifle for that, nothing wrong with that. I prefer 357 and 44 magnum. Unless you have a pallet for which some disassembly is required in which case it's hard to beat a 45/70 though I haven't had a 30-30 until recently, maybe it's just as good. And my newest is an 1876 in 50/95 I have yet to fire but should also be good for major demolition work. Any of these should be somewhat adequate for hunting for as good as I can do with irons.

For ammo cost and availability it's hard to beat 357/38. I have a Rossi 92 454 that will also shoot 45 Colt in the pipeline getting some enhancements from Steve Young at Steve's Gunz. Nice range of power there.

When the 44WCF was first introduced in 1873, magazine capacity was a lot more important consideration on an untamed frontier. By the turn of the century, the Indians were no longer an issue, but game was a bit more scarce and a lot more wary so a flatter shooting rifle made longer shots easier and having 10 - 14 rounds in the magazine was no longer needed.
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True, but many subsistence farming and ranching families could only afford one rifle and that rifle had to be capable of hunting anything from rabbits to deer at least. 44/40 did that well without blowing a bunny or grouse to smithereens yet still capable of taking a deer, turkey, maybe even a black bear which was all the more vital during the great depression.
 
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When the 44WCF was first introduced in 1873, magazine capacity was a lot more important consideration on an untamed frontier.
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If that was the case they would have stayed with the .44 Henry Flat.
 
Another vote for the savage 99 in 300 savage. My nephew took two large mule deer with one two months ago. (He was hunting with my brother and just happened to have two goodshotsso he took both, one for himself and one on my brothers tag.)
 
Is there a correct answer for the "best"? Shouldn't it be "your favorite"?

Anyhow, given the number of lever actions I own, and if I had to pick one, it would not be the one shot the most, but the one most flexible to handle everything asked of it. Another assumption would you would have to be a handloader. Also, it would not necessarily be modern manufacture.

So, the rifle would be either a Winchester Model 88 or Savage 99, just for the flexibility of bullets and calibers. Narrowing down to one caliber, it would have to be a .308. Plenty of loading range and plenty of bullet molds available and excellent cartridge design.

If this question would be asked mid-20th century, I would opt for a Model 94 in .30-30 or .32 Special. If asked this coming December 26th, it would be a .22 lever. If the question was for a current make, it would hands down be a Henry Big Boy Steel in .357.


Edited to add: great thread! Thanks to whoever started it and everyone adding to it!!!
 
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