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what caliber

Dpapa
I would like to buy a lever action, fun, old west style plinker that I could also use for deer and hog hunting. I'm trying to decide between a .44 mag and a 30-30. I don't expect to take any shots beyond 120 to 150 yards. I don't reload, so I'm thinking that .44 mag amo would be cheaper to shoot than 30-30 when just plinking. I'm assuming they are close balistically for short range work.

I've been collecting guns for a long time but I never got around to lever guns until recently. I just bought a little Henry's Golden Boy and really love the action, so I also bought an Uberti, but it's in .357 mag, and I don't feel confident to use it on hogs.

Please don't recommend another caliber other than the two cited.

At this point I'm having fun with cowboy style lever guns, and due to amo cost (teachers don't earn big incomes) I want to stick with .44 or 30-30.

Are these two calibers close enough in performance so that there's no real advantage to either one? All opinions are welcomed.

Thanks!
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Comments

13 comments

Date Votes
  • Dpapa
    The smallest caliber legal in your state to hunt Deer with.

    Last I hunted deer was in KY 22 yrs ago, and then it was 243. center fire. and 20 guage with slugs.

    Pepe_stand3.jpg

    "A wise man is a man that realizes just how little he knows"
    BIG DOG
    wheelie.gif
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  • zipperzap
    http://www.marlinfirearms.com/

    Best lever guns, ever - side ejection - strong - sweet!

    I've got them in .357, .44, and .45-70 (multiples) ... just
    can't be beat - although the Puma in .454 is also a winner
    (youngest son has one).
    [:D]
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  • Tailgunner1954
    Go with the 30-30.
    Find one of the online balistic calculators and compare the 150yd energy levels and drop figgures between the most common load (150gr/30-30 and 240gr/44mag) for each. To be more accurate with the numbers, knock 200fps off of the factory velocity for the 30-30 and add 100fps to the 44mag numbers.

    The 30-30 will hold +/- 3" out to about 200yd, you'll be lucky if the 44 slugs can say the same thing past 100 (I can get 200yd ranging out of the same bullet, but I'm launching it almost 1000fps faster from my smokepole than it will launch from a 44mag carbine)
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  • He Dog
    +1 Tailgunner, I got your front.
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  • tatercats
    30-30
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  • goldeneagle76
    I would say 30-30, there's a reason it's been around so long.
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  • tsavo303
    30-30! not that much more expensice to shoot, and a whole lot more range and power
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  • Colt Super
    Thutty-thutty.

    D.
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  • Sig220_Ruger77
    I would have to agree with the previous comments. Love my Marlin 45/70.

    Jon
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  • Odawgp
    YES 30-30, or 300 sav. I one of each. Perfer the 300sav for is has a rotory mag. meaning i can safely shoot pointeee bullets. ie ballistic tipped if i want too. the new leverevoltution pills out for tubular mags are a great invention. To the best of my knowledge they haven't started producing them in bulk for reloading purposes.

    the only reason i would buy a 44,357,45-70 rifle would be to pair up with a pistol and only have one cartriage to pack.
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  • GaBob
    I would definiately go with the 30-30( or .35) The .44 drops like a rock beyond 50 yards. Mine is 4 " low at 100 yards. In addition several ,44s that I have seen are very finicky about what ammo they will shoot well. Mine will only handle .430 diameter bullets. Any .429 bullets group about 24 " at 50 yards.
    That being said, I have taken three deer with my Marlin .44 and one was at 120 yards but I had to use some hold over.
    I have Marlin lever actions in .22, 30-30, .35, .44 and 45-70. Have never taken deer with the .22 and 45-70(and won't with the .22). All the others have taken deer.
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  • Cubslover
    30-30 if you can use a rifle caliber

    44 if you can't....ie. Indiana.
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  • Dpapa
    Hey Fellow Gun Enthusiasts,

    Thanks for the input. I ended up trading in a Citori 12 Ga O/U straight stock skeet gun for a Pre 64 Winchester, Model 94 in 30-30. Originally I was going for a Marlin, but I got nostalgic when I saw the Winchester sitting in the rack, and besides, my 13 year old son was with me and he said "Dad, that's the gun!" So what could I do?

    It's in very good shape and the bore is clean and unpitted. The bluing is a buit worn but that's to be expected. The stock is dinged and scraped so I'm going to strip it, fill in the nicks and chips, sand it, and then give about 5 or 6 coats of tung oil.

    I'm guessing it's not collectible because someone added Lyman peep sights, which means they probably had to drill the receiver to mount the sights. I don't care though as I plan on shooting it a lot, not putting it away in a cold, dark gun safe.

    Unfortunately in California, we have a 2 week waiting period so I couldn't bring it home today.

    Anyway, thanks again for all the advice. It helped, and I always enjoy talking with other gun people.

    Best Regards,
    Papa Charlie
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