Jd2020
Active Member
I want a lever action rifle. I’ve shot a few and really enjoyed it, so I want a Chuck Connors/John Wayne/American as apple pie-rifle (without the large loop-don’t like it). I have some military caliber stuff but really just shoot.22, shotgun, and muzzleloader.
My kids and I hunt deer and small game and we target shoot a good bit. I did all my deer hunting with a muzzleloader this season because I don’t own a straight-walled cartridge rifle. I like muzzleloaders and like the black powder. I have ambitions to reload. I have some smokeless powders and primers that I’ve lucked into over the last year or two when they were cheap and they were offered as part of a sale. Even though I’m not sure they will all be useful yet.
So what caliber to get? I want a cartridge I can deer hunt with. A cartridge that’s relatively simple to reload. As versatile a caliber as possible would be nice too, I suppose. Ability to use same moulds, powder for other calibers or even a shared caliber with a revolver would be an advantage. Somewhat interested in loading black powder/ having that option. And the cowboy carbine aspect of using it as a self defense/ shtf gun. I’ve been considering 4 calibers:
357 mag negatives: little light for meeting the MD 1200 ft. Lbs law I think.
Some folks complain about it being snappy and harsh for the energy.
Positives: smaller so cheaper components. Small game loads very doable, many revolver options if wish. Flat shooting for pistol caliber.
44 mag negatives: slightly higher component costs. Slightly higher recoil and blast.
Positives: does everything the 357 does but better.
45 colt negatives: seems so similar to the .44 I’m not sure. Some talk about it having thinner brass case walls?
Positives: similar to.44. Again, seems very comparable. Better for black powder powder reloads cause larger case size?
45-70 negatives: overkill for whitetail. Increased cost to reload and shoot. Recoil. Fewer rounds capacity rifle.
Positives: true rifle caliber. Could go elk hunting etc with it if I win the lottery. Way more energy than pcc. Can load down to some degree... not sure about shooting a rabbit with it though. A better defensive round against predators or perps.
I may very well sell my tactical type 5.56 and 9mm carbines to fund a couple of these lever actions that we will hunt with and reload.
Thanks for any suggestions of best caliber to get into here. Secondary consideration is the make/model..
My kids and I hunt deer and small game and we target shoot a good bit. I did all my deer hunting with a muzzleloader this season because I don’t own a straight-walled cartridge rifle. I like muzzleloaders and like the black powder. I have ambitions to reload. I have some smokeless powders and primers that I’ve lucked into over the last year or two when they were cheap and they were offered as part of a sale. Even though I’m not sure they will all be useful yet.
So what caliber to get? I want a cartridge I can deer hunt with. A cartridge that’s relatively simple to reload. As versatile a caliber as possible would be nice too, I suppose. Ability to use same moulds, powder for other calibers or even a shared caliber with a revolver would be an advantage. Somewhat interested in loading black powder/ having that option. And the cowboy carbine aspect of using it as a self defense/ shtf gun. I’ve been considering 4 calibers:
357 mag negatives: little light for meeting the MD 1200 ft. Lbs law I think.
Some folks complain about it being snappy and harsh for the energy.
Positives: smaller so cheaper components. Small game loads very doable, many revolver options if wish. Flat shooting for pistol caliber.
44 mag negatives: slightly higher component costs. Slightly higher recoil and blast.
Positives: does everything the 357 does but better.
45 colt negatives: seems so similar to the .44 I’m not sure. Some talk about it having thinner brass case walls?
Positives: similar to.44. Again, seems very comparable. Better for black powder powder reloads cause larger case size?
45-70 negatives: overkill for whitetail. Increased cost to reload and shoot. Recoil. Fewer rounds capacity rifle.
Positives: true rifle caliber. Could go elk hunting etc with it if I win the lottery. Way more energy than pcc. Can load down to some degree... not sure about shooting a rabbit with it though. A better defensive round against predators or perps.
I may very well sell my tactical type 5.56 and 9mm carbines to fund a couple of these lever actions that we will hunt with and reload.
Thanks for any suggestions of best caliber to get into here. Secondary consideration is the make/model..