Lever Gun Caliber choice Help

General Firearms General Bolt & Lever Action Rifle
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Basically, I need help deciding on a caliber for a new lever gun - and I need a little help fixing my stupidity. Here’s the facts:

I want this rifle as a host for my Obsidian 45. It’s going to be a general purpose carbine (16” barrel) for plinking, hunting, fun, etc - not defense. I hand load and intend to make everything from subsonic heavy weight bullets all the way up to full power hunting rounds. I live in Ohio and want it to be a straight walled cartridge for deer hunting. BUT… I may have the opportunity to use it on heavier game outside of Ohio (black bear, hogs, and a slight possibility for moose). I’m either going to put a red dot on it or a 1-4x trijicon. Figure absolute max range at 150 yards. Practical range requirement is more like 100 yards or less.

I already have one rifle (Older, not threaded Henry Big Boy) and three revolvers in 44 Magnum and reload a lot for them. I have one competition 1873 in 357. Furthermore, I have enough reloading supplies for 44 magnum that I can’t imagine having to buy more…maybe ever.

I’m currently leaning towards a Marlin 1894 SBL in 44 mag. - which I think is the right answer. I’d also consider a Henry or S&W 1854, but the SBL has everything I want right out of the box. Price isn’t a factor - I just want to get the right thing from the get-go so I’m not F-ing around with trying to make it right after the fact.

But I’m wondering if I should be considering a different caliber or bolt gun like the Ruger American Gen 2 in 450 bushmaster, or 350 legend, or even an Marlin SBL in 45/70 (this is what I’m really weighting against.)

I’ve always liked the idea of 45/70 - but it’s overkill for general purpose and I realize that. My powder and primer supply would work for subsonic but I would need new dies (lee is good enough), a source for plinking projectiles, and new brass. I think, if there’s an upside, my spent brass would be really easy to find at the range just due to the size and shape. Again, price isn’t a factor… what I’m really struggling with is the headache of managing another caliber. I already have way too many and time keeps getting more expensive.

Should I just stick with 44 mag, or should I consider venturing into the world of 45/70 (or another caliber)?

Also, thanks for helping me through my dumb ass struggle with rationalization…

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I will admit to a little bias up front. I really like the 45-70 as a hunting cartridge. I own one myself.

As you already reload you would be able to take advantage of the fairly wide range of bullets available in .458. The Marlin action can handle some pretty stout loads, but obviously they don’t need to be. You should be able to find a load/projectile combination to suit your needs quite well.

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I have Marlin SBLs in both 357 and 45-70. I love them. I shoot the 45-70 more frequently because its just awesome. It puts a big smile on everyone’s face at the range. If you want a 45-70, go for it. I understand the complexity of loading multiple cartridges but I finally just said screw it. I load for 11 cartridges currently. Oh well….

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I have a RemMar .357. Low recoil, easy and cheap to reload. Great for recreational shooting. Near 2,000 FPS from a handgun cartridge if hunting small game which I don’t, but wouldn’t hesitate to use for SD if that’s what was in arms reach at the time. Prices seem on the high side during the last few years. Also have a JM Marlin 30-30.

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45/70 is a bad-ass caliber for sure,if ya need/want it. I don’t have one myself cuz I don’t hunt anymore so no real need. I do have 2 357 Lever guns,one Henry and one Marlin. Both are awesome,things I like about each one but both are reliable and accurate. I have been wanting a 44 in the Big Boy for just range work and goofing around,I have a Ruger Redhawk that I can pair with it,I liked the ideal of the Big Boy mostly cuz it’s weight and figure it will help tame the recoil a fair amount. I’m not a big baby over recoil but just figured the heaver gun would benefit overall. “But” I did look up the Marlin SBL you mentioned above and it looks bad-ass for sure,smaller,lighter but it has a threaded muzzle so if I was a big baby about it I could get a muzzle brake for it,LOL As far as keeping with “current” calibers thats worth considering for sure,I just loaded another 100 44mag earlier today. 45/70 is probably easy to find components but prob more than 44 stuff. Get what your heart says,and enjoy!

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As my Mother has gotten older we’ve made an effort to adjust her capabilities to her firearms.

She used to be quite handy with a S$W .44 spl She kept in her purse. Now She’s down to a .22 auto that weve put a “Button” on the slide so She can charge it against a piece of furniture.

Guess what Gun She can still operate, a Marlin 3030.

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I was in the same boat, ended up trying a few 357 levers. Seems the only one that did not have any issues with 38 specials was a 1854 in 357. It will run any cheap 38 special ammo I can find or reload.

I liked it so much I got the 44mag one. IT has been the best 44 mag lever I have ever shot. Price point is very good too. around $950, but comes with a good rail and a threaded barrel.

I would look into the 1854

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Hard choice between .44 mag and .45-70, I like both and have both. The .44 make a potent revolver/carbine combo while the .45-70 provides the power to decisively take down any large dangerous game on earth.

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Can you give me more information on your experience with the 1854 in 44 mag? I’m curious about the smith offering. I know a lot of guys on the SASS circuit that use the 1894, so I was leaning towards Marlin (Winchester doesn’t make a threaded barrel yet). But the Smith looks like it has all the benefits of the Henry and a better build design. What kind of accuracy do you get out of it?

When I was big in cowboy competition, I used the Winchester (Miroku) 1873 with home-brewed 38 spl cowboy loads. It is “semi-auto” fast, smooth, and consistent. I’ve never actually put a 357 or any full power load through it… it’s always just been a competition gun running 38s with just enough power to get the bullet out of the barrel.

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Thanks for all the replies.

I got out to the range today and I think I answered my own question. I put several different full power loads through my Henry 44 and came to the conclusion that anything that can survive a hit from that slug at 100 yards deserves to live. The dirt berm at 50 yards and 100 yards were displacing so much mud, I couldn’t believe it. I put some 240gr Winchester white box on the steel plates at 150 yards and they reacted like they do when I hit them with 30-06. I know on paper the energy isn’t there, but the steel flopped all over like it was. Anyway… I think 44 is enough.

I just need to decide on a host now. Ruger/Marlin, S&W, or Henry. There’s only one or two models in each lineup that have a 16” Barrel with a threaded muzzle.

Ruger/Marlin 1894 SBL or Trapper

S&W 1854 Stealth Hunter 44 Mag

Henry H12 - Explorer, Protector, HUSH

I’d love to hear any opinions from anyone who has them.

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With cheap winchester white box 44 speical, I was getting 1.5” groups. Now If i benched it and used a scope, i am sure that would improve. I tried the marlin, henry and a winchester 1894. The 1854 felt the best to me. I liked it so much that I got 3 total. The stealth hunter is amazing. The 30-30 was sub moa with my crappy shooting. I was not impressed with any henry. The marlin is solid, but the 1854 was cheaper and felt better in my arms. not sure what else you want to know.

I will add, I think the henrys had a OAL length spec for the 44 special if you decide for some cheap range rounds, the 1854 does not. Goes for the 357 one also.

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That’s all helpful. Thank you. 1.5” groups at what distance? That seems incredible if that’s 100 yards. Still pretty great at 50.

I just loaded 44 mag to keep the brass simple, but change the powder to get different pressure/velocity. I was mostly concerned with accuracy as I’ve read reports of it not being so good. The stealth hunter has the tactical look going on, which isn’t really to my taste, but I’m planning to use it as a field gun so I don’t really care. Feature wise, it’s on point. I’ll see if I can find one to check out.

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It was 68 yards. Once the snow melts, I am going to try 100 yards. I am sure they will open up. as the 44 isnt that accurate at long range.

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Well these are just my thoughts so they don’t mean squat,LOL. I do have a Henry and a Marlin both new manufacture (357 models) While the Henry has a much better trigger and is a tick more accurate ( I have mounted a LPVO on both @ times & at both 50/100 the Henry shot just a bit better with my reloads) I just feel the Marlin has a stronger more robust action. Its a block of steel and the Henry has more of a rounder bolt of sorts. Any fail to feeds have come out of the Henry with 0 malfunctions of any kind out of my Marlin,the trigger generally sucks and its heavy on my Marlin. Now I do have a buddy that has the S&W 44 and its a nice rifle,I like the flat trigger and he has the wood stocks,the SS rifle with the plastic stocks look and feel cheap to me,not a fan,if ya get the S&W get the wood,much nicer rifle I feel. As much as I was leaning towards the 44 Big Boy,I really like the SBL looks and the threaded BBL. The new Henry’s have threaded BBLs but they are fairly new and maybe hard to find locally so GB would be your best bet.

Well with all my ramblings I’m sure you will be happy with whatever you pick! I’ll look forward to hearing how it all works out for ya,enjoy whatever ya grab!

I see you do have the S&W Stealth Hunter listed and for me the tacticool look isn’t a big deal,like I say I’m not a fan of the synthetic stocks,the SBL just looks cooler and would feel much better in the hand I think.

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I’m with you on all that. The SBL is the best looking modern setup in my opinion. If Winchester/Miroku made a threaded barrel lever gun, I’d be all over that based on my experience with the 1873 I own. The bluing and walnut on that rifle is heirloom quality and the action is like butter. Absolutely love it.

I’m going to do some research on the S&W. I like that they incorporated 336 design elements into the action of the 1854, even in the pistol calibers. They should be pretty strong because of that.

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Either of these two would be my vote.

Someone mentioned a 30-30. That’s another good choice, but you are doing well with the 44 Magnum.

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30-30 is a great cartridge. However, Ohio is a straight wall state so that’s out for me. I appreciate the suggestion though.

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I just got a Rossi 92 .44 mag & have zero complaints about it so far.

I’ve yet to fire it past 25 yds though. I also haven’t verified the muzzle threads are good yet. I’lI do that when i go shopping for a can. Mine is a 16 in, threaded, with a forward pic rail & RDS. I like it because i can use it on pistol & rifle ranges. Could also hunt with it & use it for SD.

I started reloading .44 mag for this rifle. I also have a .44 spl Gp100 to share bullets.

The action is very smooth, trigger light, and the whole gun light & handy. It’s a little ugly. For $600 though I’m okay with that.

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30-30 being one of my favorites, isn’t as available from Marlin as it once was.

Given that I would go 45/70 if you hand load.

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Well,I put a call in to one of my FFLs about looking for a Marlin SBL 44mag so we will see. He didn’t answer so I left a message. I think locally they are hard to find,all the big GB whores have em,LOL Time will tell & I’ll let ya know if one pops up and what price.

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