Which is more handy - single shot or lever action?

[tarponhead]

My dilemma- I’m doing a variation for a .308. I’d really like a 45/70 or 30-30 - it’s for sub-150m woodland stalking for fallow and boar - but I’m told that .308 is more likely to be granted. Handy, off hand shooting with a red dot or low mag scope is my goal, so which action would you pick, in .308? I know there a fewer choices of lever action for .308, but there are some. On the other hand, I’ve been enjoying the recent Ruger threads etc and I handled a few single shot and love them. I love nice wood but happy with synthetic stocks, so no barrier there. Any thoughts?

 

[Bowland blades]

My dilemma- I’m doing a variation for a .308. I’d really like a 45/70 or 30-30 - it’s for sub-150m woodland stalking for fallow and boar - but I’m told that .308 is more likely to be granted. Handy, off hand shooting with a red dot or low mag scope is my goal, so which action would you pick, in .308? I know there a fewer choices of lever action for .308, but there are some. On the other hand, I’ve been enjoying the recent Ruger threads etc and I handled a few single shot and love them. I love nice wood but happy with synthetic stocks, so no barrier there. Any thoughts?

Yeah , i would not personally go 30-30 intending to drop wild boar standing anyplace close or running . Sure it will kill em ! but the 45-70 is a whole different beast , so long as you dont develop a flinch . 308 ? in a open range situation ideal , in thick woodland and running shots ? Not for me personally . Fallow in open clearings or way out on grassy fields - perfect !
Have you shot a 45-70 ? not the choice for open range shooting and precision but heck if you need to kill something big in the woods ..............!

 

[Smellydog]

30-30 would be fine.

 

[Muir]

Depends on how fast you want a second shot. I have a New England Firearms 30-30. I like it. ~Muir

 

[HonestJohn]

Lever action if I had to choose, I’d go 30-06,,but that’s not really lever gun calibre of course

 

[Muir]

Lever action if I had to choose, I’d go 30-06,,but that’s not really lever gun calibre of course

It is. I have an original Model 1895 Winchester in 30-06. Great rifle. Winchester still makes it. They also make 30-40! ~Muir

 

[angusb1]

You can get a Browning BLR in .308, 30-06 or 300 WinMag Browning BLR Rifles

 

[safer]

If you are going to use it for wild boar then you will need quick reload so I would have thought that takes single shot out ( as nice as they are) 45-70 lever action would be my choice.

 

[alberta boy]

If you're shooting potentially dangerous game , like Boar , or in my case , Bear , at under 150 yards , the 45/70 , 444 Marlin , or one of my favourite cartridges , the 358 Win will do the job well . To be honest , so will a 308 . I don't really have a preference between a lever or a single shot rifles , either would suit me . I use both to hunt game , including some that can fight back . With equal barrel lengths , a single shot will always be shorter and handier than a lever . The lever action will allow a very fast second shot if needed , it's pretty subjective . If ammo availability isn't an issue , a BLR chambered in 358 Win would be a good choice . The 358 Win is a lot more versatile than traditional lever action cartridges and will cleanly kill large game like Moose and Elk well past the 200 yard mark . I use 225 gr Nosler Partitions at about 2450 fps in mine , it will drop anything around here without any fuss or excessive meat damage . If finding ammo is an issue , the 308 will do pretty much anything you need , or me , for that matter .

AB

 

[nun_hunter]

I've recently got a Bergara BA-13 single shot in 308 and it's very handy. It's got a 20" barrel and yet it's nearly 4" shorter than my previous 18" barrelled bolt action rifle.

Bergara offer this in 45-70 too and makes a great woodland rifle. Yes it'll be slower for a second shot but not by much with a bit of practice and keeping a spare round somewhere accessible.

 

[alberta boy]

I've recently got a Bergara BA-13 single shot in 308 and it's very handy. It's got a 20" barrel and yet it's nearly 4" shorter than my previous 18" barrelled bolt action rifle.

Bergara offer this in 45-70 too and makes a great woodland rifle. Yes it'll be slower for a second shot but not by much with a bit of practice and keeping a spare round somewhere accessible.

They're sold under the CVA label as the Scout 2 here . I've been looking at a stainless version in 45/70 with a synthetic stock , it would make a good choice for a high humidity region like the UK . I shot a friends Scout last Fall . I have to say , I was impressed . It had a really good trigger and kept three shots inside of an inch ( center to center ) at 100 yards , this was with Hornady 325 gr FTXs , Federal 300 gr Hollow Points and a box of Remington 1600 fps 405 gr FPs . Obviously , there was a large difference between POI , but it grouped everything into the same sized groups , not a common occurrence . They're very popular around here , which would explain why no one has any in stock . I'll pick one up this Spring when they show up and do a thread on it . It may be the ultimate Truck Gun lol .

AB

 

[nun_hunter]

They're sold under the CVA label as the Scout 2 here . I've been looking at a stainless version in 45/70 with a synthetic stock , it would make a good choice for a high humidity region like the UK . I shot a friends Scout last Fall . I have to say , I was impressed . It had a really good trigger and kept three shots inside of an inch ( center to center ) at 100 yards , this was with Hornady 325 gr FTXs , Federal 300 gr Hollow Points and a box of Remington 1600 fps 405 gr FPs . Obviously , there was a large difference between POI , but it grouped everything into the same sized groups , not a common occurrence . They're very popular around here , which would explain why no one has any in stock . I'll pick one up this Spring when they show up and do a thread on it . It may be the ultimate Truck Gun lol .

AB

I think you get the extra bonus that CVA will sell you different barrels separately too so you can change depending what you're shooting.

I've only quickly zeroed mine and not really had the opportunity to shoot much practice with it but I've managed 30mm groups with a couple of different brands of ammo in different weights unmoderated. I'm planning to fit a moderator and I expect that'll stop it jumping around quite as much and at least won't make the groups worse.

I went for the stainless version too for exactly the reason you state and I think it looks nice too!

 

[Heym SR20]

It really depends on what you want the rifle to do and what you mean by handiness.

My understanding of handiness is a gun that is easy to carry, well balanced, and it shoots where you look. In other words it fits well and when you mount it sights are aligned with the target. It also needs to be steady enough that it can be shot well off hand.

You find rifles such as this in any action type - bolt, single shot or lever.

Single shots, whether falling blocks such Ruger No1, traditional Farquaharson / Henry, or the break action kipplauf style can have all of the above. Or they can be fitted with a heavy barrel and are super accurate, especially over longer range, but are anything but handy.

Lever actions, especially the 30-30s are sleek little rifles and widely used in many parts of the world for shorter range and quick shooting.

The 45-70 is a bit if lump, and most lever actions are actually quite heavy.

Plenty of good bolt actions are really quite handy - look at “Hunter” type models, and steer well away from varmint, tactical and sporter type models. If you get one in 308, 7x57, 7x64 or 30-06 you really will have a rifle that will be a superb all rounder. Don’t overburden with big scopes, moderators, bipods etc and you will be able to use it for everything from snap shooting at a driven boar, to taking a red stag on the hill or Roe on the woods.

As for rapid second shot, truth betold you really don’t need it. Focus on making the first shot count. There is always plenty of time to reload, whether its a single, lever or bolt.

If you want an instant second shot - get a double rifle. They are very handy to use.

 

[Swedish]

An old hand once said to me about Wild Boar that quick reload was essential. That way if you wounded it you had time for a quick reload and to turn the gun on yourself before the pig got to you.

 

[HonestJohn]

An old hand once said to me about Wild Boar that quick reload was essential. That way if you wounded it you had time for a quick reload and to turn the gun on yourself before the pig got to you.

Lol !

I’d love to see the FEO’s face when reading the application for a new rifle

 

[25 Sharps]

Deer and boar are both deemed good reason for possessing 45-70, so that’s what I would go for out of the 2. Or 444 marlin which is I would like but not very common in the uk.

Or even better .454 casull!

 

[tarponhead]

The Bergara BA13/CVA is what first hit me thinking, but sadly, on calibres it’s not only my choice but that of the FEO and their opinion as well so I’ll have to stick with .308, although 30-06 is an interesting choice as that gives the same choice of bullets but a bit heavier if needed ( or more accurately, wanted - 180g will kill AOLQ in the UK). Many thanks all - a great selection of informed opinions, including sticking with a versatile bolt action. Lots to think about which is, surely, part of the fun!

 

[reiver]

Here you go a
. 30-06 1895 Winchester / Browning and a marlin .444m

 

[8x57]

If you want an instant second shot - get a double rifle. They are very handy to use.

 

[Heym SR20]

The Bergara BA13/CVA is what first hit me thinking, but sadly, on calibres it’s not only my choice but that of the FEO and their opinion as well so I’ll have to stick with .308, although 30-06 is an interesting choice as that gives the same choice of bullets but a bit heavier if needed ( or more accurately, wanted - 180g will kill AOLQ in the UK). Many thanks all - a great selection of informed opinions, including sticking with a versatile bolt action. Lots to think about which is, surely, part of the fun!

To be honest these days of modern high energy powders and monolithic bullets that stay together a 308 leaves very little in the real world to the 30-06. The only reason for using 200gn bullets in 30-06 was to give enough penetration on big tough animals. You can get this now a 150gn monolithic bullet.

In reality if you need more thump than provided by a 308 or 30-06, you need to be going to 375H&H or 416 Rigby terratory, and you really only need to go there when your prey weighs 1,000kg plus and likes making jam out irritating hunters.