Best Lever Action for the UK?

[Andy Mauthe]

I nearly bought one in 308 many many years ago. Should of....

I have a 1928 vintage chambered in the original .303 Savage. They were way ahead of their time.

 

[Andy Mauthe]

I have a 1928 vintage chambered in the original .303 Savage. They were way ahead of their time.

I also have a pre WW2 Winchester model 94 in 30-30. That I was just out with this morning looking for a large elusive whitetail buck that I only see when it’s not hunting season unfortunately

 

[Bowland blades]

I dont know what's best but i do fancy a 30-30 for the smaller deer but also all deer ( something we cant do with 223) shooting quickly in woodland and a 45-70 for pigs and tracking work / Boar . Likely with a red dot because the eyes aint what they where in my youth

 

[Andy Mauthe]

I dont know what's best but i do fancy a 30-30 for the smaller deer but also all deer ( something we cant do with 223) shooting quickly in woodland and a 45-70 for pigs and tracking work / Boar . Likely with a red dot because the eyes aint what they where in my youth

You can handle a wide variety of game with a 30-30 and a 45-70 for sure. Inside of 150 yards and 200 yards respectively, they’re all you would need. Although not sure if the 30-30 meets your energy requirements in the UK. If not, the folks who wrote the regulations should look at the history of the 30-30 in the states. It’s certainly not outstanding ballistically but it’s killed untold numbers of deer over here very humanly over its long history. You just have to use it within its limitations. The Winchester I have was my grandpa’s so it carries special meaning for me and I try to take it out at least once each hunting season.

 

[Bowland blades]

You can handle a wide variety of game with a 30-30 and a 45-70 for sure. Inside of 150 yards and 200 yards respectively, they’re all you would need. Although not sure if the 30-30 meets your energy requirements in the UK. If not, the folks who wrote the regulations should look at the history of the 30-30 in the states. It’s certainly not outstanding ballistically but it’s killed untold numbers of deer over here very humanly over its long history. You just have to use it within its limitations. The Winchester I have was my grandpa’s so it carries special meaning for me and I try to take it out at least once each hunting season.

Its legal here meets English 1750 ftlb requirement . not 100 % on Scotland but pretty sure as thier legislation is pretty much ours written differently and lacking CWD / Muntjac. Except according to Parliament we need more than 222 / 223 for the Roe in England /Wales

 

[Heym SR20]

I would just go 30-30. Load it with a good aerodynamic bullet with a MV of over 2450fps - would should be easily achievable. Unless you ate using the soft rubbery Hornady Leverevolution bullets, just use it as a two shot - one in the chamber, one in the magazine. Then no risk of setting of cartridges in the magazine.

2 shot a serious handicap. No not for most situations and usually you have plenty of time to load another cartridge or two if needs be.


I have no doubt pistol calibres - 44 Mag in particular are very effective on deer - the kill by putting a big hole through the vitals. But you need to check whether it meets legal requirements.

 

[25 Sharps]

For a levergun you've still got to run the case through a sizer no?
Still got to dacap.
What am I missing buddy?

Carbide dies so no lube, no shoulder to bump.

 

[Bowland blades]

I would just go 30-30. Load it with a good aerodynamic bullet with a MV of over 2450fps - would should be easily achievable. Unless you ate using the soft rubbery Hornady Leverevolution bullets, just use it as a two shot - one in the chamber, one in the magazine. Then no risk of setting of cartridges in the magazine.

2 shot a serious handicap. No not for most situations and usually you have plenty of time to load another cartridge or two if needs be.


I have no doubt pistol calibres - 44 Mag in particular are very effective on deer - the kill by putting a big hole through the vitals. But you need to check whether it meets legal requirements.

Think that's a sound plan for deer , would like a tad more for tracking or boar but i certainly hear you on that plan . The 45-70 is a lot of recoil which can mess with your accuracy by causing the dreaded flinch

 

[Smellydog]

Carbide dies so no lube, no shoulder to bump.

I've never had to bump a shoulder back in my life, in fact I never even heard of it until recently.
Probably because I full length resize.

Ay carbide dies saves a few seconds a case I guess...

 

[Smellydog]

I would just go 30-30. Load it with a good aerodynamic bullet with a MV of over 2450fps - would should be easily achievable. Unless you ate using the soft rubbery Hornady Leverevolution bullets, just use it as a two shot - one in the chamber, one in the magazine. Then no risk of setting of cartridges in the magazine.

2 shot a serious handicap. No not for most situations and usually you have plenty of time to load another cartridge or two if needs be.


I have no doubt pistol calibres - 44 Mag in particular are very effective on deer - the kill by putting a big hole through the vitals. But you need to check whether it meets legal requirements.

For the Scottish 2450fps you need to use 120-130 gn bullets, a 24" barrel and not load like a sissy.
One could load 110 bullets that will scream out of a 20" barrel.
Or say nowt and just get on with it because no one will give a.....
I think the Scottish police refer to the same guidance as the English police?



It's such a stupid law, completely unenforceable. It should of been a recommendation.
We've all heard of what deer were shot with before this nonsense.

 

[Andy Mauthe]

I’m sitting in the woods right now with my 30-30. Hopefully I get a shot. And if I do, I sure hope that the deer doesn’t mind that I’m using an outdated and underpowered cartridge

 

[harrygrey382]

.
Or say nowt and just get on with it because no one will give a.....

Has anyone heard of anyone’s had loads being tested? I must say it is up there with the most backwards of the stupid UK firearms laws - a hotly contested spot i know

 

[Rob-E]

Marlin 30-30 with Leverlution 160gr FTX deer legal, fun to shoot and light weight.

 

[Andy Mauthe]

Out of curiosity, are the Marlins readily available in the UK? And what vintage is yours? Nice looking rig!!

Marlin 30-30 with Leverlution 160gr FTX deer legal, fun to shoot and light weight.View attachment 340087

 

[Smellydog]

Marlins pah....

 

[Rob-E]

Out of curiosity, are the Marlins readily available in the UK? And what vintage is yours? Nice looking rig!!

Thanks. Yes, depending on the calibre. I had to hunt around a bit for my 30-30 but with the 336 back in production some will crop up/be imported in. I missed a couple of new at various points.
Mines an early naughties version but would have to check the SN to get the exact year.

 

[Andy Mauthe]

Thanks. Yes, depending on the calibre. I had to hunt around a bit for my 30-30 but with the 336 back in production some will crop up/be imported in. I missed a couple of new at various points.
Mines an early naughties version but would have to check the SN to get the exact year.

Thanks for the reply. The original JM Marlins had always been plentiful and fairly priced here in the states. Then after Remington bought them and had so many quality issues, the original Marlins suddenly became very expensive. Now that Ruger is making them again and have brought the quality up, the new ones are hitting shelves as they release new models/calibers. But the original Marlins have stayed expensive here. I just wasn’t sure how many had been imported into the UK over the years and if the new Ruger made ones have started to show up there in meaningful numbers yet. They’re a nice quick handling rifle for sure. I was fortunate to buy the ones I wanted well before the demise of the original Marlin. You’ve got a nice one!

 

[Cootmeurer]

Bah, go big or go home. Marlin 45-70 stainless (newer models have a threaded barrel for moderators as well) is the only lever gun recommended for hogs, deer and tyrannosaurs

 

[Smellydog]

More is better syndrome in a levergun.

 

[Dodder]

I would just go 30-30. Load it with a good aerodynamic bullet with a MV of over 2450fps - would should be easily achievable. Unless you ate using the soft rubbery Hornady Leverevolution bullets, just use it as a two shot - one in the chamber, one in the magazine. Then no risk of setting of cartridges in the magazine.

2 shot a serious handicap. No not for most situations and usually you have plenty of time to load another cartridge or two if needs be.


I have no doubt pistol calibres - 44 Mag in particular are very effective on deer - the kill by putting a big hole through the vitals. But you need to check whether it meets legal requirements.

Don't mess about with piddling pistol.calibres like .44 Mag - just go .444!