Best lever gun caliber

[Adirondacks]

Count me in for the 45-70 but only
if you reload. It's a great gun to
carry if you are combo bear/deer
hunting. I used to carry it exclusively
in areas where I was likely to see
bear while deer hunting.

Factory 45-70 loads are way under
powered. Hand loads can be made
more powerful and very accurate.
Even near max loads I've never found
the recoil all that bad.

It's a classic.

[nranut]

Originally posted by HANDGUNNER
Alright, let's hear your thoughts on lever guns. I sold my Marlin 336 in 30/30 and I miss her allot. I need another lever gun. Here is my problem; I like to shoot and ammo cost and recoil is a factor, (no I'm not a wimp, I just like to go to the range and don't need to develop a flinch.) I was lookin at a Winchester 94 with a dark stock I saw a Wally World and I'm diggin it, but...

I was in a tree stand last week huntin bear over a barrel. The week before a guy got a 420lb. bruin in the same stand. I don't think the 30/30 would've been enough gun if I got the same chance, but then again it's only thirty yards away.

I'm looking at the .32 special and 35 Remington, but ballistic coeff what ever is less than the 30/30. I never had a 45/70 or .444, but the ammo ($) is up there. Can the 30/30 do whatever the .32 special can? Anyone have experience with the .32 special?

The best lever gun I ever saw is the browning BLR in either .243, 308, 7mm/08, or 358 win

[8X56MS]

Model 70, I have to agree with popplecop. I have killed both hogs and deer with the .44 mag and the 30-30. If there is a difference, then I think the .44 Mag does a slightly better job on hogs, deeper penetration, and more 'knockdown' power. That might be due to the heavier 270 grain bullet I use in the .44 mag. On deer, I don't see much practical difference. I do not take shots much past 75 yards, due to the type of heavy cover I favor.
I find both rifle calibers to be equally accurate out to 100 yards. Much past that, the 30-30 seems to be more so.