Lever-action rifles seem to be making a comeback, and we don’t mean only among hunters. The lever-action platform is excellent for self-defense, hunting, and range use. All it takes is a little practice, just like any other gun. If these classic rifles are catching your eye and you’re debating whether you should get your hands on one for regular use, we’re here to encourage it. Lever actions are great guns. Every gun owner should know how to run one well and have at least one in their personal collection. Check out this list of top 5 lever-action calibers before you choose your next rifle.
1. 444 Marlin
It might surprise you that 444 Marlin is the first cartridge to be listed, but it shouldn’t. The 444 Marlin is an awesome round that should get far more love than it does. This round has a 0.429-inch bullet diameter, a 2.55-inch overall length, and a maximum pressure of 51,500 psi. Loaded with a 240-grain bullet, it produces around 3000 ft-lbs of energy at the muzzle and only drops a couple of inches at 200 yards. For hunters and people using this lever-action as a brush gun for defense against predators, the 444 Marlin is a solid option that creates a sizeable wound cavity. It’s a great way to stop a charging threat in its tracks.
Now, it’s true the 444 Marlin is big enough that there can be some meat loss on whitetail deer. Keep in mind this cartridge does its best work as a mid-range round. If you’re using it for something like home defense, you need to be familiar with how it penetrates and expands on target. Every bullet that exists is capable of over-penetration but some are certainly more prone to it than others, and 444 Marlin is one of the ones to keep an eye on. It’s not ideal for home defense, but it’s perfect for hunting and defense against four-legged predators. We’d love to see more 444 Marlin levers hitting the market.
2. 44 Magnum
Yes, you can find the 44 Magnum in all manner of revolvers, but it also makes a great lever-action chambering. With the longer barrel of a lever-action rifle the 44 Magnum is living its best ballistic life and the results are clear on paper (and game animals). While a magnum round, the 44 Magnum is sort of a happy medium between the enormous energy of the 444 Marlin and the not-quite-perfect 357 Magnum. This round has a 0.429-inch bullet diameter — like the 444 Marlin — but its overall length is 1.61 inches and its maximum pressure is 36,000 psi. That means a 240-grain bullet leaves the barrel of the gun with a velocity of 1180 feet per second and energy of 741 ft-lbs. It’s producing more than enough energy to drop a closer-range target, but not so much that it’s highly likely to over-penetrate (not like the 444 Marlin, anyway).
The other great thing about 44 Magnum is that you can also run 44 Special through it which produces less felt recoil and creates an overall more comfortable shooting experience. This is a good option for home defense or use as a truck gun because it’s absolutely capable of handling business but it’s a step down from the enormity of 444 Marlin. It’s like the magnum sweet spot of the lever-action world.
3. 50-110 Winchester
For shooters interested in a round that outdoes all others in the lever-action, there’s the 50-110 Win. This cartridge has been around since 1898 and while it doesn’t see as frequent use as it once did, it’s one worth seeking out if you’re chasing big game. The 50-110 Win has a 0.512-inch bullet diameter and 2.75-inch overall length. It’s a bit obscure and typically favored by handloaders and shooters willing to re-barrel their rifles for the opportunity to experience it. A 300-grain round can deliver 3300 ft-lbs of energy at the muzzle but there are handloaders who have pushed the 50-110 Winchester near 6000 ft-lbs as well. That’s done in newer rifles, of course, which are capable of handling the pressure.
So, what’s 50-110 Winchester for? It’s favored by some hunters for elk, bear, and moose and is considered a good-performing mid-range round. As you might have guessed, it creates a large wound cavity and penetrates deeply. If you want to try it, you’re going to need to locate a re-barreled newer lever or a properly restored one like the Winchester Model 1886. Due to the cost of the guns and the ammo, the 50-110 Win has become a specialty round, but it’s one worth spending some time on if the opportunity arises.
4. 45-70 Government
Sure, it’s expected, but the 45-70 Government is such a reliable performer it must be mentioned. Also, a lot of modern lever-actions are manufactured chambered in 45-70 Government, meaning it’s one of the cartridges you can find more easily in factory loads. This cartridge does produce noticeable felt recoil, but so do a lot of other lever actions. If you truly want to mitigate felt recoil make sure you invest in a rifle with a good design and well-thought-out stock that can absorb some of it for you. Beyond that, shouldering the gun properly and being sure your stance is correct can go a long way toward handling big bores.
The 45-70 Government has a bullet diameter of 0.458 inches, an overall length of 2.550 inches, and a SAAMI maximum pressure of 28,000 psi (CIP max pressure is 32,000 psi). Its most effective range is within 100 yards but it remains useful beyond that, you just need to be aware of the drop and drift rate of the ammo you’re using. This is a tried-and-true whitetail deer round but also sees a fair bit of use on paper just for fun. If you don’t own any lever-actions and you’re considering it, you might want to make a 45-70 Government your first.
5. 44-40 Winchester
The 44-40 Winchester gets extra points for having been the first metal centerfire produced by Winchester, but aside from that claim to fame, it’s just a good cartridge. It was first chambered in Winchester’s Model 1873 and it, along with the gun in question, became known as The Gun That Won the West. It was used by law enforcement, cowboys, and bad guys, of course. Today the 44-40 Win is largely used by hunters, with some crediting it as one of the most successful lever-action chamberings around for taking whitetail deer.
This cartridge is, like most lever-action rounds, large. It has a 0.427-inch bullet diameter, an overall length of 1.592 inches, and a maximum pressure of 22,000 psi. As you might have guessed, that means it doesn’t produce the stunning energy of other calibers on this list. Loaded with a 200-grain bullet fired through a 20-inch barrel, the 44-40 Win delivers around 1100 feet per second and 537 ft-lbs at the muzzle. It’s good for close-range, which is standard for levers, and is most effective on deer around 100 yards. Like the aforementioned 44 Magnum, the 44-40 Win is a somewhat gentler lever-action option, but one that’s still capable of dropping deer or serving as a truck gun.
There are a lot of options for lever-action rifle chamberings. What’s your favorite? Tell us your thoughts in the comments.
