Lever Hog Gun

[geebo]

Total newb here, so have mercy. I want to start hunting pigs in southern/central California. I will use a guide. I want to stalk the game--fair chase. I assume most shots will be taken from 75-150 yards, but that's an assumption. I want a lever gun, because that's what I want.

I will want to take meat hogs generally, but want to be able to bag something bigger if the opportunity presents itself. I realize shot placement is everything, and a real man can down a 700 point pig with a .22 short and a length of pipe, but I ain't that good.

I want something at least 30 caliber. I prefer to bring a little more gun than necessary, but not a Barrett. I was thinking a Marlin 308MX, but after reading lots of posts on the MOF (barrel droop, "Remlin" quality problems, etc.), I got cold feet.

So, what do you suggest: make, model, year? Would even lighter loads in 45/70 just tear up the animal? Does a 35 Remington have enough "oomph" for a 200 pounder at 200 yards? All comments appreciated, and thanks for your patience.

 

[catchdog]

45/70 2,000,000 bison can't be wrong. Marlin guide gun.

 

[Farmerdoug]

Personally, I'd stick with a good old fashioned Model 94 Winchester or a Marlin 336 chambered in 30-30....That's a tried and true legend with plenty of experience behind its belt. The ammo is readily available. Also, Hornady now makes the[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] [/FONT]LEVERevolution bullets that give you more speed and downrange accuracy.

 

[flingem71]

Really wondering why lever action 30-30 style there cowboy? That's cool though. Its a "brush gun, saddle gun ect." Shorter ranges. I'm a 30 cal. Fan.... 30-06. Alot to be said about any .308 bore. I've seen a 135 gr. Match king w/ 57gr of IMR 4350 set 20" groups at 1200 yards. I've seen the same round shave the shoulder armour of a 240# boar. It was a quarter to shot at 360 yrds. The second hunter killed it full broadside with the same round at 340 yrds. Ill include a short range 30-30 head shot for u to see.... 150 yrds. Placement is everything. Bow, rifle, sling n rock. A .257 roberts is an awsome round. A little hard to find but worth it if u desire smaller bore. I myself only care about a clean kill. No suffering. Know your weapon of choice....inside and out! Hope this helps in some way.

Sent from my Huawei U8800-51 using Tapatalk 2

 

[flingem71]

Sent from my Huawei U8800-51 using Tapatalk 2

 

[bisonic]

I love hunting with my 1940's Winchester M94 in 30-30 with peep sights and handloads. Makes it all just feel right.

 

[Caninelaw]

45/70 2,000,000 bison can't be wrong. Marlin guide gun.

If I had my choice of lever guns I would go with this one too.

 

[tpuig]

Lots of great choices. Marlin or Winchester 94 in a .44 mag might be another option. (Buffalo Bore ammo or Hornady LeverEvolution is great, but you'd probably have to stick with a Corbon for the non lead areas) But you really can't go wrong with a Marlin Guide gun in .45-70...

 

[Live2hunt]

Browning BLR is a lever gun. Not the ideal western cowboy type lever but it's a lever gun. Available in many calibers. Get one in 30-06 and you are set for any north american biggame.

http://www.browning.com/products/catalog/firearms/detail.asp?cid=034&tid=018&fid=003B&cattype=034018

 

[inchr48]

I love my Marlin 1894 44 mag, but with it's slow twist, it won't stabilize the longer copper bullets (DPX).

I think the 30-30 would give you a bit more range, and if you want a lever gun, it's a classic.

A 308 would be a good choice also.

Let us know what you decide, then get to the range and burn some ammo.

 

[lewdogg21]

.35 Remington is very popular in the NorthEast for Deer and Bears. If it works for bear it will kill hogs as they aren't born with Kevlar. You can go the .45/70 route or if you want something smaller do a .358 Winchester. Enough oompfh for anything in NA. My father has one in a lever (can't recall the make/model).

 

[k_rad]

.35 Remington is very popular in the NorthEast for Deer and Bears. If it works for bear it will kill hogs as they aren't born with Kevlar. You can go the .45/70 route or if you want something smaller do a .358 Winchester. Enough oompfh for anything in NA. My father has one in a lever (can't recall the make/model).

That may be a Browning. Great round and great saddle, brush gun. Perfect for hogs IMO. I think Savage used to make a model 99 lever action in 270 that you could pick up for a nice price on one of the online gun auctions. Have fun and welcome to JHO.

 

[land4cat]

I have used a couple of lever actions on hogs. One being a winchester model 94 in 30-30, and another winchester model 92 AE in 7-30 waters.
The other lever action was a Savage model 99 in .375 winchester. All are very capable and you most know each on the rifles capablitty.

 

[KTKT70]

could i use my Grandfathers 300 savage lever action ??? Is that a ok size ??