If you could only have one rifle caliber lever action, which one would you pick? I’ve bought and sold multiple Marlins in 30-30 and now wanting another lever gun. I’m thinking something different like a 32 WS, 35 Remington or 358 Winchester. What are thoughts on caliber and why.

Also, thoughts on a BLR or Henry Long Ranger vs a Marlin.

With the BLR, the short action models balance better than the long action models, at least in my opinion. I think the first question is whether you want to scope the rifle or not.

Probably a 35 Remington in a tube fed gun.

The blr and Henry are pretty neat, but kinda miss the point of a lever action in today’s world.

I love the feel of the Henry , 30/30 for me

I always wanted one in .357 mag and then a nice matching revolver to go with it. That being said, if you no longer have one in 30-30, it would be the one I would get first. I think that round works well for what a lever action brings to the table. To me a pre 64 win is where it’s at.

.357 mag if it were a single choice

I like .357, .44 mag, and .45 Colt. For a reloader, 45 Colt is extremely versatile. That being said, I did get out of 45 Colt a few years ago and continue on with .357.

30-30 and then 45-70

Hard not to live the .44 for a single lever.

I’ve got 30/30 45/70 .357 .44 and of course .22lr
All but the .22 and 45/70 are suppressor hosts.

Probably a blr in 308. Still nimble and handy, can do anything a 3030, 357, etc can do. Lots of ammo options and you don't have to pass up 200+ yard shots. Also can easily mount a scope, or shoot irons it'll you want. If I remember right takedowns are pretty common as well, if that is your thing.

If not that, probably a Winchester in 3030 am did not that a Marlin in 3030

I had a BLR in 358 I really enjoyed. If I could only have one lever gun in a rifle caliber it would be a Marlin in 338MX.

356 Winchester is my all time favorite lever action caliber. Its got both range and thump. Pair that caliber with the Winchester 94 Big Bore and you have probably the quickest handling and most versatile lever gun ever made.

One of my dream guns is a Winchester 1895 in 7.62x54R. Maybe some day.

Model 94 Trapper. I grew up shooting one. I wish someone on here would post one for sale.

I would agree that’s a fantastic caliber

Model 92 in 44 mag. Have one in 44-40 that is almost 120 years old.

Anyone shot a .307?

Either 45-70 or 444Marlin

I've got lever actions in gobs of calibers from 25/20 on up. It seems like when I grab one to go hunting anymore though, it's usually a 38/55 as I just really like the caliber. Shot two deer with that caliber this year !!

I have a .22 (39A), .357 (R92), and a .30-30 (336RC) but still need a .35 Winchester (1951 waffle top to match my .30-30 please) and a .45 Colt (to match my Cimarron Uberti Evil Roy).

Never owned a 30-30 but I do have a levers in 45 Long Colt and 35 Remington.

Other than rimfire, the two that I have kept are .357 and 45-70. The 357 is a super soft shooter, and kills way better in the field than it does on paper. The 45-70 is one heck of a Thumper, and puts animals down with authority. I do like the idea of 35 rem, 338, or 356, but have never owned one.

I am don to 2 besides the rimfire, 25-20 and 357 Mag. The 25-20 sees almost no use but does get ut of the safe for some fun shooting some. The 357 gets hunted with often. Guess it would be the 357 if I only had one. 125 yards and in I am as comfortabe hunting deer with the 357 as any other rifle and I hunt lots of places that 100 yards is a long shot. Marlin 16 inch barrel 357 works very well for that.

I have probably owned 5 or 6 over the years. The 307 was WAAAAAY before its time. That round was far superior to the 30-30 but never gained any traction. The more recent introduction of the 308 Marlin Express was really just a redo of the 307 Winchester but with pointed bullets. I remember even reading a write up about that very subject comparing the 2 and it was almost laughable how close the 2 were. Ballistically the 308 Marlin had the advantage but it was only because of the utilization of a more modern bullet. However the 307 was available in the much more handy package of the Winchester 94 Big Bore. That whole Winchester Big Bore lineup was incredible. It came in 307Win, 356Win, 375Win, 444Marlin, and there were even a few Timber Carbine models made in 450 Marlin.

45 70..would not take for it