Author Topic: Bolt action .30-06 or lever action big bore? (Read 672 times)

KodiakHunter · « **on:** August 06, 2004, 05:49:07 PM »

I'm having a hard time deciding between a Marlin .45/70 Guide Gun, or the Savage 110 (actually a 116 all weather?) .30-06 bolt action gun.

I don't shoot past 150 yards, and I'll mainly be hunting moose, black bear, brown/grizzly bear, and blacktail and whitetail deer (I'm in the Coast Guard so I move a lot!). I already have a trusty old .30-30 lever gun.

I'm not sure if I should go for the lever action or for the bolt action. The lever action is stainless/wood, the bolt is stainless/synthetic.

Keep in mind that I don't shoot past 150 yards.

I'm open to any and all suggestions and thoughts.

Thank you!
Andy
Kodiak, Alaska

safetysheriff · « **Reply #1 on:** August 06, 2004, 05:54:47 PM »

I'd go with the 45/70 Guide Gun believing that it's a lot more of a 'stopper' than the '06 which I like for longer range. Those big lead slugs will really handle negotiations when you've got to stop a brown bear from killing you, :eek: :eek: or those times when you've got to keep a moose from getting down into the water! :x

Read what Randy Garrett has to say about the 45/70 on his website.....and you'll probably go with the lever action.

Good hunting to you.

bufflernickl · « **Reply #2 on:** August 07, 2004, 01:54:25 AM »

Kodiak,

I'd also come down on the side of the levergun for your needs. However, I'd ask a question: "Have you ever shot a .45-70 guide gun???

Please do so before you buy. If you don't hunt with hearing protection, then don't use it for your trial shooting ( I am *not* recommending this practice, just pointing out something important :-)

I can't understand why anyone would want a gun that barks so visciously. My brother has a 1895 CB, and even with the 24" bbl it is a beast, but tolerable, which I judge the GG *not* to be. I'd expect that the standard rifle with the 22" bbl to be much more tame than the GG.

Finally, are you recoil sensitive? I shoot the .45-70 with BP-velocity loads, in the 1250-1350 fps range. It is quite pleasant, though a day at the range leaves me a bit sore for nearly a week. My brother shoots 450gr bullets at 1750 fps or better and I cannot *stand* to shoot the thing. One shot is enough for me :-)

So, be sure you want both the recoil and the noise before springing for that beast. Myself, I've decided on a CB in .38-55. All the knockdown that any NA game needs but with tolerable recoil even with maximum loads.

Best of luck with whatever you choose.

Cheers/buffler

Mauser · « **Reply #3 on:** August 07, 2004, 03:05:33 AM »

I traded my guide gun 45-70 for a standard, pistol gripped, 1895 in 45-70. The rifle has a 22" barrel. I find the recoil with heavy loads much more comfortable than with the guide gun. The extra length and weight is more than made up for by the easier shooting IMHO.

As to your question, I think you should get the 45-70 for your needs (I love the '06 however) but get the longer 1895 unless you absolutely need the short length. If you get any of the Marlin '95s put a decent recoil pad on it. If you're going to stay with open sights you should seriously consider putting peep sights on the rifle.

Prince of Wales · « **Reply #4 on:** August 07, 2004, 05:05:57 AM »

Have you considered the Browning BLR 30/06 in stainless? I don`t remember if it is available in 338 Win Mag or not but if so that could be you answer to a lever gun stopper. Good luck. POW

bufflernickl · « **Reply #5 on:** August 07, 2004, 05:45:10 AM »

Good thinking, PoW,

That rifle is available in .358 Win, I think. That's be stopping medicine for sure. And, the Marlin was available in .356 Win if one wanted to search around for one. Maybe the auction sites would turn one up.

30-06 is really a great cart. but it is *so common* it seems a shame to get it in a levergun when there are so many more "interesting' carts. available.

Cheers/buffler

Catfish · « **Reply #6 on:** August 08, 2004, 03:18:37 PM »

If you can take the recoil I would vote for the .45-70 or the .450 Alaskan. I do agree that a longer barrel has it`s advantages also. One thing is definately true though, big slow bullets are alot better stoppers than smaller faster bullets are.

Mac11700 · « **Reply #7 on:** August 08, 2004, 07:48:15 PM »

Heck guys...I'm not a real big guy...5'11" 180lbs...and the Guide Gun isn't that bad...provided you have a deacent recoil pad on it...I found a very simple solution to the percieved recoil coming off the straight gripped stock...I put a Uncle Mikes elastic shell holder on mine...and a small piece of Rubatex insolating foam rubber under it...that took all the "Bark" out of it on my face and coupled with a Pachmayer decelorator recoil pad...it was quite pleasent to shoot with the milder loads...even shooting my Cast Performance WLNGC bullets at 1800- 1900 fps wasn't as bad as some rifles I've shot...granted it ain't no fun to shoot off the bench for extended periods....but you just have to learn to roll with the shot...that's all.

Kodiak...go for the 45-70...and make a few small changes to it...mine loves the 300 grain Nosler Partition and the Cast Performance 405 grain WLNGC...both shoot right at 1" @100 yards...

Mac

Questor · « **Reply #8 on:** August 09, 2004, 03:45:52 PM »

More recoil for less power and versatility? Nah! Go with the 30-06. And put a good scope on it.

lilabner · « **Reply #9 on:** August 10, 2004, 06:50:40 AM »

The 45/70 is a proven killer at moderate range (even at long range if you can deal with rainbow trajectory.) My father in law hunted with an '86 Winchester with a long octagonal barrel and full length magazine. Great on big bull elk and they are tough. Recoil was not bad but this was a heavy rifle. Accuracy was excellent with a peep sight. They were building '86s again recently, I believe in Japan. Very slick action - hard to beat for a lever gun. Oh, another thing. The 45/70 makes a big hole but it wastes very little meat compared to the modern HV rounds