Lever action for hunting?

**1lum1nat1** · 09-02-2014, 19:03

Hi gentleman

I need some help here. I don't know why, but I am fascinated by lever actions, even though I've never seen/handled and obviously never shot one.

It would be used for bushveld hunting, but I have no idea about the caliber. 30/30 or 45/70? From my understanding there's not a lot to choose from in SA, Marlin and Sako, but I don't think Sako still manufactures the Finnwolf.

Where will I be able to go and have a look at one? What do they go for?

Regards

**CorditeCrazy** · 09-02-2014, 19:08

Both are great for bushveld, I'd go for a 45-70, it gives you more room to move when going after large game.

**Ds J** · 09-02-2014, 20:15

45-70 is said to kick like a mule, but the heavy slow bullet kills very dead and wastes little meat. The 30-30 is close to a 308.

**zakiwi** · 09-02-2014, 20:56

The two calibers that you mentioned are great, but consider the 454 Casual too.

Lever guns can be great for thick bush over rough terrain ... They're short, they're light and they pack a punch at short range.

**cdbeagle** · 10-02-2014, 00:02

A 30-30 will allow you to shoot game at longer distances than a 45-70. I don't know about the RSA but in the US 30-30 ammo is MUCH less expensive than 45-70.

**Toxxyc** · 10-02-2014, 07:12

I'd go for the .45-70. It's a big round, yes, but the kick really isn't too bad (personal experience - both .300WM and .338WM kick much harder) and I've seen it take Kudu at 200m. My lever action is in .357 Magnum, and I can hunt about Blesbok size up to 100m. Anything larger or further and I'll go for the .303.

Lever actions are as awesome as they look, trust me. They're reliable and allow for rapid follow-up shots. Mine has a red-dot fitted and is damn short, so it's great for shooting on the range as well, plates and so forth.

The problem with .30-30 here is the availability of cases. .45-70 is a very loved caliber here and cases are available quite plentifully. Bullets really aren't too expensive and you get a wide range as well.

**cdbeagle** · 10-02-2014, 08:06

The 45-70 will definitely take larger animals but I don't care for the recoil.

**CorditeCrazy** · 10-02-2014, 08:15

The recoil isn't that bad, its a low pressure round, so its more of a hard push than a hard punch on the shoulder.

**Wesley** · 21-02-2014, 14:38

Originally Posted by Toxxyc

I'd go for the .45-70. It's a big round, yes, but the kick really isn't too bad (personal experience - both .300WM and .338WM kick much harder) and I've seen it take Kudu at 200m. My lever action is in .357 Magnum, and I can hunt about Blesbok size up to 100m. Anything larger or further and I'll go for the .303.

Lever actions are as awesome as they look, trust me. They're reliable and allow for rapid follow-up shots. Mine has a red-dot fitted and is damn short, so it's great for shooting on the range as well, plates and so forth.

The problem with .30-30 here is the availability of cases. .45-70 is a very loved caliber here and cases are available quite plentifully. Bullets really aren't too expensive and you get a wide range as well.

What bullet do you use when hunting with your .357?

My old man just got his licence and I would like to shoot a warthog in the bush with it. My aim is to try and stalk close enough to it, under 75m, and shoot it over open sights.