Lever Action for Elk Hunting

[nwmein199]

Curious...I hunt elk here in western WA so thick brush and close shots (50-100 yards tops). I want to buy a new rifle for hunting season and thinking about stainless steel lever action (main reason is I just want a lever action rifle and not set on caliber yet but leaning towards 45 long colt). I have never seen anyone else out elk hunting with a lever action around here so I am trying to pick your brains; pros and cons to lever action for western wa modern elk hunting? Thanks for your input!

[Cougartail]

I wouldn't limit myself with the 45 colt. 30-30 is were I would start.

[JimmyHoffa]

I see a few, mostly .30-30s and .45-70s.  I've heard of a few .444s, .300 Sav out there for elk.  The BLRs have a selection of rimless bottlenecks that would work for elk.  I would think if you go with a 45 LC, you would need some of the hotter loads for the modern lever guns.   

[JakeLand]

Shot my first elk when I was a kid with a Winchester 94 30-30 under 100 yards and he didn’t go far at all . I wouldn’t use a .45 long colt you would be better of with a .45-70 considering range

[nwmein199]

Shot my first elk when I was a kid with a Winchester 94 30-30 under 100 yards and he didn’t go far at all . I wouldn’t use a .45 long colt you would be better of with a .45-70 considering range

Can you elaborate on the reasoning here? Thanks!

I was thinking 45 long colt for a couple reasons:
-I am always worried about "enough" knock down power for elk...if they run 100 yards around here sometimes they can be impossible to find
-Do not want a magnum round
-Want fairly readily available ammo at the store since I dont reload

Then again I hunt now with a .270 they all die if you hit them in the heart 

[Tbar]

Savage 99 in 308? Or blr in 308?

[dreadi]

.30-30 has some good “punch” and .45-70 has a good “thump”. Those are technical terms. lol

I’d be up for either depending on the budget for factory ammo or handloads. With your intent to hunt the wet side, I’d also recommend getting one with a finish what will resist the elements   

[Jonathan_S]

.45-70 no question and there is readily available ammunition. Even with full house handloads, I wouldn't recommend buying an elk rifle that I was afraid of hitting an elk shoulder with.

Elk are certainly not one of the more difficult critters to track even without blood.

[Jonathan_S]

.30-30 has some good “punch” and .45-70 has a good “thump”. Those are technical terms. lol

.30-30 has nothing on the .45-70 for "punch" assuming you mean penetration. Even slow moving 400 grain bullets penetrate a long darn way.

[magnanimous_j]

.45lc seems a little light. My choice would be a 45-70, but if you wanted less recoil, a 30-30 with Hornady Leverevolution ammo would do the trick.

[timberfaller]

IMHO,   Look at the 38-55 then the 444 Marlin.    Then there is the old stand-by's  30-06 and 308.

[Jonathan_S]

As cool as the 38-55 is, I doubt it meets his criteria for a stainless and easily available ammo

[buckfvr]

If it must be a lever get real elk/bear performance.   Threaded for brake.

https://www.henryusa.com/rifles/lever-action-x-model-45-70/

[grundy53]

I have a Marlin in .338 Marlin Express. I really like it. .338 bullet with the same ballistics as a 180 grain 30-06.

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[dreadi]

.30-30 has some good “punch” and .45-70 has a good “thump”. Those are technical terms. lol

.30-30 has nothing on the .45-70 for "punch" assuming you mean penetration. Even slow moving 400 grain bullets penetrate a long darn way.

I wasn't saying that one is superior to the other.