Lever action rifles?

[kliph]

Does anyone use a 12 gage for Moose?
How many gave up on the 12 gage because of the recoil?
And went to a rifle.

[Wade B AKA: Ruger2506]

Originally Posted by kliph

Does anyone use a 12 gage for Moose?
How many gave up on the 12 gage because of the recoil?
And went to a rifle.

While slugs work for deer sized game they offer a poor option for larger game. If you look at the ballistics you will see they carry a nominal foot pounds of energy out to 100 yards.

[Phil T]

A 45-70 rifle with Bufallo Bore loads kicks like a 12 gauge slug gun, in my experience.

[Wade B AKA: Ruger2506]

Originally Posted by Phil T

A 45-70 rifle with Bufallo Bore loads kicks like a 12 gauge slug gun, in my experience.

Must have been shooting the wrong load. I can load my 45-70 up to the low end of a 458 Win Mag which does kick like a mule (but lays Brown Bears out flat). However my whitetail loadings are very managable. My wife shot a deer with it a few years ago. Hornaday 350gr Hollow Points loaded at 2100 ft/sec. Tips whitetails right over with managable recoil. All recovered bullets performed flawlessly.

[zummy]

I will say having handled a new Marlin 30-30 and a new Henry in the same caliber, the Henry wins hands down. Was just at the gun shop playing with them the other day. Almost traded my Hipoint carbine for a Marlin yesterday though. Its all about what you can afford.

[kliph]

Originally Posted by Wade B AKA: Ruger2506

While slugs work for deer sized game they offer a poor option for larger game. If you look at the ballistics you will see they carry a nominal foot pounds of energy out to 100 yards.

I recall reading somewhere that a guide for brown bear
uses a 12 gage Double-Barrel Shotgun as a back-up.
If I recall he uses bb in one barrel and a slug in the other.
He said he would use bb for a head shot and the slug
as the final shot.
(If it didn't work it would be his final shot!)
At close range, feet not yards, it might work.
I think I read it in the NRA's American Hunter magazine.
What is the foot pounds of energy at 20-30 feet for a 12 gage slug?

[Wade B AKA: Ruger2506]

Depends on the round but I am seeing mostly between 2000 and 2500 ft-lbs at the muzzle for a 12 ga slug. I would think out to 10 yards is about the same.

Yeah, I saw that article as well. I know in Africa the guides prefer a 12 ga with BB when going into the bush after a wounded cat.

[Badgerloader]

I suggest looking for an older Marlin in .35 Remington

[Phil T]

If I buy another lever action, it will be a Browning in 358 Win, maybe even a takedown model. that would fit nicely between my 300 Savage 99 and my Marlin 45-70.

[GreatWhiteNorth517]

Don't count out the .35 Remington. Hits a lot harder than the .30-30 yet still has moderate recoil.