r/canadaguns • u/Big-Guitar-1979 • 9d ago

Buy recommendations Lever action 44mag or 30-30

Can someone please suggest?

I only shoot in range. No hunting. I don’t like 357mag.

Shoot from 15yard to 100yard

Thank you!

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u/prosper_0 8d ago

Few random thoughts:

44 mag with 180 grain loads is prettttty similar to a 30-30 with 170's at typical hunting ranges for this class of firearm.

By the same token, a 357 with SPICY 158 grain handload loads can almost approach 30-30 150 grain loads.

Pistol calibers are more fun to shoot. Clanging steel out to 500 yards with a subsonic load is really satisfying.

357 is substantially cheaper to shoot than either, and quite a bit 'flashier' to shoot. Concussion is really impressive.

If you're really sensitive to recoil, I'd say that the 44 might potentially be getting into 'uncomfortable' territory, especially with a lightweight gun. For some folks, it might be big enough that a flinch develops, or fatigue sets in after a much smaller number of shots than with something smaller.