Best Lever-Action Cartridges of all Time

Published on March 19, 2022
Duration: 6:18

This video compares three iconic lever-action rifle cartridges: the .45-70 Government, .30-30 Winchester, and .300 Savage. It delves into their historical context, mechanical considerations like magazine types, and ballistic performance, including velocity, energy, and recoil. The .45-70 excels in brute force for large game at short ranges, the .30-30 offers balanced mid-range performance with modern bullet options, and the .300 Savage provides superior energy retention for longer shots.

Quick Summary

The best lever-action cartridges are .45-70 Government for short-range power on large game, .30-30 Winchester for versatile medium-game hunting with good downrange energy, and .300 Savage for superior energy retention on longer shots.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to Lever-Action Cartridges
  2. 00:55Lever-Action Mechanics and History
  3. 01:29Tubular vs. Rotary Magazines
  4. 03:36.45-70 Government Analysis
  5. 04:19.30-30 Winchester Performance
  6. 04:50.300 Savage and Recoil Comparison
  7. 05:39Conclusion and Recommendations

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best cartridges for lever-action rifles?

The video highlights .45-70 Government for heavy stopping power at short range, .30-30 Winchester for versatile medium-game hunting with good downrange energy, and .300 Savage for superior energy retention on longer shots, especially with modern bullet designs.

How do .45-70, .30-30, and .300 Savage compare in recoil?

The .45-70 Government has the highest recoil energy at approximately 26 ft-lbs. The .300 Savage follows with around 15 ft-lbs, and the .30-30 Winchester has the least recoil among the three, estimated at 13 ft-lbs.

Why are blunt-nose bullets used in some lever-action rifles?

Blunt-nose bullets, or those with flexible tips like Hornady's Leverevolution, are used in tubular magazines to prevent the primer of one cartridge from potentially igniting the powder of the cartridge in front of it during recoil, which is a safety risk with pointed bullets.

Which lever-action cartridge is best for large game?

For large game like bears, moose, and elk at shorter ranges (under 200 yards), the .45-70 Government is recommended due to its significant mass and brute force. It relies on heavy bullets for maximum impact.

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