[wendy1946]

For hunting... 90% of all actual killing of game animals is inside of 100 yards. The most idea rifle there could be for North American hunting would be that Marlin lever-action chambered for 44 magnum. The pistol cartridge picks up an extra 300 fps or so in the rifle barrel, there is no serious recoil, and it will absolutely drop animals which so-called magnum rifles with three times the ballistics will not. Very little relation between ballistics and lethality; the 44 - 45 caliber rifles are much more lethal than the 30s.

[guitarplayer1953]

How is the ammo availability for them? I'm liking the suggestion of getting a shot gun with large shot in it. A good 12ga. is pretty common. That would do for home defense and your lever action marlin sound great if one can find the ammo. I'll look into it. thanks.

[oldenuff2no]

Being a retired combat vet, gunsmith, competitive shooter, reloader, and self defense small arms instructor I am very sure of my knowledge of ballistics and physics. Your evaluation of terminal impact energy is a crock!!!!! I'm not going to argue one caliber over another. There is not one round that is best at all distances out to a hundred yards. I would keep a riot gun stoked with buckshot around for close in work and probably one of the AK clones loaded with expanding bullets for man sized targets from thirty to a hundred yards. I hunt with handguns and archery gear. The black bear,(400 lb boar) I took last year fell to my Ruger 45LC. I had it loaded with 320gr soft nose 45LC +P Corbon ammo. I engaged and dispatched the bear at 30’ with one shot. I would not even consider using the same weapon/ammo at a hundred yards. That combination, due to the loss of velocity at that distance, would not have the desired terminal impact energy.

[CholeraJoe]

The most idea rifle there could be for North American hunting would be that Marlin lever-action chambered for 44 magnum.

I've had one for years. Love it.